Miner’s Memorial Day
took place this past weekend on Vancouver Island to celebrate the memory of
Ginger Goodwin and the struggles of the miners. A good contingent of youth were
present to take part in meetings and discussions.
Today
the major industrialized country with the highest proportion of working days
not worked due to strikes or lockouts is Canada, the only OECD country with a
higher rate is crisis-ridden Iceland. The high strike rate in Canada is now
leading to further radicalisation as workers in the manufacturing sector begin
factory occupations against plant closures. Canadian workers are setting the
pace; the world will follow.
The recent elections in Québec represent a
tidal shift in the political landscape. Voters expressed their dissatisfaction with the old parties by electing the right-populist Action democratique du Québec (ADQ) into
2nd place, thus assuring a minority government.