I swear that the National Post must have asked Buzz Hargrove and Sheila Copps to write columns just to give bloggers something to write about and yesterday Mr. Hargrove did not disappoint. Here are some of the finer moments from Canada'a left can find common cause in Quebec.
[...]More than 800 CAW-elected local leaders from workplaces across the country heard from Gilles Duceppe, leader of the Bloc Québécois (and, incidentally, a long-time trade unionist).
He forgot to mention that MP Duceppe was a communist, I can't see why that would bother Mr. Hargrove.
[...]How would our union’s rankand-file leadership respond, I wondered, to a speech from an avowed sovereigntist? The delegates gave Duceppe a standing ovation — three times. Their new respect for Duceppe was based on his dedicated fights in recent years around numerous progressive and labour issues (including benefits for unemployed workers, anti-scab legislation, industrial development policy and opposing the war in Iraq).
I would think this reflects more on union leadership than union members. Do all union members oppose the war in Iraq? Is this an issue that they want their union leadersip and hence their union dues to fight against? What does this have to do with unions in the first place?
[...]Now we must leverage those electoral results into legislative victories on core progressive issues (like medicare, child care, Kyoto and peace).
Of course this is Canadian style "peace" a la MacLean and MacLean - Keep it over there Lord, keep it over there...
[...]Some complain the BQ isn’t left enough, and I agree (the same complaint is often heard about the NDP, too).
Really? From who? We all know what is left of socialism and do any Canadians really want this? Save me from the brilliance.
