Features

by Editors — last modified 2018-10-06T08:57:06-04:00

Original articles by non-sectarian socialist student, labour and community organizers based in Canada.

Student power through their unions | Graham Cox

— by Graham H. Cox — last modified Jan 12, 2019 08:31 AM

Any challenge to the stability of student unions — one of the last independent democratic structures left in society — is an attack on democracy.

Year-ends and bookends

— by Roxanne Dubois — last modified Dec 31, 2018 10:14 AM

This year, my world was moved by current events and personal challenges. Books helped me steady my way, and so I continued reading. I have read new books, old books, classics in French and English. I have read fiction and non-fiction, in paper and electronic form. I was not particular about what I would read, so long as I kept reading. Here is a round-up of some of my favourites.

Book Review: How Will Capitalism End? Essays on a Failing System by Wolfgang Streeck

— by Editors (What's Left) — last modified Dec 01, 2018 10:00 AM

As socialists, it’s no surprise to us that the study of capitalism should be paired with an understanding of history, sociology, and politics. In Wolfgang Streeck’s 2016 book How Will Capitalism End? Essays on a Failing System he does just that. In fact, he does more than that, he gives capitalism a death sentence and it doesn’t look good.

Book review: Art after Money, Money after Art: Creative Strategies Against Financialization by Max Haven

— by Roxanne Dubois — last modified Nov 17, 2018 11:34 AM

Ten years after the crash, is any aspect of our daily lives unfettered by the influence of finance capital? It is clear enough that neoliberalism has permeated most layers of public governance, most social interactions, to create a legacy of starved public services, wealth inequality and powerful global capitalism. Surely art has been spared, especially in the contemporary form, which can be an expression of emotion and beauty, or even a space where criticism, resistance and subversiveness are not only allowed but expected. Max Haiven argues instead that art and money cannot be disassociated; that art is in fact dependent on capitalism and in no way apart from it.

Book review: The Break by Katherena Vermette

— by Roxanne Dubois — last modified Nov 04, 2018 05:37 PM

So far this year, I have read a number of incredible books, none of which have come close to The Break by Katherena Vermette. I finished this book months ago, and have since been haunted by some of its vivid, upsetting and heartwarming scenes. In many ways, this book is far too grand to summarize. In fact, what you will read below is less of a book review, and more of a post on why everyone in Canada should read this book.

Tariq Ali on Galeano, the Left, and making space for big ideas

— by Roxanne Dubois — last modified Oct 27, 2018 01:59 PM

Internationally known left-wing writer and scholar Tariq Ali was in Toronto last night. Two back-to-back speaking events were hosted by the Toronto Public Library as part of the On civil society series. He first talked about his favourite writer Eduardo Galeano, and then about the Left more broadly. Both talks were sold out, the second even requiring an overflow room.

Conservatives in Ontario start their attack on workers' rights today

— by Graham H. Cox — last modified Oct 24, 2018 04:49 PM

Doug Ford and his conservatives attack the rights of workers in Ontario with the repeal of Bill 148 provisions. This brings us back to the regressive position workers were in before Bill 148. For workers seeking union protection, the law removes all of the provisions that brought some balance back to workers. The new legislation will tilt labour law drastically in favour of employers and capitalists.

Section 2 of the Canadian Charter. Or, what Ford has trampled.

— by Graham H. Cox — last modified Sep 11, 2018 08:14 AM

Section 2 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms -- The Charter -- lists your fundamental freedoms under the Constitution of Canada. The fundamental freedoms are freedom of expression, freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of belief, freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of association.

Book review: Jonny Appleseed by Joshua Whitehead

— by Roxanne Dubois — last modified Sep 09, 2018 01:51 PM

Jonny Appleseed is heading back to the Peguis First Nations community where he was born, just outside of Winnipeg, because his stepfather passed away. Such is the premise of this short, punchy first novel by author Joshua Whitehead. In this book, Jonny's character wanders through thoughts and memories, feelings of pain and joy as he attempts to gather enough money to go back to the reserve to see his mother.

Ford's "free speech" directive to Ontario's universities and colleges limits freedoms | Citizens' Press

— by Editors (What's Left) — last modified Sep 02, 2018 03:26 PM

Ontario universities have academic freedom enshrined in their very fabric, negotiated in collective agreements and outlined in the principles of their governing bodies. Protecting the rights of these organizations to continue their work is essential to maintaining the academic culture of free exchange on campuses. Instead of expanding and fostering the healthy freedom of expression enjoyed on Ontario’s university and college campuses, the Ford government's new "free speech" directive will put a chill on academic freedom and debate.

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