Canada’s New Democratic Party (NDP) long ago abandoned the radical roots of its founding ancestor, the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation which, famously, pledged in 1933 that “No CCF Government will rest content until it has eradicated capitalism and put into operation the full programme of socialized planning which will lead to the establishment in Canada of the Co-operative Commonwealth.”
This changed in 2013 when the Party voted to remove “socialism” from the preamble to its constitution and instead work toward some vague vision of the “common good.” The new constitution’s decidedly unradical character confirmed a long established centrist practice that has made the NDP almost indistinguishable from the Liberal Party of Canada.
Fast forward to the 2025 general election; the NDP is decimated, going from 25 seats to 7; and the Leader resigns triggering a leadership campaign which is just getting underway.
For those of us who pay attention to these things, the question is “will the Party resolve to abandon its Liberal-lite posture and return to its radical roots or will it continue its slide into political irrelevancy?”
One indicator of the NDP’s collective intentions will be how it responds to the leadership campaign of author and activist Yves Engler. Yves pulls no punches; his “socialism” is loud and proud and he brings a sophisticated and nuanced critique of capitalism to the campaign that the NDP has not been exposed to for many decades.
I was a member of the NDP for more than 30 years, but resigned from the Party in 2008 over its shameful support for the State of Israel during its “Cast Lead” attack on Gaza. The party would have to change significantly before I would consider rejoining. If the NDP were to select Yves as its Leader, I could be convinced.
Paul S. Graham 