An upcoming event encapsulates why my candidacy upends the NDP leadership race. The talk raises essential, if controversial, ideas while displaying what could be described as important ‘establishment’ credentials.
Next Monday I will be speaking with Alain Denault. Author of a dozen books, Denault came to prominence with a battle over his 2008 book Noir Canada: Pillage, corruption et criminalité en Afrique, which is largely about Canadian mining companies’ activities in Africa. Barrick Gold and Banro sued the publisher and three authors for $11 million. They fought back valiantly. Ultimately, their resistance to Barrick’s heavy-handed actions sparked a successful campaign in Québec to lessen corporations’ ability to sue for reputational damage through so-called SLAPP suits (Strategic Lawsuits against Public Participation).
Monday’s event is headlined “Alain Denault et Yves Engler en conversation sur la décroissance, le militarisme, genocide et le capitalisme.” If capitalism and militarism are subjects the NDP establishment are reluctant to discuss, degrowth is truly a no-go theme. In fact, even some activists in my campaign have complained that I’ve repeatedly employed the term “degrowth”.
I will ask Alain to demystify a concept he’s written about. Amidst the climate crisis, mass species extinction, soil depletion, etc. we shouldn’t fear the label ‘degrowth’. We’d be better placed today if leftists had begun promoting degrowth a half century ago when it became clear humanity was surpassing earth’s carrying capacity and that civilization was likely to collapse this century. We must decouple our understanding of growth/GDP under capitalism from wellness/social utility.
While we’ll discuss subjects outside of mainstream political bounds, we’ll do it in a politically prized language. A slew of top NDP figures and media analysists have highlighted the importance of the party leader speaking French yet it’s unclear if any of the other leadership candidates can converse, let alone debate, in French.
It’s not my mother tongue. I grew up in Vancouver, but my mom is a Fransaskoise and I attended French immersion school. I moved to Montreal to attend Concordia university but didn’t leave after I was expelled in the aftermath of a 2002 protest against Benjamin Netanyahu. I speak to my three and eight-year-old in French.
As the only Quebecer in the race, I would have a greater chance of re-creating Jack Layton’s 2011 Orange Wave. In fact, my strategy in Quebec would be to challenge the Liberals and Bloc Québécois’ support/indifference for militarism and Israel’s genocide in Gaza. Quebec has a pacifist, internationalist, tradition that offers some space for the NDP to make gains. As the cuts from Mark Carney’s radical militarism take hold, the issue will gain prominence. If Canada’s military goes to war, likely a US-sponsored one, the subject will become even more controversial.
With only one seat in Quebec the possibility for growth is significant. But, more significantly the NDP needs to become a vehicle where people discuss capitalism, militarism and even degrowth. In any language.
Alain Denault et Yves Engler en conversation 27 Octobre 19 heure Maison de l’amitié 120 Avenue Duluth E.
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