In his 30-second introductory remarks, as allotted to each of the 27 candidates, Young said, “I call for the immediate withdrawal of Canadian troops from Afghanistan. This imperialist war is against the interests of all working people.”

The Toronto city elections take place November 13. There are 38 candidates for mayor in an election that is officially “non-partisan,” without declared political affiliation by the leading capitalist candidates.

In addition to Young, the Communist League is running for councillor Beverly Bernardo in Ward 14 and Michel Dugré in Ward 12. Both are garment workers.

Among those at the forum were Mayor David Miller, a self-proclaimed friend of labor and member of the New Democratic Party who is supported by the Toronto-area Labor Council, and his main opponent, city council member Jane Pitfield.

While Young received applause for his comments on Afghanistan, some in the audience reacted negatively when he defended a one-day “wildcat” strike carried out last May by the transit workers as “a courageous action in defense of their union contract and the public transit system.”

Young’s position on expanded public transit was reported in the daily National Post, and his stance on Afghanistan was reported by CBC television news.

Later in the week Young and his supporters took the Communist League campaign to the picket line of striking Goodyear Tire workers, who are members of the United Steelworkers union. The strikers they spoke with expressed appreciation for his solidarity. “I am encouraging my co-workers and other workers to get down to your picket line,” Young told them.
 
 
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