MONTREAL — Shortly after announcing his campaign for Quebec’s National Assembly in the St. Laurent riding, Joe Young, a member of the Communist League, joined an action here in defense of immigrant rights Dec. 12.
Organized by “Quebec is us, too,” the rally of some 200 people protested the Quebec government’s cancellation of access to permanent residency for many immigrants. Olivier Carrière, Quebec Federation of Labour general secretary, spoke at the action, which was attended by representatives from several unions.
“The government just wants to bring us here to work as cheap labor without rights,” Benaouda Houacine, originally from Algeria, told Young at the action. “Many of us are only given closed work permits,” making residence in Canada temporary and contingent on working for only one employer, regardless of the conditions there.
“The Communist League joins with over 180 unions and immigrant rights organizations demanding permanent residence status for all immigrants in Canada,” Young said. “This fight is essential to confront the bosses’ divide-and-rule tactics.”
Houacine told Young that he had joined a contingent organized by “Quebec is us, too” at the 50,000-strong Nov. 29 union demonstration. It protested against multiple anti-union and anti-democratic laws proposed by Quebec’s provincial government.
Young’s campaign offers a way forward for working people in the face of these assaults.
“The ruling rich are using their governments in both Ottawa and Quebec City to try to silence working people,” Young told the Militant. “They’re waging war on us at home and increasing military spending in preparation for wars against their rivals abroad.
“The Communist League explains the working class needs its own party, to lead the fight to take political power from the capitalist war makers and into our own hands. The Communist League is the nucleus of that party.”
Political crisis facing working class
Young discussed this perspective when he met Modelet Osias and his wife, both originally from Haiti, on their doorstep in St. Hyacinthe, near Montreal, Dec. 7.
They discussed the economic and political crisis facing working people in Haiti, including the spread of deadly gang violence.
“It’s the rich who supply these gangs,” Osias said.
“When Washington and Ottawa intervene, it’s never to help Haitian working people,” Young replied. Last year Washington brokered the establishment of a transitional government and a Kenyan-led foreign military force, which has done little to stop gang violence.
“Yes, that’s right,” Osias said. “The U.S. revoked the visa of the only opposition,” referring to Fritz Alphonse Jean, a member of the transitional governing council.
Young pointed to the broader conflicts accelerating around the world today. “Instead of using their vast resources for human needs in Haiti or anywhere else, the Canadian and U.S. rulers are setting the stage for another war of global proportions,” he said. “You don’t think I’m exaggerating, do you?”
“Not at all,” replied Osias.