Location
Registration opens: 10:30am
Conference begins: 11:00am
This event takes place in an accessible space.
The International Socialists invite you to join us for this one-day conference about fighting the austerity agenda, from Rob Ford in Toronto to Stephen Harper in Ottawa. The conference will discuss how to build a fight-back in the streets - and in Parliament - and will cover the rise of the NDP in the last federal election, the new federal politics, the nature of social democracy, Quebec and the national question, and the role of socialists in building a movement against neoliberalism - in the workplace, on campus, and in our neighbourhoods. The conference will also connect the local fight-backs against austerity to the global fight-back against austerity in Egypt, Greece, London, and beyond.
The conference is open to everyone. Subsidies are available. To register and/or request a subsidy, please email.
Suggested donation: $10 or pay what you can (no one will be turned away).
Conference agenda - Speakers TBA
10:30am - Registration
11:00am - Session 1: Stop Harper: From Arab Spring to world spring
What's the global context for the local austerity agenda? What are the prospects for building resistance? What lessons can we learn from fightbacks around the world? In Egypt? Greece? London?
12:15pm - Lunch
1:00pm - Session 2: Can the "orange wave" continue in Quebec?
How is Quebec an oppressed nation? What is the history of the left in Quebec and why was there a surge towards the NDP? How can the left consolidate the recent electoral gains of the NDP?
2:15pm - Break
2:30pm - Session 3: Government-in-waiting: The NDP record
What are the limits of social democracy? What's the NDP's record in office? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the new Official Opposition?
3:45pm - Break
4:00pm - Session 4: Should socialists work inside or outside the NDP?
How should socialists relate to the NDP during and between elections? Should socialists join the NDP or work alongside the membership?
5:15pm - Break
5:30pm - Session 5: Fighting austerity: In Parliament and on the streets
Summary of conference and wrap-up
6:00pm - Dinner/social
