The Manitoba Regional Committee (MRC) of the Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist) held an important conference on April 9 and 10. Its purpose was to sum up the past four years of work of the MRC, analyze international, national and local developments over the past several years and produce a political report reflecting this analysis and setting the tasks for the coming period. The number of people participating in the conference marked a significant increase over those attending the previous conference in January 2000, and a number of new members were accepted into the MRC.
The delegates to the conference held serious discussions on the work of the MRC, assessing its successes, as well as its strengths and weaknesses. Based on their work over the past several years, the secretary and spokesperson of the MRC were elected unanimously.
The Draft Report to the conference was the subject of vigorous discussion. It highlights the many difficulties confronting the revolutionary movement and provides a sober assessment of the state of the communist movement in Canada and internationally. Amongst other things, the report addresses the question of what it means to be a communist within the current conditions, stating:
First and foremost, it means to be an organizer, to be constantly striving to solve the problems confronting society. Having the "most correct" ideas is meaningless without an organized force to make those ideas a reality. A communist must be the champion of the most advanced and enlightened positions to which society has given rise and must provide modern content and modern definitions to all of the most fundamental relationships in human society. There can be no place within a modern communist movement for those who place themselves above the collective, those who believe in the stereotype of communist "bosses", who issue orders that the "rank and file" members must carry out without question. There is no place in a modern communist movement for those who would distort the organizational principles of democratic centralism to restrict human rights to their allies or who would persecute individuals for their ideas. The communists must have the broadest minds and the largest hearts if they are to restore the prestige of communism to its rightful level. They must establish the highest forms of democracy and respect for human rights both within their own organizations and within the broader society. The extent to which the communists succeed in theory and practice in becoming the champions of the most advanced and enlightened positions will determine their success in renewing the communist movement, raising the prestige of communism and leading society to open a path towards enlightenment and social progress.
Based on their discussions, delegates made many constructive suggestions to further strengthen and clarify the Political Report; these were incorporated into the final draft. The final version of the Report will be published in book form in time for the May Day celebrations on May 1. It will also be available on the MRC web site at www.modern-communism.ca.
A public session on the afternoon of April 10 presented the Report to a broad section of communist and revolutionary activists for their opinions. A very vigorous discussion ensued and several participants emphasized the value of continuing such discussions on the state of the communist movement. They pointed out that while communists and revolutionaries have discussions on many subjects, it has been rare for them to sit down together and discuss the problems of their own movement. Everyone considered this to be a most important activity.
As part of the proceedings of the conference, on April 9 the MRC held a celebration to mark the opening and dedication of the Hardial Bains Library, a reading room and research facility which the MRC has put at the service of the revolutionary movement. The opening was attended by over 30 people, the majority of whom were youth. A spokesperson for the MRC addressed the gathering and dedicated the library to Hardial Bains and the revolutionary youth.
The conference concluded with a dinner hosted by the MRC and attended by delegates, revolutionary activists, friends and supporters, and their families. In addition to celebrating the successful conclusion of the MRC conference and continuing the discussion of the MRC Political Report, the dinner served as a backdrop for the launching of a new book published by the MRC - The Political Legacy of Hardial Bains.
(Below: View of the closing dinner, April 10)