New Voices and New Ideas

1. New Voices and New Ideas

2. Out With the Old… • People had tried both the Liberals and the Conservatives with little change in their situation • This led to the development of new provincial and regional parties • These included • Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) • Social Credit Party (Socreds) • Union Nationale

3. The CCF • The CCF formed in Regina in 1933 under the leadership of J.S. Woodsworth • It drew its support mostly from drought stricken Saskatchewan • The Party’s guiding principles were outlined in the Regina Manifesto • The name inspired a “Red Scare” but the CCF was committed to democratic socialism • Socialism without a violent overthrow of the existing powers

4. The CCF • It also received support from labour unions and workers • They became recognized as the representative of the working man • The CCF platform included • increased social spending • Publicly controlled financial intuitions • Centralized economic planning • Uniform public health services

5. The CCF • The goal of the CCF was to stimulate the economy through social spending • The CCF was the first party to practice reform liberalism • Reform Liberalism • Allows state intervention • Creates an environment that enhanced opportunities for individuals • Removed “intolerable” inequities in society • Did not trust in the market place

6. The CCF • The CCF enjoyed its most success provincially • The CCF was a major factor in Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia • In Saskatchewan the CCF was elected to a majority government under Tommy Douglas • Douglas introduced a revolutionary health plan in Saskatchewan in 1946 that provided health care to everyone regardless of economic status

7. The CCF • In 1961 the CCF abandoned some of the more radical beliefs of the party and changed their name to the New Democratic Party of Canada • Although the CCF/NDP has never been elected federally, it has been dubbed “the conscience of the House of Commons” • Many CCF/NDP policies are now parts of the Liberal and Conservative Party platforms

8. Social Credit • The Alberta Social Credit movement was formed in order to combat the socialist tendencies of the CCF • The first Socred government was formed in Alberta under “Bible” Bill Aberhart • Instead of taking control of the economy the Socreds planned to stimulate a market economy • They did this by paying a cash dividend ($25)to every citizen of the province each month

9. Social Credit • The Socreds held power in Alberta until 1971 under Aberhart, Manning (Preston’s father), and Strom • The Social Credit party’s system was effective but most of their platform was considered unconstitutional

10. Union Nationale • Another regional party emerged in Quebec under Maurice Duplessis • Duplessis blamed “aliens” for the problems in Quebec • By alien he meant the English minority

11. Union Nationale • Duplessis ran Quebec like a dictator and remained in power from 1936-1959 with a break from 1939-1944 • Duplessis hated unions and used force against strikers • He used the power of the government to hinder his political rivals

12. Union Nationale • The Padlock Law (1937) made it possible for the Provincial Attorney-General to padlock the premise of any “subversive” organization • “subversive” was liberally interpreted by Duplessis • Duplessis encouraged Quebec nationalism and set himself up as the defender of French rights in a hostile country

13. Union Nationale • Duplessis did manage to increase American investment in Quebec despite his anti-English views

14. Overview • The Depression led to a switch from classic liberalism to reform liberalism • Regional parties emerged in provincial politics • New ideas helped to combat the depression • The national identity forged by Macdonald, Laurier, and Borden began to break down