Left, Right details the Canadian Left’s promotion of colonial policies and nationalist myths.
Yves Engler’s latest book outlines the NDP’s and labour unions’ role in confusing Canadians; from Korea to Libya, Canada’s major left-wing political party has backed unjust wars; Canadian unions supported the creation of NATO, the Korean War, the assassination of Patrice Lumumba, the Bay of Pigs invasion and the coup in Haiti.
Left, Right also shows how prominent Left commentators concede a great deal to the dominant ideology. Whether it’s Linda McQuaig turning Lester Pearson into an anti-US peacenik, Stephen Lewis praising Canada’s role in Africa, or others mindlessly demanding more so-called peacekeeping, Left intellectuals regularly undermine the building of a just foreign policy.
Left nationalist ideology, both Canadian and Quebecois, has warped the foreign policy discussion; viewing their country as a semi-colony struggling for its independence has blinded progressives to a long history of supporting empire and advancing corporate interests abroad.
Even many victims of Canadian colonialism among indigenous communities have succumbed to the siren song of supporting imperialism.
Finally, Left, Right suggests some ways to get the Left working for an ecologically sound, peace-promoting, non-exploitative foreign policy that does no harm and treats others the way we wish to be treated.
Schedule:
Friday, Oct. 5, 6 pm Montréal Salle de Revolution, 3720 Avenue du Parc Multi-author launch including John Grande and Maia Stepenberg Sponsor: Black Rose Books
Wednesday, Oct. 10, 7 pm Ottawa 25 One Community, 251 Bank St (2nd floor) Sponsor: Octopus Books http://octopusbooks.ca/event/left-right-—-marching-to-the-beat-of-imperial-canada-book-launch-with-yves-engler
Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2:30 pm Winnipeg Menno Simons College, University of Winnipeg, 102-520 Portage Ave Room TBA
Wednesday, Oct. 17, 7 pm Winnipeg Université de Saint-Boniface, 200 Avenue de la Cathedrale, Room 2322 Sponsor: Peace Alliance Winnipeg https://www.facebook.com/events/968363916703546/ Sponsor: Peace Alliance Winnipeg
Thursday, Oct. 18, 5 pm Regina Knox-Met United Church, 2340 Victoria Ave, Room 105 Sponsor: Regina Peace Council
Saturday, Oct. 20, 1 pm Prince Albert The Mann Art Gallery Sponsor: Council of Canadians Prince Albert
Sunday,Oct. 21, 2 pm Saskatoon 615 Main Street Sponsor: Turning the Tide Bookstore (turning.ca) & Council of Canadians Saskatoon
Monday, Oct. 22, 7 pm Edmonton University of Alberta Education Centre South, Room 158 Sponsor: Palestine Solidarity Network
Tuesday, Oct. 23, 7 pm Calgary Community Wise Resource Centre (Old Y Building) 223 12 Ave SW Sponsor: Justice for Palestinians https://www.facebook.com/events/2062566467100837/
Wednesday, Oct. 24 7 pm Calgary Mount Royal University Jenkins Theatre (A debate on Canada’s Israel policy) Sponsor: Rational Space
Thursday, Oct. 25 Nelson Location TBD Sponsor: Mir Centre for Peace & Council of Canadians Nelson
Friday, Oct. 26 Kelowna Okanagan College, 1000 K.L.O. Road Sponsor: Kelowna Peace Group
Saturday, Oct. 27.12:30 pm (A discussion of Canadian mining policy) Vancouver Location TBD
Tuesday, Oct. 30 6 pm Vancouver SFU Harbour Centre (515 West Hastings Street) room 7000 Sponsor: SFU Institute for the Humanities & Lawyers Rights Watch Canada https://www.facebook.com/events/562967147452951/
Thursday,Nov. 1, 7 pm Victoria University of Victoria, Harry Hickman Bldg Room 105 Sponsor: Social Justice Studies & Victoria Peace Coalition
November 2 Victoria (A discussion of NDP Palestine policy) Location TBD
Monday, Nov. 5, 6 pm Courtenay Library, 300 6th St
Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2:30 pm Nanaimo Sponsor: Vancouver Island University Sponsor: Political Science Department
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