Basis of Unity

Our Basis of Unity presents the core values that our members agree upon, uphold, and support. It gives us the confidence of a common direction and solidarity when working together and debating issues. Our organization is a space for learning, teaching and collaboration. These shared principles provide us with a solid foundation upon which to build together.

Building community and capacity: We strive to foster a culture of solidarity, learning, and mutual respect. We freely share amongst ourselves the skills and knowledge that we’ve built through organizing. We welcome the creativity and talents that new members bring, and invest in growing one another’s capacity. All of this, we believe, will ensure a strong and committed organization.

Democratic economic control: In our economy, most decisions are made by a small group of wealthy executives and investors who choose how to use our labour to maximize their profits and power. This arrangement must be reconfigured. We will work to build a democratic economy—one where workers have a say in how we work, how we share in the fruits of our labour, and how the economy operates as a whole. A democratic economic system is possible—and necessary.

Inclusive society: All people deserve living and working environments that are safe, fair, and inclusive—and our movements are no different. We actively oppose discrimination based on ethnicity, racialization, gender, citizenship, identity, sexuality, ability, class, employment, and religion. We cannot build the future we all deserve when people are systemically excluded from society, or made unwelcome in their communities. We seek to embrace all, equitably and without discrimination, and we actively support the work and leadership of organizations fighting for those facing systemic oppression.

Environmental and climate justice: Our generation and all future generations deserve to work and live on a healthy planet, free from pollution and climate catastrophe. Currently, a handful of fossil fuel billionaires—actively enabled by our governments—are decimating the planet at the expense of working people. Capitalism has caused climate change, and only organized working people can turn the tide. We call for an end to fossil fuel expansion and a transition towards a 100% renewable energy economy that creates the good, sustainable jobs working people deserve.

International solidarity: Around the world, people are being forced to flee their homes because of genocide, war, climate change, resource extraction, and occupation. We embrace our shared humanity and stand in solidarity with all who face such violence. We support their struggles towards freedom and liberation—this includes the Palestinian people, whose demand for freedom and justice is long overdue. As part of our solidarity, we also insist that Canada must be a safe country for those seeking protection and safety, and we support the right of all migrants to dignity, health, and security—including through the granting of Status for All.

Decolonization and self-determination: Canada is a nation built on colonized territory taken through bloodshed, colonization, and deals made in bad faith. We acknowledge that the Canadian state, in doing so, committed atrocities against the first inhabitants of this land, and that it continues to disposses and usurp their sovereignty today. We vow to work in support of—and learn from—Indigenous groups fighting for their rights and self-determination.