North American Labour Party
Encyclopedia
The North American Labour Party was a Canadian
political party
that nominated candidates in federal elections in the 1970s. However, because it was not a registered political party under the rules of Elections Canada
, its candidates were considered to be independents.
The NALP was the Canadian affiliate of the Lyndon LaRouche
movement, and later became the Party for the Commonwealth of Canada
/Party for the Commonwealth-Republic.
The North American Labour Party nominated candidates in two provincial elections in British Columbia
. In the 11 December 1975 election
, the party’s four candidates collected 141 votes, less than 0.01% of the popular vote. In the 26 April 1979 elections
, its four candidates collected 297 votes, 0.02% of the popular vote.
The party also ran candidates in the 1975
and 1977
provincial elections in the province of Ontario
. The party was not registered in 1977, and its six candidates appeared on the ballot as independents. NALP candidates also ran in Toronto
and Montreal
municipal elections of 1978.
The NALP did not have an official leader in Ontario during the 1977 election, although Joe Brewda appears to have been the party's spokesman. In an interview with the Toronto Star
, published on June 6, 1977, Brewda argued that his party was rooted in socialism but encompassed other viewpoints as well. He is quoted as saying, "our program is based on economic growth and represents the vital interests of conservative industrialists, workers and some scientific layers". He also argued in support of a gold-backed monetary system, and alleged that his party would have received 15% of the vote in the previous election had it not been for massive voter fraud
.
A Globe and Mail article from January 2, 1980 lists Richard Sanders as the main Toronto organizer of the NALP, and accuses the party of anti-Semitism
. Sanders is cited in this article as alleging massive voter fraud against his party.
During the 1978 mayoral contest, Sanders was quoted as making the following statements: "The trouble with Toronto, is its porno press, the Sun
, Star and Globe and Mail! I'm the one to stop banks running drugs into Canada from the Cayman Islands
. Smith
, O'Donohue
and Sewell
are puffballs!" (Globe and Mail, 1 November 1978)
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
political party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
that nominated candidates in federal elections in the 1970s. However, because it was not a registered political party under the rules of Elections Canada
Elections Canada
Elections Canada is an independent, non-partisan agency reporting directly to the Parliament of Canada. Its ongoing responsibility is to ensure that Canadians can exercise their choices in federal elections and referenda through an open and impartial process...
, its candidates were considered to be independents.
The NALP was the Canadian affiliate of the Lyndon LaRouche
Lyndon LaRouche
Lyndon Hermyle LaRouche, Jr. is an American political activist and founder of a network of political committees, parties, and publications known collectively as the LaRouche movement...
movement, and later became the Party for the Commonwealth of Canada
Party for the Commonwealth of Canada
The Party for the Commonwealth of Canada was a Canadian political party formed by Canadians who supported the ideology of U.S. politician Lyndon LaRouche in the 1984, 1988 and 1993 elections....
/Party for the Commonwealth-Republic.
The North American Labour Party nominated candidates in two provincial elections in British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. In the 11 December 1975 election
British Columbia general election, 1975
The British Columbia general election of 1975 was the 31st general election in the Province of British Columbia, Canada. It was held to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The election was called on November 3, 1975, and held on December 11, 1975...
, the party’s four candidates collected 141 votes, less than 0.01% of the popular vote. In the 26 April 1979 elections
British Columbia general election, 1979
The British Columbia general election of 1979 was the 32nd general election in the Province of British Columbia, Canada. It was held to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The election was called on April 3, 1979...
, its four candidates collected 297 votes, 0.02% of the popular vote.
The party also ran candidates in the 1975
Ontario general election, 1975
The Ontario general election of 1975 was held on September 18, 1975, to elect the 125 members of the 30th Legislative Assembly of Ontario of the Province of Ontario, Canada....
and 1977
Ontario general election, 1977
The Ontario general election of 1977 was held on June 9, 1977, to elect the 125 members of the 31st Legislative Assembly of Ontario of the Province of Ontario, Canada....
provincial elections in the province of Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. The party was not registered in 1977, and its six candidates appeared on the ballot as independents. NALP candidates also ran in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
and Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
municipal elections of 1978.
The NALP did not have an official leader in Ontario during the 1977 election, although Joe Brewda appears to have been the party's spokesman. In an interview with the Toronto Star
Toronto Star
The Toronto Star is Canada's highest-circulation newspaper, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its print edition is distributed almost entirely within the province of Ontario...
, published on June 6, 1977, Brewda argued that his party was rooted in socialism but encompassed other viewpoints as well. He is quoted as saying, "our program is based on economic growth and represents the vital interests of conservative industrialists, workers and some scientific layers". He also argued in support of a gold-backed monetary system, and alleged that his party would have received 15% of the vote in the previous election had it not been for massive voter fraud
Electoral fraud
Electoral fraud is illegal interference with the process of an election. Acts of fraud affect vote counts to bring about an election result, whether by increasing the vote share of the favored candidate, depressing the vote share of the rival candidates or both...
.
A Globe and Mail article from January 2, 1980 lists Richard Sanders as the main Toronto organizer of the NALP, and accuses the party of anti-Semitism
Anti-Semitism
Antisemitism is suspicion of, hatred toward, or discrimination against Jews for reasons connected to their Jewish heritage. According to a 2005 U.S...
. Sanders is cited in this article as alleging massive voter fraud against his party.
During the 1978 mayoral contest, Sanders was quoted as making the following statements: "The trouble with Toronto, is its porno press, the Sun
Toronto Sun
The Toronto Sun is an English-language daily tabloid newspaper published in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is known for its daily Sunshine Girl feature and for what it sees as a populist conservative editorial stance.-History:...
, Star and Globe and Mail! I'm the one to stop banks running drugs into Canada from the Cayman Islands
Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands is a British Overseas Territory and overseas territory of the European Union located in the western Caribbean Sea. The territory comprises the three islands of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman, located south of Cuba and northwest of Jamaica...
. Smith
David Paul Smith
David Paul Smith, PC, QC is a Canadian lawyer, politician and Senator.Smith was an alderman on Toronto City Council in the 1970s. He served a period as deputy mayor and president of city council. He ran for Mayor of Toronto in 1978, but was defeated by John Sewell in a three-way split...
, O'Donohue
Tony O'Donohue
Anthony "Tony" O'Donohue is a former municipal politician in Toronto, Ontario.-Early life:Born in The Burren, County Clare, Ireland , O'Donohue graduated as a civil engineer from University College, Galway in 1954...
and Sewell
John Sewell
John Sewell, CM is a Canadian political activist and writer on municipal affairs; he was the mayor of Toronto, Ontario from 1978 to 1980.-Background:...
are puffballs!" (Globe and Mail, 1 November 1978)