Social Democratic Party of Canada
Encyclopedia
The Social Democratic Party was a social democratic political party in Canada
founded in 1911 by members of the right wing of the Socialist Party of Canada
. these members were dissatisfied with what they saw as that party's rigid, doctrinaire approach. As opposed to the Socialist Party of Canada, the SDP allowed minority language groups ample room for self-determination, which led to a perception that the ethnic groups were more dominant than the overarching SDP. When the authorities cracked down on ethnic groups during the 1918 wave of repression, many of these individual ethnic chapters were shut down.
The British Columbia
-based SDP put forward a more moderate, evolutionary socialist position, and had a more positive view of the trade union movement than its rival. The party won seats in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
in the early part of the century, and also won seats in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba
in 1915 and 1920.
The SDP's official platform can be seen as being far from revolutionary, as put forth in their newspaper Canadian Forward
:
Despite this, it was perceived as being a radical leftist group by the federal government, especially during the First World War. The Canadian Director of Public Safety identified them as the publisher of the largest amount of anti-war propaganda during the First World War. Isaac Bainbridge, the editor of the Canadian Forward and Dominion Secretary of the SDP during the First World War, was imprisoned on numerous occasions for this 'seditious material'.
In 1918, the SDP was briefly outlawed by an Order-in-Council of the Borden administration, although this was quickly rectified shortly thereafter. However, its newspaper Canadian Forward was outlawed permanently. This persecution helped to contribute to the downfall of the SDP.
The SDP joined the Federated Labour Party of Canada in 1920, and its successors such as the Independent Labour Party (see Labour candidates and parties (Canada)).
Many former members of the SDP joined the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation
when it was formed in 1932.
Some members of the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party
have suggested the party should change its name to the "Social Democratic Party".
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...
founded in 1911 by members of the right wing of the Socialist Party of Canada
Socialist Party of Canada
There have been two different but related political parties in Canada that called themselves the Socialist Party of Canada . The current Socialist Party is an electorally inactive and unregistered federal political party in Canada...
. these members were dissatisfied with what they saw as that party's rigid, doctrinaire approach. As opposed to the Socialist Party of Canada, the SDP allowed minority language groups ample room for self-determination, which led to a perception that the ethnic groups were more dominant than the overarching SDP. When the authorities cracked down on ethnic groups during the 1918 wave of repression, many of these individual ethnic chapters were shut down.
The 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...
-based SDP put forward a more moderate, evolutionary socialist position, and had a more positive view of the trade union movement than its rival. The party won seats in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia is one of two components of the Parliament of British Columbia, the provincial parliament ....
in the early part of the century, and also won seats in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba
Legislative Assembly of Manitoba
The Legislative Assembly of Manitoba and the lieutenant governor form the Legislature of Manitoba, the legislature of the Canadian province of Manitoba. Fifty-seven members are elected to this assembly in provincial general elections, all in single-member constituencies with first-past-the-post...
in 1915 and 1920.
The SDP's official platform can be seen as being far from revolutionary, as put forth in their newspaper Canadian Forward
Canadian Forward
The Canadian Forward was the official party organ of the Social Democratic Party of Canada between 1916 and 1918. It was one of the leading papers of the socialist movement, providing ascerbic commentary on the war effort of the First World War, especially conscription.It was edited by Isaac...
:
As a means of preparing the minds of the working class for the inauguration of the Co-operative commonwealth, the Social-Democratic Party of Canada will support any measure that will tend to better conditions under capitalism, such as:
(1) Reduction of hours of labor.
(2) The elimination of child labor.
(3) Universal adult suffrage without distinction of sex or regard to property qualifications.
(4) The Initiative, Referendum, and right of Recall.
Despite this, it was perceived as being a radical leftist group by the federal government, especially during the First World War. The Canadian Director of Public Safety identified them as the publisher of the largest amount of anti-war propaganda during the First World War. Isaac Bainbridge, the editor of the Canadian Forward and Dominion Secretary of the SDP during the First World War, was imprisoned on numerous occasions for this 'seditious material'.
In 1918, the SDP was briefly outlawed by an Order-in-Council of the Borden administration, although this was quickly rectified shortly thereafter. However, its newspaper Canadian Forward was outlawed permanently. This persecution helped to contribute to the downfall of the SDP.
The SDP joined the Federated Labour Party of Canada in 1920, and its successors such as the Independent Labour Party (see Labour candidates and parties (Canada)).
Many former members of the SDP joined the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation
Co-operative Commonwealth Federation
The Co-operative Commonwealth Federation was a Canadian political party founded in 1932 in Calgary, Alberta, by a number of socialist, farm, co-operative and labour groups, and the League for Social Reconstruction...
when it was formed in 1932.
Some members of the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party
Saskatchewan New Democratic Party
The Saskatchewan New Democratic Party is a social-democratic political party in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It currently forms the official opposition, but has been a dominant force in Saskatchewan politics since the 1940s...
have suggested the party should change its name to the "Social Democratic Party".
See also
- social democracySocial democracySocial democracy is a political ideology of the center-left on the political spectrum. Social democracy is officially a form of evolutionary reformist socialism. It supports class collaboration as the course to achieve socialism...
- List of political parties in Canada
- Social Democratic Party of Canada in Manitoba