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.
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
Ottawa
(A discussion on the Left’s role in dispossessing Palestinians)
University of Ottawa, Simard building, 429
Sponsor: GRIP-OPIRG
https://www.facebook.com/events/294031301189269/
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
