Is there a Canadian equivalent to the #DSA? It's not the #NDP. They're not a movement in any meaningful sense and tend not to do much outside the election cycle. But, hey, if you want to feel like nothing more than a source of donations for a political party, join the NDP! They often send multiple fundraising emails PER DAY.
I sometimes toy with the idea of getting involved with the #Communist Party, but they're too much on the fringes to make much meaningful impact at the present.
@ink_slinger probably the closest is the Communist Party, yes
@nev That's what I figured. But they also don't seem to really do much other than sit around in coffee klatches and talk theory. It would be nice if there was an actual social movement that was organizing around democratic socialism and making it relevant to normal people's lives. I don't have the know-how to start one myself, but am increasingly open to joining an existing organization.
@ink_slinger well, I'll let you know if I come across one. I would suggest not getting hung up on the label though
@ink_slinger No kidding, I think the Communist Party only ran a couple of people here in Winnipeg, and then not in our riding.
@sparcipx To be fair, communism isn't exactly a popular position these days, so it's hardly a surprise they can't find candidates to run in most ridings.
The leader of the Communist Party - Alberta usually runs in the riding I used to live in, but she's one of only a handful of people willing to run as a communist candidate. Given that being an open commie could probably still get you fired, I understand the hesitancy people would have.
@sparcipx Of course, there's also the whole question of whether you can use the existing electoral system to bring about socialism. All evidence from the past 200 years suggests you can't, so perhaps it's a moot point.
@ink_slinger Maybe Québec solidaire? Ok, i'm a member of QS since forever, so not really neutral.
On a local level Solidarity Halifax seem pretty cool. https://solidarityhalifax.ca/
@Fralambert That'd be Quebec only, though, unfortunately.
@Fralambert Solidarity Halifax looks really cool. If I lived there, I would almost definitely get involved.
Oh, and the NDP Socialist Caucus is almost mostly powerless. It's pretty much just one main guy in Toronto. They're not even recognized as an official caucus within the party.
The head guy once said he would connect me with local members in my city and then never did, even when I followed up. So that's out as a viable option.