The Progressive Workers Movement (ML) and The Canadian Internationalists held formal discussions on the following topics:
1. The question of Progressive Workers Movement (ML) as the Marxist-Leninist Movement in British Columbia and the centre for all the genuinely Marxist-Leninist individuals,
2. The question of Progressive Worker as the national Marxist-Leninist monthly dedicated to the building of the Marxist-Leninist Party in Canada and an important contribution of Progressive Workers Movement (ML) towards the building of a Marxist-Leninist Party in Canada and
3. The attitude of the Progressive Workers Movement (ML) towards other Marxist-Leninist groups and individuals existing outside of British Columbia.
1. This question was discussed firstly from the standpoint of whether The Canadian Internationalists (Marxist-Leninist Youth and Student Movement) consider the Progressive Workers Movement (ML) as the Marxist-Leninist Movement and if so then why The CI are organising independent of the discipline of PWM. It was pointed out by CI that PWM is a ML movement and that an effort was made in August last year to establish contact with PWM which did not materialise because the individual responsible never delivered the message to PWM. The question of “two centres” arose when both PWM and CI as ML movements are organising in B.C. without “one discipline”.
The question requires clarification. The Canadian Internationalists are a national organisation while PWM operates in B.C. only so CI cannot possibly come under PWM discipline. But this does not mean that the two organisations do not develop joint discipline in B.C. and assist each other in developing Progressive Worker as the Marxist-Leninist national monthly.
The whole question is reduced to this: CI will operate as the organisation has been functioning before but with one clear and conscious understanding that in B.C., they do not exist organisationally while their publications are widely distributed. In other words, CI
– recognises PWM(ML) as the only Marxist-Leninist movement in BC calls upon all its members and supporters in B.C. to place themselves under the PWM discipline.
– will exert no organisational discipline on any member or supporter in B.C.
– will consult PWM(ML) in B.C. on the question of all activities in B.C.
The PWM(ML), on the other hand, will not curtail in any way the ideological struggle between the two organisations, undertakes to make available CI literature and consciously struggle to keep close contact with the Internationalists working in other provinces.
2. The PWM(ML) communicated strongly to the CI that they are planning to continue publishing Progressive Worker as a national publication and welcome participation from other groups. The Canadian Internationalists (ML) pledged full support and agreed to assist in writing, publishing and distribution of this publication on the national scale. The Canadian Internationalists would use Progressive Worker as a medium for struggle on various problems concerning the building of a ML Party and will assist in all ways possible to consolidate this publication. The CI are, however, fully conscious of the fact that they have editorially or otherwise no control on this publication and in this respect consider PWM(ML) solely responsible for it.
3. The Progressive Workers Movement (ML) pointed out that they would actively strive to develop relationships with other ML individuals and groups, and exert their influence regarding formation of “one centre” in each province and would refrain from advocating “many centres” in other provinces, will publicly declare their support of groups in other geographical areas with whom they are in agreement, and will resolutely struggle to form one national organisation. The Canadian Internationalists (M-L) agreed with this and will do the same.
Apart from the discussion on the above three points, the Canadian Internationalists (ML) made it clear to PWM (ML) that the Canadian Internationalists (ML) will not abandon their support for CSM or any other broad anti-imperialist front. The CI have no control on these organisations and an open struggle regarding the correct line should take place within these particular organisations.
In B.C., the line regarding the organisation of youth and student movement will be ideologically worked out in public as the CI cannot advocate one line for the rest of Canada and remain quiet about it in B.C.
These discussions were held under cordial atmosphere and with mutual trust and confidence. We consider the contradictions between the two organisations as contradictions which are amongst the people and thus are non-antagonistic. We pledge to work resolutely towards the defeat of U.S. imperialism in Canada and else-where, the overthrow of capitalism with the establishment of the Dictatorship of the Proletariat and towards this goal the two organisations will work as one always.