https://www.niagarathisweek.com/community-story/4573155-communists-striving-for-change/
Leader says party ‘fighting for the working people’
ST. CATHARINES — Elizabeth Rowley thinks Ontarians can live a better life.
“We can do better,” Rowley, provincial leader of the Communist Party of Ontario, said in an interview just prior to a public talk at the Niagara Artists Centre in St. Catharines, alongside St. Catharines Communist candidate Saleh Waziruddin.
Rowley, a candidate in Toronto-Danforth, stopped in downtown St. Catharines as part of a trip to ridings across the province where the 11 Communist candidates are running. Promoting an anti-austerity platform, Rowley said the Communist Party is one that she hopes Ontarians will open their mind to hear from.
“We’re aware of the peoples’ needs, and we are fighting for the working people and youth,” said Rowley.
That means, she said, progressive tax reform with a larger burden on corporations and the wealthy in the province.
“We want to put people’s needs put before corporate greed,” said Rowley. “We think almost all of the parties in the legislature advocate policies that support big business at the expense of the general population.”
The Communist platform would curb “corporate power”, said Rowley, and help get the general population back to work. From full-employment policies to eliminate the deficit, to raising minimum wage to a “livable amount for people” and strengthening social programs, she said something needs to be done to help the average working citizen in the province.
“Other parties don’t seem to be interested in what is needed by the majority of people living in Ontario,” said Rowley, noting the Communists would hike taxes for the large corporations and wealthy, and provide tax breaks for the “working people.”
Rowley admits it’s tough getting the attention as a fringe party, but says the more people she talks to, the more people get the intentions of the Communists. She said it just takes time to listen, do your research and open your mind.
“The legislature would be a different place with even one Communist member elected,” stressed Rowley. She warns that electing one of the three major parties will mean “terrible consequences”, specifically concerned that the policies that would be instituted by PC leader Tim Hudak would be “catastrophic” for Ontario.
“It’s getting worse and worse,” Rowley said of the legislature. “We need a prescription for the peoples’ recovery and the Communist Party can offer that. There is a way out — a way towards a new Ontario.
The biggest key, she said, is the opportunity to be heard. Candidates are being blocked from some forums and all-candidate debates. She applauded local candidate, Waziruddin, for his efforts to be heard, but encourages those interested in hearing more to visit the party website, www.communistpartyontario.ca prior to voting on June 12.
“People want change and I hope they will consider supporting us,” said Rowley. “We have ideas for the better, and ideas that will help the people’s needs.”
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