[The following statement by the Canadian Revolutionary Marxist Group records the progress made toward unity with the League for Socialist Action/Ligue Socialiste Ouvrière, the Canadian section of the Fourth International.
it appeared in the any 1s abor Challenge, a socialist fortnighti published in Toronto.]
In 1972-73 the Trotskyist movement in Canada and Québec, until then unified in one pan-Canadian organization, went into a deep political and organizational crisis. This led to the formation of three groups affiliated to the Fourth International-the Revolutionary Marxist Group (RMG) in Canada; its sister organization in Québec, the Groupe Marxiste Révolutionnaire (GMR); and the League for Socialist Action/Ligue Socialiste Ouvrière (LSA/ LSO). In addition, several small groups appeared which claim to be Trotskyist while remaining outside the Fourth International.
Over the last several months, all three groups of Fourth Internationalists have been discussing the possibility of reunifying revolutionary Marxist forces in both Canada and Québec. These discussions have involved both the general political positions of the two main currents of Canadian/Québécois Trotskyism and the possibility of practical collaboration on specific tasks in the class struggle.
On the basis of these discussions, the Central Committee of the RMG, which met from December 29 to January 2, unanimously agreed that a principled basis existed for reunifying Trotskyist forces. In particular, the Central Committee noted the convergence of positions on such central issues as the imperialist character of Canadian capitalism, Canadian nationalism, the national liberation struggle in Québec, and the programmatic characterization of the New Democratic Party.
Another important factor is the common analysis of all three groups of the turn in the political situation signified by the October 14 national political strike and the election of the Parti Québécois in November. In addition to a shared evaluation of these events, everyone acknowledges their impact in heightening a common understanding of the need for unity of Fourth Internationalists. Of course, the common adherence of all three groups to the Fourth International and its basic program is a factor of fundamental impornenorem is a factor of fundamental imnor. tance.
The Central Committee also produced a self-criticism on the RM's previous sectarianism towards the LSA/LSO.
Thus, the Central Committee declared itself unequivocally in favor of a fusion. What does this mean in practice?
First, the position of the Central Committee is not yet a position of the RMG as a whole. Such a position can only be adopted by the membership as a whole through a delegated convention of the organization. The Central Committee vote is the beginning of a discussion on this issue throughout the ranks of the organization. This discussion will be concluded by a convention of the RMG, to take place later this year. A parallel process is occurring in the GMR.
In addition, there is no guarantee that a fusion will actually occur. A multitude of problems remain. There are still important differences between the LSA/LSO and the RMG, especially in relation to slogans, orientation, and tactics vis-a-vis the NDP and the trade union bureaucracy. And everyone is agreed that a fusion must involve at least a partial consensus on practical tasks of party-building and intervention in the class struggle. This is especially important given the relatively equal size of both currents at the level of the Canadian state as a whole. Hence, the importance of practical collaboration between the LSA/LSO and the RMG and the GMR to test in practice the feasibility of fusion.
The outcome of the process also depends
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on the solution to a problem which the RMG and GMR are currently discussing: the organizational relations between Canadian and Québécois revolutionary Marxists. This issue is also being debated in the preconvention discussions of both organizations.
Nevertheless, a real possibility exists for a principled solution to the division of the Fourth International in Canada and Québec. The LSA/LSO leadership (which attended the CC meeting as observers) welcomed the RMG Central Committee decision as a fundamental and positive breakthrough.
The LSA/LSO Political Committee agreed with the RMG Central Committee's position on the need for fusion. It set the strengthening of common work and discussion with the RMG as a top priority for all LSA/LSO branches.
This new situation is leading at present to an intensification of discussion on various political problems. At the practical level, we are jointly organizing a speaking tour throughout English Canada of one Québécois comrade from the LSA/LSO and one from the GMR, in order to build support for Québec's right to selfdetermination. In addition, the Prairie branches of the LSA/LSO and the RMG are organizing a joint regional conference on political questions facing the revolutionary left and workers movement. It is to be hoped that such collaboration will also extend to other areas of work.
For the Construction of the Revolutionary Workers Party!
For the Unity of the Fourth International!
Political Committee of the Revolutionary Marxist Group (Sympathizing Organization of the Fourth International)
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