Canada needs a political renewal.

No – I don’t mean a new party in government, but that could help, if that new government were more aligned with people than just profit, power, or ego.

I mean we need to radically change how we view and operate our politics if we want to remain a healthy democracy that doesn’t fall into the trap that Americans have: an entrenched political duopoly. The endless flip-flop of talking heads in nice suits fighting for this week’s best sound clip in Question Period, meanwhile the most vulnerable in our society struggle to pay rent, feed themselves, or sustain stable employment while balancing all the essential expenses.

If one can roughly paraphrase from Bertolt Brecht: “We want no bull and a lot of talk that gives no bread or meat.”

Canada’s political landscape has long been dominated by top-down decision-making, with party leadership holding much of the power. But beneath the polished slogans, and glossy campaign ads, a vital force remains underutilized: riding associations. These local grassroots organizations are not just administrative units; they’re the potential heart of a reinvigorated democracy and a beacon of hope for the working class in Canada.

But chances are, you probably have no idea what one is or where yours is even located.

And frankly, that’s a big problem for our democracy.

At their core, riding associations are the bridge between national/provincial political parties and the communities they (are supposed to) serve. They provide an absolutely vital platform for ordinary citizens to voice concerns, advocate for change, and organize collective action. Yet, in many cases, they’ve been reduced to entirely passive entities—paper tigers that exist only to rubber-stamp party decisions and manage election logistics. And even then, they often act too slow and lose precious time getting possible candidates known locally enough to win elections. This kills election chances for the Left. You are being outspent, and beaten to the punch by parties that are inherently more wealthier than you that can afford to parachute candidates in and flood regions with billboards and radio ads.

If the Canadian Left want to win (by)elections, now is the time to change that. Proactively building stronger riding associations is your secret weapon. To bring back working-class solidarity, regain trust in public institutions, and build a genuine grassroots movement, left-wing parties should see to it that riding associations are empowered to truly engage the community they represent.

All riding associations must act as hubs of local engagement, hosting forums, workshops, and events that address community-specific issues; in fact, they should be held accountable to do so. Sponsor and volunteer to maintain a local hockey rink, organize routine food drives, partner up with a local bar and host local musical acts, etc. Do flag marches on Labour Day, and support striking workers by joining them with visible support to swell their numbers and boost morale. By being visible and active, they can rebuild trust in the political process and foster a sense of collective purpose; you will see your membership develop and expand. Do not allow riding associations to become an idling engine – only kicked into activity to plant signs when election season is called. Be an organization that blends politics and community together.

Instead of merely echoing the party line, riding associations should have a stronger say in shaping policy. This can be achieved through regular consultations, resolutions, and conventions that prioritize the input of the grassroots that make up this country. Put people once again into the foreground of our politics.

Elevating local activists and leaders can help democratize party structures and ensure that the voices of the working class are represented at higher levels of decision-making. Use social media to platform and bring focus to the good folks in your town that are fighting against the rise of cynicism, and political nihilism. When people see the goodness of engaged and driven people within their own communities, they are more willing to contribute and build community together.

For decades, neoliberal policies have chipped away at the foundations of working-class solidarity, instead aligning governmental policies to overtly protect the interests of capital over the citizenship.

The privatization of public assets, erosion of labour protections, and rising income inequality have left many Canadians feeling disillusioned and powerless – this why you are seeing traditionally working-class voters disillusioned and voting for seemingly paradoxical political entities that serve harm their best interests worldwide. This loss of “tangible social value” is driving a sustained disenfranchisement and fuelling a general disengagement with politics because of a perceived apathy to the needs of the average working person. The Far-right and reactionary politicians are embracing this lost sense of value by elevating right-wing populism.

They are offering people who feel disenfranchised a new world view that is separated from the actual facts of the political state of the world. Populists are using the usual historical scapegoats for the tangible decline in living standards from social depravity from a lack of churchgoers, to the depiction of immigrants as hordes of barbarians “invading” civilization. Once in power, populists enact policies of cruelty such as mass deportation of immigrants (status of legality not needed), the mass incarceration of those with substance abuse issues because these are incredibly short-term but very public solutions that generally don’t actually solve the issue. It isn’t uncommon to see populists rise to office campaigning on combating the homeless and decrying the economic status of the middle-class, but once in office – legislate policy that actually worsens the systematic effects on the very cause they campaigned on. They’ll decry the woes of the worker but decrease taxes for corporations and the wealthy, while cutting/eliminating/privatizing public services meant to decommodify essential resources that the working class rely on.

Riding associations can serve as a counterbalance to this trend by building vital networks between workers, unions, and community organizations to amplify collective demands and break through the populist narratives. From affordable housing to universal pharmacare, riding associations can push for bold, transformative policies that directly address the struggles of working people and impact ALL people. The ability to create mutual aid by organizing food drives, community gardens, and skill-sharing initiatives not only provides immediate support but also strengthens the bonds of solidarity through your riding association towards your community.

What we need more than ever to embrace social democracy and a mixed economy.

Social democracy thrives on grassroots participation. Unlike the hierarchical structures of traditional politics, social democracy relies on empowering ordinary citizens to take an active role in shaping their future. By reinvigorating riding associations, we can challenge the status quo and break the stranglehold of corporate influence in Canadian politics and refocus attention on people-centred governance. Grassroots movements have the power to mobilize voters in ways that top-down campaigns cannot, creating momentum for progressive change. Additionally, riding associations can serve as spaces for marginalized voices to be heard, ensuring that Canadian democracy remains inclusive and intersectional to issues and matters that non-marginalized individuals may not even be aware of. Ensure and entrench the voices of disabled Canadians, the elderly, veterans, and minority groups in our riding associations to ensure that our democracy is a body of all-people and not a system for the elite, well-connected. However, it must be understood that power must be shared, and shared-alike; actively avoiding the creation of “old boy’s clubs”. Riding associations are to be the driving point of a participatory democracy, and not a country club.

Empowering riding associations isn’t just about winning elections; it’s about building a sustainable grassroots movement that transcends electoral cycles. It’s tough work, but it’s absolutely possible – if not entirely necessary – if we wish to remain a democracy that does not experience democratic backslide like we are witnessing in the ailing United States. Special care must be taken when considering the unique challenges faced by riding associations in Northern Ontario or in similar rural regions of Canada. If riding associations are well-organized and well-funded, they can act as mechanism to heal the divide between rural and urban centres; this is the power of the riding association.

Be wary that the vast distances between communities and the general lack of funding create significant barriers to effective organizing. A single rural riding may cover an area so large that in-person meetings or events become logistically and financially impractical. Additionally, the lack of reliable public transportation and high travel costs exacerbate these challenges, making it difficult for members to stay connected and engaged. Addressing these issues requires innovative solutions, such as leveraging technology for virtual meetings/conferences, creating regional partnerships, and advocating for increased funding to support these critical local organizations. Access to your local riding association should be easy, and accessible; meetings should be enforced to actively be recorded, archived for later reference, and held in public spaces that are accessible to any and all members of the association; taking into consideration if the meeting space is accessible for a fellow member who is elderly, or disabled. It is absolutely vital for a riding association to have and maintain a diversified online presence; we cannot afford to run association campaigns and messaging solely on Facebook – they must be modernized to include TikTok, Bluesky and Youtube. They should also seek to operate a website that can act as a hub for event information, and use digital mass communication methods like email newsletters and digital event invitations.

If your association is still relying solely on letter mail in 2024, it’s time to have a deep serious talk.

Riding associations are the very lifeblood of Canadian democracy. By empowering and modernizing these local entities, we can rebuild working-class solidarity, strengthen our democracy, and create a grassroots movement capable of driving meaningful change.

The future of Canada’s progressive politics doesn’t lie in the hands of party leaders; it lies in the hands of ordinary citizens working together, one riding at a time.

-K-