1. The Cooperative
Commonwealth for Canada
(C.C.F)
David Aliaga
The Sociology of Inequality
ELDQ 019 F12N01
Vancouver Island University
Nanaimo,BC

2. Course Topics
• The beginnings of the C.C.F
• Socialist education
• First democratic socialist government in North
America
• C.C.F to NDP
• Conclusions
• Quick Test

3. The beginnings of the C.C.F
• The C.C.F came into existence during the depression of the
1930’s- high unemployment, social and economic hardship.
• Growing dissatisfaction with the two traditional political
parties (Liberal and Conservative).
• Questioning the future of the capitalist system.

4. The beginnings of the C.C.F
• Various reform movements came together to form a new political party in
Calgary in 1932, inspired by a radical/critical philosophy. Its first elected
president was J. S. Woodsworth, Labour Member of Parliament for
Winnipeg North Centre.
• In Regina, Saskatchewan 1932 - the party adopted a common Manifesto
that outlined socialist democratic goals- public ownership of key
industries, universal pensions, universal health care, children's
allowances, unemployment insurance, and Workers Compensation.

5. Socialist Education
• The C.C.F created numerous clubs which provided a wide
range of educational programs, which educated new
members about the roots of democratic socialism, the
Regina Manifesto and how it was supposed to be translated
into C.C.F policies.

6. Socialist Education
• 1930’s C.C.F trained some of its members as facilitators.
• Used a variety of adult education techniques: study groups,
correspondence courses, experiential learning, drama, radio,
gramophone, recordings and film.

7. First democratic socialist
government in North America
• 1944, midst of WW2, in the province of Saskatchewan, formed the
first democratic socialist government in North America led by
Tommy Douglas.
• It created a division of adult education and developing more than
1,500 study-action groups, and nearly 100 co-operatives in a little
over a year. Video link here

8. The C.C.F becomes NDP
• C.C.F a political reform-movement, which needed to
educate people to the necessity of change, became a
political party which needed to appeal to the vast
majority in 1961, as the New Democratic Party.

9. Conclusions
• The C.C.F was forced by the new political reality to
change its educational emphasis to an organizational
and campaign emphasis in order to appeal to most
voters in the country.
• The importance of the C.C.F original program and ideas
is evident in that through the years many of them have
become an integral part of the social, political and
economical fabric of our country.

10. Quick Test
1.- What the letters C.C.F stand for?
a) Community Cooperative for Canada
b) Cooperative Commonwealth for Canada
d) Commonwealth Cooperative for Canada.
2.- Name one technique that was used by CCF to educate its members.
a) Gramophone
b) Video Cassettes
c) CD’s
3.- Year the C.C.F formed the first democratic socialist government in North
America
a)1951
b)1932
c)1944