Canadian public must own key sectors of the economy great scholar James Laxer once said

Edited by Janet Jones

	James Laxer.

Public ownership of the key sectors of the economy had once been urged by Jim Laxer during the Toronto Star's watershed Forum debating "Canada's Future: Nationalism or Americanization". Then graduate student of Queen's University and now Professor Laxer of York University had said during the Forum on 16 March 1970 that 'public ownership' is the most effective way for Canada to "regain control over its economy." Mr. Laxer's comments at that time, politically resonate now in Canada, perhaps even more so, than any other time in Canadian history. Canada now faces an imminent take-over under the clandestine North American Union (NAU) agenda, under the auspices of the U.S. Bush administration neo-conservative sponsored and crypto-fascistic elite driven political-military-industrial complex.

James Laxer's comments at that time was inspired by the possibilities of creating a people-driven national economy in Canada, as an alternative to an economy controlled by a cabal of U.S. elites, with a "supporting cast" of Canadian elites, from such economic sectors as banks.

In 1969, James Laxer, along with his father Robert Laxer and Mel Watkins, founded the Waffle, a radical left wing group influenced by the New Left, the anti-Vietnam War movement and Canadian economic nationalism, that tried to win control of the New Democratic Party (NDP).

In 1971, James Laxer ran for the leadership of the federal NDP, and shocked the convention by winning one-third of the vote against David Lewis. The Waffle was ultimately forced out of the NDP and briefly became an independent political party under the name Movement for an Independent Socialist Canada.

James Laxer opened his remarks to the Forum by saying that, "Only the organized power of the Canadian people using the federal government as their instrument can effectively repatriate our economy."

Public ownership of the key sectors of the economy is both desirable for the social policies it will make possible; and necessary if Canada is to be independent," he added.

James Laxer made a charge at that time, which also applies even more so today under the NAU agenda, that Canadian businessmen, government, and universities have "opted for a junior partnership", in the development of an American Empire. Mr. Laxer also made the very insightful comment that "in the interest of their own short run gain, these businessmen are handing over the heart of our productive system to foreign corporations."

As a result, he continued, Canadians live in an increasingly American corporate environment, and the social priorities of federal and provincial governments are geared to serving corporate profits.

"Our elites are so much the junior partners of the Americans that the struggle for national independence and the struggle for society that serves the people, and not corporations, has become one struggle," added Laxer.

He also said that "development policies being pursued in Canada are leading to the destruction of the nation's natural and human environment."

Mr. Laxer even in the 1970's before the environmental movement became so popular among many Canadians indicated that, "some of the world's largest lakes and rivers are being killed by pollution; and immense timber stands are being ripped out of existence.". Mr. Laxer further observed that, "The reckless exploitation of the natural environment of Canada now imperils our future for all time to come."

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