Socialist Party of Ontario

The Socialist Party of Ontario (SPO) is a registered^[1] minor political party in Ontario, Canada. SPO was founded in 2011 by political activists, trade unionists, community leaders, feminists and socialists, many of whom were former members of the Ontario New Democratic Party (NDP). They decided to launch a new leftist party to challenge the NDP's shift to the centre of the political spectrum. It is modelled after Québec solidaire and the United Left Alliance in Ireland. While sharing the same name, there is no historical or political relationship with the old Socialist Party of Canada. The party fielded five candidates in the October 2011 Ontario general election. It fielded two candidates in the 2014 Ontario general election.

History

On 28 May 2011, the Socialist Party of Ontario was formed at a founding convention in Toronto.^[2] Its constitution and preliminary policy platform were voted on and passed. The SPO has a socialist preamble in its constitution that was inspired by the Regina Manifesto of the defunct Co-operative Commonwealth Federation.^[3] The Party boasts a collective leadership, with no single member functioning as the traditional "party leader".^[4] In place of a leader the party operates with two spokespeople, one male and one female,^[3] and at its founding elected Jan Maxwell and Michael Laxer to these positions.^[5] As of May 26, 2012, Michael Laxer is the chair of the party executive, fulfilling Elections Ontario's designations as "Leader" and "President".^[4] The party registered with Elections Ontario on September 13, 2011.^[6]

Election results

Source: Elections Ontario, Results Summary ^[7]

The SPO nominated five candidates in the 2011 provincial election and was registered with Elections Ontario on 13 September 2011.^[4][8] Its first candidate, Dr. Ken Ranney, was nominated by the party to run in Peterborough on 31 August 2011.^[9] Subsequently, the party nominated candidates in Etobicoke–Lakeshore, Leeds–Grenville, St. Paul's, and Trinity–Spadina.^[8]

For the 2014 election, the SPO nominated two candidates, Andrea Quiano in Peterborough and Natalie Lochwin in Etobicoke—Lakeshore. For the election, the party nominated Lochwin to serve as spokesperson.^[10] The party's share of the popular vote decreased and, overall, the SPO placed 19th out of the 21 parties and independents running in the election.

Party financing

(Source: Elections Ontario, Annual Financial Statements) ^[11][12]

References

The Socialist Party of Ontario has two riding associations registered with Elections Ontario:

• Etobicoke-Lakeshore
• Peterborough

References

External links

• Socialist Party of Ontario website

Provincial political parties in Ontario Legislative Assembly Liberal (59) Progressive Conservative (27) New Democratic (20) Other recognized parties Communist Confederation of Regions Equal Parenting Freedom Green Libertarian Moderate None of the Above Northern Ontario Heritage Pauper People with Special Needs The People's Historical parties represented in the legislature Co-operative Commonwealth Federation Labour (Independent) Labor-Progressive Liberal-Labour Liberal-Progressive Patrons of Industry Soldier Protestant Protective Association United Farmers Pre-confederation parties Clear Grits Family Compact Reform (Mackenzie) Reform (Baldwinite)