Canada in Crisis — who pays? | RCP Political Perspectives 2026

“There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen.”

This presentation by Joel Bergman outlines the key processes shaping the class struggle in Canada. The changing world situation, and in particular the relative decline of US Imperialism, leaves Canadian capitalism in a dead end. Mounting government debt, a looming recession, inflation, and low productivity weigh heavy on Canada's economy. Carney is stuck with an economy which is uncompetitive and which requires massive investment. In order to invest, the capitalists are demanding cuts to wages, social programs, and public spending. This will inevitably push the working class to defend against attacks on their standard of living. The road is being prepared for class battles ahead. The fault lines of capitalism are beginning to crack. This is being expressed through the rise of separatism in Alberta, renewed talk of Quebec independence, and the heating up of the Indigenous movement. Everywhere, people are looking for ideas, for answers. Canada is broken, and someone will be made to pay for the crisis. The question is, "who pays?"

This presentation served as the introduction to a discussion on "Canada and the new world order", as part of the Third congress of the RCP. The discussion was based around our 2026 perspectives document (linked below), which was amended and approved by the congress.

📖 Further reading:
Perspectives document - Canada and the new world order (2026 Perspectives)
Read more about the Congress - Third RCP Congress: A party up to the task

Watch more from the Congress

🫵 Join the Revolutionary Communist Party
📰Subscribe to Communist Revolution, the newspaper of the RCP
▶️ YouTube
📱Apple Podcasts
📸 Instagram
💬 X
💻Facebook

Recorded live in Toronto on May 16, 2026.