Socialist Party of Ontario

Socialist Party of Ontario
Active provincial party
Chairperson Michael Laxer
Spokesperson Natalie Lochwin
Founded 2011 (2011)
Ideology democratic socialism
Political position Left-wing
Website
http://socialistpartyofontario.blogspot.ca

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

Year of election # of candidates # of seats won # of votes % of popular vote
2011 5 0 519 0.01%
2014 2 0 368 0.01%

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

Table - Financing of the Socialist Party of Ontario
Year Party level Riding level Total
Contributions received Number of contributors over $100 Contributions received Number of contributors over $100 Contributions received
2011 $955 3 N/A 0 $955
2012 $1,097 3 $0 0 $1,097
Total $2,052 6 $0 0 $2,052

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

References

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

References

  1. ↑ Elections Ontario (27 February 2015). "Registered Political Parties in Ontario".
  2. ↑ Bonnar, John (2011-03-18). "Founding convention for Socialist Party of Ontario to be held in May". Rabble.ca. Toronto. Retrieved 2011-09-01.
  3. 1 2 SPO Convention (2011-05-28). "Constitution". Toronto: Socialist Party of Ontario. Retrieved 2011-09-15.
  4. 1 2 3 Chief Electoral Officer (2011-09-15). "Registered Political Parties in Ontario". Candidates and Parties. Toronto: Elections Ontario. Retrieved 2011-09-15.
  5. ↑ SPO (2011). "Contact". Socialist Party of Ontario. Retrieved 2011-09-15.
  6. ↑ http://www.elections.on.ca/content/dam/NGW/sitecontent/2014/reports/Annual%20Report%202011-2012.pdf Elections Ontario Annual Report 2011/12, p.69
  7. ↑ http://www.elections.on.ca/content/dam/NGW/sitecontent/2014/historical-results/2014/Summary of Valid Ballots Cast.pdf
  8. 1 2 Chief Electoral Officer (2011-09-15). "Find your candidate". Candidates and Parties. Toronto: Elections Ontario. Retrieved 2011-09-15.
  9. ↑ Examiner Staff (2011-08-31). "Socialist party picks candidate for Oct. 6 election". The Peterborough Examiner. Peterborough, Ontario. Retrieved 2011-09-01.
  10. ↑ "Meet Your Socialist Candidate! Natalie Lochwin SPO Candidate for Etobicoke Lakeshore," Socialist Party of Ontario, Saturday, May 24, 2014.
  11. ↑ http://www.elections.on.ca/sitecontent/financialstatements/2011/annual/11spoar10.htm 2011 Return
  12. ↑ http://www.elections.on.ca/sitecontent/financialstatements/2012/annual/12spoar10.htm 2012 Return
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