The+Co-operative+Commonwealth+Federation+(CCF)

Co-operative Commonwealth Federation ( CCF )
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 The Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) was a **Canadian socialist political party** founded in **1932** and initially led by **J.S. Woodsworth.** This political party today is known as the New Democratic Party (NDP), currently led by Jack Layton.

Facts & Details 

The CCF was formed on August 1st, 1932 at Calgary, Alberta by a combination of various **socialist, labour, and farmer organizations** such as the League for Socialist Reconstruction (LSR), the Canadian Brotherhood of Railway Employees, and the United Farmers of Alberta. This party's goal was to :convert the capitalist oriented economy into a more socialized economic system by introducing **socialism**, to nationalize Canada's main industries, and to introduce **welfare** to Canadians for those in need of financial aid (especially those suffering during the era of the **Great Depression** occurring in **1929)**.

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In Regina, Saskatchewan of the year 1933 at its first annual convention, the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation adopted the **Regina Manifesto**, which was a written outline (presented to Canadians) of the CCF's future intentions that would be carried out if elected to parliament. A number of the motives outlined by the Regina Manifesto were: **universal health care**, universal pensions, welfare insurance, unemployment insurance, worker's compensation, and nationalization of major industries. Within the same year, the delegates of the CCF appointed J.S. Woodsworth to be the first official face of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation. =====

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 The CCF's popularity grew to a peak between the years **1933 and 1940**, when it became the official opposition party of the provinces: British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, gaining several seats in the **House of Commons**. It later on triumphed in the **Provincial General Election of Saskatchewan in 1944**, lead by its newly appointed leader, **Tommy Douglas**; this gave the party control over the government within that province.  =====

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However, after **World War II** and during the **Cold War**, from 1946 to 1961; people began to view the socialism of the CCF as an association with **communism**, which had contributed to bringing about the war; as a result, the CCF's popularity suffered a drastic decline. In an attempt to respond to the accusations, the CCF replaced the Regina Manifesto with a more publicly acceptable name, the **Winnipeg Declaration**. Unfortunately, the response from the public had little change. =====

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Eventually, the CCF decided to combine with the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), which shared the same political goals as the CCF to preserve democratic socialism within =====

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Canada. These two political parties merged together in **1961** into what is known today as the **New Democratic Party (NDP)**, lead by **Jack Layton.** =====

= Significance =

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Although the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation never held national power in Canada, it did lay the foundations for Canadian welfare. The CCF was the first political party to introduce policies such as **Universal Health care**, **Worker's Compensation, and Universal Pensions**. These benefits were adapted by the governments in power and are provided for Canadian citizens today. =====

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Today, the CCF still exists, but as a new party, merged with the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), known as the **New Democratic Party (NDP).** =====

====This video will give viewers a better direct understanding of what the CCF wanted to achieve as a political party. ====

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