Canadian Socialism: Essays on the CCF-NDP

Graeme S. Mount is a history professor at Laurentian University.

Whitehorn has written a thoroughly professional, academic, and
nonpolemical history of Canada’s third largest political party.
Although he is an admirer of the CCF-NDP and what it has been able to
accomplish, his language is restrained, even when dealing with such a
provocative issue as the defection of Hazen Argue. Joe Clark’s
short-lived government is portrayed as merely “somewhat inept.”

The book takes a thematic rather than chronological approach, with
chapters on historiography, and on the party’s electoral track record,
conventions, and great leaders—Tommy Douglas, David Lewis, Ed
Broadbent. The final chapter deals with possible future prospects.
Whitehorn’s emphasis is on the federal party; even successful
provincial organizations—ones that won elections—have little more
than a supporting role.

One might wish for more commentary on certain points. Why did Northern
Ontario, as distinct from Southern Ontario, prove such fertile ground
for the CCF-NDP? Also overlooked are Phil Edmonston’s links to Quebec
nationalists and separatists. Nevertheless, this book is loaded with
facts that are important to anyone interested in the CCF-NDP, past or
present.