Solidarity: Canada’s Unknown Revolution of 1983

Nominated for the George Ryga Award for Social Awareness in Literature

The year 1983 began like any other year in Canada’s West Coast province. Then everything suddenly changed. The newly elected provincial government announced an avalanche of far-right legislation that shocked the country. A resistance movement called Solidarity quickly formed across British Columbia, uniting social activists and trade unionists and people who had never protested before. The movement rocked social foundations, resulting in massive street protests, occupations, and plans for an all-out general strike. Filled with revealing interviews and lively, insightful prose, Solidarity goes behind the scenes of one of the greatest social uprisings in North American history. In recreating this one singularly dramatic event, Solidarity chronicles the history of 20th century British Columbia, exploring its great divides and unions, cultures and subcultures, and conflicts that continue into the 21st century.

His book rescues an important moment in B.C. history from mainstream amnesia and does so in stylish, effective prose. Highly recommended.– Tom Sandborn, Vancouver Sun

Solidarity is filled with stories and characters that feel like a portal into a moment that birthed a generation of progressives.– Tzeporah Berman, Activist and Author of This Crazy Time

One of the more engaging books of the season, a terrific book of history–Joseph Planta, the commentary podcast

Nonfiction