In celebration of 100 years of the Communist Party of Canada, a celebration is being held this Sunday to honour the late Homer Stevens.
Sponsored by the Lower Fraser Club of the Community Party of Canada, the event will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. at Stevens Mini Park in Port Guichon following all COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
“Homer Stevens was a prominent member of our Party for most of his life and made significant contributions to the lives of working people in Delta and in British Columbia,” said Communist Party of Canada B.C. leader George Gidora. “Many people in Ladner know of Homer Stevens as his family goes back generations in the community and have been a part of the fabric of the community up to the present day.”
Stevens was one of the founders of the United Fisherman and Allied Workers Union serving first as its secretary treasurer and later as its president.
“The work that him and his sisters and brothers did united fishers and fishing industry shore workers into one union which bettered the lives of thousands in the industry which involved a preponderance of women workers in the processing plants,” said Gidora. “Homer not only contributed in this way, but he was also politically active in his own community running as a candidate for the Communist Party in numerous federal and provincial elections. He also participated in Delta civic politics running for council and at least one time for mayor.”
Gidora said together with his lifelong partner Grace, they raised four sons and a daughter in the Port Guichon area and never neglected the importance of family and community. Their children were active in community sports, schools and other activities and Grace and Homer were always there to support and participate.
“In our opinion the life and activities of Homer Stevens are an example of the founding principles of the Communist Party which can be summed up in our long standing campaign slogan of ‘Put People before Politics,’” added Gidora. “While being politically active all his life and in all things he did, Homer Stevens never neglected his community and the people he loved. This is why we choose to honour Homer Stevens along with numerous other Communist Party members around the province who have had a significant impact on their communities.”
