In July 1932 as the Depression deepened, a group of Canadian socialists met in Calgary to map out an alternative vision for Canada. Representing farm, labour and professional groups this conference laid the ground work for the forming of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) the forerunner of the New Democratic Party (NDP).

At the Calgary conference, J.S.Woodsworth was elected President of the new organization. The conference adopted a provincial program which had been drafted by M.J. Coldwell. The program called for a "planned system of social economy for the production, distribution and exchange of all goods and services" and "social ownership, development, operation and control of utilities and natural resources."

The definitive program of the new party was decided on at a conference in Regina one year later in 1933 - this was the Regina Manifesto