[2] The party, which had a revolutionary Marxist orientation, called for the overturn of the capitalist system through militant political action.

The transformation, as rapidly as possible, of capitalist property in the means of wealth production (natural resources, factories, mills, railroads, etc.)

The foremost exponent of Impossibilism, Kingsley called for a social revolution to redistribute wealth through political organization, education, and propaganda.

Besides Marxists, there were social democrats, militant trade unionists, and left-leaning federations of Ukrainians, Finns, Letts, and Jews.

[13] It also enjoyed some success at the provincial electoral level, with SPC deputies sponsoring legislation that addressed worker concerns such as health and safety.

[16] During this period, the leadership of the Vancouver Trades and Labor Council[17] consisted of committed SPC members who also played a role in stymying efforts to establish a rival labour party.

[16] However, disappointing federal election results in 1911 and the resignation of the provincial house leader, J. H. Hawthornthwaite, over his involvement in land speculation, precipitated a decline.

The SPC paid a heavy price for its opposition to Canadian entry into the world war including harassment and intimidation from government authorities.

[21] Individual members were also targeted, including Ginger Goodwin, who died at the hands of police in 1918 while evading conscription.

[22] The first issue noted the state's interference with the postal service and its censorship of party correspondence: The official organ has been suppressed...

In the wake of the Russian Revolution and the Winnipeg General Strike, a number of the SPC's supporters became attracted to Bolshevism and the ideas of Lenin and Trotsky.

SPC members, notably George Armstrong and William Pritchard, were among the strike leaders put on trial following the Winnipeg confrontation.