 Though the League for Social Reconstruction began as more of a discussion group than a political party , it became a force in Canadian politics by the mid @-@ 1930s . After Havelock joined the Co @-@ operative Commonwealth Federation , along with several other members of the League , he was pressured by his superiors at the University to curtail his political activity . He did not , continuing to act as an ally and occasional spokesman for Underhill and other leftist professors . He found himself in trouble again in 1937 after criticising both the government 's and industry 's handling of an automotive workers ' strike . Despite calls from Ontario officials for his ouster , he was able to remain at Victoria College , but his public reputation was badly damaged . 
