Conservative Party of Canada

CONSTITUTION
SUBMISSIONS
March 18-20, 2021
GET READY TO CONNECT
1. Submission ID: 1534. Section 10.10.8. NEW
Sponsoring EDA: Edmonton West
Submission:
In the event the final ballot of any leadership contest is within 1.50% of point totals, a
mandatory recount will be implemented; all ballots will be preserved while said recount is
undertaken.
Rationale:
To preserve the unity of the party it is necessary to ensure the integrity of the leadership
election process and assure members it has been conducted in an open, fair and thorough
manner.

2. Submission ID: NC1. Section 8.1.7, 8.11, 9.8.1. MODIFICATION

Sponsor: National Council

Submission:

8.11

8.1.7 the Chair of Conservative Fund Canada or his or her designate plus one other duly
appointed director of the Conservative Fund Canada, in a non-voting capacity; and
9.8.1. The President of National Council or his or her designate and one other duly elected
member of National Council shall serve on Conservative Fund Canada in a non-voting
capacity.
8.11. National Council and Conservative Fund Canada shall establish a liaison committee
with equal representation from each body.

Rationale:

The Leader will continue to nominate directors of the Fund, subject to ratification by
National Council but, with this amendment, two National Councillors will sit as non-voting
members on the Fund. To balance this, two Fund members will sit on National Council as
non-voting members. The Fund Liaison Committee is made redundant by this amendment.
This amendment will provide better communication between the Fund and National Council
and it will ensure that Fund priorities and decisions are better communicated to rank and
file members of the Party.

1
3. Submission ID: NC2. Section 10.9.3. MODIFICATION

Sponsor: National Council

Submission:

National Council shall appoint the chair and members of the leadership election organizing
committee. The committee shall be comprised of, but not limited to, the following; 6
geographically diverse National Councillors from different regions of Canada, 1 Senator, 1
Member of Parliament, and 1 Conservative Fund Canada member.

Rationale

The selection of a Leadership Election Organizing Committee (LEOC) is done on an as-

needed basis, and no clear rules as to the composition currently exist. This leaves varying
compositions as seen for the 2017 and 2020 leadership elections, and results in additional
time for deliberation by National Council. By including this representation formula, it will
address geographical representation and allow for a majority of LEOC to be made of
democratically accountable members.

4. Submission ID: 1649. Section 10.9.2. MODIFICATION

Sponsoring EDA: Flamborough—Glanbrook
Submission:
The leadership election organizing committee shall determine the rules and procedures for
the conduct of the leadership selection process, including a dispute resolution procedure,
which shall be final and binding. The rules shall provide that a member may cast a postal
paper or an electronic ballot; the minimum membership period established for eligibility to
vote in the leadership election shall be set so as to permit adequate time for ballots to be
mailed to members and returned by mail. Voting by way of faxed ballot shall not be
permitted.
Rationale:

CPC members should be given the opportunity to use an electronic or a paper ballot to cast
their vote for individuals running for the leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada. The
ability to cast a ballot by electronic means has proven to be an extremely convenient,
secure way for members to vote in a leadership race.

2
5. Submission ID: 1626. Section 11.1. NEW
Sponsoring EDA: Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan
Submission:
Leadership candidates must receive public letters of endorsement from 5 individuals who
are either members of the Conservative caucus (including MPs and Senators) or candidates
of record. A person may not submit more than one letter of endorsement. The Chair of the
Conservative caucus shall be a member of LEOC.
Rationale:
Our party is at risk of people joining the leadership race with no realistic chance or intention
of winning, simply to access data, fundraise, and raise their profile. The current system gives
too much power to LEOC to decide who should and should not run, and according to what
rules. This article puts in place a modest mechanism of caucus input, both on leadership
candidates and on the actions of LEOC, since the leader will ultimately need to be able to
lead and work with caucus in Parliament.

6. Submission ID: 1712. Section 3.15. NEW

Sponsoring EDA: Regina—Lewvan
Submission:

“Member in good standing” means a person who satisfies the criteria as set out in article 4.1
Membership and is absent any intent to institute a process in law or bring/brought a civil
action against the Party and a person for whom the Party has not bring/brought civil action
against.
Rationale:

According to section 4.7 Membership - Each member must be a member of the Party in
"good standing" - yet there is no official definition of this anywhere in our constitution. We
are proposing the above change to be added.

7. Submission ID: 1713. Section 14.1. MODIFICATION

Sponsoring EDA: Regina—Lewvan
Submission:
National Council shall create rules and procedures for the selection of candidates. The rules
shall provide that only a member of the Party in good standing as defined in Article 3.15
may seek nomination as a candidate. National Council shall establish the National Candidate
Selection Committee that shall have the right authority to disallow the candidacy of any
person before or after nomination by the electoral district association, subject to the appeal
3
of such a decision to National Council whose decision shall be final and binding or who may
refer the matter to the Arbitration Committee for decision by a panel.
Rationale:
Addition to the text "in good standing as defined in Article 3.15 (new)" as a new definition
has been created and this section needs to be updated.

8. Submission ID: 1527. Section 10.10.1. MODIFICATION

Sponsoring EDA: London West
Submission:
Each member of the Party who has been a member for a continuous period of at least 180
days by the time of the vote will have one vote.

Rationale:
Currently, a new member (21 days) may cast a vote for the choice of a new Party leader.
This seems inappropriate considering how easy it is to gain a membership and how this vote
can effectively cancel the vote of a long-standing, more knowledgeable member.
Note: if this proposal is adopted, then section 10.9.2 should be modified as time required
for mailed ballots becomes redundant.

9. Submission ID: 1618. Section 4.2. MODIFICATION

Sponsoring EDA: Abbotsford
Submission:
Twenty one 21 Ninety (90) days after payment of a membership in the amount and in the manner
specified by by-law, every member is entitled to:

Rationale:

A longer wait time gives the national office time to process all the new and renewed
memberships fairly and accurately.
A longer wait time will help ensure that the party will have more committed members who
want to build the party rather than special interest groups that buy a membership simply to
swing a vote but have no intention to remain committed.

4
10. Submission ID 1530. Section 16.2. MODIFICATION
Sponsoring EDA: Edmonton West
Submission:
The term of the National Constitution Committee shall begin upon the election and
appointment of its members and shall terminate upon the submission to National Council of
the consolidated text of the Constitution referred to in Article 16.5.3. No representative
may serve more than three consecutive terms of office on the National Constitution
Committee.
Rationale:

Instituting term limits for national committee members presents a means of implementing
renewal within the party and ensuring it periodically receives new ideas, insight and
approaches within its internal governance.

11. Submission ID: 1529. Section 13.3. MODIFICATION

Sponsoring EDA: Edmonton West

Submission:

The term of the National Policy Committee shall begin upon the election and appointment
of its members and shall terminate upon the submission to National Council of the
consolidated text of the Policy Declaration referred to in Article 13.1.5. No representative
may serve more than three consecutive terms of office on the National Policy Committee.

Rationale:

Instituting term limits for national committee members presents a means of implementing
renewal within the party and ensuring it periodically receives new ideas, insight and
approaches within its internal governance.

12. Submission ID: 1653. Section 16.9. NEW

Sponsoring EDA: Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas
Submission:
The National Constitution Committee shall be authorized to reject for consideration any
proposed constitutional amendment that has substantially been considered but not
adopted, under section 16.1 of the Constitution, in the last two consecutive National
Conventions.

5
Rationale:
The subjects that are sources of repeated conflicts during Conventions should be
periodically excluded in order to allow a constructive debate to be held based on other
more important matters for the future of the Party.

13. Submission ID: 1658. Section 2.1.1. MODIFICATION

Sponsoring EDA: Vancouver Granville
Submission:

A belief in a balance between fiscal responsibility, compassionate social policy that

empowers the less fortunate by promotion self-reliance and equality of opportunity, and
the rights and responsibilities of individuals, families and free associations progressive social
policy and individual rights and responsibilities.

Rationale:

Under section 2.1.1 we suggest changing the word “accountability” to “responsibility” as we

felt that this was a more active term and with a stronger emphasis for action.

14. Submission ID: 1487. Section 2.1.23. NEW

Sponsoring EDA: Yellowhead

Submission:

A belief in “small government” where we embrace an economic and political system in

which the goal is a minimal amount of government involvement as possible in the economy,
the environment, the imposition of social views, and in other areas of public policy or
private life.

Rationale:

Big government and small government are not merely economic ideas. Big government
imposes itself on every area of life while small government gets out of the way and lets
people conduct their business and personal lives with freedom. Our party requires a well-
articulated narrative where we are the party that values creativity and thinking. We are the
party that welcomes a variety of views on every subject, understanding that disagreement is
a productive force. We are the party that seeks unity without uniformity. To pursue these
principles consistently, we must consistently be the party of small government.

6
15. Submission ID: 1763. Section 7.5. MODIFICATION

Sponsoring EDA: Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston

Submission:

7.5 The following members are entitled to vote as delegates to a national convention:
7.5.1 an equal number not exceeding 10, or 25 in the case of a national convention in which
some or all of the delegates may participate virtually, from each electoral district association
elected in such number and in such manner as determined by National Council which shall
include a requirement that at least one such delegate reflect youth participation, and as an
additional delegate the president of the electoral district association as of a date set by
National Council;

Rationale:

When delegates may participate virtually, there are strong democratic and financial
incentives to increase the maximum number of delegates per Electoral District Association
in order to broaden member participation, especially when taking into account the
substantially lower participation cost, both for delegates and the party.

16. Submission ID: NC3. Section 10.4. NEW

Sponsor: National Council

Submission:

10.4.1 The Executive Director is an employee of Conservative Fund Canada.

10.4.2 Any decision to change the employment status of the Executive Director is the
responsibility of Conservative Fund Canada, subject to ratification by National Council.
Rationale

National Council, as the governing body of the Party, is elected by the Party membership
and, as such, should approve of any changes to the employment status of the Executive
Director. It would, for example, be inappropriate for the Conservative Fund, whose
members are appointed to dismiss the Executive Director without consulting National
Council.

7
17. Submission ID: 1661. Section 7.3. MODIFICATION

Sponsoring EDA: Vancouver Granville

Submission:

Subject to Article 7.3, a national convention has the power and responsibility to:
a) amend the Constitution;
b) amend and adopt Party policy; and
c) elect National Council by secret ballot; and
d) elect the President of the National Council by secret ballot and by preferential vote
according to the rules established by the National Council.

Rationale:

The role of the President is sufficiently important to justify their direct election by the
members and better define their responsibilities.

18. Submission ID: 1539. Section 7.5.1. MODIFICATION

Sponsoring EDA: Thunder Bay—Rainy River

Submission:

an equal number not exceeding 10 from each electoral district association elected in such
number and in such manner as determined by National Council which shall include a
requirement that at least one such delegate reflect youth participation, and as an additional
delegate the president of the electoral district association as of a date set by National
Council; There must be at least three delegates registered as an adult for each delegate
registered as a youth;

Rationale:

Youth presence at the Convention is important. Youth bring creative and energetic ideas
but lack experience. A mentorship approach will empower youth to have their voice heard
in meaningful ways while developing their potential. Youth should not outnumber adult
delegates so that effective mentorship and guidance can occur. One of the revelations of
the “WE” controversy was that the Liberal Party used WE youth members to fill rooms for
political events. Youth involvement at the Convention should be conducted in a way that
respects them; their eagerness and willingness to participate should not be taken advantage
of for political purposes.

8
19. Submission ID: 1686. Section 10.7. MODIFICATION

Sponsoring EDA: Port Moody—Coquitlam

Submission:

At the first national convention following a federal general election when the Party does not
form the government and the Leader has not indicated, prior to the commencement of the
national convention, an irrevocable intention to resign, the delegates will vote by secret
ballot if they wish to engage the leadership selection process. The Conservative Fund
Canada shall appoint the returning officer to establish the process and rules to hold such a
ballot.

Rationale:

There is uncertainty in the process and adding clarity would be helpful. The Fund appoints
the returning officer for the National Council races so it makes sense that the same person is
responsible for this vote, given the National Council will be involved in its own race.

20. Submission ID: NC4. Section 8.4. MODIFICATION

Sponsor: National Council

Submission:

Conservative Fund Canada shall appoint the returning officer for elections to National
Council. The returning officer shall set out rules and procedures for the conduct of any
election, subject to review by National Council. The rules shall provide that no one may be
elected to more than three consecutive terms of office and that the election shall be by way
of a preferential ballot. For greater certainty, this provision does not consider the initial
period where an individual is elected to the National Council through a by-election towards
this limit, however, where an individual resigns from National Council, that period shall be
considered a term.

Rationale

This amendment would clarify the term limit for National Councillors that were elected in a
by-election that often happen with only a few months left in a normal term. Without
clarification, this section could be open to interpretation and inconsistent application.

9
21. Submission ID: 1462. Section 9.9.1. NEW

Sponsoring EDA: Foothills

Submission:

The Chair of Conservative Fund Canada’s board of directors responsibilities include, but are
not restricted to; ensuring effectiveness of the budgeting reporting process commitments,
integrity of the contract process and any agreements made, fundraising, effectiveness of
expenditures and compliance with all aspects of Canadian law.

Rationale:

The governance responsibilities of the Conservative Fund Canada board of directors are not
stated anywhere in the current constitution; this addition provides some clarity.

22. Submission ID: 1459. Section 9.5.1. NEW

Sponsoring EDA: Foothills

Submission:

Any rebates from Elections Canada to the campaign of candidates for Members of
Parliament in national elections assigned to Conservative Fund Canada shall be remitted to
the designated recipient, within thirty (30) days of receipt by Conservative Fund Canada.

Rationale:

This new section allows the national party to benefit from any GST rebates that may be
legally available to it by transfer of funds from the candidates’ election accounts, while
requiring that the funds must be made available for transfer back to the candidates’
accounts within a reasonable time.

23. Submission ID: 1532. Section 9.11. NEW

Sponsoring EDA: Edmonton West

Submission:

All expenditures of the Conservative Fund must be connected to advancing the political and
electoral interests of the Conservative Party. No expenditures can be purely a subsidy to a
member of the Party unrelated to advancing the electoral or political interests of the party.

10
Rationale:

People donate to the Conservative Party of Canada to win elections and advance
conservative policies. We must assure donors and supporters of the party that their
contributions are valued and will be used to affect the policies that they support.

24. Submission ID: 1614. Section 11.2. NEW

Sponsoring EDA: Guelph

Submission:

A Youth Council, comprised of individuals up to the age of 25 years, with representation

from each province will be established.

Rationale:

With Canada being a diverse country with different values, youth voters make up the
biggest voting bloc in Canada, and the Conservative Party of Canada has not been able to
reach this group as well as it could. Additionally, the Conservative Party of Canada is the
only federal political party of relevance to not have a youth wing, and it is an incredibly
missed opportunity to not get involved. Youth are the future leaders of this country, and
the Conservative Party should adopt them on their side. All youth council members will
under the age of 25 and elected.

25. Submission ID: 1562. Section 13. MODIFICATION

Sponsoring EDA: Ottawa Centre

Submission:

13.1 In addition to a referendum provided for in Article 12, the Constitution and Policy
Declaration may be amended at a national convention by a majority of votes cast by
delegates and a majority of votes cast by delegates from each of a majority of individual
provinces. For the purpose of this provision, the territories together shall constitute one
province.

13.2 Immediately following a National Convention, National Council shall commence the
process to elect a National Constitution and Policy Committee whose responsibilities shall
include:

 13.2.1 facilitating the promotion and maintenance of an

ongoing constitution and policy process of the Party, and ensuring

11
 that the constitution and policy amendment process is at all times
accountable to the members;

 13.2.2 facilitating and supporting constitutional and policy discussions

within the Party;

 13.2.3 identifying constitutional and policy areas needing study;

 13.2.4 serving as a means of communication between members

on constitutional and policy issues;

 13.2.5 after each national convention at which delegates approve

amendments to the Constitution or Policy Declaration, ensuring that a
consolidated version of the Constitution and Policy Declaration is
prepared in both official languages for approval by National Council,
incorporating all of the amendments made at the national
convention, and following legislative practice in preparing such as
consolidation by correcting any numerical, typographical,
grammatical, syntax or translation errors that may otherwise exist in
the text.

13.3 The National Constitution and Policy Committee shall consist of:

 13.3.1 a chair and two vice-chairs that are members of, and elected
by voting members of National Council;

 13.3.2 the same number of representatives from each province as the

number of members of National Council from that
province, elected by the presidents of the electoral district
associations in each province, as determined by bylaw of
National Council; and

 13.3.3 one representative for the three territories elected by the

presidents of the electoral district associations from the territories, as
determined by bylaw of National Council.

 13.3.4 one representative of the parliamentary caucus of the party

appointed by the Leader.

13.4 The term of the National Constitution and Policy Committee shall begin upon the
election and appointment of its members and shall terminate upon the submission to
National Council of the consolidated text of the Policy Declaration referred to in
Article 13.2.5.

13.5 Interim amendments to the Policy Declaration of the Party may be determined by the
parliamentary caucus and the Leader with interim ratification by the National Constitution

12
and Policy Committee. Upon the National Constitution and Policy Committee ratifying an
interim amendment to the Policy Declaration, National Council shall cause to be published
an Interim Policy Declaration that sets out the amendments. Interim amendments to the
Policy Declaration shall be subject to final ratification at the next national convention. These
amendments along with any policy resolutions passed at the national convention shall
become the Policy Declaration of the Party.

13.6 The following may propose amendments to the Constitution or Policy Declaration at a
national convention:

 13.6.1 National Council, only for amendments to the Constitution;

 13.6.2 any four electoral district associations from at least two

provinces, on approval of a majority vote of the board of directors or
membership of each of those electoral district associations at a duly
constituted meeting of each called for that purpose, subject to such
requirements as may be set out by by-law or the rules and procedures
for the national convention.

13.7 The text of any proposed amendment must be received by the Executive Director
within such time and in such manner as set out by by-law or in the rules and procedures of
the national convention. The Executive Director shall cause the text of all proposed
amendments duly received to be posted forthwith on the a public website of the Party.

13.8 In lieu of the prior notice provided for in Article 13.7 and subject to the rules and
procedures for the national convention, a proposed constitution or policy amendment will
be put to a vote at a national convention where constitutional and policy amendments are
being considered if it has the supporting signatures of delegates from at least one hundred
(100) electoral district associations. However, it must follow the same process as the other
proposed amendments, i.e. be debated and adopted at the corresponding session before
going to plenary.

13.9 At a national convention, a constitutional amendment or policy resolution must receive

a majority of votes cast by delegates and a majority of votes cast by delegates from each of
a majority of individual provinces. For the purpose of this provision, the territories together
shall constitute one province.

13.10 After every National Convention, the National Council, will prepare one or a series of
amendment proposals to the Constitution and/or Policy Declaration, each being an
amendment to be voted on individually, for approval by the delegates at the next National
Convention, either at the floor of the convention or though handout ballots (in accordance
with section 13.9), that shall remove or update all redundant and spent items from the
Policy Declaration but which shall not contradict specific decisions of the previous National
Conventions or the National Constitution and Policy Committee.

13
***CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENT***

Deletion of Section 16 in its entirety

Rationale:

This constitutional amendment seeks to make future Convention processes easier and more
efficient by allowing grassroots Conservative members to propose changes to our Party’s
rules and policies by streamlining decision making on dates and reducing inefficiencies with
two separate committees with a total membership of 44 members.

Currently the process is covered under two separate sections of the constitution, Sections
13 and 16. These two separate sections create two separate committees, the National Policy
Committee and the National Constitution Committee, and mandate their composition. This
currently creates two committees with a size of 18 members each, three National
Councillors and a member of caucus on each committee, for a maximum of 44 members.

The result of having two separate committees caused confusion and unsynchronized
timelines in regards to submission deadlines for EDAs and members, and delayed the
opening of Ideas Lab with additional consultations. Since the 2018 Convention, both
committees have begun to work together on nearly all aspects to provide simplicity for the
members. However, with a size of 44 members, it creates unnecessary inefficiencies when
coming to decisions.

This newly consolidated Section 13 would delete section 16 completely in the future, ensure
better coordination for future conventions, protects representation where each province is
able to keep at minimum one member on the new consolidated committee, and ensures
that a new streamlined committee of 22 members will be able to provide non-conflicting
information on a single, unified process to party members as part of their duties assisting
EDAs in their provinces/regions.

26. Submission ID: 1657. Section 14.1.1. NEW

Sponsoring EDA: Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas

Submission:

In order to be declared a candidate in a federal election for the Conservative Party of

Canada, that person must have been a member of the party for a minimum of 12 months
and must have a clear record of party activism. 14.1 National Council shall create rules and
procedures for the selection of candidates.

14
Rationale:

Discourage opportunists who are not committed to Conservative principles from suddenly
appearing in the nomination process.

27. Submission ID: 1648. Section 8.3.7. NEW

Sponsoring EDA: Kildonan—St. Paul

Submission:

Individuals who were disqualified or disallowed by National Council, National Candidate

Selection Committee, or the Leadership Election Organizing Committee from being a
Nomination Contestant, Leadership Contestant or Candidate in any one of the most recent
aforementioned activities, as further defined by by-law of National Council;

Rationale:

It is a serious matter if a person is disallowed to run as a candidate for our Party whether as
a Member of Parliament or Leader of our Party. In such circumstances it would not make
sense to allow such persons to be elected into the position responsible for governance of
our Party as a National Councillor. Quite simple, if any individual is not qualified or up to the
standards required to be a candidate or a nomination contestant, why would we want such
an individual involved in determining governance of our party.

28. Submission ID: 1502. Section 8.9. MODIFICATION

Sponsoring EDA: Vancouver Centre

Submission:

National Council shall provide the minutes of each meeting to all electoral district
associations as well as to members of National Council, National Constitution Committee
(CNC), National Policy Committee (NPC), and the Conservative Fund Canada (CFC), within 30
days of said meeting taking place. Furthermore National Council shall publish known dates
of their meetings for the past 5 calendar years as well as the dates of confirmed upcoming
meetings.

Rationale:

Currently, NC minutes are sent in batches sometimes 4-6 at a time, on a quarterly basis. In
theory this looks to be like a violation of the existing “within 30 days” clause, but it doesn’t

15
specify within 30 days of when. For all intents and purposes, NC can interpret this as within
30 days of the next total eclipse of the sun.
Current distribution is very limited to EDA Presidents. Members of National Constitution
Committee, National Policy Committee, and any other committee of National Council have
to hound their local EDA President – some of which can become laggards / bottlenecks in
forwarding these minutes. Moreover, newer members of such committees who seek
context of National Council and want to review years of minutes to get this context,
presently must burden EDA presidents – sometimes a collection of several of these, as EDA
turnover has occurred, which is inefficient.

29. Submission ID: 1625. Section 10.10.2. MODIFICATION

Sponsoring EDA: Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan

Submission:
Each electoral district will be allocated 100 points or 1 point per vote cast at that stage, whichever is
less.

Rationale:

No individual person should have an outsized ability to control the outcome of a leadership
race. This change ensures that no single individual controls an unreasonable amount of
power, while still giving every riding a reasonable opportunity to have their full allotment of
points. No riding in the country should be unable to sign up 100 members during a
leadership race.

16
 Handout Ballot Amendments

Submission ID: 1651. Section 13.8. NEW (Handout Ballot)

Sponsoring EDA: Flamborough—Glanbrook
Submission:
The CPC National Policy Committee will prepare a simple yes / no paper or electronic ballot
to present to the membership at each Convention so members can vote on the committee’s
recommendations for removal of redundant or otherwise invalid policies
Rationale:
The policy book continues to grow in size and instead of wasting time at conventions
debating policy deletions on the floor, this would be a way for members to have a vote on
the removal of redundant policies.

Submission ID: 1662. Section 7.5.5. DELETION (Handout Ballot)

Sponsoring EDA: Vancouver Granville
Submission:
leaders of provincial parties who are members of the Party
Rationale:
The Conservative Party does not have provincial parties. There is no reason to grant special
rights to a provincial party leader of a different party to be a voting delegate at a national
convention. Such person has the same opportunity as any other party member to join an
Electoral District Association and become duly selected as a convention delegate with voting
rights.

Submission ID: 1660. Section 6.1.3. MODIFICATION (Handout Ballot)

Sponsoring EDA: Vancouver Granville

Submission:

maintenance of a policy development process which respects and encourages the

participation of all members, provides policy options to the Party parliamentary caucus, and
which culminates in the adoption of policy resolutions at national conventions that will
become the Party’s Policy Declaration from which the Party’s election campaign platform
will be developed;

17
Rationale:

The Constitution says that the Policy Process is to be 'responsive to its [Party] members'
(2.1.4) and 'ongoing' (13.1.1). The existing Process is not ongoing: grassroot nation-wide
discussion of new policy ideas does not take place for more than a year in-between the
Conventions. The proposed change helps make the process ongoing and responsive to
members -- newly developed policy options could be offered to the Party parliamentary
caucus for consideration in-between the Conventions.

Note that this proposal enhances, rather than contradicts the paragraph:

13.4 which says: 'Between national conventions, interim policies of the Party may be
determined by the parliamentary caucus and the Leader.'

Submission ID: 1726. Section 8.16. MODIFICATION (Handout Ballot)

Sponsoring EDA: Bay of Quinte

Submission:

The presidents of the electoral district associations of the Party, a territory, a province, or a
region of a province as applicable, shall elect by secret ballot, within 90 days, members to
National Council to fill any vacancies in elected positions between national conventions.
Where a vacancy occurs for a province, territory or region of a province, where its members
of National Council were elected at the last national convention on a regional basis, any new
member shall be ordinarily resident in the same province, territory or region of the province
as the former member.

Rationale:

In May 2020 one of the Ontario positions on National Council was vacated. No election was
held to choose a replacement. This has left Ontario short of representation. The Parliament
of Canada is required to call an election for a replacement MP within 180 days. It is not
acceptable that the Ontario National Council position was left vacant for a longer
period. The replacement should be identified and in place within 90 days of a member of
Council vacating the position.

18
Submission ID: 1466. Section 10.10.8. NEW (Handout Ballot)

Sponsoring EDA: Foothills

Submission:

National Council or the Leadership Election Organizing Committee will engage an

independent third party auditing firm to count the ballots in the votes specified in 10.7 and
10.10.5.

Rationale:

Section 10.7 deals with a vote of delegates at a convention on whether to initiate a

leadership election when the party has lost the previous general election. Section 10.10.5
states that the voting procedure in a leadership election will be by single transferable ballot.
A third party is needed to count the ballots in both cases so that the membership can be
confident the count was completely honest and fair. This has been past practice in both
cases, but to assure that it will always continue in future this practice needs to be required
by the constitution.

NC5. Section 19.8. MODIFICATION (Handout Ballot)

Sponsor: National Council

Submission:

The general rules and procedures for the Arbitration Committee and its panels shall be
determined by the Arbitration Committee, subject to ratification by National Council within
30 days of the election of a National Council at convention.

Rationale:

It is important to mandate a specific time frame for matters such as this, in order that they
do not get overlooked. The Arbitration Committee is an important integral part of the
governance of our Party, and the rules and procedures under which they operate must be
made known to members of National Council on a regular basis.

19