Resolutions Panel 1: Innovating and Prospering in the New Energy Economy 1-01-16 CORPORATE TAX RATE USW BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP advocate in the current Parliament for corporate tax rates to be increased to ensure that corporations pay their fair share to finance social programs 1-02-16 SUPPLY MANAGEMENT Essex WHEREAS supply management is a longstanding bedrock of our rural communities and agricultural industry, ensuring livable farm incomes, high product quality, and domestic food security; BE IT RESOLVED THAT Section 1.9 (g) of the policy book be amended as follows: New Democrats believe in: g. Maintaining supply managed dairy, eggs, and poultry, and the farm incomes they support, and ensuring that any new trade agreement upholds our successful system of supply management. 1-03-16 ENSURING ADEQUATE INCOME SUPPORT AND REHABILITATION FOR WORKERS Persons Living with disAbilities Committee WHEREAS workers who are injured or become disabled, especially those who are not unionized, often lose their income, are not eligible for income supports, must pay for their own rehabilitation and must divest themselves of their assets in order to live; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following clause be added to section 1.12 of the policy book: 1.12 (d) Providing adequate income support and rehabilitation for all workers who are injured or become disabled; retraining and placement services for workers who cannot return to their previous employment; transitional support until permanent benefits are established for those who can no longer work. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT all subsequent clauses are alphabetized accordingly. resolutions 1 1-04-16 ENFORCING THE LAW ON WORKERS’ DEATHS USW WHEREAS over 1,000 Canadian workers die on the job each year, without a single corporate director or executive going to jail, though the Westray Criminal Code Amendments became law 12 years ago WHEREAS a nation-wide Stop the Killing, Enforce the Law campaign has been endorsed by hundreds of municipalities BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP press the Minister of Justice and the Justice Department to ensure corporate officers are held accountable to the Criminal Code regarding workplace deaths and serious injuries; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the NDP press the Minister of Justice and the Justice Department to work with their provincial counterparts to develop education and training for frontline officers and provincial authorities on the Criminal Code responsibilities for corporations and their officers regarding workplace deaths and serious injuries. 1-05-16 RAILWAY SAFETY NDP Quebec Section, Richmond-Arthabaska, Jonquière WHEREAS the tragedy that took place in the municipality of Lac Mégantic on July 6, 2013; WHEREAS the increase in the volume of hazardous materials transported by train; WHEREAS the safety of Canada’s railway system is a federal responsibility; WHEREAS Transport Canada has not acted on several of the recommendations of the Transportation Safety Board and the Commissioner of the Environment regarding shortcomings in railway safety; BE IT RESOLVED THAT: §§ The NDP demand that Transport Canada be required to inform municipalities of the transit of hazardous materials through their territory; §§ The NDP request that Transport Canada eliminate rail convoys with only one conductor and reinstate cabooses; §§ The NDP request the federal government to establish a public commission of inquiry into the transportation of hazardous materials in Canada §§ The NDP propose the establishment of a compensation fund to provide basic compensation to victims of accidents caused by any federally-regulated transportation system, including pipelines. 1-06-16 LEGISLATED TANKER BAN ON THE NORTH COAST OF BRITISH COLUMBIA Skeena-Bulkley Valley WHEREAS the House of Commons passed Nathan Cullen’s December 2010 motion to support banning oil tanker traffic on the northern BC coast; Resolutions 2 WHEREAS the Liberal government has indicated its intention to implement a moratorium on north coast tanker traffic WHEREAS it is critical that a moratorium be enshrined in law BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Federal NDP urge the Liberal Government to legislate a tanker ban on all oil tanker traffic in Dixon Entrance, Hecate Strait, and Queen Charlotte Sound to protect ecosystems and marine resources which sustain northwest communities and to honour First Nations rights and title in the area. 1-07-16 TORONTO WATERFRONT Spadina–Fort York WHEREAS the revitalization of Toronto’s waterfront has created ten thousands of jobs, a magnet for local and international visitors and a series of new public places, parks and recreational areas; WHEREAS Toronto’s waterfront continued success and development is dependant on preserving a balance of different uses and continued investment in public infrastructure and public spaces; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the federal government blocks any expansion of the Toronto Island Airport, provides long-term and predictable funding for Waterfront Toronto and the planned but currently unfunded waterfront light rail line and the revitalization of the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal and Harbour Square Park, and reforms the Toronto Port Authority, including community representation on the board, to secure the future of Toronto’s waterfront. 1-08-16 SEVERANCE FLEXIBILITY London-Fanshawe BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following be added to Section 1.5 in the policy book: 1.5.f. Amending the Employment Insurance Act (severance) and the Income Tax Act so that employees who have lost their jobs due to plant closure can, on a one-time-only basis, retain their severance packages and be able to invest some or all of that severance money into RRSPs even if the investment is above their RRSP contribution limit and can, immediately upon termination of employment, collect the Employment Insurance to which they are entitled without any loss of severance monies. 1-09-16 CANADA WHEAT BOARD Dauphin-Swan River-Neepawa WHEREAS the loss of the farmer elected, single-desk Canadian Wheat Board has resulted in an increasingly dysfunctional rail system, no grain logistics oversight, a loss of transportation efficiency on rail and at sea, reduced grain quality guarantees to other nations, and an overall loss of 2 - 3 billions of dollars of income annually to farmers which has had a devastating impact on Western Canada’s economy and, WHEREAS the ending of the CWB ‘single-desk’ marketing system has resulted in the loss of thousands of jobs across Canada including 460 direct good quality jobs in the heart of Winnipeg and a further 1,834 full-time equivalent jobs that were sustained by the CWB administrative expenditures. Resolutions 3 BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Federal New Democratic Party work with and support the farmers of western Canada by calling for the re-establishment of the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) and singledesk selling of grain in western Canada. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Federal New Democratic Party ensure that the re-instated Canadian Wheat Board have control over transportation and sales logistics. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Federal New Democratic Party recognize the important role that the CWB played in the organized/efficient movement of grain that reduced greenhouse gas emissions. 1-10-16 ABOLISH UNPAID INTERNSHIPS AND CO-OP PLACEMENTS NDP Quebec Section, Young New Democrats of Quebec WHEREAS unpaid internships undermine the Canadian economy by reducing the number or permanent paid positions and lowering the wages of permanent employees; WHEREAS unpaid internships reinforce economic inequalities by being less accessible to the less fortunate, who must work to earn their living; WHEREAS unpaid internships allow businesses to exploit labour; WHEREAS, by requiring students to complete unpaid internships, certain coop programs of study support this exploitation; WHEREAS paragraph 1.12.b. of the Policy Book states “. . . equal pay for work or equal value”; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following paragraph be added to NDP Policy: 1.12.g. Abolishing the abuse and economic discrimination associated with unpaid internships. 1-11-16 SAVE THE STEEL INDUSTRY USW WHEREAS the steel industry, employing 120,000 directly and indirectly, is in unprecedented crisis: threatening U.S. Steel, Essar Steel and Tenaris Steel, with 20,000 retirees already losing healthcare benefits WHEREAS the cause is bad trade deals, no manufacturing strategy and dumping from countries lacking human rights, environmental and labour standards BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP: §§ Press the Liberal government to create an emergency fund to back-stop the healthcare benefits of retirees affected by the CCAA process §§ Press the federal and Ontario governments to provide the necessary funding for steel companies to survive this crisis and be viable going forward §§ Press the Liberal government to create a manufacturing strategy ensuring infrastructure projects are built with Canadian materials §§ Press the Liberal government to amend the Investment Canada Act to benefit Canadian workers, Resolutions 4 and reject unfair trade deals that flood Canada with steel from countries lacking human rights, environmental and labour standards. 1-12-16 LABOUR CODE DEFINITION OF ‘DANGEROUS WORK’ USW WHEREAS the previous government changed Part II of the Canada Labor Code (as part of Bill C-4) altering the definition of “dangerous work” under the Code which has limited workers’ rights to refuse unsafe work, thus putting workers at greater risk for workplace injuries and illnesses BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP press the federal government to reinstate the concept of danger as a potential occurrence by reinstating the “potential hazard” language (subsection 122(1)) thus protecting workers from activities or conditions that could cause them danger in the future. Further, reinstate the protection to a worker’s reproductive system (subsection 122 (1)) 1-13-16 MINIMUM WAGE Spadina–Fort York, USW WHEREAS Canadian families and individuals deserve a fair wage and a decent living; WHEREAS income inequality continues to grow in Canada; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP continues to advocate for reinstating a federal minimum wage and increasing it to $15/hour. 1-14-16 CANADA POST NDP Quebec Section, Richmond-Arthabaska WHEREAS mail delivery services constitute an essential service provided to Canadians for more than a century; WHEREAS Canada Post and the Conservatives decided to devastate our mail services by ending home mail delivery, reducing services at regional offices, radically increasing postal rates and eliminating more than 6,000 quality jobs; WHEREAS no other G8 country has eliminated home mail delivery and that these cutbacks in service will have a major impact on seniors and persons with disabilities; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP demand that Canada Post’s plan be cancelled and request that the Government work with the Crown corporation to protect and improve our postal services, notably home delivery; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the NDP support retention of the public nature of our postal services and strongly oppose their privatization. Resolutions 5 1-15-16 COMBATTING PRECARIOUS EMPLOYMENT Toronto-Danforth WHEREAS too many Canadians are unemployed, underemployed or precariously employed. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP is committed to: A major and steady increase in the federal minimum wage and to encouraging provincial governments to do likewise. Vastly extending the coverage of Employment Insurance so that all workers will be covered if they lose their job. Requiring all financial partners of the Canadian Government to adhere to a fair wage policy. Changing labour law to encourage a greater variety and density of workplace unionization and also to end the capricious designation of essential service status. Requiring that the wages and benefits for temporary workers in sectors under federal jurisdiction be at the same level as the permanent workers that they replace or work with. 1-16-16 REDUCE BANK CHARGES Edmonton-Centre WHEREAS current banks and financial institution charges are exorbitant and serve to increase consumer household debt and; WHEREAS current bank and financial institution charges continue to contribute to enormous profits for financial lending institutions and bonuses for financial institutional board members and managers while resulting in continued and prolonged consumer debt; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party of Canada strongly urge the Government of Canada to enact legislation that regulates service and other charges charged on loans, credit card balances and lines of credit extended to consumers by financial institutions in Canada. 1-17-16 PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE CUPE WHEREAS the NDP is committed to halt Public-Private Partnerships (P3s), and to ensure public sector workers deliver public services; WHEREAS Canada is the only country to have a federal P3 agency that promotes privatization of public infrastructure, despite evidence showing P3s cost more and lead to loss of local control; BE IT RESOLVED THAT: §§ The NDP call for the full disclosure of all costs and details of current federal Public-Private Partnerships (P3s); and §§ The NDP demand that no federal infrastructure money goes into P3s; and Resolutions 6 §§ The NDP fight to eliminate PPP Canada and redirect all remaining P3 Canada funds into public infrastructure funding. 1-18-16 PUBLIC BANKING AND POSTAL BANKING Ottawa—Vanier WHEREAS the major banking institutions are currently inaccessible to many low-income Canadians. WHEREAS predatory banking and loan services are becoming increasingly prevalent in many lowincome communities in Canada; WHEREAS a public banking option would create competition in an increasingly cartelized financial sector and lead to market pressures for accessible services; WHEREAS a public bank would not engage in risky, speculative investments with depositors money as seen most prominently in private banks in 2008; WHEREAS Canada Post has an underutilized institutional capacity to deliver basic banking services with at a wide range of locations; WHEREAS there is an impetus to return Canada Post to a vibrant public institution; WHEREAS there is a need for the expansion of the service base of Canada Post to integrate with the realities of the 21st Century economy; WHEREAS postal banking has proven to be a reliable model in such Countries, as Japan, Germany, Brazil, and France; WHEREAS the NDP stands for Canadians at all income level to have access to reliable financial, fair services; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP would approve and support working toward re-establishing a publicly owned and operated basic banking service program accessible to all Canadians under the purview of Canada Post. 1-19-16 GREEN ECONOMY, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BANK OF CANADA AND EXPORT DEVELOPMENT CANADA NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS the World Bank and the European Investment Bank are now giving priority to investments in clean technology; WHEREAS China, the United States, Germany, England and Brazil have policies to ensure that their respective government banks invest massively in the development of their clean technology sectors; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP request that the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and Export Development Canada (EDC) establish programs to support the shift to a green economy comparable to the programs offered by government banks elsewhere. To this end, it is recommended that the BDC call on private banks and cooperative funds to be at the same level as the United States in terms of the percentage of all risk capital activities invested in clean technologies in Canada. Resolutions 7 1-20-16 PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS consumers have few tools available to them to make fully informed choices when making purchases; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP require that for each device purchased, the consumer must have access to the following information: §§ A clear indication making it possible to know if the device is repairable and the duration of the availability of separate parts and accessories, as well as the device’s reasonable life cycle; §§ An explanation of the product’s environmental impact provided by the producers, such as: §§ Impact of CO2 emitted when the product was produced; §§ Preservation of natural resources: quantity of non-renewable resources (gold, silver and tin) in the composition of the product; §§ Instructions for recycling the device or returning it to the producer for recycling. 1-21-16 TAX ON FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS the severity of the world economic and financial crisis has had disastrous consequences; WHEREAS it has brought to light major dysfunction in financial markets, notably inappropriate risktaking and speculation, an inability to ensure long-term financial stability and insufficient funding of the real economy; WHEREAS the incredible distortions of the conditions of fair competition that result from the undertaxation of many financial services and instruments; WHEREAS the concerning increase in financial derivatives, unlisted transactions and the high frequency transactions related to them on today’s financial markets, to the extent that these financial transactions largely avoid regulation and taxation; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP add the following paragraph to section 1.7 of NDP Policy: “(F) Implementing a tax on transactions between financial institutions by taxing at a rate of 0.1% trades in shares and bonds and at 0.01% financial derivatives.” 1-22-16 CHARITABLE STATUS OF NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS in its 2012 budget, the government allocated $8 million to monitor the activity of partisan not-for-profit organizations; WHEREAS partisan activity has always indicated that a group may oppose a policy of the government but may not support a particular candidate during an election; Resolutions 8 WHEREAS this policy led to the audit by the Canada Revenue Agency in 2014 of seven well-known environmental organizations; WHEREAS these policies could result in these legitimate organizations losing their charitable status; WHEREAS budget transparency and open political discussion are essential to a democratic Canada; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party of Canada pressure the Auditor General of Canada to proceed with an audit of the appropriateness of the funds used to monitor the political activity of NPOs to see if there were deliberate attempts to target these organizations. 1-23-16 RAIL SAFETY AND THE TRANSPORTATION OF DANGEROUS GOODS Parkdale-High Park WHEREAS the transportation of volatile crude oil in unsafe tank cars has skyrocketed while the federal rail safety budget was cut by 20 percent; WHEREAS railways are only required to provide first responders with historical data of hazardous goods being shipped, and industry carries insufficient insurance for a catastrophic urban derailment; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP call upon the Federal Government to: §§ Require industry to reduce the volatility of crude oil transported by rail, strengthen government oversight of rail safety, increase the number of rail inspectors, implement and make public independent rail risk analysis, monitor and enforce train speeds, §§ Require unlimited liability for the industry, §§ Require railways to share real-time data on dangerous goods with first responders and historical data with residents, and §§ Require industry to implement the latest safety technology and tank car improvements. 1-24-16 TAX CREDIT FAIRNESS Persons Living with disAbilities Committee WHEREAS non-refundable tax credits reward certain behaviours/activities or offset the additional costs of certain life circumstances; and WHEREAS these credits are designed to appear as if providing equal benefits; and WHEREAS many Canadians with little or no taxable income receive lower or no benefit from nonrefundable tax credits; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following clause be added to section 1.7 of the policy book: 1.7.e. Tax credit fairness, including but not limited to the refunding of tax credits for disability, accessibility modifications, medical expenses, home renovations, child fitness and art, public transit and political contributions, regardless of taxable income. Resolutions 9 1-25-16 WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS, in Canada, women hold majority ownership of about 16% of SMEs; WHEREAS access to traditional credit remains a major barrier to entrepreneurship by women; WHEREAS 64% of employees in the private sector work for a SME; BE IT RESOLVED THAT Canada provide significant support to the creation, development and growth of businesses majority owned by women, notably by promoting access to credit for women entrepreneurs. 1-26-16 ADEQUATE WORKING INCOME TAX BENEFIT USW WHEREAS no one working full time should be forced to live in poverty BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP should push the government to increase the Working Income Tax Benefit to help all low-income Canadians. 1-27-16 TAX POLICY Parkdale-High Park, Nepean, CUPE WHEREAS the full availability and equal accessibility of public services requires a healthy tax base revenue stream; and WHEREAS public services are threatened by the fallacy that Canadians are “over-taxed;” and WHEREAS the NDP is a champion of full and equally accessible public services and fair taxation, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP protect full and equal access to public services by publicly challenging the Liberal siren call that Canadians are overtaxed, by continuing to campaign for a reasonable increase in the corporate tax rate and by inviting public discussion to assess the damage done to Canada’s public services by the Harper Conservatives’ reductions to the GST. 1-28-16 SUPPORT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE NDP Quebec Section, Jonquière WHEREAS in 1996, the Liberal government eliminated the federal minimum wage as part of its vast program of cutbacks; 
 WHEREAS in 2006, the Federal Labour Standards Review Commission recommended to the government to reinstate the federal minimum wage and to adjust it based on low income cutoffs set by Statistics Canada; WHEREAS the increase in the minimum wage in federallyregulated sectors such as transportation, banks and telecommunications will put upward pressure on wage scales in other sectors and will serve as an example for the provinces; 
 Resolutions 10 BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP work with its advocates and associations to conduct a campaign to make known the firm commitment made by the leader of the NDP to reinstate the federal minimum wage and to gradually increase it to $15 per hour by the end of 2019. 1-29-16 CREDIT UNION TAX HIKE Council of Northern Ontario Federal Ridings BE IT RESOLVED THAT Canada’s NDP believes the unfair tax on Credit Unions will hurt the Credit Union movement, communities, and families throughout Northern Ontario to the financial benefit of the big banks. 1-30-16 CORPORATE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS USW WHEREAS we remember the Tazreen factory fire (2012) and the Rana Plaza building collapse (2013) that killed over 1,000 garment workers in Bangladesh WHEREAS we stand in solidarity with workers, communities and indigenous peoples that suffer human rights violations at the hands of Canadian-based mining and energy companies BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP: §§ Press the Liberal government to create an extractive sector ombudsman and facilitate access to Canadian courts for victims of human rights violations by Canadian companies operating outside of Canada §§ Press the Liberal government to implement stronger regulations and advocacy to promote union rights, living wages, compensation for accidents, and safety in Bangladesh and countries with similar conditions. 1-31-16 RAILWAY SAFETY Sudbury, Council of Northern Ontario Federal Ridings BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party believes in safety above financial considerations, and that Transport Canada take primary responsibility for rail safety for Canadians and communities, especially by enforcing its safety regulations, ensuring railways are actually following procedures they report as happening, and confirming that identified problems are addressed adequately. 1-32-16 INCORPORATION OF A POLICY ON THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY IN THE NDP PLATFORM NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS Canada ranks third in the world in the manufacture of civilian aircraft; Resolutions 11 WHEREAS the aerospace sector generates well-paid quality jobs, helps to lower unemployment and increases the buying power of workers, which is redistributed in the Canadian economy and, necessarily, generates more tax revenue; WHEREAS it is necessary to invest in state-of-the-art training to be able to keep abreast of new technologies and maintain a proper workforce for the aerospace industry; WHEREAS there is an urgency to take steps to increase the competitiveness of the Canadian aerospace sector; WHEREAS the aerospace industry is a true driver of technological innovation and economic growth for the country; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party of Canada incorporate in its election platform, in its industrial component, a policy on the aerospace industry. 1-33-16 FIGHT AGAINST ABUSIVE PENALTIES FOR EARLY PAYOUT OF A MORTGAGE LOAN NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS when a consumer repays all of his mortgage loan prior to the end of its term, the financial institution generally imposes a penalty equal to the higher of the following two amounts: three months’ interest or the loss arising from the difference in rates between the time the loan was contracted and the rate it would be possible to obtain at the time of repayment; WHEREAS a half dozen questionably business practices by banks have been identified to “inflate” these penalties and these penalties are the main source of complaint to the Ombudperson for Banking Services; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP continue to support home owners and the brief tabled by the Fédération des Chambres Immobilières du Québec so that unacceptable abusive practices by financial institutions when calculating mortgage penalties cease as soon as possible, and to limit the mortgage penalty for early repayment to a maximum of three (3) months’ interest on the unpaid principal amount calculated at the average rate stipulated in the contract. 1-34-16 PASSENGER RAIL SERVICE NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS the effort that is required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Canada; WHEREAS the social, environmental and economic impact of oil consumption; WHEREAS the majority of that consumption occurs in the transportation sector (about 72% in Quebec); WHEREAS the NDP has already clearly indicated the desire to improve passenger rail service; WHEREAS the lack of accessibility and efficiency of passenger rail service; BE IT RESOLVED THAT a New Democratic government financially and technically support the development of a national passenger rail service that is more accessible and more efficient; Resolutions 12 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the development of this service encourage the use and development of Canadian ecological technologies; BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED THAT this service be adapted to the realities of the different regions of Canada. 1-35-16 RAIL EXPANSION Sudbury, Council of Northern Ontario Federal Ridings BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Canada’s NDP believe in investment by the federal governments in improved and expanded rail services for Northeastern Ontario, Rural and Northern Canada, including short-line passenger rail service. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Canada’s NDP believe in a moratorium on rail line discontinuance 1-36-16 FORESTRY POLICY FOR CANADA USW WHEREAS the Softwood Lumber Agreement is not equitable to Canadian lumber producers, and is harmful to Canadian workers and rural communities WHEREAS there have been 70 wood-processing facilities closed in BC since 2001 WHEREAS value-added remanufacture of domestic wood creates five-times as many jobs as simple harvest and export BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP press the Liberal government to find a fair and equitable solution to the dysfunctional Softwood Lumber Agreement between Canada and the United States, such solution to include: §§ Reducing raw log exports (for example by increasing the fee-in-lieu of manufacturing) §§ Dedicating revenues from the Softwood Lumber Agreement (including fee-in-lieu) to a fund to invest in wood manufacturing in Canada §§ A federal-provincial reforestation strategy to create jobs today and healthy, sustainable forests for tomorrow §§ Protecting working forests in order to provide sustainable jobs for years to come 1-37-16 ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION EXPOSURE Persons Living with disAbilities Committee WHEREAS wireless communications and technologies are expanding exponentially; and WHEREAS the long-term effects of long-term exposure to electromagnetic radiation on the biology and health of the human body and the environment has not been conclusively determined; and WHEREAS electromagnetic hypersensitivity is on the increase worldwide; Resolutions 13 BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following clause be added to section 1.13 of the policy book: 1.13.k. Requiring that Health Canada’s regulations on the safety and safe exposure limits of electromagnetic radiation ensure the biological integrity and health of humans and the environment and be based on research conducted by independent and unbiased (unaffiliated with industry) scientists 1-38-16 FREE TRADE AGREEMENT BETWEEN CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES – DAIRY INDUSTRY NDP Quebec Section, Richmond-Arthabaska, Jonquière WHEREAS the dairy industry is a job-creation engine for several communities in Quebec and Canada; WHEREAS the Quebec cheese industry is growing rapidly; WHEREAS Quebec produces 50% of Canadian cheeses and 60% of fine cheeses; WHEREAS according to the information available, the free trade agreement between Canada and the European Union will more than double the quotas granted to European cheese producers; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party reiterate its support for the dairy and cheese industry and pressure the Prime Minister of Canada to make good on his commitments to properly compensate this sector, in a timely manner, for losses in revenue that might result from the agreement. 1-39-16 ELIMINATION OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST YOUNG WORKERS NDP Quebec Section, Jonquière WHEREAS for about a decade, there has been legislation in Quebec forbidding the inclusion in work contracts of clauses providing for a disparity in treatment, better known as orphan clauses; WHEREAS the Canada Labour Code does not address this issue and therefore, by omission, allows inequitable and discriminatory treatment of young workers; WHEREAS the NDP prioritizes policies in favour of good, well-paying jobs for youth; WHEREAS Progressives are fighting to eliminate all types of discrimination and discrimination toward young workers is part of that; WHEREAS it is unacceptable that employers save money on the backs of our youth; WHEREAS this claim is made by several associations representing youth, including Force Jeunesse; BE IT RESOLVED THAT : The NDP express its support for a regulatory change to the Canada Labour Code, notably section 182, to prohibit clauses allowing disparity in treatment in work contracts. 1-40-16 RESTORING AND EXPANDING CANADA’S POSTAL SYSTEM Halifax WHEREAS the Harper government was completely eroding Canada’s postal system; Resolutions 14 WHEREAS Canada Post only temporarily suspended last fall its decision to end home mail delivery; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Party call on the Trudeau government and Canada Post to restore home mail delivery to all Canadians who lost it when the cuts were first announced in 2013, and to establish postal banking services as soon as possible. 1-41-16 PROGRESSIVE AND FAIR TAXATION Saanich-Gulf Islands BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following clause be added to Section 1.7 of the policy book: 1.7 New Democrats believe in: f. Fair and robust taxation to enable the government’s share of the economy to attain a level needed to stimulate the domestic economy permanently. 1-42-16 UBER & LABOUR RIGHTS University Rosedale, Beaches-East York WHEREAS a growing number of consumers rely on uber instead of taxis due to lower fees and user friendly app, WHEREAS the lower fees are realized by reducing workers’ benefits and increasing the workers’ costs while reducing the owner’s obligations despite uber’s massive profits, WHEREAS uber’s popularity has undermined unionized taxi drivers and their family sustaining jobs, WHEREAS the ongoing debate and conflict between uber drivers and taxi drivers has pitted workers against each other, WHEREAS uber’s labour practices are being touted as a model to follow in other industries, WHEREAS the Uberization of workforce will contribute to greater reliance on temporary, contract and precarious employment, drive down workers’ wages, undermine democratic regulatory power, and reduce government’s taxation powers, WHEREAS the technology for apps like uber can be harnessed for a truly social democratic sharing economy with greater worker ownership, BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT the government of Canada must promote worker owned cooperatives as an alternative model to uber or traditional taxi companies and support these cooperatives in developing their own high tech and user friendly apps. 1-43-16 REINSTATEMENT OF THE KATIMAVIK PROGRAM NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS: The Conservative government cut all funding for the Katimavik program in its last budget; Resolutions 15 The Katimavik program enriched the lives of young Canadians by developing their independence, sense of community engagement and work experience, while enabling them to learn one of Canada’s two official languages and making them aware of the country’s different realities; The Katimavik program helped many communities and organizations across Canada. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP pressure the federal government to find new avenues of funding to reinstate a program like Katimavik. 1-44-16 SMALL BUSINESS TASK FORCE Council of Northern Ontario Federal Ridings BE IT RESOLVED THAT Canada’s NDP believes in supporting a national small business task force with a mandate to address the social economy and support for sustainable small communities. 1-45-16 NORTHERN RESEARCH Council of Northern Ontario Federal Ridings BE IT RESOLVED THAT Canada’s NDP believes in the value of research focused on rural and northern Canada that promotes economic and social development and sustainability. 1-46-16 INCREASES ON LABOUR MARKET OPINION FOR FOREIGN ARTISTS Council of Northern Ontario Federal Ridings BE IT RESOLVED THAT Canada’s NDP believes that musicians and music technicians should be exempt from large fees for Labour Market Impact Assessments 1-47-16 CHARTER OF CANADIAN CITIZENSHIP AND CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITIES Saanich-Gulf Islands WHEREAS the challenge of fostering citizens’ responsibilities alongside rights and freedoms has always existed; and WHEREAS democracy cannot be sustained if citizens focus on their rights and freedoms to the exclusion of their civic responsibilities; and WHEREAS corporate social and environmental responsibilities are not widely embraced by Canadian corporations; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party of Canada initiate a nation-wide discussion about: §§ Core responsibilities of Canadian citizens and corporations; and §§ The prospective creation of a Bill of Canadian Citizen and Regulated Corporate Responsibilities along the lines of the existing Bill of Rights. Resolutions 16 1-48-16 TRADE IN SERVICES AGREEMENT (TISA) CUPE WHEREAS the far-reaching Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA) is being negotiated in secret with a view to deregulate services ranging from banking and telecommunications to health care; WHEREAS the TiSA will negate Canadians’ sovereignty by restricting our government’s ability to regulate services in the interest of Canadians and our environment; BE IT RESOLVED THAT: §§ The NDP demand the immediate release of the full text to date of the secretly negotiated Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA); and §§ The NDP oppose TiSA, which could lead to privatization of services including health care, education, electricity, water and other municipal and social services; and §§ The NDP continue to promote the importance of public ownership and public services; and §§ The NDP fight the Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) system which puts corporate rights ahead of democratic rights, allowing foreign firms to sue elected governments if profits are impacted by socially or environmentally responsible public policy. 1-49-16 HYDRO-ELECTRICITY Toronto-St. Paul’s WHEREAS continued dependence on oil is problematic for economic and environmental reasons; WHEREAS Canada possesses vast potential for additional hydro-electric power in Quebec, Labrador, and Manitoba, which is far more sustainable than other forms of energy; WHEREAS Ontario represents an internal Canadian market for such hydro-electric energy; WHEREAS current plans to route hydro-electric transmission from Labrador to the North-Eastern United States is not in the best interests of Canada; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Canadian Federal Government examine options to build hydro-electric transmission lines from Manitoba, Quebec, and Labrador, into Ontario in consultation with the relevant provincial governments and First Nations. 1-50-16 REQUIREMENT FOR PORT AUTHORITIES TO HOLD PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS PRIOR TO EXPANSION OR DEVELOPMENT NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS maritime traffic is expected to expand in the coming years; WHEREAS the transshipping of freight and hazardous materials can affect the security, safety and potentially the health of persons living near port facilities; Resolutions 17 WHEREAS provinces make an effort to control road transportation based on public consultation, it would be appropriate for the federal government to do the same in sectors under its jurisdiction, such as railways and maritime transportation; BE IT RESOLVED THAT federal port authorities hold public consultations and rely on independent studies before authorizing development projects for their facilities. 1-51-16 MINING INFRASTRUCTURE Council of Northern Ontario Federal Ridings BE IT RESOLVED THAT Canada’s NDP believes infrastructure construction is essential to mining development in Northern Ontario, and across Northern and Rural Canada, and that Canada should support expeditious construction of transportation and power systems, training and human resource development, which also enhances the quality of life for First Nations communities in the region 1-52-16 FAIR TAXATION South Shore—St. Margaret’s WHEREAS Canadians, in the light of our party’s 2015 election campaign, have been left in doubt about the NDP’s primary convictions, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party of Canada will make the case for and advocate fair and progressive corporate and personal taxation at levels sufficient to ensure for all Canadians, wherever they live, now and in the future, universal access to high quality education and comprehensive health care, decent jobs, unemployment insurance, essential public infrastructure, high productivity, adequate pensions, and a clean, low-carbon environment, amongst other public goods. 1-53-16 COMBATTING ECONOMIC DISPARITY Toronto-Danforth WHEREAS there is growing economic disparity among Canadians as to wealth, income and access to adequate housing and social services. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP is committed to halting and reversing this trend by increasing social investments through a full provision of health, education, environmental services and income supports. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the NDP is committed to a policy of fair and full employment. 1-54-16 BITCOIN NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS bitcoin is a growing form of payment in Canada and around the world; WHEREAS there is little or no regulation covering bitcoin transactions; Resolutions 18 WHEREAS it is an issue about which very little is known, there is too much misinformation about the bitcoin phenomenon and this undermines its development; WHEREAS Canadian media have reported that the use of bitcoin will facilitate illegal commerce and criminal activity; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP use the means available to it to study, evaluate and analyse the bitcoin phenomenon and prepare a report on these studies so that the NDP can take a position in the best interest of Canadians; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this body attempt to determine the action to be taken to restrict criminal activity related to bitcoin and increase its security as much as possible, without interfering with legitimate users. 1-55-16 GUARANTEED PAID LEAVE NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS employment-related benefits, particularly, guaranteed paid leave, are historic fights fought by social and union movements; WHEREAS 89 countries offer more than two weeks of guaranteed leave to workers with one year of seniority; WHEREAS in Canada, in Canadian provincial and federal jurisdictions, with the exception of Saskatchewan, workers with one (1) year of seniority are guaranteed only two weeks of paid holidays; WHEREAS young workers are especially affected by this situation given the growing precariousness of the labour market and their lack of seniority; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP support recognition of a minimum of three weeks of annual paid leave for workers working in federallyregulated sectors. 1-56-16 ABOLITION OF PPP CANADA NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS the mandate of PPP Canada results in the privatization of public services; WHEREAS the budget of PPP Canada represents a reduction in the Government of Canada’s budget devoted to public infrastructure; WHEREAS public infrastructure projects are already carried out by private enterprise; WHEREAS public-private partnerships represent a long-term purchase on credit requiring excessively burdensome contracts (to create and manage) that remove all flexibility from the use of the infrastructure; WHEREAS the cost-based accounting method applied to the total cost of ownership is an appropriate tool in public administration; BE IT RESOLVED THAT, pursuant to Section 1.10.D of the Policy of the federal party: Resolutions 19 §§ A New Democratic government would abolish PPP Canada, §§ The funds available be reallocated to regular infrastructure investment budgets, §§ The staff and expertise be transferred to the acquisitions sector of the Department of Public Works and Government Services. 1-57-16 PPP Jonquière BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP government abolish PPP Canada. 1-58-16 TRANSPORTATION Toronto-St. Paul’s WHEREAS transportation infrastructure is a necessary and important foundation for a strong Canadian economy and national unity; WHEREAS technological advancements in transportation require ongoing investment by governments; WHEREAS Canada has failed to adequately upgrade its passenger rail network over many years; WHEREAS passenger rail is more environmentally responsible than air or car travel; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Canadian Federal Government initiate a plan to build high-speed passenger rail capability along the Windsor-Quebec City, and Edmonton-Calgary corridors, as a first step to building high-speed passenger rail capacity across Canada and connecting to the United States of America. 1-59-16 COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS NDP Quebec Section BE IT RESOLVED THAT: The NDP pressure the government to support frontline community organizations while respecting provincial jurisdictions; 
 The NDP must work to re-establish effective federal programs to assist community organizations that were eliminated by the current government; 
 The NDP must work to ensure that the funds allocated to these programs are indexed to the cost of living. 1-60-16 ESTABLISHING POSTAL BANKING London West, London-Fanshawe, Ontario Southwest Council of EDAs WHEREAS many low-income Canadians lack access to banking services; and Resolutions 20 WHEREAS Canada, through the G-20 and through the 2013 Federal Budget, is subject to the bail-in agenda which allows failing Canadian banks to seize the assets of their clients, including their deposits; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP give high priority to working intensely with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers to establish through Canada Post a postal banking system which would provide low-cost banking services and a safe haven for depositors’ money. 1-61-16 POSTAL BANKING Hamilton Mountain WHEREAS Canada Post’s own research found Postal Banking to be a win-win situation for both Canada Post and its customers: BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP actively campaign for the reinstatement of postal banking. 1-62-16 POSTAL BANKING Esquimalt – Saanich – Sooke WHEREAS Canada Post Corporation is a publicly owned utility that is currently being underutilized, WHEREAS the future of the Post Office depends on the expansion of services, WHEREAS many remote communities are underserviced or not served at all by retail banking, WHEREAS many Indigenous and Northern Communities are severely underserviced by retail banks and are forced to depend on retail stores like Northern Stores for basic financial services, WHEREAS an increasing number of urban communities are being underserviced by retail banking, WHEREAS Canada Post has a presence in the vast majority of Rural, Indigenous and Urban communities across Canada along with the network and infrastructure to serve them; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP will work with labour, community groups, Indigenous communities and governments and other interested parties to develop a plan to implement postal banking and other service expansion through Canada Post outlets. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this plan will be a component of the NDP platform in the 2019 election. 1-63-16 AUDITOR GENERAL Peterborough-Kawartha WHEREAS the auditor-general in its 1991-92 report noted that “From Confederation up to 1991-92, the federal government accumulated a net debt of $423 billion. Of this, $37 billion represents the accumulated shortfall in meeting the cost of government programs since Confederation.” BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP will work in Parliament to require an annual report from the auditorgeneral and the Parliamentary Budget Office on the growth in the federal debt due to compounding interest charges and Resolutions 21 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the NDP will focus on how, since the mid-seventies, talk of balanced budgets obscures the top 10% receiving massive amounts tax dollars at the expense of other government programs such as health care and pensions needed by Canadians and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the NDP opposes any proposed austerity measures to resolve the problem of debt growth. 1-64-16 RAIL SAFETY & FREIGHT TRAFFIC RE-ROUTING Beaches-East York, York South Weston WHEREAS Following the Lac Megantic disaster the Transportation Safety Board recommended the re-routing of hazardous freight traffic around major population centres; and WHEREAS the Missing Link is a proposal to re-route freight traffic around Metro Toronto, that has the additional benefit of consolidating cargo transport and making it more efficient; and WHEREAS this proposal is the product of work jointly funded by Toronto, Mississauga, Milton and Cambridge and is currently under consideration by Metrolinx, the Ontario government agency created to improve the coordination and integration of all modes of public transit in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area; and WHEREAS this plan enables the introduction of high speed electrified commuter rail transit, by freeing up invaluable urban transit corridors and WHEREAS high speed electrified commuter rail transit is the central component of highly efficient, cost effective metropolitan transit grids around the globe; and WHEREAS the Missing Link thus addresses the imperative of preventing another Lac Megantic disaster while fundamentally enhancing transit and reducing fossil fuel consumption, thereby converging with the need for effective federal action to mitigate climate change; BE IT RESOLVED THAT this convention endorse the Missing Link, and that our parliamentary caucus call on the federal Minister of Transport to take immediate action to implement this proposal in coordination with his Ontario counterpart, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT we demand that the federal Minister of Transport enable the implementation of the Missing Link seeking the necessary cooperation of the management of CN and CP ; or, if that cooperation is not forthcoming, that the government exercise all powers at its disposal to enforce the implementation of the Missing Link — in the interest of public safety, of the public purse and of lessening congestion and our reliance on fossil fuels. 1-65-16 TAX REBATE TO NON-TAX PAYERS Beaches-East York WHEREAS the Canada Revenue Agency T1 general form is restrictive of a tax rebate on federal donations to the Party, riding association or an election campaign if you don’t pay federal tax, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Income Tax Act be amended to put federal contributions on the same basis as for provincial financial contributions whereby a tax rebate is given for a federal contribution, as per the rebate guidelines, regardless of whether you pay federal tax or not. Resolutions 22 1-66-16 TRANSPORTATION Scarborough Southwest BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP endorse: §§ The construction of high-speed rail powered by renewable sources. §§ The provision of affordable public transit to unite every community in this country. §§ Investing in our decaying public infrastructure so that it reduces energy waste and can withstand increasingly frequent extreme weather events. (Section 1.2 and Section 2.6) 1-67-16 EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND MERIT Young New Democrats of Quebec WHEREAS most inheritances are non-taxable in Canada; WHEREAS the constitutional limits on taxation at the provincial level require that effective taxation of inheritances fall under federal jurisdiction; WHEREAS about 50% of Canadians receive an inheritance; WHEREAS the largest economies in the world have an inheritance tax: Japan, South Korea, France, the United Kingdom and the United States each has an inheritance tax of 40% or more; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following paragraph be added to section 1.7 of NDP Policy: “e. Establishing an inheritance tax based on a progressive scale according to amount of the inheritance.” 1-68-16 PUBLIC INVESTMENT South Shore—St. Margaret’s WHEREAS Canadians, in the light of our party’s 2015 election campaign, have been left in doubt about the NDP’s primary convictions, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party of Canada will pursue countercyclical public investment to compensate for the failure of private investment and to ensure full employment, not fetishizing balanced budgets, but exercising fiscal prudence over the long-run to ensure we live within our means as a country. 1-69-16 ECONOMIC PROSPERITY Saanich-Gulf Islands WHEREAS the world does not have the resources necessary to sustain human life on earth at the rate humans are now using them; and WHEREAS sustainable economic growth is essentially oxymoronic; Resolutions 23 BE IT RESOLVED THAT paragraph 4 of the introduction to Section 1 of the policy book be amended to read: New Democrats believe that economic prosperity for all citizens can be achieved through proper regulation, strategic investments in both physical and social infrastructure and a long-term sustainable economic strategy. 1-70-16 PRIVATIZATION Parkdale-High Park, Nepean WHEREAS infrastructure investment was a critical issue in the 2015 federal election, and WHEREAS the NDP’s 2015 campaign failed to highlight adopted party policy in opposition to publicprivate partnerships (P3s) and privatization of infrastructure investments, and WHEREAS the campaign also failed to highlight the Liberals’ support of P3 infrastructure, BE IT RESOLVED THAT §§ The 2019 federal NDP campaign platform will significantly highlight the party’s opposition to P3 as a wasteful and inefficient model for delivering public services, including vital public infrastructure, and also affirm the party’s opposition to all forms of privatization including in crown corporations, §§ The 2019 federal NDP campaign will include comprehensively researched rapid-response in opposition to any other political party’s support of P3s or privatization in the campaigns and platforms, to ensure other parties, particularly the Liberals, are not able to hide their support of P3s and privatization under the guide of “progressive” infrastructure investments. 1-71-16 AGRICULTURE Scarborough Southwest BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP endorse moving to a far more localized and ecologically-based agricultural system to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, capture carbon in the soil, and absorb sudden shocks in the global supply – as well as produce healthier and more affordable food for everyone. (Section 1.9) 1-72-16 PUBLIC SERVICES Scarborough Southwest BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP endorse expanding the sectors of our economy that are already low carbon: caregiving, teaching, social work, the arts and public-interest media. Resolutions 24 1-73-16 ECONOMIC FRAMEWORK Scarborough Southwest BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP recognize the fallacy of neo liberal economics and endorse an end to “austerity” in the public sector – which has systematically attacked low-carbon sectors like education and healthcare, while starving public transit and forcing reckless energy privatizations. (Section 1.1) 1-74-16 DEFINITION OF PRIVATIZATION Sherwood Park—­Fort Saskatchewan WHEREAS: The privatization of public infrastructure and services is increasing rapidly with new forms and names and mechanisms, and opposing privatization in any area of public services is a fundamental value of the New Democratic party, BE IT RESOLVED: That the following clause be added as Section 1.10 of the Policy Book: 1.10 f. Privatization includes social impact bonds, social finance initiatives, grants and other incentives, investment for the creation of profits, and the delegation of accountability, definition of purpose and goals, or regulation, of public infrastructure or services to an entity outside of government. 1-75-16 GOVERNMENT BORROWING AND THE BANK OF CANADA Pitt Meadows­—Maple Ridge WHEREAS all levels of government spend billions annually on interest payments to private banks, WHEREAS an intent of a central Canadian bank was to provide low interest loans to all levels of government benefitting all Canadians, WHEREAS large banks are interested solely in profits and excessive compensation for their CEO’s, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following clause be added to Section 1.8 of the policy book: An NDP government as a matter of policy use the Bank of Canada exclusively when borrowing money and allow this borrowing opportunity to all levels of government. 1-76-16 REDUCE BANK INTEREST RATES Edmonton-Centre WHEREAS current interest rates are not in line with the downturn in the economy and prevents borrowers from paying down the principal on loans and; WHEREAS the current interest rates are a deterrent to reducing Canadians’ household debt; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party of Canada strongly urge the Government of Canada to enact legislation that regulates interest rates charged on loans, credit card balances and lines of credit extended by financial institutions in Canada by periodically freezing interest rates for a period of time, with advance no tice provided to bank and financial institution account holders, that all payments Resolutions 25 during the period of reduced or frozen interest rates would be directed toward reducing the principal owing on an outstanding loan or debt. 1-77-16 PUBLIC FINANCE Ottawa South BE IT RESOLVED THAT sections 1.6.a, b and c of the policy book be replaced with: New Democrats believe in: 1.6.a Maintaining a stable debt-to-GDP ratio during normal economic times and outside of national security emergencies, while recognizing that it is appropriate to deficit-finance major public infrastructure investments that boost long-term economic performance and thus pay for themselves through increased government revenues over time. 1-78-16 BALANCED BUDGET Peterborough-Kawartha WHEREAS the narrative about Balanced Budgets obscures massive transfers of tax dollars as debt service charges paid to the well-off and WHEREAS the auditor-general identified debt service charges as responsible for the increase in debt and WHEREAS debt service charges are the third highest expenditure after seniors and health care BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP will oppose austerity policies to manage the growing debt and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the NDP will determine alternatives to financing the country’s debt that maximize return to government revenues of these massive expenditures of debt service charges ($25.7 billion interest in the last balanced budget) including both higher taxes and having the Bank of Canada hold an increasing portion of the debt and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the NDP will focus its rhetoric about balanced budgets on the transfer of tax dollars to the wealthy being a problem to be resolved. 1-79-16 FOR STEEPLY PROGRESSIVE TAX REFORM Thornhill, Etobicoke North, Hamilton Mountain WHEREAS it will be costly to provide $15/day childcare, significant improvements in public transportation and decent, affordable housing for all in need, and other vital social expenditures required; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP actively campaign for radically progressive tax change, not only to plug tax loopholes, but to steeply tax big business, the banks and the super-rich, including private wealth hidden in offshore bank accounts, high dollar inheritances, and all stock market financial transactions, while phasing out regressive taxes like the HST. Resolutions 26 1-80-16 FINANCIAL SECTOR AND INVESTMENT Hamilton Mountain WHEREAS between 1938 and 1974 Canadian governments used money created by the Bank of Canada at no interest to fund public infrastructure without debt or inflation; and WHEREAS governments at all levels are burdened by interest rates on their borrowing some $60 billion every year recently. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following clause be added to Section 1.8 of the policy book: 1.8. New Democrats believe in: h. Restoring the Bank of Canada’s original mandate to provide interest free loans to municipalities, territorial, provincial and federal governments for major education, health housing and infrastructure expenditures. 1-81-16 RESTORING THE MANDATE OF THE BANK OF CANADA ACT Hamilton Mountain WHEREAS between 1938 and 1974, Canadian governments used money created by the Bank of Canada at little or no interest to fund public infrastructure projects-without debt or inflation; and WHEREAS governments at all levels are burdened by interest on their borrowing, some $60 billion every year. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party advocate for the restoration of the Bank of Canada’s mandate to its original purpose to be able to provide near zero interest free loans to municipal, territorial, provincial, and federal governments for education, health, housing and infrastructure expenditures as was done between 1938 and 1974 instead of relying exclusively on borrowing from domestic private banks, international private banks and other private financial institutions. 1-82-16 IMPACT MONETARY ON FISCAL POLICY Peterborough-Kawartha WHEREAS the NDP often takes the position that the Bank of Canada should function autonomously and the NDP focus should be on fiscal policy and WHEREAS the Bank of Canada is accountable to parliament and the Minister of Finance and WHEREAS fiscal policy is dramatically affected by monetary policy BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP will examine the impact on fiscal policy of the role of the Bank of Canada with respect to Quantitative Easing for Infrastructure and debt accumulation due to compounding interest and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the NDP will research and make MPs and Members aware of the changes made by the Bank of Canada and the government’s use of the Bank of Canada prior to and after the mid seventies and Resolutions 27 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the NDP will identify the impact of these changes to monetary practices on both fiscal and austerity policies. 1-83-16 REPORT FROM THE GOVERNOR OF THE BANK OF CANADA Peterborough-Kawartha WHEREAS the rhetoric that the country’s debt being a small portion of the GDP obscures the actual transfer of tax dollars to the well-off ($25.7 billion in the last balanced budget) and WHEREAS this transfer contributes to growing inequality BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP will ask the Governor of the Bank of Canada, the Auditor-General and the Parliamentary Budget Officer to report on the changes that were made to Canada’s borrowing practices in the mid seventies and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the NDP will ask that this report include the amount of interest that has been paid as interest on the debt since the changes were made and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT a report will be made on the impact of the current fiscal situation if those borrowing practices had not been changed. 1-84-16 OPPOSE AN INFRASTRUCTURE BANK AND USE THE BANK OF CANADA London-Fanshawe WHEREAS the present government plans to establish an expensive new institution, an Infrastructure Bank, which may be designed to continue burdening taxpayers with interest charges, and WHEREAS Canada already has its publicly owned Bank of Canada which could and should be funding infrastructure, interest-free, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP oppose establishment of an Infrastructure Bank and pressure the government immediately to use the Bank of Canada as mandated through the Bank of Canada Act, and effectively used from 1938 through 1974, to provide interest-free loans to all levels of government in Canada not only for infrastructure, but also for social programs, and debt retirement. 1-85-16 QUANTITATIVE EASING Peterborough-Kawartha WHEREAS the present government plans to establish an Infrastructure Bank and WHEREAS Canada already has the Bank of Canada that can serve this function and WHEREAS borrowing from the private sector has cost Canadian taxpayers more than a trillion dollars in interest charges to the well-off since the mid seventies BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP will oppose the establishment of an Infrastructure Bank on the grounds it would continue the increase of income and wealth inequality and Resolutions 28 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the NDP will call on the Finance Minister to require that the Bank of Canada serve this function and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the NDP will call for a programme called Quantitative Easing for Infrastructure funded by borrowing from the Bank of Canada. 1-86-16 INFRASTRUCTURE BANK Peterborough-Kawartha WHEREAS the financial sector of the economy is growing faster than the real and productive part of the economy and WHEREAS the Government’s plan is to establish an Infrastructure Bank when it already has the Bank of Canada and WHEREAS the government has promised more parliamentary committees BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP will call for an analysis of the impact of such plans on the relative growth of the real economy and the financial economy by a parliamentary committee and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the committees will be asked to call on international experts such as Dr. Michael Hudson (Killing The Host) to present their research on these matters to committee members and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the committee will be asked to consider the relative impact on the financial sector versus the real economy of using the Bank of Canada to fund infrastructure. 1-87-16 CANADIAN TAX REFORM Haliburton - Kawartha Lakes – Brock, Essex BE IT RESOLVED THAT the individual tax rate be increased as follows: Incomes between $200,000 and $500,000 be taxed at an additional 6%; between $500,000 and $1,000,000 be taxed at an additional 8%; and over $1,000,000 be taxed at an additional 10%. THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Capital Gains and Dividends be taxed at the same rate as earned income; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the income ranges be indexed according to the CPI; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT proceeds from the increases be used, to improve social services and to decrease the deficit. 1-88-16 TAX FAIRNESS Ontario Southwest Council of EDAs, Beaches-East York BE IT RESOLVED THAT the individual tax rate be increased as follows: §§ Incomes between $200,000 - $500,00 be taxed at an additional 6%, Incomes between $500,000 $1,000,000 be taxed at an additional 8%. Resolutions 29 §§ Incomes over $1,000,000 be taxed at an additional 10%. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Capital Gains and Dividends be taxed at the same rate as earned income, with principal residences being excluded from capital gains tax (or, if the taxpayer does not own his/her principal residence, capital gains on investment property equal in value to the average price of houses in the municipality where the tax-payer resides should be excluded from tax). BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the income ranges should be indexed according to the CPI. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT all proceeds resulting from the increases be used to help poorer members of our society, to improve social services and to decrease the deficit.” 1-89-16 TAX FAIRNESS Etobicoke Lakeshore BE IT RESOLVED THAT the individual tax rates be increased in a graduated fashion with a minimum percentage of 6% for incomes over $200,000 THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Capital Gains and Dividends be taxed at the same rate as earned income with principal residences being excluded from capital gains tax (or, if the taxpayer does not own his/her principal residence, capital gains on investment property equal in value to the average price of houses in the municipality where the tax-payer resides should be excluded from tax). BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the income ranges should be indexed according to the CPI. 1-90-16 BANK OF CANADA Thornhill WHEREAS Canada’s national debt is used as political motivation to impose austerity, and WHEREAS over 90% of this debt is accumulated interest, and WHEREAS it is possible for the Government to use the Bank of Canada, as it has in the past, to hold its public debt. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT an NDP Government in its first year, would amend the Bank of Canada Act: §§ To use the Bank of Canada as the buyer of all future Government of Canada Bonds and holding them interest free: §§ Expand the Bank of Canada as a full service Commercial Bank to serve Canadians on the same terms as the existing private banks: §§ And use its public service buildings to host Band of Canada operations, including but not limited to the Canada Post Offices, Federally Regulated Airports and any Provincial jurisdiction that accept Federal monies through the Canada Health Act. Resolutions 30 1-91-16 UTILIZING RESPONSIBLE BANKING FOR PUBLIC FINANCING London-Fanshawe WHEREAS Canadian federal, provincial, and municipal governments have been borrowing from private banks and other private money-lenders and paying them between fifty and sixty billion dollars each year in interest, and; WHEREAS our publicly owned Bank of Canada could be providing interest-free loans to all levels of government, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following be added as clauses 1.8.a and 1.8.b to the Policy Book ahead of presently existing clauses: 1.8.a. using the Bank of Canada, as mandated in the Bank of Canada Act to provide interest-free loans to all levels of government in Canada in order to fund infrastructure, social programs, and debt retirement, thus overcoming the austerity agenda. 1.8.b. Re-instating statutory reserve requirements in the Bank Act. 1-92-16 TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS Ontario Southwest Council of EDAs WHEREAS Canada has investment in the Turks and Caicos Islands that being hydro electricity for the Islands, Fortis TCI Limited (FTCI) became a wholly owned subsidiary of Fortis Inc. located in Newfoundland, Canada in August 2006; WHEREAS “On March 3, 1988, the people of the Islands went to the polls and gave an overwhelming majority to a new Government. The People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) under the Honourable Oswald O. Skippings, former Leader of the Opposition, won 11 of the 13 voting districts, sweeping all the Islands except South Caicos, a traditional stronghold of the Progressive National Party (PNP) who formed the previous Government. The new Government, under Mr. Skippings, stated that one of its first priorities will be a close examination of the relationship between Canada and the Turks & Caicos Islands, and, provided Britain agrees, within the next few months, major steps towards forming some type of Association between the two countries is a very real possibility. In the meantime, Canadians continue flowing into the Islands in record numbers, buying property, building retirement homes, establishing businesses and making investments. The economy of the Turks & Caicos clearly is benefitting even from the idea of the proposed partnership.” (Stuart, Ian A. “Canadian Parliamentary Review” 11.2 (1988). At the time this article was written, Mr. Stuart was Vice-President of the Turks & Caicos Development Organization of Canada.); and WHEREAS the potential for Canada to develop the islands into an affordable Tourism Industry for all Canadians has stirred much emotions in the past both young and old; therefore, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following clause be added to Section 1.1 of the Policy Book: 1.1 New Democrats Believe in: p. Engaging with the peoples and government of Turks and Caicos Islands, and the British government to have the Turks and Caicos Islands become Canada’s 11th Province. Resolutions 31 1-93-16 RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE Etobicoke North WHEREAS the current minimum wage is far too low to support a single person, let alone a family; WHEREAS the current minimum wage unfairly punishes the young, and food/beverage servers; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP actively campaign for, and seek to legislate, the elimination of distinctions in the minimum wage law based on age or occupation. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the NDP actively campaign for, and seek to legislate an immediate increase in the minimum wage to $20/hour, and include a permanent, annual cost of living adjustment to keep pace with inflation. Resolutions 32 Panel 2: Building a Clean and Sustainable Canada 2-01-16 NATIONAL TRANSIT STRATEGY Spadina–Fort York WHEREAS traffic congestion and the lack of transit continues to hurt Canadian communities and the economy, creating damages of upwards of $11 billion annually in the Toronto area alone; WHEREAS municipalities receive a miniscule amount of all generated taxes in Canada, preventing necessary transit investments; WHEREAS improved and expanded public transit would also help with reducing Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions and meeting the country’s international climate commitments; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the federal government puts in place substantial, predictable and long-term funding for public transit for municipalities under the framework of a National Transit Strategy. 2-02-16 WASTE WATER DUMPING NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS from November 11 to 14, 2015, the City of Montréal dumped 4.9 billion litres of untreated domestic and industrial waste water into the St. Lawrence River; WHEREAS many other Canadian cities also dump untreated waste water into our waterways; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP request that the government ensure sufficient, stable infrastructure funding to assist municipalities to better manage their waste water. 2-03-16 RENEWABLE ENERGY CO-OPERATIVES Ottawa West-Nepean WHEREAS the effects of climate change are becoming evermore evident, with 2015 having been the hottest year on record; WHEREAS there is broad scientific consensus that global warming is caused by human activity, specifically, the burning of fossil fuels; WHEREAS the NDP has committed to tackling climate change and moving away from fossil-fuel dependence toward a green energy future; WHEREAS Renewable Energy Co-operatives around the world have been successful in mobilizing social capital to invest in clean energy; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following clause be added to Section 2.4 of the policy book: 2.4 New Democrats believe in: Resolutions 33 Providing substantive support to renewable energy co-operatives in recognition of the role they can play in tackling climate change. 2-04-16 UNDERGROUND FRACTURING NDP Quebec Section, Richmond-Arthabaska WHEREAS the Federal Sustainable Development Act (2008) defines the “precautionary principle”; WHEREAS Environment Canada and Health Canada are jointly responsible to assess if substances used in Canada are toxic to humans or the environment under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (1999); BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party request that the federal government conduct a study of the impact of GHG emissions from underground fracturing (gas and schist oil), amend federal regulations, especially the Canada Water Act and the Canadian Environment Protection Act, carry out an in-depth analysis of all chemical products used in fracturing, and that it be mandatory to disclose publicly the content of the chemical products used. 2-05-16 LEAP MANIFESTO Toronto-Danforth WHEREAS the Leap Manifesto, already endorsed by tens of thousands of Canadians, proposes a model of climate justice; WHEREAS social, environmental and economic issues are intertwined; WHEREAS private sector actions and unenforceable international declarations have failed to reduce dependence on fossil fuels; WHEREAS democratically shared resources, respect for indigenous rights, rebuilding of the public sphere, expansion of public transit, affordable green-engineered housing, and universal social services are needed to counter dependence on non-renewable resources; WHEREAS democratic control of non-renewable power sources is essential to foster an economy that places human need above profit; WHEREAS the Leap Manifesto provides an overarching narrative and goals that can inspire a vision for the NDP to join forces with the climate justice and other social movements; WHEREAS it is centrally important that the NDP be perceived as a key vehicle for lessening income inequality, providing well-paying green jobs, and addressing the climate disaster that faces us; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party looks forward to meaningful opportunity to debate the Leap Manifesto in riding associations across the country; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT these discussions be part of a pre-convention policy process leading up to 2018. Resolutions 34 2-06-16 ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY Scarborough Southwest BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP endorse an environmental policy that includes: §§ A first priority for funding to indigenous people for their own clean energy projects. §§ A high priority for funding for communities currently dealing with heavy health impacts of polluting industries. §§ A universal program to build energy efficient homes, and retrofit existing housing, ensuring that the lowest income communities and neighbourhoods will benefit first and receive job training and opportunities that reduce poverty over the long term. §§ A set of retraining programs and other resources for workers in carbon-intensive jobs, ensuring they are fully able to take part in the clean energy economy. (Section 1.1 and 1.2) 2-07-16 FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the international community must put in place solutions by 2030 to reduce world greenhouse gas emissions and avoid climate change becoming uncontrollable; The World Bank estimates that the costs of future climate catastrophes will be much higher than the current investments required to go green; The oil sands industry is one of the largest emitters of GHG in the world; BE IT RESOLVED THAT Section 2.7 (b) of NDP Policy be amended as follows: “Adhering to international agreements to reverse climate change, including those with binding regulations, and actively working to promote them.” BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP takes steps so that the government strengthens the regulations and means of enforcement to significantly improve current exploitation and refining conditions. 2-08-16 RING OF FIRE Sudbury, Council of Northern Ontario Federal Ridings BE IT RESOLVED THAT Canada’s NDP believe that resource processing from the Ring of fire project be carried out in Northern Ontario, to benefit our industries and communities rather than offshore interests. Moving forward, Ring of Fire resource extraction and processing needs a plan that incorporates regional interests, socio economic development goals, land use planning, infrastructure expansion and Aboriginal concerns. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT development in the Ring of Fire must include not merely consultations but consent with First Nations throughout the region, and must result in economic and social benefit to their communities. Resolutions 35 2-09-16 CLIMATE CHANGE Saanich-Gulf Islands WHEREAS the economy will be the most important issue over the next few years, including its ability to affect climatic, environmental, and social responsibility; BE IT RESOLVED THAT New Democrats in Parliament will encourage the Liberal government to accomplish the climate change promises of the Paris summit; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the New Democrats will, as government, accomplish the climate change promises of the Paris summit if needed. 2-10-16 NUCLEAR WASTE BURIAL IN GREAT LAKES BASIN Ottawa Center BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP will call for the deferral or reversal of any approval of Ontario Power Generation’s Deep Geologic Repository project to bury 200,000 cubic meters of intermediate and lowlevel nuclear waste one kilometer from Lake Huron until such time as: §§ A full evaluation of alternative sites, designs and methods of waste management has occurred; and §§ Residents, stakeholders and rights-holders from potential host communities, neighbouring communities, transportation-corridor communities and the broader Great Lakes Basin community are engaged in a direct, active dialogue facilitated by a trusted third party 2-11-16 APPROPRIATE MANAGEMENT OF CANADA’S WATER RESOURCES Vancouver Quadra WHEREAS international trade agreements for export of Canada’s fresh water may negatively affect Canadians; WHEREAS accessible, potable water is a fundamental human right as voted by the United Nations. WHEREAS proposals to sell bulk water outside Canada could diminish Canadian opportunities to manage well the country’s water resources, and given that many large companies’ activities require inordinate amounts of water that could be used more wisely by Canadian communities and people; BE IT RESOLVED THAT: §§ The NDP take steps to urge the Federal Government to remove water negotiations and water agreements from all trade proposals, including from the T.P.P. (Trans-Pacific Partnership) agreement; §§ That the NDP continue to insist that healthy and accessible water is a human right of all Canadians, and especially of First Nations peoples; and that safe, accessible water for all Canadians be a high priority in Government planning and budgets; §§ That the Federal NDP take a high-profile stance against new bulk water exports by governments, private companies, and/or individuals; and that existing water exports must be fully licensed and controlled; Resolutions 36 §§ That the Federal NDP express the necessity of vigorous and immediate water conservation measures across the country and in every province and that the Federal NDP work with our provincial counterparts to implement such conservation measures in every Canadian community. 2-12-16 PROTECTION OF MARINE ENVIRONMENTS NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS since Bill C38 in 2012, Canada has reduced its environmental protection regulations and its funding of research for environment assessments, and limited the freedom of expression of scientists specialized in environmental issues; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP request that the government: §§ Guarantee science experts in the Science Branch of Fisheries and Oceans Canada the resources and time required to develop the best possible analyses of impact studies at each stage of projects for the construction and operation of industrial infrastructure in marine environments; 
 §§ Make public the scientific opinions of experts prior to granting approval and the start of work in marine environments; 
 §§ Ensure that the industry is required to comply with the recommendations and accommodate the findings of impact studies of the environmental and species at risk. 2-13-16 AIR QUALITY AROUND CANADIAN PORT FACILITIES NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS many pollutants come from Canadian port facilities; WHEREAS mitigation measures to control the problem are known, including the acquisition of equipment that does not produce dust off site (closed or hermetic conveyor systems) and the covering or placement in sheds of products subject to wind erosion; BE IT RESOLVED THAT: §§ The NDP demand that the Minister of Transport require the Port of Quebec and its users to comply with provincial standards on annual average concentration of air quality; 
 §§ The NDP demand that the Port of Quebec and its users apply all mitigation measures proposed since 1984 for products subject to wind erosion; 
 §§ The NDP demand that Canadian port authorities report to the public on their handling and storage operations, including the impacts on air quality. 
 2-14-16 MORATORIUM ON THE USE OF NEONICOTINOIDS NDP Quebec Section, Richmond-Arthabaska WHEREAS Canadian beekeepers are experiencing livestock losses that threaten the survival of their colonies; Resolutions 37 WHEREAS bees and pollinators are essential to food production; WHEREAS the correlation between the death of bees and the use of neonicotinoid pesticides appears increasingly to be demonstrated to the point of raising concern at Health Canada and MAPAQ; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP demand a moratorium on the use of neonicotinoid pesticides in Canada until it has been demonstrated that they are harmless to bees and pollinators. 2-15-16 HEATING COSTS Council of Northern Ontario Federal Ridings BE IT RESOLVED THAT Canada’s NDP believes in making home heating affordable and energy efficient by: §§ Dropping the 5% federal sales tax on home heating; §§ Re-introduce the popular ecoEnergy retrofit program – so Canadians can afford to make their homes more energy efficient; and §§ Ending the subsidies to the big polluters that are gouging Canadians on their home heat bill. 2-16-16 ALTERNATE ELECTRIC POWER GENERATION Council of Northern Ontario Federal Ridings BE IT RESOLVED THAT Canada’s NDP believes in supporting alternate electric power generation programs which ensure the following: §§ Improving local and community consultation requirements for all wind energy projects §§ Requiring foreign owned large industrial wind energy companies who receive federal or provincial subsidies to guarantee adequate return in jobs, lower energy prices and other community benefits §§ Linking wind farms and other alternative energy initiatives to national and provincial energy strategies, including conservation and retrofit programs. §§ Opposing wind energy projects that can be shown to clearly damage the environment either offshore or on land 2-17-16 CLIMATE CHANGE Esquimalt – Saanich – Sooke WHEREAS climate change imminently endangers our planet and everything on it BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP devise a concrete plan to quickly transform our fossil fuel based economy into a sustainable economy. Resolutions 38 2-18-16 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND CLEAN ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES NDP Quebec Section, Richmond-Arthabaska BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP recommend that the Government of Canada adopt a series of measures to support sustainable development and clean energy technologies that take into account the strengths and weaknesses of the initiatives of other countries and the experience that Canada has acquired over time in these sectors in order to support: §§ the manufacture of clean technologies; §§ the construction of renewable energy production sites; §§ technological innovation and, more specifically, in R&D and demonstration projects; §§ the creation of specialized government laboratories in clean technologies that work in §§ partnership with key players in the innovation sector; §§ risk capital and exports. 2-19-16 LEAP MANIFESTO Vancouver East BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP recognizes and supports the Leap Manifesto as a high-level statement of principles that is in line with the aspirations, history, and values of the party. We recognize and embrace the opportunity to confront the twin crises of inequality and climate change with an inspiring and positive agenda – to transform society as we transition to an economy beyond fossil fuels. The specific policies in the manifesto can and should be debated and modified on their own merits and according to the needs of various communities, but the goal of transforming our country according to the vision in the manifesto is entirely in line with the core beliefs and tradition of the NDP. 2-20-16 REDUCING CARBON EMISSIONS IN CANADA NDP Quebec Section BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP develop a clear policy strategy to reduce carbon emissions in Canada including setting a realistic timeline with the goal of ensuring that this strategy reduces qualitatively and quantitatively (supporting figures) Canada’s dependence on hydrocarbons in the short and medium term. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the NDP work with environmental and economic experts to fulfil one of its missions, namely, the preparation of the NDP action plan on the reduction of GHG emissions in Canada and that this plan include specific targets. 2-21-16 ENERGY EFFICIENT BUILDING PRACTICES Council of Northern Ontario Federal Ridings BE IT RESOLVED THAT Canada’s NDP believes national and provincial building codes should comply to a LEEDS (Leading Energy Efficiency Design System) standard. Resolutions 39 2-22-16 TRANSPORTATION OF HYDROCARBONS NDP Quebec Section, Richmond-Arthabaska WHEREAS the fragility of the St. Lawrence ecosystem and its importance to coastal populations; WHEREAS the lack of transparency and respect toward populations demonstrated by oil companies – including TransCanada and its Energy East project, notably by refusing to translate the relevant documentation into French – and by the National Energy Board of Canada; BE IT RESOLVED to deem projects for the transportation of hydrocarbons by pipeline, train or ship, in their current form, too great a risk to the St. Lawrence and its coastal communities and that, consequently, New Democrats reaffirm their commitment to: §§ Reform and strengthen the environmental assessment process for resource transportation projects; §§ Improve the intervention capacity in the event of an oi spill and waterway protection measures; §§ Ensure that the assessment of such projects takes into account the consequences on climate change and the potential for job creation; §§ Reject any project that does not meet the above-mentioned requirements. 2-23-16 BIOSPHERE NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS the Biosphere houses the only museum dedicated to the environment in North America; WHEREAS the Government of Canada plans to terminate the museum activities of the Biosphere and move officials of the Canadian Meteorological Centre into it; WHEREAS the educational and awareness activities related to environmental protection must be maintained and enhanced; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP request that the government respect the protocol signed in 1991 that binds the City of Montréal and the Minister of the Environment of Canada until 2016, including notably the maintenance of the museum activities of the Biosphere, and work for the renewal of this agreement beyond the 2016 horizon; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the NDP demand that the government maintain the educational and public awareness activities related to environmental issues. 2-24-16 CANADA’S PROJECT OF THE CENTURY: A DIVERSIFIED, SUSTAINABLE, LOW-CARBON SOCIETY AND ECONOMY FOR ALL PARTS OF CANADA Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount WHEREAS the Constitution of the New Democratic Party of Canada provides: “Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. New Democrats are Canadians who believe we can be a better one – a country of greater equality, justice, and opportunity. We can build Resolutions 40 sustainable prosperity and a society that shares its benefits more fairly. We can look after our seniors. We can offer better futures for our children. We can do our part to save the world’s environment. New Democrats work together to these ends for the sake of our fellow citizens and in the interests of all of humanity;” WHEREAS the NDP distinguishes itself by its constant concern for all Canadians in all regions, provinces and territories and by its courage to promote policies that build a prosperous, fair and green Canada for the 21st century and beyond; WHEREAS large portions of Canada, including Atlantic Canada, Alberta and Saskatchewan have become dependent for employment, prosperity and revenues on the extraction and export of oil and gas, while the agricultural sector has not progressed and economic diversification has not occurred; WHEREAS the transition to a diversified, sustainable, low-carbon society and economy is among the greatest economic, social and political challenges facing Canada, but it also offers a great opportunity to build a new Canada that will once again be a boon for all of our people and regions, and a beacon for the world; WHEREAS the challenge cannot be met by pitting one region and sector against another, opposing specific projects, improving environmental assessment processes and putting forward a series of discrete policy initiatives and spending proposals; WHEREAS the New Democratic Party can and must articulate a clear policy for the transition to a diversified, sustainable, low-carbon society and economy as Canada’s project of the century; WHEREAS the transition to a new Canada is urgent, but will require mobilization over years and even decades; WHEREAS Canada’s new policy must feature both federal leadership and partnership and cooperation with the provinces, territories, Indigenous peoples, civil society, the social and cooperative economy and the private sector: BE IT RESOLVED THAT: §§ The NDP develop and propose, as Canada’s project of the century, a clear policy for the transition to a diversified, sustainable low-carbon society and economy for all parts of Canada; §§ The policy be preceded by extensive research on best-practices in Canada and worldwide; §§ The policy be developed with a assistance of diverse leadership panel and through extensive consultations with Canadians of all regions and representing all interests; §§ The policy be ready and unveiled in 2018 as a cornerstone of the NDP campaign in 2019. 2-25-16 PANCANADIAN STRATEGY TO REDUCE WASTE NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS the NDP seeks to build an ecological and sustainable Canada; WHEREAS the Conservative government is making cuts in the environment sector; WHEREAS approximately 729 kilograms of garbage per inhabitant are produced annually in Canada; Resolutions 41 WHEREAS the least polluting waste is the waste we do not produce; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP support the implementation of a panCanadian strategy to reduce waste by developing incentives in favour of the 4Rs(reduce at the source, reuse, recycle and recover) by making the public aware of its importance and promoting the sharing of good practices. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT federal institutions adopt a waste reduction strategy to set an example and show leadership. 2-26-16 GOVERNMENT COLLABORATION TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES NDP Quebec Section BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP request that discussions be undertaken between the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec with respect to the political and economic support that might be given to the development of the electric vehicle sector to: §§ Promote the manufacture of such vehicles and innovation, demonstration projects and partnership to advance the eco-energy transportation field; §§ To assist Quebec players in this field to become better able to confront the competition on world markets; §§ Encourage the Government of Canada to establish a “green” procurement process based on eco-energy modes of transportation. 2-27-13 CAP-TOURMENTE NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS the exceptional environmental, heritage and tourism importance of the Cap-Tourmente National Wildlife Area; WHEREAS the remarkable work of the organization Les Amis du Cap-Tourmente to make the Area accessible, to promote it and to provide interpretation services; WHEREAS the 2008 decision of the federal government to substantially reduce its financial contribution to the work of Les Amis du Cap Tourmente; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP request that the promotional work related to the CapTourmente National Wildlife Area continue and that it be funded. 2-28-16 PROGRAM TO ASSIST WITH THE PURCHASE OR LEASE OF VEHICLES ALLOWING REDUCED DEPENDENCE ON GAS NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS vehicles making it possible to reduce dependence on gasoline, such as electric vehicles in Quebec, are more expensive to purchase or to lease compared to standard vehicles; Resolutions 42 WHEREAS Canadians need to be encouraged to use vehicles that make it possible to reduce the dependence on gasoline for their travel; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP propose the establishment of a program to assist with the purchase or lease of personal vehicles making it possible to reduce the dependence on gasoline; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP recommend to the Government of Canada to establish a new federal tax program on the sale of vehicles that would be revenue neutral and would provide discounts for the purchase of vehicles producing low or no emissions or low or zero fuel consumption, as well as additional charges on vehicles that are highly polluting and have high fuel consumption. 2-29-16 BOTTLED WATER Milton WHEREAS The UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights states that: “the human right to water is indispensable for leading a life in human dignity. It is a prerequisite for the realization of other human rights.” WHEREAS Plastic bottles take 700 years to begin composting. WHEREAS Bottled water can cost anywhere from 240 to 10,000 times more than tap water, which is brought right to your home for a fraction of 1¢ ($ 0.01) per litre. WHEREAS Bottled water isn’t always as safe as tap water – only 6% of bottled water factories were tested between April 2008 and March 2009. 27 out of 49 bottled water products have been recalled by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency since 2000. Concentrations of contaminants such as arsenic, bromide, bacteria and lead have been found in bottled water samples WHEREAS 24 million gallons of oil are needed to produce a billion plastic bottles. BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT Members be encouraged to use reusable water bottles at all NDP events. 2-30-16 FOSSIL-FUEL DIVESTMENT Ottawa West-Nepean WHEREAS the effects of climate change are becoming evermore evident; WHEREAS fossil fuel divestment is a worldwide movement aimed at reducing the social license of companies that spend millions lobbying against climate policies. WHEREAS from a moral perspective it could be argued that if it is wrong to wreck the planet’s climate then it is wrong to profit from that wreckage. WHEREAS fossil fuel divestment is a growing worldwide movement; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party’s Federal Council conduct a review of investments held to determine the extent to which the Party holds investments in the 200 largest publicly traded fossil fuel corporations; Resolutions 43 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Federal Council assess the appropriateness of divesting from these corporations over the next five years and report on their conclusions at the next convention. 2-31-16 FIGHT AGAINST FOOD WASTE NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS food waste is a world-wide scandal; WHEREAS access to food is a fundamental right; WHEREAS 6 million tons of food are wasted every year in Canada; WHEREAS several supermarkets, grocery stores and public markets throw out their unsold but still edible products; WHEREAS 41% of Canadians know someone who makes use of a food bank; WHEREAS in 2012, approximately 882,000 people received food stuffs from a food bank in Canada each month; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP add the following item to section 2.5 of the federal Policy Book: Requiring that agro-food companies give their unsold products to food banks or face a fine with the money being invested in the fight against food waste. 2-32-16 ENDORSEMENT OF LEAP MANIFESTO Etobicoke North, Richmond Centre, Richmond-Arthabaska, NDP Concordia, BeachesEast York, Etobiocke Lakeshore, Ville-Marie-Le Sud-Ouest-Île-des-Sœurs, Ottawa South, Regina-Wascana, Ontario Southwest Council of EDAs WHEREAS the Leap manifesto already endorsed by tens of thousands of Canadians, proposes a model of climate justice; WHEREAS social, economic and environmental issues are intertwined; WHEREAS private sector actions and unenforceable international declarations have failed to reduce dependence on fossil fuels; WHEREAS democratically shared resources, respect for indigenous rights, rebuilding of the public sphere, expansion of public transit, affordable green-engineered housing, and universal social services are needed to counter dependence on non-renewable resources; WHEREAS democratic control of non- renewable power sources is essential to foster an economy that places human need above profit; WHEREAS the Leap Manifesto provides an overarching narrative and goals that can inspire a vision for the NDP to join forces with the climate justice and other social movements; WHEREAS it is centrally important that the NDP be perceived as a key vehicle for lessening income inequality, providing well-paying green jobs, and addressing the climate disaster that faces us; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party endorse the Leap Manifesto; Resolutions 44 AND FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED the New Democratic Party promote the vision of the Leap Manifesto in all its future electoral endeavors. 2-33-16 FUNDING OF THE SHIFT TO A GREEN ECONOMY NDP Quebec Section BE IT RESOLVED to recommend that Canada finance the shift to a green economy by taking the following measures: §§ Gradually reallocate grants to the fossil fuel sector to the clean energy and transportation sectors; §§ Create green economy bonds to allow Canadians to invest in ecological solutions; §§ Create a new portfolio of the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board dedicated to clean technologies in collaboration with the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec; and §§ Establish strong, progressive penalties for non-compliance with environmental laws. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Canada Business Development Bank and Export Development Canada establish programs that support the shift to a green economy that are comparable to the programs offered by government banks elsewhere, notably in China, the United States, England and Brazil. 2-34-16 REDUCING CARBON EMISSIONS Council of Northern Ontario Federal Riding BE IT RESOLVED THAT Canada’s NDP undertake an immediate review of current climate change science and policy to determine an effective alternative to Cap-and-Trade which can be implemented quickly should efforts to establish a climate market fail to reduce actual CO2 emissions. 2-35-16 NEW PIPELINE APPROVAL PROCESS New Westminster Burnaby BE IT RESOLVED THAT section 2.7 of the Policy Book be amended to indicate that New Democrats believe in: Opposing the National Energy Board environmental process to approve Kinder Morgan that was put in place by the Conservative government. The NDP calls for a new pipeline approval process that takes into account First Nations, local communities and cumulative impacts on the environment. 2-36-16 LEAP MANIFESTO Ottawa West-Nepean WHEREAS the Leap Manifesto provides an overarching narrative and goals that can inspire a vision for the NDP to unite with the climate justice and other social movements; WHEREAS the Leap Manifesto is largely and fundamentally compatible with NDP policy; Resolutions 45 BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Party declare its support for the Leap campaign to promote the transformation of Canada into a country “powered entirely by renewable energy, woven together by accessible public transit, in which the jobs and opportunities of this transition are designed to systematically eliminate racial and gender inequality.” (Source: The Leap Manifesto). 2-37-16 LEAP MANIFESTO Thornhill WHEREAS climate change is threatening the existence of human society; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP adopt the Leap Manifesto, sponsored by leading progressive thinkers like Stephen Lewis, Naomi Klien, David Suzuki, Maude Barlow and many others, as the basis for its economic and environmental policy developments. 2-38-16 ESTABLISH A CLEAR AND TRANSPARENT POLICY ON THE LEVEL OF SUPPORT FOR THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY Edmonton—Wetaskiwin WHEREAS everyone in the Province of Alberta knows someone who works in the Oil and Gas Industry; WHEREAS there are members of the Federal NDP that are employed in the Oil and Gas Industry; WHEREAS during Election #42 during one of the Nationally televised debates Justin Trudeau of the Liberal Party challenged Tom Mulcair of our beloved NDP as to whether or not it was true that Mr. Mulcair came out in French against the Energy East Pipeline being built but in favour of the Energy East Pipeline being built in English; WHEREAS in the Province of Alberta the Federal NDP got only 1 of 34 seats in Election #42 after winning the Provincial Election in May of 2015; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Federal NDP have a clear Oil and Gas Policy in place prior to the next Federal Election. 2-39-16 THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF HEAT ISLANDS NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS in urban environments, infrastructures tend to absorb solar radiation in large quantities and release it in the form of heat, thus creating heat islands; WHEREAS heat islands increase the temperature during the day, interfere with night-time cooling and can increase the effects of heat waves and negatively impact the health of Canadians; WHEREAS the health effects of heat islands take the form of heat stress and aggravate atmospheric pollution which affects the morbidity and mortality of the exposed population; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP adopt a national strategy to counter the effects of heat islands with the aim of improving the living conditions of Canadians by developing an information network, redirecting Resolutions 46 federal funds to implement solutions, and assisting the provinces in supporting current and future projects. 2-40-16 IMPACT OF THE SOUND RELATED TO THE ACTIVITIES OF MONTRÉAL AIRPORTS NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS the noise level generated by the activities of Pierre Elliot Trudeau Airport and the Jean Lesage International Airport have a significant impact on the quality of life of the citizens of Montréal; BE IT RESOLVED THAT: §§ Transports Canada require the MA and JSIA to release the soundscape management plan for the past five years; §§ Transports Canada require the MA and JSIA to add new noise measurement stations; §§ Transports Canada release all relevant information (path, speed, time, day, height) for each flight; §§ Transports Canada create an independent committee, consisting of all specialists and stakeholders affected by the soundscape, the mandate of which would be, in part, to propose improvements to practices, management of noise measures, application of the night curfew and the establishment of fines and, in part, to establish permanent channels of communication with municipalities and citizens. 2-41-16 CANADIAN GREEN ECONOMY TRANSITION DISCUSSION PAPER: COMPREHENSIVE ROADMAP ON OPTIONS FOR A BETTER ECONOMIC PARADIGM Laurentides-Labelle WHEREAS the green sectors are among the highest growth and job creation sectors of our times and the pace of this growth will intensify as nations around the globe adopt more aggressive climate change action plans; WHEREAS there are 6 to 8 times more jobs per government investment unit of investment in the clean tech sectors when compared with the same amount of money invested in the traditional resourcedbased economy; WHEREAS 1) Canada’s share of global clean tech markets is 1.3% and falling and 2) the green economy gap between Canada and its competitors, — in particular with respect to China, Europe and the US — is enormous; WHEREAS little has been written on how Canada can make the transition to green economics, most green economy documents to-date having focused on the environmental challenges and desired results; WHEREAS the Roadmap on the green economy is unique in that it offers all stakeholders, a fast-forward approach for catching up with Canada’s competitors with comprehensive policy proposals, broken Resolutions 47 down into options, based on 1) models from around the globe, adapted and improved upon for a Canadian context and 2) insider Government of Canada employee experience regarding sustainable development policies/strategies, legislation, programs, projects, etc., up to his retirement in June 2012 — The second point refers to acquired insights with respect to what has been done, worked and not worked; what needs improvement, organizational structures; federal-provincial relations, etc. WHEREAS the Roadmap on recognizes that no single action item on climate change can constitute a magic solution, but rather it is the collective results of a comprehensive policy package that is required to make the transition to a new economic paradigm, green economics; WHEREAS the Roadmap takes a unique holistic approach on the transition to a green economy that 1) is broken down, policy-by-policy, program-by-program, etc.; 2) includes organizational mandates; and 3) backs up all of the above with proposals on legislation and fiscal measures, incentives/disincentives and other related actions; WHEREAS the Roadmap the document structure is about optimizing the possibilities for cherry picking options/components by government organizations, environmental organizations, the media and other stakeholders; WHEREAS the writing style of the Roadmap reflects the kind of language/approach found in Memorandums to Cabinet (MC) (the vehicles for extensive interdepartmental consultations and the integration of the preoccupations of stakeholders concerned). — Indeed, much of the content can readily be copied and pasted into a MC; and WHEREAS the Roadmap has been submitted to Vert Montreal consultation process on reducing dependencies on fossil fuels and is being published as a series of articles in The Common Sense Canadian. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the document entitled “Canadian Green Economy Transition Discussion Paper: Comprehensive Roadmap On Options For A Better Economic Paradigm” be reviewed by the NDP Executive to cherry pick policy elements for inclusion in NDP strategies on climate change and the Roadmap become a discussion paper for all NDP members to build a holistic approach to make the transition to green economics happen in Canada. 2-42-16 FOR RAPID CONVERSION TO 100% RENEWABLE, GREEN ENERGY AND NO NEW PIPELINES Thornhill, Etobicoke North WHEREAS the big drop in the price of oil presents a golden opportunity to oppose pipeline construction, to re-tool, and to go for green energy conversion (wind, hydro, wave energy, solar, geothermal and biomass); BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP actively campaign in opposition to all new pipeline construction, and for a rapid conversion to 100% renewable, green energy systems, recognizing that in order to fund such a gigantic energy shift it will be necessary to conscript the enormous accumulated wealth of the resource corporations by nationalizing Big Oil and Gas under workers’ and community democratic control, while fully respecting indigenous peoples’ rights. Resolutions 48 2-43-16 FAIR TAXATION Scarborough Southwest BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP move to a fairer taxation system by endorsing: §§ An end to fossil fuel subsidies and increasing- resource royalties. §§ Higher taxes on corporations and wealthy people. §§ A progressive carbon tax. §§ A small tax on financial transactions. 2-44-16 DEVELOPMENT OF A ZERO EMISSIONS LAW NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS science has demonstrated the negative impact on health and the environment of atmospheric pollution caused by fossil fuels; WHEREAS many models of electric vehicles are only available in jurisdictions where they are required; WHEREAS the prices are higher than in jurisdictions where they are required and consequently, do not favour their purchase; WHEREAS many dealers have no expertise with electric vehicles and others simply do not offer electric models; WHEREAS the free market does not prioritize health or the environment; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP adopt a directive to establish a zero emissions law with penalties for failure to comply in order to require automobile manufacturers to sell a reasonable percentage of electric vehicles to Canadians. Resolutions 49 Panel 3: Investing in a Canada Where No One is Left Behind 3-01-16 HEALTH ACCORDS Vancouver Kingsway WHEREAS the federal share of contributions to health care has fallen since universal medical care insurance was first introduced; and WHEREAS Canadian provinces and territories are better equipped to plan improvements to health care delivery and patient care with predictable, multi-year funding commitments from the federal government; BE IT RESOLVED THAT New Democrats believe in: Stable, sufficient federal health care funding through 5-10 year negotiated accords, with specific, measurable objectives identified and monitored, a medium-term target of at least 25% federal funding by no later than 2025, and a long-term goal of returning to 50/50 cost-sharing between federal and provincial governments. 3-02-16 IMPLEMENTING A NATIONAL POVERTY REDUCTION CAMPAIGN London–Fanshawe, Ontario Southwest Council of EDAs, London West, Beaches-East York, Nepean, Burnaby South, Ottawa—Vanier, New Westminster Burnaby, Esquimal – Saanich–Sooke WHEREAS social and economic equity is a core value of social democracy; and WHEREAS poverty is the result of social and economic inequality; and WHEREAS in 2010 and after much consultation, New Democrat poverty critic MP Tony Martin introduced Bill C-545 “An Act to Eliminate Poverty in Canada” BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Federal New Democratic Party of Canada implement a National Poverty Reduction campaign based on the strategy outlined in “An Act to Eliminate Poverty in Canada”; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Federal New Democratic Party of Canada utilize grass roots organizing to mobilize Canadians around the issue of poverty as a priority in conjunction with their efforts to form Canada’s first NDP Federal Government. 3-03-16 CANADIAN HUMAN RIGHTS TRIBUNAL FIRST NATIONS CHILD WELFARE ON TRADITIONAL TERRITORIES RULING Winnipeg Centre BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP support the directives of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (citation 2016 CHRT 2) ruling regarding the funding of on-reserve child welfare services. Resolutions 50 3-04-16 CANADA PENSION PLAN UNIVERSALITY Parkdale—High Park, Nepean, CUPE WHEREAS universality is a fundamental characteristic of the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and; WHEREAS Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau has a track record opposing universal expansion of public pension plans, including advising the Ontario Liberal government previous to its establishment of the non-universal Ontario Retirement Pension Plan; BE IT RESOLVED THAT: §§ the Federal NDP will continue to work with the Canadian Labour Congress on its campaign to demand the immediate, universal expansion of the CPP, §§ will mount a fully researched and strategic campaign in the House of Commons in cooperation with provincial sections and electoral district associations against any changes to the CPP that erode the current universal nature of the plan, and §§ integrate expanded CPP coverage, increased Old Age Security benefit, a return of OAS eligibility to 65 and the Guaranteed Income Supplement into a campaign for increased retirement income security for all Canadians. 3-05-16 EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE NDP Quebec Section, Richmond-Arthabaska BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP commit, when elected, to amending the Employment Insurance Act so that: §§ recipients receive at least 60% of their insurable salary; §§ the two-week waiting period at the start be eliminated; §§ seasonal workers receive a sufficient number of weeks to be able to draw employment insurance benefits until they start working again; §§ all recent abusive amendments made to employment insurance are abolished. 3-06-16 TOWARD A GUARANTEED BASIC INCOME – EXPLORING A WAY TOWARD EMANICIPATING SOCIAL CONDITIONS IN CANADA NDP Quebec Section, Richmond-Arthabaska WHEREAS poverty and social exclusion continue to grow in Canada; WHEREAS a basic income has already been tried in several countries and shown to have positive effects; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP add the following clause to section 3.11 of NDP Policy: 3.11- Imagining a guaranteed income for everyone: Resolutions 51 (a) Creating a Parliamentary commission to explore a guaranteed basic income as a tool to improve the respective social security systems of each province; (b) In the long term, through negotiation with the Canadian provinces and territories, offering each person living in Canada as a permanent resident or citizen, the guaranteed right to a standard of living sufficient to ensure their health and wellbeing and that of their family, notably, for food, clothing, housing and medical care as stipulated in Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 3-07-16 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN THE WORKPLACE Ontario Southwest Council of EDAs, London West WHEREAS a landmark 2014 survey of Canadian workplaces conducted by the Canadian Labour Congress and the Centre for Research and Education on Violence Against Women and Children revealed that approximately one-third of all Canadian workers have experienced domestic violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime; WHEREAS women who experience domestic violence often report disrupted work histories, with more frequent job loss, lower personal incomes, and greater likelihood of working in casual and part time employment than women without domestic violence experiences; WHEREAS perpetrators of domestic violence often experience negative impacts on job performance and difficulty concentrating at work, leading to decreased productivity and increased risk of workplace accidents; and WHEREAS domestic violence in the workplace has a significant impact on victims, perpetrators and their co-workers, and on the workplace as a whole, including an annual loss to Canadian employers of $77.9 million annually in direct and indirect costs; therefore, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the federal New Democratic Party of Canada implement a national strategy on domestic violence in the workplace, including but not limited to: §§ amendments to the Canada Labour Code to provide those who have experienced domestic violence the right to flexible working arrangements and entitlement to paid domestic violence leave; §§ amendments to the Canadian Human Rights Act to prohibit discrimination on the basis of experience of domestic violence; and §§ strengthened workplace violence legislation requiring employers to prevent workplace violence and harassment, and protect workers from domestic violence.” 3-08-16 REPEAL BILL C-51 New Westminster—Burnaby BE IT RESOLVED TO add to section 3.8.j of the policy book: New Democrats Believe In: Repealing Bill C-51, passed in the 41st Parliament by the Conservatives with Liberal support, in its entirety. Resolutions 52 3-09-16 LONG-TERM SOCIAL HOUSING AGREEMENTS Hochelaga WHEREAS more than 620,000 units, including 127,000 in Quebec, receive federal support through long-term agreements including rent subsidies to enable low-income tenants to pay a fixed rent based on their income; WHEREAS the federal government did not renew agreements that expired in recent years; WHEREAS more than $1.7 billion is committed in the long-term agreements that are gradually expiring; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP request that the federal government maintain the $1.7 billion investment currently dedicated to social housing; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, in cases where social housing projects remain viable following the expiry of the long-term agreements, the NDP request that the federal government reinvest the funds released by the expiry of the agreements in the renovation of the existing social housing stock and the sustainable development of new social housing projects. 3-10-16 NATIONAL PUBLIC DRUG PLAN Halifax WHEREAS 1 in 10 Canadians cannot afford necessary prescribed medications; WHEREAS federal, provincial and territorial health ministers agreed at their January meeting to create a working group on the high cost of prescription drugs, but have not yet agreed to the setting up of a National Public Drug Plan; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Party support the development of a National Public Drug Plan by the federal, provincial and territorial governments that would be public, universal and safe. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Section 3.1 e in the policy book be amended to read: 3.1 New Democrats believe in: e. Establishing a National Drug Plan that would be public, universal and safe, providing all Canadians with first-dollar coverage with the medications they need. 3-11-16 AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE Spadina–Fort York WHEREAS the limited availability and high cost of childcare across Canada is hurting young families; WHEREAS Canada is lagging behind other developed countries with regards to universal childcare; WHEREAS Canada’s economy would greatly benefit from the introduction of widely available, affordable childcare and the subsequent augmentation of the workforce; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP continues to work towards a national childcare program that makes $15/day childcare universally available. Resolutions 53 3-12-16 POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION University—Rosedale WHEREAS Canadian college and university tuition fees are at record levels and Canadian students have the fifth-highest fees in the OECD; WHEREAS collective student debt in Canada is now more than $23 billion; WHEREAS starting salaries for new graduates have declined and youth unemployment is double the national average; BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT the NDP supports the elimination of interest on all federal student loans, including those who are currently in repayment, with appropriate compensation for Quebec and the territories that do not participate in the federal program; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the NDP supports a significant boost in funding for grants, especially those targeted to Indigenous students, low income students, and students living with disabilities. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the NDP acknowledge that these are first steps to eliminating financial barriers to post-secondary education with a goal of establishing a post-secondary education system provided free of charge to all. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the NDP support eliminating the cap on funding for education among First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities. 3-13-16 REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH London—Fanshawe WHEREAS current reproductive health programs in Canada are inconsistent from province to province, often inadequately funded or exclusionary to some; BE IT RESOLVED THAT Section 3.1.k. in the policy book be amended to read: 3.1.k. Establishing a comprehensive policy on reproductive health, including sexual health, contraception, pre- and post-natal care, and the guarantee of fully funded, universally accessible abortion procedures. 3-14-16 BAN ON PAID-DONOR BLOOD OR PLASMA DONATIONS Vancouver Kingsway WHEREAS tens of thousands of Canadians suffered from serious illnesses including HIV and Hepatitis due to tainted blood transfusions; and WHEREAS the Krever Commission of Inquiry on the Blood System in Canada recommended that paiddonor blood/plasma donations be forbidden in Canada in order to diminish the possibility of a repeat of this tragedy; and WHEREAS paid-donor blood and plasma clinics have been known to locate in low-income neighbourhoods and engage in questionable recruitment practices targeting vulnerable populations; Resolutions 54 BE IT RESOLVED THAT New Democrats believe in: A national prohibition of for-profit and paid-donor blood or plasma clinics in Canada. 3-15-16 HARM REDUCTION Vancouver East BE IT RESOLVED THAT Canada’s NDP will approach the issue of problematic substance use as a health issue rather than a matter of public safety. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Canada’s NDP will oppose abstinence based programs as the only drug treatment option available to Canadians. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Canada’s NDP will continue to express its support for harm reduction initiatives like supervised injection facilities; prescription opiate maintenance programs; and access to harm reduction supplies in our communities, health care facilities and prisons. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Canada’s NDP will support /pressure the Canadian government to repeal Bill C-2, the Respect for Communities Act which restricts access to supervised injection services like Insite. 3-16-16 MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTIONS SERVICES Esquimalt–Saanich–Sooke, Victoria BE IT RESOLVED THAT section 3.1 r) in the policy book be amended to include: A fully funded mental health and addictions strategy developed in coordination with provinces, territories, service providers, and those using front line services. 3-17-16 ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN CANADA NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS Canada must remain a welcoming land to anyone seeking to settle here; WHEREAS in the area of immigration, the “General Standards of Treatment” fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal government; WHEREAS access to health care and medical followup when required is a right in a developed society and must be assumed collectively as a social responsibility; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP demand that the federal government take a series of urgent measures to make all health care services quickly available: §§ for all pregnant women in Canada, including those awaiting status (renewal, temporary or permanent); §§ for all children in Canada, even if the parents (or adults assuming guardianship) are awaiting status (renewal, temporary or permanent). Resolutions 55 3-18-16 NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH STRATEGY Vancouver Kingsway WHEREAS mental health illnesses directly affect 20% of Canadians at some point in their lifetime; and WHEREAS stigma and discrimination continue to exist for individuals suffering from mental illnesses, contributing to increased social isolation and a deterioration of their health condition; and WHEREAS the treatment of patients with mental illness is often inadequate or unsuitable; BE IT RESOLVED THAT New Democrats believe in: The implementation of a national mental health strategy. 3-19-16 DENTAL CARE Esquimalt–Saanich–Sooke, Saanich-Gulf Islands WHEREAS Premier Tommy Douglas of Saskatchewan called for a national dental care program, beginning with care for elderly Canadians and children up to the age of six and; and; WHEREAS the Canadian Dental Association has emphasized the importance of providing quality dental care for children and the elderly; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the federal NDP initiate discussions with the Canadian Dental Association and national associations concerned with the health of children and the elderly in order to provide a comprehensive program for the first phase of a national dental care program for all Canadians. 3-20-16 RESPECT THE RIGHT OF CANADIAN SENIORS TO RETIRE IN DIGNITY AND SECURITY London-Fanshawe WHEREAS New Democrats believe all Canadians have the right to retire in dignity, and that younger generations of Canadians should enjoy the same security of retirement as older generations and that: §§ Old Age security benefits are fiscally sustainable according to the Parliamentary Budget Officer; §§ Raising the age of retirement from 65 to 67 will hurt the poorest seniors, and especially women seniors; and §§ That Conservative cuts to Old Age security would download massive costs to the provincial governments and create $500 million in lost revenue. BE IT RESOLVED THAT section 3.7.a. be added to the policy book: 3.7.a. Reversing the changes to Old Age Security (OAS) and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) and return the age of eligibility for these programs to age 65. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT all other items in this section be alphabetized accordingly. Resolutions 56 3-21-16 SUPPORT OF POVERTY ELIMINATION STRATEGY Council of Northern Ontario Federal Ridings BE IT RESOLVED THAT Canada’s NDP believes in eliminating poverty in Canada as outlined in the C-545 Tony Martin bill, An Act to Eliminate Poverty, and in the NDP-initiated 3-year Parliamentary Committee study, Federal Poverty Reduction Plan: Working in Partnership Towards Reducing Poverty in Canada. 3-22-16 SOCIAL HOUSING NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS the construction of rental housing is declining significantly (about 10% of starts in 2012); WHEREAS some rental housing is being converted into condominiums; WHEREAS the right to housing is not being respected for the whole population despite international commitments made by the Government of Canada; WHEREAS the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) acknowledges that poverty and inadequate housing contribute to the health problems of the population; BE IT RESOLVED THAT: §§ the Canada Lands Company reserve its surplus land and buildings to stimulate the construction of social housing; §§ the NDP ask the federal government to invest more in the development of social housing and relaunch the program to construct low income housing (LIH); §§ the NDP ask the Government of Canada to entrench the right to housing in the Canadian Bill of Rights. 3-23-16 RESOLUTION ON PENSION PROTECTION Unifor Local 222 WHEREAS during bankruptcy and restructuring proceedings, unfunded pension liabilities are considered to be debt and are therefor unprotected; and WHEREAS Canadian workers need an insurance system to protect their pensions, especially when pension plans are under attack and companies are increasingly declaring bankruptcy or entering into restructuring; BE IT RESOLVED THAT: The New Democratic Party advocate the following Pension Protection Policy: c. the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (BIA) and the Companies’ Creditors Arrangements Act (CCAA) be amended so that unfunded pension liabilities will be treated as “preferred debt”, thus ensuring that pensions are paid out of a company’s remaining assets before all unsecured liabilities; and Resolutions 57 d. creation of a national pension insurance fund to ensure that workers’ pensions are not at risk when employers go bankrupt. 3-24-16 INCREASED ASSISTANCE FOR VICTIMS AND COMMUNITIES Persons Living with disAbilities Committee WHEREAS persons living with disabilities, transgendered individuals and aboriginal women are all at a higher risk of victimization BE IT RESOLVED THAT clause 3.10 (c) of the policy book be amended to read policy book: 3.10 (c) Investing in a special fund to assist high-crime communities and groups who experience higher instances of victimization, such as persons living with disabilities, transgendered individuals, aboriginal women and immigrant women. 3-25-16 AFFORDABLE FOOD AND PUBLIC HEALTH NDP Quebec Section, Richmond-Arthabaska WHEREAS available healthy food is often more expensive than refined foods and foods with added sugar and fat, which are generally inexpensive and readily available in low income communities; WHEREAS eating healthy foods in Canada can cost families more than $2000 more; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party request that the Government of Canada take measures to put in place higher subsidies for industries producing and promoting healthier foods; BE IT ALSO RESOLVED THAT the NDP commit to this issue by adding the following paragraph to the Policy Book: Section 2.5 (g): “Establishing a subsidy for the cost of healthy foods and for industries that produce organic foods, with the aim of making healthy, quality foods available to all Canadians.” 3-26-16 ELIMINATION OF GENETIC DISCRIMINATION Kelowna—Lake County WHEREAS the federal NDP brought forward three Private Member’s Bills to Amend the Canadian Human Rights Act in order to end Genetic Discrimination including preventing employers and insurers from inducing applicants to take genetic tests; and WHEREAS the federal NDP has policy on Elimination of Genetic Discrimination passed at convention; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party of Canada continue to call on the federal government to implement anti-genetic discrimination protections and establish a standing body to enforce protection(s), document genetic discrimination cases and assess effectiveness of enacted protection(s). Resolutions 58 3-27-16 BILL C-51 University—Rosedale WHEREAS Bill C-51 defines threats to the security of Canada too loosely, lumping together environmentalists with violent extremists. WHEREAS four former Prime Ministers Supreme Court judges, justice ministers, and numerous human rights experts opposed C-51 and Amnesty International called C-51 the worst setback for human rights in Canada’s modern history. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP hold the current Prime Minister to account for supporting the passage of Bill C-51. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the NDP call upon the Government of Canada to immediately repeal Bill C-51 in its entirety. 3-28-16 CO-OPERATIVE HOUSING RENTAL SUPPLEMENT Esquimalt–Saanich–Sooke, Victoria WHEREAS co-operatives provide for the mixed housing needs of many Canadians including those on fixed or limited incomes and maintaining rent-to-income based subsidies for co-operative housing assists some of our more vulnerable populations to remain stably housed; WHEREAS federal operating agreements with housing cooperatives that provide for subsidies for their low income residents will expire within the next five years: BE IT RESOLVED THAT the party request that the federal government maintain the rent supplement funding for more than 20,000 low-income households in co-operative housing communities across Canada and increase the number rent supplements. 3-29-16 ENSURING FINANCIAL CONTINUITY FOR EACH ADULT WITH A SEVERE DISABILITY Lethbridge WHEREAS, currently there is no consistent terminology for defining “Adult with a Severe Disability” (AWSD) who, when previously approved for provincial funding must be reassessed for receipt of federal funding at age 65 with no assurance of funding; WHEREAS, the income fluctuations due to the lack of dependable income both provincially and federally and the potential discontinuity between the two sources, causes undue hardship to AWSD; WHEREAS, for AWSD (under age 65) funding is not consistent across provinces; WHEREAS, federal income funding for AWSD at age 65 is inconsistent; BE IT RESOLVED THAT we support the adoption of a consistent definition for an Adult with a Severe Disability (AWSD) to be acceptable both federally and provincially; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT we ensure provisions for a consistent living-income prior to and after age 65 to each AWSD. Resolutions 59 3-30-16 ASSAULTS ON BUS DRIVERS AND TAXI DRIVERS London—Fanshawe BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following be added to Section 3.9 in the policy book 3.9.j. Changing the Criminal Code of Canada so that those who assault transit workers and taxi drivers while these workers are on the job as the operators of public vehicles for the purpose of providing public transportation, will be charged and penalized in the same manner in regard to charges and penalties as those guilty of an assault on a police officer, fire fighter or ambulance attendant or driver. 3-31-16 RESPONSIBLE DELIVERY OF SENIORS INCOME SUPPLEMENTS London—Fanshawe BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following clause be added to Section 3.7 in the policy book 3.7.i. Closing the loophole in Tax Free Savings Accounts (TFSA) to ensure that those with significant savings are not eligible for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), meant for the poorest seniors. 3-32-16 SOCIAL SERVICE APPEALS Sudbury, Council of Northern Ontario Federal Ridings BE IT RESOLVED THAT Canada’s NDP believe that community-based appeals boards are best able to fairly adjudicate decisions and that the NDP oppose efforts to create a single centrally managed Social Services Appeals board as proposed in the 2012 Federal Budget. 3-33-16 SAFE CONSUMPTION SITES Esquimalt–Saanich–Sooke, Victoria WHEREAS evidence shows that safe consumption sites save lives; BE IT RESOLVED THAT section 3.1 h in the policy book be amended to read: Adopting a harm reduction approach to substance abuse including legalizing safe consumption sites. 3-34-16 ALTERNATIVE CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAM FOR CANADA Council of Northern Ontario Federal Ridings BE IT RESOLVED THAT Canada’s NDP believes in effective crime prevention, which respects the dignity of victims and criminals alike, respects the discretion of the courts, and focuses on rehabilitation, restorative justice and community programming whenever possible, with incarceration as a last resort. Resolutions 60 3-35-16 CAREGIVER LEAVE Persons Living with disAbilities Committee WHEREAS many Canadians provide care for loved ones during times of serious illness, injury or disability and nearing end of life; and WHEREAS there are significant physical, emotional and financial consequences associated with the provision of care; and WHEREAS the demand for family caregivers will continue to grow; BE IT RESOLVED THAT sectoon3.6 (a) of the policy book be amended to read: 3.6 (a) Increasing EI benefits and flexibility for caregivers to allow family members to take leave of employment for up to six months in order to care for loved ones with serious illness, injury or disability, or nearing the end of their life. 3-36-16 EI SPECIAL BENEFITS FOR MEDICAL REASONS Kelowna—Lake Country WHEREAS current EI legislation allows for 15 weeks of EI Medical under Special Benefits; WHEREAS individuals do not choose to get sick; WHEREAS, many individuals who require sick benefits have longer term medical problems, such as cancer, knee or hip replacements, that take longer than 15 weeks for treatment; WHEREAS wait times for surgery are usually longer than 15 weeks; BE IT RESOLVED THAT Canada’s NDP propose changes to the EI legislation that would increase the maximum weeks of benefit to 52 weeks or as required as determined by a doctor. 3-37-16 EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE Hamilton Mountain WHEREAS there is an increasing number of vulnerable groups such as unemployed youth, immigrants, visible minorities and women are more likely to have precarious, part time wage jobs making it difficult to accrue the hours needed to file a claim; and WHEREAS this situation increases the risk of homelessness. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following clause be added to Section 3.6 of the policy book: 3.6. New Democrats believe in: j. Making EI benefits more flexible and generous to accommodate precarious, part time and minimum wage positions and those on extended sick leave. Resolutions 61 3-38-16 SUPPORT FOR SEASONAL WORKERS NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS the social and economic development of a number of Canadian communities relies on companies that provide seasonal work; WHEREAS, year after year, many seasonal workers must deal with the “black hole” of spring, a period without income between the end of their benefits and the start of their new work season; WHEREAS the Conservatives eliminated the pilot project on increased weeks of benefits that increased employment insurance income support by providing up to five (5) additional weeks of benefits in 21 economic regions; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP reiterate its firm intention to abolish the employment insurance reform adopted by the Conservative government and recognize the special nature of seasonal work by favoring the adoption of permanent measures adapted to the reality of workers. 3-39-16 EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE REFORM CUPE WHEREAS the Harper government made regressive changes to Employment Insurance in their last term in government that hurt seasonal and vulnerable workers; and WHEREAS the new Prime Minister pledged during the last election campaign to repeal those changes, but his government has yet to take any action. BE IT RESOLVED THAT: §§ The NDP will call on the federal government to immediately repeal the regressive changes to Employment Insurance imposed by the Harper government, including re-instatement of the “Best 14 Weeks” and “Extended Benefits” programs, reversal of decisions that negatively impact seasonal and other frequent claimants, and the re-establishment of local EI processing centres and appeal panels; §§ The NDP will continue its call for the elimination of the two-week waiting period for EI benefits; and §§ The NDP will continue to work with labour and other allies towards an Employment Insurance program that works for all workers. 3-40-16 RESTORE ADEQUATE EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE USW WHEREAS Employment Insurance (EI) is a vital part of Canada’s social safety net; WHEREAS most unemployed workers are not eligible for EI (37% in 2013, and dropping); WHEREAS EI changes have limited access, lowered benefits and forced laid-off workers to accept lowerpaid, unskilled jobs or be cut off benefits; Resolutions 62 BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP continue in its efforts to work towards: §§ eliminating the EI two-week waiting period §§ increasing EI maximum allowable earnings §§ increasing the EI benefit period §§ excluding severance pay claw back from EI §§ implementing special permanent EI measures to support long-tenured workers §§ expanding worker eligibility criteria (part-time, seasonal, insurable hours of work) §§ restoring migrant worker Special Benefits for parental, maternity and compassionate care benefits 3-41-16 LEAVE FOR EPISODIC ILLNESS OR DISABILITY Persons Living with disAbilities Committee WHEREAS an episodic illness or disability is a long term condition that is characterized by periods of good health interrupted by periods of illness or disability; and WHEREAS unlike permanent disability, episodic illness or disability is unpredictable and may be more difficult to manage with regard to employment; BE IT RESOLVED THAT clause 3.6 (j) be added to the policy book: (j) Providing seamless EI coverage for episodic illness or disability. 3-42-16 EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS in the 70s, workers received better and longer financial coverage in the event of a job loss; WHEREAS the importance of employment insurance benefits to enable people to meet their needs and those of their families; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the third point of section 3.6(e) of NDP Policy reads “Increase the benefit rate to 75% and calculate benefits based on the best 12 weeks in the reference period”; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT section 3.6(e) of NDP Policy be amended to add the following points: §§ Increase the maximum insurable wage; 
 §§ Introduce an advancement of funds. 
 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the NDP reiterate its commitment to making employment insurance one of the key elements of its election platform. 
 Resolutions 63 3-43-16 EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE Jonquière WHEREAS the Harper government deformed employment insurance in its efforts to reform it; BE IT RESOLVED THAT during its first mandate: (1) The NDP make employment insurance one of the key elements of its election platform and abolish all amendments to employment insurance made by the Harper government during its mandate; (2) Gradually and based on the ability to pay, the NDP carry out its own employment insurance reform to: (a) introduce a single, universal eligibility criterion; (b) eliminate the two-week waiting period at the beginning (c) increase benefits to 75% of insurable salary; (d) increase the maximum insurable salary; (e) introduce an advancement of funds for new recipients to eliminate the waiting time; (f) increase the number of weeks of benefits so that seasonal workers do not lose their benefits before they return to work; (g) make 52 weeks of benefits available in cases of illness. 3-44-16 EXTENDING EI SICK LEAVE BENEFITS Persons Living with disAbilities Committee WHEREAS many ill or injured Canadians return to work before the recovery process is complete because of the financial burden inadequate EI benefits; caused by BE IT RESOLVED THAT section 3.6 (i) of the policy book be amended to read: (i) Extending duration of EI sick leave benefits in case of illness or injury. 3-45-16 MOVING FORWARD ON A BASIC INCOME GUARANTEE FOR ALL Etobicoke Centre WHEREAS poverty, inequality and insecurity lead to costly societal ills and automation and precarious work challenge our future; WHEREAS forms of basic income help Canada’s seniors and working-age parents live in dignity and be part of society and the economy, while ‘welfare’ creates stigma, ill health and poverty traps. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party endorses informed discussion within the party to explore potential options for a basic income guarantee for all in Canada, drawing on existing expertise, fostering additional research and analysis, and collaborating with interested partners, and to report to the next Convention. Resolutions 64 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party calls upon the Government of Canada, in the context of its poverty reduction strategy, to promote national discussion and explore options for a basic income for all, in collaboration with political parties, provincial, territorial, municipal and Aboriginal governments, and non-governmental organizations, in particular where such actors have begun this work. 3-46-16 MINIMUM INCOME PILOT PROGRAM TO FIGHT POVERTY USW BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP support the creation of a minimum income pilot program as a step towards the elimination of poverty in Canada 3-47-16 GUARANTEED ANNUAL INCOME Sudbury, Council of Northern Ontario Federal Ridings BE IT RESOLVED THAT Canada’s NDP believes in the establishment of an annual guaranteed living allowance that provides for basic needs for life and dignity. 3-48-16 GUARANTEED ANNUAL INCOME Winnipeg Centre BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP support the implementation of a guaranteed annual income in Canada. 3-49-16 GUARANTEED LIVABLE INCOME Esquimalt–Saanich–Sooke, Victoria WHEREAS our current economic system is not set up to ensure all people have an income that can meet their basic needs. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party’s federal council conduct research on implementing a guaranteed livable income for all Canadians. 3-50-16 FIGHTING POVERTY: GUARANTEED BASIC INCOME Esquimalt–Saanich–Sooke, Saanich—Gulf Islands WHEREAS 4.8 million Canadians live in poverty, increasing risks for mental and physical health problems and homelessness; and WHEREAS Canada’s guaranteed basic income for Canadians over 65 has produced a laudably low rate of elder poverty; and WHEREAS existing social welfare programs are complex and do not protect all Canadians; Resolutions 65 BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following clause be added to Section 3.4 of the policy book: 3.4 New Democrats believe in: e. Supporting and working toward the implementation of a guaranteed basic income. 3-51-16 GUARANTEED ANNUAL INCOME Ontario Southwest Council of EDAs WHEREAS almost 13% of Canadians live on low incomes according to the 2013 Canadian Tax Filer data after tax low income measure; WHEREAS income insecurity continues to rise in Canada as labour market trends force an increasing number of working-age adults to rely on low wage, precarious employment opportunities, such as parttime, temporary or contract work; WHEREAS current income security programs established by federal and provincial governments have not proved sufficient to ensure that all Canadians have equitable access to food and shelter; WHEREAS a Guaranteed Annual Income has the potential to ensure that all Canadians have an income sufficient to meet basic needs and live with dignity, regardless of employment status; WHEREAS an Guaranteed Annual Income resembles universal income security measures currently in place for Canadian children and seniors, which have lowered poverty rates in these age groups; WHEREAS evidence, including a pilot project of basic income for working age adults conducted in Dauphin Manitoba in the 1970s, indicates that the provision of a Guaranteed Annual Income can reduce poverty and income insecurity, enable people to pursue opportunities relevant to them and their families, and improve health and educational outcomes; and WHEREAS there is growing support across Canada for a Guaranteed Annual Income, including resolutions by City Councils in Kingston, Belleville, and Cornwall ON, and statements by officials at all levels of government; therefore, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP campaign for and seek to legislate a livable Guaranteed Annual Income for all Canadians. 3-52-16 PROVIDE A BASIC ANNUAL INCOME Saskatoon West WHEREAS work is increasingly precarious and provides insufficient income; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP actively campaign for, and seek to legislate, a basic annual income for all permanent residents of Canada. 3-53-16 GUARANTEED ANNUAL INCOME Persons Living with disAbilities Committee WHEREAS income insecurity continues to rise in Canada; and Resolutions 66 WHEREAS current income security programs established by federal and provincial governments have not proved sufficient to ensure that all Canadians have equitable access to food and shelter; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP campaign for and seek to legislate a livable Guaranteed Annual Income for all landed immigrants, permanent residents and citizens of Canada covering all ages, life stages, abilities and family status. 3-54-16 A NATIONAL GUARANTEED BASIC INCOME Toronto—St. Paul’s WHEREAS the current combination of Employment Insurance, workers compensation schemes and provincial social support programs still allow for scenarios where Canadians are left with either marginal incomes or no income at all; WHEREAS every Canadian deserves basic economic security; WHEREAS there is great potential for improving social and health outcomes by guaranteeing each Canadian an income; WHEREAS there is great potential for decreasing administrative costs by creating a program with no eligibility requirements, which subsequently would require only a minimal administrative apparatus; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP advocate for a national guaranteed basic income program, one that respects provincial autonomy, while guaranteeing each Canadian a taxable monthly income payment. 3-55-16 FEDERAL GUARANTEED MINIMUM INCOME Etobiocke—Lakeshore WHEREAS the weight of scientific evidence strongly suggests a correlation between income security and improved physical, mental, and social health outcomes; WHEREAS the eradication of poverty represents a fundamental Canadian and New Democratic principle; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party actively advocate for, and support legislation that advances, the implementation of a federal guaranteed minimum income that takes into consideration the needs of individual provinces and territories; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT section 1.5 of the policy book be amended to include clause F, which will read: universal income security, as provided through a federally-backed guaranteed minimum income. 3-56-16 MINIMUM GUARANTEED INCOME FOR ALL CANADIANS St. John’s South—Mount Pearl WHEREAS: poverty remains an ever-present and crushing burden on millions of Canadians and their families; Resolutions 67 WHEREAS the ever-growing trends of automation, precarious employment, volatile resource prices, and rising food and housing costs, among other social and economic factors, present a very real threat to Canada’s middle class; WHEREAS failed policies by previous Liberal and Conservative governments have ignored or worsened these trends; WHEREAS these trends, coupled with the failures of government policy, leave millions of Canadians vulnerable to hunger, homelessness, poor health, and other symptoms of poverty; WHEREAS Canada’s long term social and economic well-being depends on ensuring all of its citizens have the means of escaping poverty to become happy, healthy, and productive members of society; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party of Canada, working with provincial and territorial governments, will commit to the introduction of a guaranteed minimum income to every Canadian of the age of majority. This will be offered to all Canadians, regardless of income, employment status, demographics, or geography. It will ensure that all Canadians are guaranteed a minimum standard of living, ensuring our country’s social and economic security along with the rights of every Canadian to reach their full potential. Most importantly, it is meant to ensure that no member of Canadian society will ever face the humiliating, dehumanizing, and potentially fatal consequences of poverty. 3-57-16 GUARANTEED ANNUAL INCOME FOR ALL CANADIANS London–Fanshawe, London West BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP campaign for and seek to legislate a livable Guaranteed Annual Income for all Canadians. 3-58-16 PROVIDE A BASIC INCOME GUARANTEE Peterborough—Kawartha WHEREAS a Basic Income Guarantee - a cash transfer from government to citizens - would reduce income insecurity and ensure everyone an income sufficient to meet basic needs and to live with dignity, regardless of work status; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following clause be added to Section 3.4 of the Policy Book. 3.4 New Democrats believe in: e) A Basic Income Guarantee for all Canadians to eliminate poverty. 3-59-16 PHARMACARE Spadina–Fort York WHEREAS the cost for prescription drugs keep rising, creating an undue burden for Canadians in need of medical treatment; WHEREAS the current system makes medication unaffordable for many low-income Canadians, including senior citizens, unwaged and underemployed Canadians and other vulnerable groups; Resolutions 68 WHEREAS Tommy Douglas advocated for a national pharmacare program as part of a broader public healthcare and ultimately as a matter of social justice; WHEREAS the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions estimates that a national drug plan would bring lower drug costs and reduced administration fees amounting to savings worth up to $11.4 billion annually; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP continues to advocate for a national universal and public pharmacare plan based on federal-provincial cooperation to close a crucial gap in Canada’s healthcare system. 3-60-16 NEW HEALTH ACCORD Halifax WHEREAS a new Health Accord has yet to be finalized between the federal, provincial and territorial governments to replace the 2004 Accord which ended in 2014; WHEREAS this has left the country without stable funding for health care and a decreased federal role; BE IT RESOLVED THAT Section 3.1.c in the policy book be amended to read: 3.1 New Democrats believe in: c. Establishing a 10-year Health Accord that will increase health care transfers to the provinces and territories, and include a plan and funding for a National Public Drug Plan, a National Strategy for Seniors Care and a National Mental Health Strategy. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Party support the development of a new 10-year Health Accord that will provide long-term stable funding at 25% of provincial health costs attached to national standards of care, and that will include a National Public Drug Plan and a National Strategy for Seniors Care. 3-61-16 THE HEALTH AGREEMENT NDP Quebec Section BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP: §§ Pursue an increase in federal health transfers to the level set out in the Health Agreement, preserving transfers per inhabitant and tax points to ensure that Canadians in the greatest need receive the necessary benefits; §§ Recommend that, in agreement with the provincial governments, the funds be allocated in part to specific initiatives such as improving the system, reducing wait times, increasing innovation and reducing long-term health care costs; §§ Support the creation of a successor to the Health Council of Canada to monitor Canadian health transfers and provide an independent analysis and public report on the evolution of the Canadian health system; §§ Urge the federal government to take a collaborative approach to health care in Canada by working with the provinces and territories to promote the adoption across Canada of best practices and Resolutions 69 innovation. 3-62-16 SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH Vancouver Kingsway WHEREAS many critical factors that determine Canadians’ health status are socio-economic in origin, including housing, income, food security, access to quality education, and social exclusion; and WHEREAS addressing the social determinants of health improves the health outcomes of Canadians, saves money in our public healthcare system and creates a more equitable society; BE IT RESOLVED THAT New Democrats believe in: Addressing the social determinants of health as a core strategy to improving the health of Canadians. 3-63-16 FOR PHARMACARE FULLY INTEGRATED INTO MEDICARE Thornhill, Etobicoke North, Hamilton Centre, Saskatoon West, Ottawa Centre WHEREAS a national drug plan will save Canadians over $7 billion, and is urgently needed to improve public health, especially of seniors and the poor; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP actively campaign for a national drug plan that would be an integral part of public medicare for all residents of Canada – not just making the federal government a central bulk purchaser of pharmaceuticals, but making free provision of medication a feature of public health care and a matter of right for all patients. 3-64-16 A NEW CANADA HEALTH ACCORD Peterborough—Kawartha WHEREAS, the Canada Health Accord 2004 that provided federal funding to the provinces and territories for health care expired in 2014. The Accord lacked mechanisms for ensuring the principles of the Canada Health Act were enforced; WHEREAS, the Federal Liberal government has mandated that Health Minister Philpott strengthen our publicly-funded universal health care system and engage provinces and territories to develop a new multi-year Health Accord which includes home care, digital health technology, pharmacare, mental health and a long term funding agreement; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP hold the Trudeau Government accountable for strengthening, expanding, and enforcing the Canada Health Act when renegotiating a new multi-year Canada Health Accord with provinces and territories. The Accord needs: §§ increased funding of a minimum 6% per year; §§ a goal of 25% federal share of health care funding by 2025; §§ conditional funding to uphold the Canada Health Act; Resolutions 70 §§ and mechanisms to ensure sharing of best practices between provinces and territories; to ensure that health care is universal, comprehensive, accessible, and publicly funded, with funding handled with utmost care and prudence. 3-65-16 PRESCRIPTION BIRTH CONTROL Esquimalt–Saanich–Sooke, Saanich-Gulf Islands WHEREAS prescription birth control is often prohibitively expensive; and WHEREAS the cost of prescription birth control falls disproportionately on women, and especially on women who may already face barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive health care; BE IT RESOLVED THAT Section 3.1 k of the policy book be amended to read: “3.1 New Democrats believe in: k. Establishing a comprehensive policy on reproductive health, including free universal access to prescription birth control.” 3-66-16 PROVIDE CANADIANS WITH A REAL PLAN FOR RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY London—Fanshawe WHEREAS an increasing number of Canadians lack the adequate amount of savings to maintain their standard of living into retirement and that Pooled Registered Pension Plans (PRPPs), rather than retirement security, promise only more of the same high-fees and stock-market roller coaster rides; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following clauses of section 3.7 be amended as follows: §§ 3.7.a. inserting at the end “to a sufficient level in the first budget to lift every senior in Canada out of poverty immediately. §§ 3.7.d. inserting at the end “with the eventual goal to double the benefits they receive” §§ 3.7.e. Replacing the word “allow” with “build-in” §§ 3.7.f. delete “moving” and replacing it with “Amending federal bankruptcy legislation to move” 3-67-16 PROVIDE CANADIANS WITH A REAL PLAN FOR RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY London—Fanshawe BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following clause be added to section 3.7 in the policy and that subsequent items be alphabetized accordingly: 3.7.c. Working with the provinces and territories to improve coordination of programs for low income seniors so that they do not see benefits clawed back. Resolutions 71 3-68-16 ELIMINATION OF GENETIC DISCRIMINATION London—Fanshawe WHEREAS the federal NDP brought forward three Private Member’s Bills to Amend the Canadian Human Rights Act in order to end Genetic Discrimination including preventing employers and insurers from inducing applicants to take genetic tests; and WHEREAS the federal NDP has no current policy on Elimination of Genetic Discrimination; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party of Canada continue to call on the federal government to implement anti-genetic discrimination protections and establish a standing body to enforce protection(s), document genetic discrimination cases and assess effectiveness of enacted protection(s); and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party of Canada call on the federal government to also devise a public communication/education campaign to promote anti- genetic discrimination and aiding uptake of genetic testing and research among Canadians. 3-69-16 UNIVERSAL COVERAGE OF DENTAL, DRUG, AND ASSISTIVE DEVICES Sudbury BE IT RESOLVED THAT Canada’s NDP believes the provision of basic dentistry be added to the comprehensive services that provinces are required to provide under the Canada Health Act; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Canada’s NDP believes that increases in provincial responsibility should be considered when calculating the transfer payments to the provinces for the provision of health care services. 3-70-16 ELIMINATE TUITION AND STUDENT DEBT Etobicoke North, Hamilton Mountain WHEREAS the cost of post-secondary tuition has skyrocketed in recent years; WHEREAS many students are now graduating from post-secondary institutions with student-debt of over $60,000 each. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP actively campaign for cancellation of student debt and post-secondary education fees, and vigorously support student campaigns and protests to rapidly reduce and abolish fees, following the inspiring example of the massive student strike in Quebec in 2012. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP actively campaign to ensure that federal funding for education imposes requirements on the provinces to immediately freeze tuition, and through annual reductions, eliminate tuition completely within five years. 3-71-16 SOCIAL HOUSING THROUGH MUNICIPAL FUNDING Council of Northern Ontario Federal Ridings Resolutions 72 BE IT RESOLVED THAT Canada’s NDP believes in supporting the improvement in social housing through targeted federal funding directly to municipalities. 3-72-16 CREATION OF A FIREARMS ADVISORY COMMITTEE NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS the ineffectiveness of the Parliament of Canada’s Canadian Firearms Advisory Committee, an ineffectiveness that was recognized by former Prime Minister Harper himself; WHEREAS the NDP should take this threat seriously because a significant number of its members of Parliament and its future candidates will be vulnerable on this issue during the next election campaign; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP federal council establish its own internal firearms advisory committee to develop a position on the issue that the majority of the Canadian population can rally around. To that end, the committee might propose to members of the caucus responsible for this file to seek the opinion of police services, public security experts and representatives from public health, women’s organizations, hunters, rural populations and Aboriginal peoples. 3-73-16 REHABILITATION AND SOCIAL REINTEGRATION OF OFFENDERS NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS Correctional Service Canada places the Canadian public at risk by moving away from its role of social reintegration and placing the emphasis on punishment by cutting important social reintegration programs; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP request that the federal government give Correctional Service Canada the means to reassume its role of rehabilitation and social reintegration of offenders. 3-74-16 SENIORS’ INCOME NDP Quebec Section, Richmond-Arthabaska WHEREAS 4.8% of seniors had a low income in 2007; WHEREAS the gap between the low income rates of women and men is significantly larger in the older population than in the population of Canada as a whole; WHEREAS 160,000 Canadians are unaware that they have access to the Guaranteed Income Supplement; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the benefits paid by the Government of Canada to seniors, namely Old Age Security and the Guaranteed Income Supplement, total an amount equal to or higher than the poverty cutoff as defined by Revenue Canada; BE IT ALSO RESOLVED THAT the Guaranteed Income Supplement be automatically paid to any qualified senior based on the individual’s federal tax return. Resolutions 73 3-75-16 CONFIDENTIALITY OF POLICE INFORMATION NOT HAVING RESULTED IN A CONVICTION NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS Canada’s police forces disclose information about an individual’s past that did not result in a conviction, charge or even an arrest; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP request that the government prohibit the disclosure of any information about an individual protected by Canadian law except in limited circumstances, including: §§ when collaborating with another Canadian police force subject to the same conditions; 
 §§ if the information refers to a conviction of the individual and is not sealed by the courts; §§ when an order has been issued by a Canadian court; 
 §§ to the person himself or herself. 
 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the NDP request that the government prohibit, in the Canadian Human Rights Act, discrimination based on police information referring to a fact that did not result in the conviction of the individual concerned or is unrelated to a current investigation of the individual. 3-76-16 HEALTH ACCORDS Saskatoon—Grasswood WHEREAS the Health Accord relied on the federal government having a national presence in assuring that the five principles of Canada’s medicare was followed uniformly by all the provinces; WHEREAS the Harper government refused to sign the Health Accord; WHEREAS the Liberals campaigned on a promise to renew the Health Accord; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the federal NDP caucus press the Liberal government to lose no time fulfilling its promise to renew the Health Accord. 3-77-16 DEPLOYMENT OF COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT, MAINTENANCE AND PREVENTION CENTRES NDP Quebec Section BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP, in its platform and during its first mandate, support the deployment, in collaboration with provincial and municipal governments, of a network of community health improvement, maintenance and prevention centres (CHIMPC), offering free professional services and infrastructure to enable the Canadian population to acquire healthy life habits. 3-78-16 GIVE PRIORITY TO INVESTMENTS IN HEALTH NDP Quebec Section, Richmond-Arthabaska Resolutions 74 WHEREAS the Harper government planned to announce a budget surplus next spring and had already announced cuts of $36 billion in health transfers to the provinces; WHEREAS the aging of the population places enormous pressures on the health care system given everincreasing cuts to maintain current services; WHEREAS a decrease in funding can only lead to increased wait times and reduced front-line and home care; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP give priority to reinstating health care funding so that the provinces can ensure the continuity of the public, universal health care system. 3-79-16 ALTERNATING HEMIPLEGIA NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS the IG (Institute of Genetics) and the CIHR (Canadian Institutes of Health Research) support research on the human genome and on all aspects of genetics, basic biochemistry and cell biology related to health and human diseases, including the interaction of genetic factors with the physical and social environments; WHEREAS it is imperative that alternating hemiplegia be included in the list of rare diseases so that researchers can be part of CIHR programs; WHEREAS there is a lack of research and treatment in Canada, despite the fact that this was a Quebec neurologist who first documented this disease more than 40 years ago; BE IT RESOLVED TO request that alternating hemiplegia be added to the list of diseases of the FORGE Canada program working to identify the genes and develop treatments. 3-80-16 UNIVERSAL DENTAL COVERAGE Council of Northern Ontario Federal Ridings BE IT RESOLVED THAT Canada’s NDP believes the provision of basic dentistry must be added to the comprehensive services that provinces are required to provide under the Canada Health Act. 3-81-16 ROMANOW REPORT Charleswood—St.James—Assiniboia—Headingley WHEREAS, our healthcare system erosion over the last 20 years of government indifference has created hardships on the sick, the young, the poor and the disenfranchised; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP calls upon the government of the day to implement the changes and the proper funding to our healthcare system as recommended in the Romanow Report. Resolutions 75 3-82-16 ELIMINATING POVERTY Ottawa Center BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Federal New Democratic Party of Canada implement a National Poverty Reduction campaign based on the strategy outlined in “An Act to Eliminate Poverty in Canada” and; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Federal New Democratic Party of Canada utilize grassroots organizing to mobilize Canadians around the issue of poverty as a priority in conjunction with its efforts to form Canada’s first NDP Federal Government. 3-83-16 GUARANTEED INCOME SUPPLEMENT Jonquière BE IT RESOLVED THAT benefits paid by the Government of Canada to seniors, namely Old Age Security and the Guaranteed Income Supplement, total an amount equal to or higher than the poverty cutoff as defined by Revenue Canada; BE IT FUTRHER RESOLVED THAT the Guaranteed Income Supplement be automatically paid to any qualified senior based on the individual’s federal tax return. 3-84-16 COMPREHENSIVE PENSION PLAN Hamilton Mountain WHEREAS two in three working Canadians have no workplace pension plan and defined benefit pension plans are under attack by employers; and WHEREAS company bankruptcies often lead to workers losing pension benefits, a form of deferred compensation; and WHEREAS the age of eligibility for OAS and GIS was arbitrarily raised. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party advocate the following comprehensive pension plan: §§ Doubling of benefits under the Canada Pension Plan and Quebec Pension Plan financed by a modest increase in contributions; §§ Increasing the Guaranteed Income Supplement for all retirees; §§ Restoring the age of eligibility to receive OAS and GIS benefits to age sixty five; §§ Introducing protection for workers’ pensions by amending federal Bankruptcy, Insolvency and the Companies’ Creditors’ Arrangements legislation. Resolutions 76 3-85-16 TARGETS AND TIMELINE FOR POVERTY ELIMINATION Vancouver East WHEREAS a successful, effective national strategy to eliminate poverty must include quantifiable targets and deadlines, BE IT RESOLVED THAT Section 3.4.d. in the policy book be amended to include, as a subclause: Clear targets and a comprehensive timeline for eliminating poverty 3-86-16 BUILD SOCIAL HOUSING Hamilton Mountain, Saskatoon West WHEREAS homelessness is unacceptable; WHEREAS many people are living in marginal housing and are on the verge of becoming homeless; WHEREAS homelessness has increased in the last ten years and homeless people are dying on the streets; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP in government will take initiatives, with the cooperation of the municipalities and the provincial governments, to create universally affordable and accessible cooperative and social housing; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the NDP demand a moratorium on evictions, mortgage foreclosures, and utility cut-offs due to unemployment, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the NDP actively campaign for the demand that the federal government allocate 2% of federal expenditures for cooperative and social housing renovation, maintenance and construction. 3-87-16 UNAFFORDABILITY OF HOUSING IN CANADA Vancouver Quadra WHEREAS an ever increasing number of Canadians are unable to acquire affordable housing; WHEREAS for profit developers cannot find it in their interest to increase housing supply to increase affordability for Canadians; WHEREAS Canadians’ being able to be housed close to where they work and participate in their communities will be important in limiting Canada’s contribution to climate change; WHEREAS the priority of good government must be to ensure the Human Rights of the people under its jurisdiction, among those rights, the right to housing; BE IT RESOLVED THAT The NDP will put forward and work to enact statutes that increase housing affordability by: 1. Enacting capital gains taxes on Real Estate for housing (both developed and undeveloped) that is not the principal residence, the tax revenues generated to be exclusively used to develop afford- Resolutions 77 able housing, 2. Limiting foreign ownership and taxing foreign acquisition of Real Estate for housing, the tax revenues generated to be exclusively used to develop affordable housing, 3. Using some of the tax revenue generated to build durably Federally owned Social housing, the NDP will work with other levels of government to optimize the delivery of affordable housing. 3-88-16 FREE LEONARD PELTIER Esquimalt–Saanich–Sooke, Victoria WHEREAS Federal New Democrats passed NDP 1991 Resolution 01K8.2 calling for Leonard Peltier’s freedom; and WHEREAS President Obama’s best chance to free Leonard Peltier is through January 2017; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Federal Party urge Justice Minister Wilson-Raybould to write PM Trudeau, urging him to write President Obama, urging him to free Leonard Peltier; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Federal Party write PM Trudeau urging him to write President Obama urging Leonard Peltier’s freedom; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Federal Party write President Obama urging him to free Leonard Peltier. 3-89-16 MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCES Vancouver East WHEREAS it is a fundamental principle of Canadian criminal justice that a sentence must be proportionate to the gravity of the crime and the moral culpability of offenders; WHEREAS judges are expert front line justice workers who hear all the evidence and are in the best position to determine sentences BE IT RESOLVED THAT Canada’s NDP will call on the government of Canada to enact amendments to the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to remove mandatory minimum jail sentences in Canada. 3-90-16 NATIONAL PHARMACARE Vancouver Kingsway WHEREAS prescription drug costs in Canada are the second highest in the industrialized world; and WHEREAS millions of Canadians cannot afford the medicines they need, resulting in greater harm to their health and higher costs to the public healthcare system; and WHEREAS Canada is the only country in the world with a universal health care system that does not provide universal coverage for prescription drugs; Resolutions 78 BE IT RESOLVED THAT New Democrats believe in: A national, universal, single-payer, first-dollar pharmacare program to ensure that all Canadians receive the medicines they need. 3-91-16 DENTAL CARE Vancouver Kingsway WHEREAS dental care was part of the second stage of Tommy Douglas’ vision for comprehensive health care in Canada; and WHEREAS essential dental services are not universally covered by public health care insurance, despite the links between poor oral health and poor health in other parts of the body; BE IT RESOLVED THAT New Democrats believe in: Implementing a universal dental care program for all Canadians. 3-92-16 COMMUNITY-CENTRED CARE Vancouver Kingsway WHEREAS five million Canadians do not have access to a family doctor and many more face excessive wait-times when seeking medical treatment; and WHEREAS access to community-centred primary care improves the health outcomes of patients and relieves pressure on more expensive acute care facilities; BE IT RESOLVED THAT New Democrats believe in: The promotion of community-centred care models to ensure Canadians receive timely access to primary care services. 3-93-16 EQUALITY South Shore—St. Margaret’s WHEREAS Canadians, in the light of our party’s 2015 election campaign, have been left in doubt about the NDP’s primary convictions, Therefore, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party of Canada will target inequality as a social and economic scourge we cannot afford and prioritize policies that promote equality. 3-94-16 CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT OF COMPLAINTS AGAINST JUDGES Edmonton Centre WHEREAS judges are public officials paid for and accountable to the citizens of Canada; and WHEREAS judges are not immune from bias when investigating complaints about fellow judges; Resolutions 79 BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party of Canada urge the Government of Canada to change the 5-member Review Panel and Committee of Inquiry established pursuant to a complaint about a judge under the auspices of the Canadian Judicial Council to include a Chair, and/or Vice -Chair and other members appointed by government from the public at large instead of the existing 5-members consisting of the judiciary. 3-95-16 ELIMINATION OF GENETIC DISCRIMINATION Persons Living with disAbilities Committee WHEREAS the federal NDP brought forward three Private Member’s Bills to Amend the Canadian Human Rights Act in order to end Genetic Discrimination including preventing employers and insurers from inducing applicants to take genetic tests; and WHEREAS the federal NDP has no current policy on Elimination of Genetic Discrimination; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party of Canada continue to call on the federal government to implement anti-genetic discrimination protections and establish a standing body to enforce protection(s), document genetic discrimination cases and assess effectiveness of enacted protection(s); and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party of Canada call on the federal government to also devise a public communication/education campaign to promote anti- genetic discrimination and aiding uptake of genetic testing and research among Canadians. 3-96-16 NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR SENIORS CARE Halifax WHEREAS Canadians are aging rapidly and the number of persons with dementia is also increasing rapidly; WHEREAS our long-term and continuing care services are seriously underfunded and understaffed; BE IT RESOLVED THAT Section 3.1 f and p in the policy book be amended (combined) to read: 1.1 New Democrats believe in: f. Facilitating the desire of Canadians to age in their place of choice by investing in a continuum of nonprofit, high-quality public hospital, home, facility based long-term, palliative and hospice care. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Party support the development of a National Strategy for Seniors Care that would invest in a continuum of non-profit, high-quality public hospital, home, facility based long-term, palliative and hospice care. 3-97-16 VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS the victims of human trafficking represent a unique and complex cross-section of many sociological, criminal and, in some cases, immigrationrelated problems; Resolutions 80 BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following point be added to section 3.10 of the Policy Book: 3.10. New Democrats believe in: d. Providing special legislative consideration for the needs and situations of victims of human trafficking in an effort to address the problems such as: §§ legalization of the status of victims of foreign nationality and their dependents; the suspension of police records resulting from their exploitation; §§ provision of services and other measures required to prevent re-victimization and ensure the victims’ wellbeing; §§ special consideration with respect to the prosecution of traffickers who, in some cases, are themselves victims of trafficking; §§ and a relationship of cooperation between NGOs and the government to provide services to victims. 3-98-16 FIREARMS CLASSIFICATIONS Etobicoke—Lakeshore WHEREAS the existing firearms classification system can often appear arbitrary and confusing to legal firearms users and non-users alike; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Party make it a priority to make legislative changes to subsection 84 (1) of the Criminal Code to simplify and delineate firearms classifications based specifically on mechanical function and dimension. 3-99-16 ENHANCED CANADA/QUEBEC PENSION PLAN BENEFIT Halifax WHEREAS most Canadians are unable to save sufficiently for a decent retirement income; WHEREAS federal, provincial and territorial finance ministers only agreed at their December meeting to talk further about the possibility of an enhanced Canada Pension Plan benefit; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Party call upon all federal, provincial and territorial governments to work towards an enhanced Canada/Quebec Pension Plan benefit by 2017. 3-100-16 SOCIAL PROGRAMS South Shore—St. Margaret’s WHEREAS Canadians, in the light of our party’s 2015 election campaign, have been left in doubt about the NDP’s primary convictions; Therefore, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party of Canada will invest in social programs that equalize opportunity for all Canadians, understanding that Canadian economic history proves that good social policy is good economic policy. Resolutions 81 3-101-16 ENHANCING RIGHTS South Shore—St. Margaret’s WHEREAS Canadians, in the light of our party’s 2015 election campaign, have been left in doubt about the NDP’s primary convictions; Therefore, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party of Canada will address the political fall-out from inequality by enhancing labour rights and the civil rights of all and by eliminating unequal access to political decision-makers. Resolutions 82 Panel 4: Redefining Canada’s Place in the World 4-01-16 TRANSPACIFIC PARTNERSHIP NDP Quebec Section, Richmond-Arthabaska WHEREAS Prime Minister Justin Trudeau implied that he was in favour of the TransPacific Partnership as negotiated by the Conservative government although he said he was in favour of transparency in trade negotiations; WHEREAS the Conservative plan announced during the election campaign provided for compensation of $4.3 billion over a 15year period to sectors negatively affected, amounts considered inadequate; WHEREAS the Minister of International Trade is now raising doubts about the commitment to compensate dairy producers; WHEREAS the Quebec dairy and poultry sectors contribute close to $8.2 billion annually to the GDP, generating 92,000 jobs and resulting in the payment of $1.38 billion in income tax; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP demand that the Liberal government renegotiate the TPP and create a new agreement that protects end-to-end supply management and our jobs and is in the best interest of Canadians. 4-02-16 KOMAGATA MARU INCIDENT NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS 100 years ago, the ship Komagata Maru, carrying mainly Sikhs, reached the shores of Canada but was not given permission to enter the Port of Vancouver. After two months of waiting, without being able to set foot on Canadian soil, the 359 passengers were forced to return to India where they were fired upon and many passengers died for no reason; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP of Canada offer an official apology for the Komagata Maru incident to the South Asian communities, and the Sikh community in particular, to which the deceased persons belonged and who died for daring to pursue a Canadian dream; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP request that the government offer an official apology to the South Asian communities, and the Sikh community in particular, to which the deceased persons belonged and who died for daring to pursue a Canadian dream. 4-03-16 INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO ELIMINATE TORTURE AND THE DEATH PENALTY Ottawa Centre BE IT RESOLVED Canada must conduct an international campaign to eliminate torture and the death penalty. Resolutions 83 4-04-16 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT Ottawa West-Nepean NDP, Ottawa Center, Nepean, Ottawa—Vanier, Ottawa South BE IT RESOLVED THAT Section 4.1 Human Rights and World Peace in the NDP Policy Book be amended to add the following: New Democrats believe in: g. Actively supporting international efforts to promote nuclear disarmament. 4-05-16 GLOBAL MATERNAL MORTALITY REDUCTION London-Fanshawe BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following clause be added to section 4.2 in the policy book and that all subsequent clauses be alphabetized accordingly: 4.2.e. Supporting funding through initiatives for global maternal mortality reduction that include funds for contraception and for the provision of safe abortion, as well as trained providers for contraception, abortion and pregnancy/childbirth care. 4-06-16 RESETTLEMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY Vancouver East WHEREAS many resettlement assistance organizations are currently ineligible for Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) funding from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC); and WHEREAS the Service Provider Organizations in some of Canada’s metropolitan areas require additional resources to assist with the large influx of Syrian refugees, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP call on the government to recognize the value of resettlement organizations by changing the eligibility criteria for RAP such that these organizations can apply for funding that would allow them to offer resettlement assistance. 4-07-16 IMPROVING THE PARENT AND GRANDPARENT REUNIFICATION PROGRAM Vancouver East WHEREAS the government’s arbitrary intake quota for parent and grandparent sponsorship applications was filled within 3 days in 2016; and WHEREAS this extremely low quota causes enormous hardship for families, forcing them to buy their way into the program through expensive courier fees, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following clause be added to Section 4.4 of the policy book: Eliminating the intake quota of parent and grandparent sponsorship applications; Resolutions 84 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Party call on the government to engage in meaningful consultations with Canadians on how to reform the immigration system to better recognize the value that parents and grandparents bring to families in our country. 4-08-16 SERVICE RECORD CORRECTIONS Esquimalt–Saanich–Sooke, Victoria BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP call on the government to (a) issue an apology to all those dismissed from, or otherwise forced to leave, the Canadian Forces on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity, whether or not a given dismissal was accompanied by specific reasons for discharge and whether or not it resulted in a formal record of dishonourable discharge; and (b) create a process for redress of discriminatory discharges. 4-09-16 DISCHARGE OF MILITARY PERSONNEL Sudbury, Council of Northern Ontario Federal Ridings BE IT RESOLVED THAT Canada’s NDP believes military personnel shall not be discharged from the Armed Forces before eligibility for pension without clear reasons being provided to justify discharge; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Canada’s NDP believes that a clear and accessible appeal process shall be available to any person discharged from the Armed Forces before eligibility for pension. 4-10-16 COUNTRY OF ORIGIN POLICIES AFFECTING ASYLUM SEEKERS NDP Quebec Section, Richmond-Arthabaska WHEREAS persons seeking asylum who are from designated countries of origin (DCOs) must submit their applications within a shorter period of time, are not entitled to basic health care (except for illnesses representing a threat to public safety), are not entitled to appeal if their application is denied and are deported faster; WHEREAS in many countries that appear “safe”, minority groups are subject to persecution, discrimination and violence; WHEREAS the minister has the unilateral power to designate DCOs; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP advocate in favour of reform of the designated countries of origin policy so that all asylum seekers benefit from a high, non-partisan standard of protection with respect to the processing of their application. 4-11-16 MENTAL HEALTH OF CANADIAN SOLDIERS NDP Quebec Section BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party of Canada request that the Government of Canada pressure the Canadian Forces to collect accurate information on the suicides of active and former Canadian Forces members to raise awareness of PTSD and provide appropriate mental health support to our current soldiers and veterans and to their families. Resolutions 85 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the NDP of Canada demand that the Department of National Defence and Veterans Affairs Canada compile the relevant data, re-open the nine VAC offices closed on January 31, 2014 in order to better assess the problem and increase the PTSD resources available and thus improve the mental health of our soldiers and veterans. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the NDP demand that the government provide health services to soldiers in the official language of their choice. 4-12-16 SYRIAN RESETTLEMENT Vancouver East WHEREAS under the current process, an applicant and their family must travel to Jordan, Lebanon, or Turkey to apply for refugee status, which is an immense obstacle for those who do not have the financial resources, reassurance of security, or capacity to make the journey; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Party call on the government to allow applications to be initiated and submitted from family members in Canada on behalf of their relatives, thus granting those who could not travel to the designated embassies an opportunity to be considered as refugees for resettlement in Canada. 4-13-16 UN WOMEN’S AGENCY London-Fanshawe WHEREAS the World Health Organization statistics report nearly 42 million women facing unintended pregnancies have abortions; and WHEREAS unsafe abortion is responsible for 1/8 maternal deaths; WHEREAS the Conservative Government of Canada’s Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Initiative specifically excluded funding for contraception and safe abortions; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following clause be added to section 4.2 in the policy book: 4.2.j. Supporting the work of the UN Women’s Agency to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women, and to accelerate progress on meeting the needs of women worldwide. 4-14-16 HUMAN RIGHTS OMBUDSPERSON Saskatoon—Grasswood WHEREAS representatives from Colombia and other Central and South American countries have reported human rights abuses by Canadian mining companies; WHEREAS Canadian and US mining companies have been reported by the UN of displacing 5.7 million people in Colombia in order to assist these private companies to exploit resources; WHEREAS the military in these countries are seen to support these mining companies in many of these human rights abuses; Resolutions 86 BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP opposition propose and support the establishment of a human rights Ombudsperson for the Canadian International Extractive Sector in any country where Canadian mining companies operate, including Canada. 4-15-16 ELIMINATING HOMELESSNESS FOR OUR VETERANS London-Fanshawe WHEREAS it is currently difficult to track and support veterans; and WHEREAS many Veterans are currently homeless and without access to necessary supports; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following clauses be added to section 4.6 of the policy book y. Taking concrete steps to eliminate homelessness for military veterans by providing a mandate and funding for Veterans Affairs to better track and support veterans including: a veteran ID card issued to every veteran, medical and military files provided when leaving the military, a Veterans Affairs caseworker assigned to every veteran, and mandatory regular contact with all veterans from caseworkers. 4-16-16 PEACE BETWEEN ISRAEL AND PALESTINE Toronto-Danforth WHEREAS peace has not yet been achieved between Israel and Palestine. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP condemns present violations of United Nations resolutions and international laws by both sides in this conflict. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the NDP reaffirms its determination to work with partners at home and abroad to achieve peace and justice for Israel and Palestine, within a framework of respect for United Nations resolutions and international law. This includes recognition of the right of both Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace in viable, independent states with negotiated and agreed-upon borders. 4-17-16 OMBUDSPERSON FOR THE DEPARTMENT RESPONSIBLE FOR CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS the principles of good governance apply to government as to citizens; WHEREAS transparency and accountability are the basis of any true democracy; WHEREAS immigration is a core element of Canadian society; WHEREAS federal departments provide for Ombudsperson positions to ensure good relations with citizens and to resolve minor differences between citizens and the government; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP take a position for the creation of an Ombudsperson position for the department responsible for citizenship and immigration. Resolutions 87 4-18-16 ARMS PROLIFERATION Ottawa—Vanier WHEREAS the arms trade contributes to human rights abuse and geopolitical instability on an international scale; WHEREAS the Canadian arms industry currently exports arms into the international community and profits off the social harms of the proliferation of violence; WHEREAS previous Canadian governments have been negligent on the oversight of the arms trade and assigning proper accountability to ensure the integrity of the recipients of Canadian-made arms; WHEREAS Canada intends or should inspire to being a ratified member of the UN Arms Trade Treaty and contribute to global governance on this issue; WHEREAS we encourage the manufacturing industry to transition away from arms production and towards more socially useful production; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP would not approve or support any deal or transaction that would involve the export of arms or other military equipment that have been determined to have a high likelihood of involvement in human rights violations; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the NDP would not approve or support any deal or transaction that would involve the export of arms or other military equipment to countries or regimes that have been determined to have a high likelihood of involvement in human rights violations. 4-19-16 PRIVACY RIGHTS Ville-Marie-Le Sud-Ouest-Île-des-Sœurs BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following clause be added to Section 4.6 of the policy book: ee. Securing government websites against cyber-attacks as well as protecting citizen’s data confidentiality, and privacy rights 4-20-16 NATIONAL POLICY ON MINORS SEEKING ASYLUM NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS section 4.4 of the NDP Policy Book, “Rights of immigrants and refugees” does not contain any explicit provision on refugees; WHEREAS between 1,000 and 3,000 minors seeking asylum who arrive in Canada each year are not accompanied by adults, not including those accompanied by nonparental adults; WHEREAS Canada has no policy on unaccompanied or separated minors seeking asylum, who often fall in the murky waters between federal responsibility for immigration and provincial responsibility for child protection; WHEREAS the UNHRC supports the creation of such a policy in Canada; Resolutions 88 BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following paragraph be added to NDP Policy: 4.4(m): Establishing a panCanadian policy to ensure the wellbeing and fair treatment of unaccompanied or separated minors seeking asylum. 4-21-16 DISARMAMENT Ville-Marie-Le Sud-Ouest-Île-des-Soeurs BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following clause be added to Section 4.1 of the policy book: g. Using all diplomatic and political means to eliminate weapons of mass destruction such as chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear from the world. 4-22-16 TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP UFCW Canada WHEREAS the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) will have an adverse effect on dairy, poultry and egg industries in Canada. WHEREAS the Liberal government has now signed on to the TPP initiating a 2 year time limit on ratifying the deal. WHEREAS the Conservatives rushed the negotiations in order to get an agreement in the last general election. BE IT RESOLVED the NDP stand with UFCW members and call on government to not proceed with ratification of the TPP until necessary impact studies and a full in-depth consultation process can be carried out over the deal. 4-23-16 SUPPORT TO MAKE REMEMBRANCE DAY A LEGAL HOLIDAY Scarborough Southwest WHEREAS for nearly a century Canadians have honoured the tremendous sacrifices made by our brave women and men in uniform on November 11th; WHEREAS the addition of the word “legal” in front of Remembrance Day within the Holidays Acts would accord Remembrance Day the same status in the Holidays Act as Canada Day and Victoria Day; WHEREAS Bill C-597 (41st Parliament), An Act to amend the Holidays Act (Remembrance Day) passed second reading in the House of Commons on November 5, 2014 by a vote of 258 to 2; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party support amending the Holidays Act to make Remembrance Day a legal holiday and work with the remaining provinces (Ontario and Québec) on ensuring that every Canadian has the opportunity to attend services on November 11. Resolutions 89 4-24-16 TREATMENT OF VETERANS Sudbury, Council of Northern Ontario Federal Ridings BE IT RESOLVED THAT Canada’s NDP believes all veterans shall receive prompt, accessible, and appropriate treatment, whether physical or psychological, upon medical confirmation of the necessity; BE IT RESOLVED THAT Canada’s NDP believes that veterans’ pensions and benefits shall be determined and released to them in an open and transparent process, so that their entitlement to both pensions and benefits is clearly understood and so that no unfair or inadequately explained “clawbacks” shall be deducted from said pensions and benefits. 4-25-16 ARMS SALES TO SAUDI ARABIA Saskatoon—Grasswood WHEREAS the Liberal government is pressing ahead with an arms deal signed with Saudi Arabia by the Harper government; WHEREAS Saudi Arabia is known for its violent abuse of the basic human rights of its citizens; BE IT RESOLVED THAT our New Democratic Party expresses strong opposition to the federal government selling armaments to selling armaments to Saudi Arabia and countries that abuse the human rights of its citizens. 4-26-16 SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY FAIRNESS London-Fanshawe BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following clauses be added to section 4.6 of the policy book: z. the Federal Government must apologize and make amends to those who were dismissed or forced out of the military on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity, a measure of fairness that is long overdue. 4-27-16 STRATEGY FOR CANADA’S DEVELOPMENT AID PROGRAM NDP Quebec Section BE IT RESOLVED THAT section 4.2 of NDP Policy be amended by adding a new point “a”: A strategy for the entire development aid program that: §§ is based on a true partnership with the populations of developing countries and their societal projects; §§ educates the Canadian people on the issues and that respects their independence in their participation in the program; §§ seeks strong cooperation between the peoples of Canada and those of developing countries while respecting the dignity and independence of peoples and mutual learning to improve life in developing countries and in the North; Resolutions 90 §§ targets the development of the capacities for organization and action of the civil society of the South; §§ in executing the aid program, mainly favours responsible players that have demonstrated expertise, effectiveness, an involvement of the Canadian public, and that have as a mandate international solidarity and the transformation of structures and systems of impoverishment and oppression. 4-28-16 EQUITABLE, TIMELY AND REASONABLE PROCESSING OF CITIZENSHIP APPLICATIONS NDP Quebec Section, Richmond-Arthabaska WHEREAS delays in granting citizenship are longer than ever before; WHEREAS more than 340,000 permanent residents are waiting for news on their citizenship applications and this number is growing daily; WHEREAS one-fifth of citizenship applicants receive the Residence Questionnaire, which delays the granting of citizenship for up to four additional years, without explanation or recourse; WHEREAS the systematic prevention of citizen participation by eligible persons is irreconcilable with a healthy democracy; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP add the following paragraph to section 4.4 of the Policy Book: We support an equitable, timely and reasonable process for the granting of Canadian citizenship; the establishment of a universal processing time of a maximum of one year; the establishment of a citizen protector to provide independent oversight of the citizenship process and to represent the interests of CIC applicants. 4-29-16 WAR OBJECTORS Ottawa South BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP caucus in Parliament call on the Canadian government to demonstrate its commitment to international law, and the treaties to which it is a signatory, by making provision for US war objectors to have sanctuary in Canada. 4-30-16 OMBUDSPERSON FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF MINING COMPANIES NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS Canada is the world economic leader in the mining sector with more than 60% of mining companies listed on the Vancouver and Toronto stock exchanges and by this fact Canada must also become the world leader in corporate social responsibility; 

 BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following paragraph be added to section 4.2 of NDP Policy, after paragraph (g), and that the subsequent elements be renumbered accordingly: Resolutions 91 Creating an Office of the Ombudsperson for social responsibility of Canadian mining companies operating abroad and that it be provided with all of the critical means required to ensure its independent, effective and rigorous work so that it becomes an essential component of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) program integrated in the policy of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative to which Canada subscribed. 4-31-16 PEACE BETWEEN ISRAEL AND PALESTINE Saskatoon—Grasswood WHEREAS there is urgency for a fair participation of Canada to work for peace between Israel and Palestine; WHEREAS we need to work for peace between Israel and Palestine; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP encourage the Government of Canada to be engaged for peaceful resolution between Israel and Palestine. 4-32-16 THE TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP Vancouver East, Essex WHEREAS the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) jeopardizes tens of thousands of Canadian jobs, exacerbates income inequality, stymies Canada’s innovation sector, empowers corporations to sue and obtain compensation from Canadian governments that negatively impact their ability to maximize profits, and places further obstacles in the path of social ownership and public spending; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party of Canada opposes the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). 4-33-16 MILITARY INVOLVEMENT IN IRAQ NDP Quebec Section BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP pressure the Government of Canada to adopt the following measures: a. Increase humanitarian aid in the areas where it will immediately make it possible to save lives, such as building winterized camps, ensuring the provision of water, sanitation and hygiene, and offering health and education services to displaced person; 
 b. Work with various organizations to combat sexual violence and provide support to survivors; c. Assist the international community to investigate alleged cases of war crimes and crimes against humanity, and prosecute the persons responsible; 
 d. Pressure the countries that are the major players in the region to become actively involved in the fight against ISIL and in development and human rights in Iraq; 
 e. Open its doors to welcome refugees fleeing the violence. Resolutions 92 4-34-16 HUMAN RIGHTS OF DOMINICANS OF HAITIAN ORIGIN NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS despite assurances given to the international community, the Government of the Dominican Republic established a national foreigner control plan (NFCP) based on order 168-13 and, on the basis of which, has begun to refuse to issue identification cards to Dominican citizens of Haitian origin; WHEREAS incidents of racial abuse and violence have significantly increased in recent months toward Dominicans of Haitian origin and Haitians living in the Dominican Republic; WHEREAS since April 2015, the Government of the Dominican Republic has quadrupled the pace of deportations to Haiti; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP advocate for the Government of Canada to take a clear position on the failure to comply with human rights and international law by the Government of the Dominican Republic toward Dominicans of Haitian origin affected by order 16813 and its national foreigner control plan. 4-35-16 CAMPAIGN AGAINST TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP Hamilton Centre, Hamilton Mountain WHEREAS the latest proposed so-called ‘free trade’ deals, like their predecessors, would privatize and de-regulate the economy, worsen labour conditions, empower corporations to sue and obtain compensation from Canadian governments that ‘interfere’ in their ability to maximize profits, and would place more obstacles in the path of social ownership and public spending; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP actively campaign against the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA). 4-36-16 CAMPAIGN AGAINST CETA AND TPPA Thornhill, Etobicoke North WHEREAS the latest proposed free trade deals would privatize and de-regulate the economy, worsen labour conditions, empower corporations to sue and obtain compensation from Canadian governments that ‘interfere’ in their ability to maximize profits, and would place more obstacles in the path of social ownership and public spending; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP actively campaign against the Canada-European Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA). 4-37-16 TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP RATIFICATION PROCESS Hamilton Mountain WHEREAS the TPP confirms sweeping new powers on transnational investors, with rights to sue governments in closed tribunals for any laws, regulations, court decisions or actions which fail to meet their “expectations” as investors; and Resolutions 93 WHEREAS the TPP will lead to massive job loss in the manufacturing sector. a. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP begin the following initiatives regarding the TPP: b. Request the Parliamentary Budget Officer to conduct a comprehensive impact analysis of the TPP Agreement on the economy, health, environment, labour rights, intellectual property rights, culture and sovereignty. c. Request the Parliamentary Budget Officer to hold public hearings, including consultations with First Nations and Indigenous Communities. d. That the Parliamentary Officer’s report be made public prior to debate in parliament regarding ratification of the TPP. e. Organize Canada wide opposition to the ratification of the TPP with the CLC and other like-minded groups and organizations. 4-38-16 INVESTOR RIGHTS AND THE CANADA/E.U. TRADE AGREEMENT Vancouver East WHEREAS the proposed trade agreement between Canada and the European Union (C.E.T.A.) contains an investor-state dispute settlement mechanism which operates outside the domestic court system and permits foreign investors to sue elected governments for their public policies; and WHEREAS federal NDP policy 4.5 (h) says NDP governments will not agree to negotiate such investorstate dispute clauses in trade deals; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party oppose the proposed Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (C.E.T.A.) because it contains an investor-state dispute settlement mechanism. 4-39-16 REJECT TPP AND DEVELOP ANTI-DUMPING REMEDIES USW WHEREAS the TPP was negotiated in secret, dominated by corporate interests, lacked public input and threatens good jobs in Canada by facilitating offshoring and harming Canada’s value-added processing of resources WHEREAS the investor-state dispute provisions undermine environmental, equity and workers rights by allowing corporations to sue the Canadian government BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP reject the TPP and press for fair trade agreements that: §§ Meaningfully include workers and protect domestic manufacturing §§ Ensure negotiations are open and transparent §§ Do not include investor-state dispute mechanisms favoring corporations over workers and domestic policy §§ Allow proper regulation of the financial sector §§ Do not enable pharmaceutical patents to harm our healthcare system or Canadians Resolutions 94 §§ Promote well-paid jobs §§ Address wealth and income inequality and do not limit appropriate taxation §§ Provide enforceable protections for environmental and workers’ rights, including the enforcement of ILO Labor Standards 4-40-16 UNITED NATIONS RESOLUTION A/RES/70/L.13 NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS on November 24, 2015, the General Assembly of the UN adopted resolution A/RES/70/L.13 calling for a peaceful settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state; WHEREAS on November 24, 2015, the new Liberal government voted against resolution A/RES/70/L.13 of the UN General Assembly and that only six other countries voted against the motion; WHEREAS New Democrats of Canada support the right of the Palestinian and Israeli people to live in peace in safe and independent states; BE IT RESOLVED THAT New Democrats of Canada reiterate their support for the creation of an independent Palestinian state with peaceful relations with Israel; BE IT RESOLVED THAT New Democrats of Canada oppose any effort to prevent the free exercise of the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people; BE IT RESOLVED THAT New Democrats of Canada work with the UN and other international partners to achieve the urgent objective of a Palestinian state. 4-41-16 WHITE PAPER ON HUMANITARIAN, FOREIGN AND DEFENCE POLICY NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS the federal government paid out billions of dollars in humanitarian aid in Afghanistan in a disorderly manner such that the Afghan government in power was allegedly able to redirect part of this humanitarian aid to the detriment of the poorest peoples; WHEREAS the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan, in the past, handed Afghan prisoners over to officials of the government of Hamid Karzaï without followup to discover later that prisoners were tortured in violation of international conventions; WHEREAS Canada’s last white paper on national defence dates back to 1994 and an update is required given the rapid evolution of the international context; BE IT RESOLVED to request the development and adoption of a white paper that will integrate, coherently and harmoniously, humanitarian aid (international cooperation), foreign policy (diplomacy), international trade and defence policy (domestic and foreign) to reflect a profoundly changed world and adopt a coherent and realistic policy on the international scene. Resolutions 95 4-42-16 REMOVING DUPLICATION FROM SECTION 4.6 OF THE POLICY BOOK London-Fanshawe WHEREAS section 4.6 (w) and 4.6 (x) are very similar; BE IT RESOLVED THAT 4.6 (w) be deleted and subsequent clauses alphabetized accordingly. 4-43-16 AFGHAN DETAINEES Toronto-Danforth WHEREAS House of Commons e-petition E-70 calls for a commission of inquiry with respect to Canada’s transfer of Afghan detainees to the substantial risk of torture or other inhumane treatment. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP parliamentary caucus should use the House of Commons tools at its disposal to call on the government to establish an independent judicial commission of inquiry to investigate, and publicly report on, the facts with respect to policies, practices, legal and other opinions, decisions, and conduct of Canadian government actors, including Ministers and senior officials, concerning Afghan detainees throughout Canada’s involvements in Afghanistan from 2001. BE IT RESOLVED THAT this commission should also investigate, and publicly report on, the success and/or failure of Canada’s justice and parliamentary systems in achieving transparency, democratic accountability, and compliance with applicable laws in relation to the detainee issue. 4-44-16 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND THE ELIMINATION OF POVERTY AND EXCLUSION Outremont WHEREAS millions of people in the world are still living in extreme poverty, that poverty is not only an economic problem but rather a multidimensional phenomenon that encompasses both the lack of income and the non-existence of the basic capacity to live in dignity, that it is both one of the causes and one of the consequences of serious violations of human rights, which creates situations favourable to exploitation and violence of all types, including war, and knowing that poverty is not inevitable, that it is, most often, created and perpetuated by acts or omissions of governments and other economic players, including those related to biodiversity, access to drinking water and to land and environmental protection; BE IT RESOLVED THAT section 4.7 be added to the Policy Book: 4.7 Sustainable development and the elimination of poverty New Democrats believe in: a. Actively supporting in Canada and in the world, the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for 2015 to 2030 by ensuring that the ambition of the 2030 agenda remains “to leave no one behind”. b. Countering in all places false ideas about the poor and poverty that destroy the lives of the people who are the target of them, misinform discussion and prevent effective thought and action capable of ending poverty, rehabilitating those persons most underprivileged in their Resolutions 96 collective and family history and in their resistance, and recognizing their unique contribution to living better together and to building peace between all humans in their respective environments. c. Working to establish in all countries, social protection floors that offer a guaranteed basic income and access to essential social services for the entire population in keeping with the explicit recommendations of the International Labour Organization, the World Health Organization and the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and extreme poverty. d. Choosing as direction on how to implement human rights norms in the fight against poverty the Guiding principles on extreme poverty and human rights adopted by the UN in 2012. e. Linking humanitarian efforts toward populations affected by war, famine and other environmental and social causes to efforts to prevent war, including the arms trade, without losing sight of the need for economic reintegration of affected workers. f. Recognizing and supporting the essential role of social movements and organizations of the civil society as a critical element of democratic life, peace and sustainable development for everyone in the world. 4-45-16 PROMOTE PEACE IN THE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN REGION NDP Quebec Section BE IT RESOLVED THAT point 4.1(f) of NDP Policy henceforth read as follows: Working with our partners to promote peace in Israel and Palestine, respecting UN resolutions and international law, supporting peaceful co-existence in viable, independent states with agreed-upon borders, recognizing the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people, condemning war crimes committed in the region, putting an end to Israeli occupation of Palestinian land, and putting an end to violence targeting civilians. 4-46-16 INTERNATONAL ISSUES REVIEW Hamilton West Ancaster Dundas, Hamilton Mountain WHEREAS the NDP is committed to peace and social justice; and WHEREAS the NDP members and supporters want the Party to play a leading role in promoting peace and social justice around the world; and WHEREAS long-standing policies on withdrawing Canada from NATO and NORAD were quietly removed without broad discussion/debate; WHEREAS the NDP lacked policies on other important international issues such as Libya; WHEREAS it isn’t possible to formulate party policy on complex foreign matters within the limited time allowed for at convention; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP conduct a thorough review of its policies and positions on international issues to ensure that they are consistent with NDP principles for peace and social justice; and Resolutions 97 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this review be conducted with broad input and participation from the peace and social justice movements. 4-47-16 ARCTIC SOVERIGNTY Charleswood-St.James-Assiniboia-Headingley WHEREAS many countries in the world recognize and respect our sovereign nation, including many Arctic Islands, but WHEREAS despite this recognition, our closest neighbors to the South and West refuse to recognize Canada’s sovereignty over our True North, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP call upon the government of the day to use whatever influence it has diplomatic, trade, United Nations - to bring these nations to the table to sign a statement of recognition of our sovereign borders. 4-48-16 ARMS SALE TO SAUDI ARABIA Hamilton Mountain WHEREAS Saudi Arabia demonstrates an abysmal domestic human rights record, used Canadian-made armoured vehicles in 2011 violently to put down pro-democracy protests in neighbouring Bahrain, targets civilians in its current aggression against Yemen, and arms and supplies ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP advocate for the Government of Canada to terminate the record $15 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia, until such time as Saudi Arabia satisfies Canadian export regulations that arms shipped to that country will not be used against civilian populations; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT that the Government of Canada use its good offices to encourage democratic reform and adherence to international norms of human rights inside Saudi Arabia and call upon Saudi Arabia as well to end its assistance to ISIS and its aggression against Yemen. 4-49-16 OPPOSITION TO THE SALE OF CANADIAN-MADE LAVS TO SAUDI ARABIA Guelph WHEREAS it is highly unethical for the government of Canada to permit and facilitate the sale of Canadian-made armaments to states that have a propensity to perpetrate human rights abuses with them WHEREAS it is government policy that Canada “closely controls the export of military goods and technology to countries whose governments have a persistent record of serious violations of the human rights of their citizens, unless it can be demonstrated that there is no reasonable risk that the goods might be used against the civilian population.” WHEREAS it would be foolish and unreasonable to believe that the government of Saudi Arabia could be trusted to use any such armaments responsibly given their extensive and well-documented practice of human rights abuses Resolutions 98 WHEREAS the NDP believes principles must come before profits BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP will actively oppose the sale of Canadian-made light artillery vehicles (LAVs) to Saudi Arabia. 4-50-16 BOYCOTT, DIVESTMENT AND SANCTIONS OF ISRAEL Parkdale-High Park, Hamilton Mountain WHEREAS Israel has consistently violated the Geneva Convention, hundreds of UN resolutions and International Law in its treatment of Palestinians, both adult and children; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP endorse and support the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against Israel as called for by Palestinian Civil Society and other Human Rights groups, until it complies with International Law, applicable and specific United Nations resolutions and Universal Principles of Human Rights. 4-51-16 TRADE DEALS Scarborough Southwest BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP replace current policy with a clear statement calling for the ending all trade deals (Section 4.5) 4-52-16 ISRAELI NUCLEAR PROGRAM Hamilton Mountain WHEREAS Israel is one of only four countries with nuclear capability which are not members of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NNPT), and given the volatility of the Middle East; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP call on Israel to join the NNPT, to open its nuclear program to inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency, and pledge to work towards a nuclear-weaponsfree Middle East. 4-53-16 ARMED FORCES AND REFUGEES Scarborough Southwest BE IT RESOLVED THAT as well as improving the lives of our current armed forces members and our veterans that the NDP endorse cuts to our new military spending. (Section 4.6) BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the NDP endorse rebalancing the scales of justice to welcome refugees and migrants seeking safety and a better life in Canada. Resolutions 99 4-54-16 CANADA OUT OF NATO, NATO OUT OF THE MIDDLE EAST Etobicoke North WHEREAS the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a relic of the Cold War and a tool of US aggression in pursuit of corporate interests and militarism; WHEREAS Canadian forces in Afghanistan engaged in propping up a US-puppet government of human rights abusers, drug traffickers and warlords, wasting money and lives to further a western agenda of geo-political power and plunder of resources; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP actively campaign to get Canada out of NATO, to get NATO out of Afghanistan, and to disengage Canadian forces from any support role for the U.S. and its client regimes in Iraq, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, the Gulf states, Israel and Ukraine, remove its military trainers and combat forces from Jordan, Iraq, Syria and Ukraine, and remove its ships from the Persian Gulf. 4-55-16 TRADE DEALS Charleswood-St.James-Assiniboia-Headingley WHEREAS, due to the proliferation of world and regional trade agreements, such as NAFTA, CETA and TPP, purportedly designed to increase trade and services amongst Canada’s trading partners, but WHEREAS, these agreements allow these partners to be exempt from our laws, and therefore erode our sovereignty over our country in such areas as air, water, food safety, healthcare and natural resources, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP calls upon the government of the day to put a halt to any further attacks on our Great Nation, by NOT ratifying any agreement with trading partners that attacks our legislated rights and liberties with impunity. Resolutions 100 Panel 5: Governing in an Inclusive and Fair Canada 5-01-16 PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION Ottawa—Vanier WHEREAS the New Democratic Party of Canada’s Policy Book expresses its commitment to reforming Canada’s electoral system through mixed member proportional representation and considering the historical opportunity that exists for achieving this objective in collaboration with other political parties in time for the next federal election in 2019; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP: §§ make electoral reform a top priority during the current Parliament; §§ encourage its members to collaborate with civil society organizations who advocate for proportional representation (PR); §§ apply pressure for consultations to include expert, citizen and all-party participation; §§ work constructively with other parties to develop proposals that enjoy legitimacy and make every vote count; §§ emphasize that preferential ballots alone does not meet the test, although preferential ballots could be part of a proportional system; and §§ remain open to a made-in-Canada solution developed through a consensus-based reform process, in time for the 2019 federal election. 5-02-16 INDIGENOUS PEOPLES Scarborough Southwest BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP endorse fully implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. 5-03-16 MAXIMUM LENGTH OF FEDERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGNS NDP Quebec Section, Richmond-Arthabaska, Jonquière WHEREAS the Canada Elections Act allows an excessively long election campaign period; WHEREAS the maximum allowed period unfairly disadvantages the smallest political parties who have less money in their campaign chests and consequently is antidemocratic; WHEREAS history has shown that a shorter election campaign period is definitely sufficient to elect candidates and a prime minister; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP support the adoption of legislation limiting the length of an election campaign to a maximum of 45 days.5-04-16 Prorogation Resolutions 101 Council of Northern Ontario Federal Ridings BE IT RESOLVED THAT Canada’s NDP believes that the unilateral prorogation of Parliament or Legislatures in Canada without consent of elected members is undemocratic. 5-05-16 LOWERING OF THE LEGAL VOTING AGE NDP Quebec Section, Nepean WHEREAS the participation rate of young people in elections at any level is continually low and it is important to find new solutions to this problem; WHEREAS the importance of instilling a sense of civic responsibility in young people so that they have the habit of participating actively in political debates during their lives from a young age; BE IT RESOLVED THAT paragraph (f) be added to section 5.2 of NDP Policy as follows: “Lowering the legal voting age from 18 years to 16 years.” 5-06-16 GENDER PARITY NDP Quebec Section, Richmond-Arthabaska, Jonquière WHEREAS the over-representation of men in the political sphere; WHEREAS the importance of a representative legislative assembly for a legitimate and fair democracy; WHEREAS the many social and institutional barriers to the advancement of women in politics; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP: §§ Reinstate public funding for political parties; 
 §§ Increase funding, through a ballot box premium, for political parties with at least 50% female candidates; 
 §§ Increase funding, through a second ballot box premium, of political parties that elect a deputation of at least 40% women. 5-07-16 IMPROVING ACCESS TO INFORMATION Toronto-Danforth, Hamilton Mountain WHEREAS the first leader of the New Democratic Party, Thomas (Tommy) Clement Douglas, was a surveillance target of the RCMP Security Service (now CSIS) for many years of his life; WHEREAS the Privacy Commissioner of Canada has determined that approximately 50% of the national security files and 60% of the criminal operational intelligence files did not, in their view, meet the established threshold for exempt bank status under RCMP policy; WHEREAS a facility for declassification known as Mandatory Declassification Review, which has proven itself to be a useful adjunct to its freedom of information system, exists in the United States; Resolutions 102 BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party supports the establishment of an independent process to declassify information over which national security or investigative barriers affect access via the Access to Information Act or the Privacy Act. 5-08-16 PROTECTING ABORIGINAL ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS Esquimalt–Saanich–Sooke WHEREAS the Harper Government passed the First Nations Financial Transparency Act which requires First-Nations owned business to publicly report income and expenses WHEREAS Non-Aboriginal private businesses do not require the same reporting, thus undermining Aboriginal business competitiveness BE IT RESOLVED THAT an NDP government would repeal the First Nations Financial Transparency Act 5-09-16 PROTECTING INDIGENOUS RIGHTS OF SELF-GOVERNANCE Esquimalt–Saanich–Sooke WHEREAS the Harper Government passed the First Nations Elections Act; WHEREAS this act enables the Minister of Indian Affairs to impose an election process on Indigenous communities leading to interference with First Nation’s elections; BE IT RESOLVED THAT an NDP government would repeal the First Nations Elections Act 5-10-16 SATURDAY VOTING Scarborough Southwest WHEREAS voting is done on weekdays, which is inconvenient for most of the population due to work and schooling commitments; WHEREAS 9 countries hold their elections on Saturdays and a total of 67 countries hold their elections on weekends in general; WHEREAS the shift towards voting on weekends has been beneficial to participating countries with Australia have a 94% voter turnout; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP call on the Government of Canada to move elections to Saturday. 5-11-16 OMBUDSPERSON GENERAL OF CANADA NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS the provincial governments have one ombudsperson each or the Protecteur du citoyen in the case of Quebec, while the federal government has about 10 ombudsperson positions across various departments (National Defence, Veterans Affairs, etc.) and Crown corporations (CBC/Radio Canada, Canada Post, etc.); Resolutions 103 BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP request the creation of an Ombudsperson General of Canada that would combine all of the different ombudspersons at the federal level, such as the Canada Post ombudsperson, the CBC ombudsperson, the Radio-Canada ombudsperson, the Canadian Forces ombudsperson, and others, to eliminate unnecessary duplication of positions and ensure real overall protection of citizens against the possible risks of abuse and/or negligence by the federal government. 5-12-16 ESTABLISHMENT OF A POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT FUND NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS it is essential to encourage the participation of young people in the democratic process at all levels, including the partisan level; WHEREAS the efforts of young volunteers involved in political parties are often not formally recognized by scholarships for youth involvement; WHEREAS partisan involvement involves certain costs that may limit the access of young people from disadvantaged situations; WHEREAS it is essential to encourage the most diversified participation possible of young people in the NDP’s youth wing; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP support the creation of a political involvement fund that will support the efforts of young people working within political parties and that will have the sole purpose of offsetting costs associated with that involvement. 5-13-16 SENATE Sackville-Preston-Chezzetcook WHEREAS the New Democratic Party must renew all of its policies being one of those policies on our current position on the Senate of Canada WHEREAS this policy of abolishment of the Senate of Canada is simply not feasible given that abolition of the Senate requires all 10 provincial legislatures and the Federal Parliament to adopt a constitutional amendment. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party strike a committee that will seek input from the Party membership and to recommend a new position/policy on the Senate of Canada for the Party. 5-14-16 REINSTATEMENT OF THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION OF CANADA NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS to ensure the overall coherence of law in the country the federal government has the duty to take measures to improve, modernize and reform certain federal laws and to abolish other laws in a non-partisan manner; WHEREAS the Law Reform Commission of Canada proved itself between 1971 and 1993 and 1997 to 2006; Resolutions 104 BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party request the reinstatement of the Law Reform Commission of Canada to ensure the coherence, integrity and effectiveness of the laws that govern our country; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party request that the government work collaboratively and respectfully with the Law Reform Commission of Canada, which will be comprised of the best legal experts in the country, appointed through an independent, nonpartisan process and will report to Parliament. 5-15-16 REFORMS TO THE MANDATE OF CANADIAN HERITAGE NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS there is no consensus among the stakeholders of civil society regarding Quebec’s claims for the repatriation of jurisdiction over culture and those claims would not improve the cultural supply or demand and would result in a net reduction in investment in this sector; BE IT RESOLVED THAT: §§ In order to promote artistic excellence and independence, the NDP commit to transferring the funds allocated to Canadian Heritage’s programs to support the arts to the Canada Council for the Arts; §§ In order to avoid political interference in programs promoting Canada’s identity, the NDP commit to undertaking a full review of these programs, which will include the establishment of institutional mechanisms to depoliticize them; §§ The NDP commit to strengthening official languages programs to promote the development of official language minority communities. 5-16-16 CANADA COUNCIL OF MINISTERS OF CULTURE AND HERITAGE NDP Quebec Section BE IT RESOLVED THAT: §§ The New Democratic Party commit to creating a Canada Council of Ministers of Culture and Heritage; §§ This council consist of the ministers of culture and heritage of the federal, provincial and territorial governments and that they meet at least once a year; §§ This council enable the development of common strategies that take into account the interests of linguistic minorities and Aboriginal nations, in particular; §§ The Council establish a framework that enables the provinces and territories to obtain certain flexibility to ensure the maintenance of their specific cultural characteristics; §§ The Council be a body for consultation and cooperation with organizations of the cultural and heritage sector and with the linguistic and ethno cultural minorities and Aboriginal nations of Canada. Resolutions 105 5-17-16 375TH ANNIVERSARY OF MONTRÉAL NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS 2017 will see the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Canada’s confederation, the 50th anniversary of the World Expo and the 375th anniversary of the founding of Montréal; WHEREAS 2017 will be an exceptional year to celebrate the history, diversity and richness of Montréal’s accomplishments; WHEREAS it is a unique opportunity for all levels of government and all economic, social, cultural and tourism players to provide Montréalers with a unique experience and to enhance the city by investing in legacy projects; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP request that the federal government listen to the organizers and other levels of government; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the NDP demand that the federal government invest in its infrastructures such as the Old Port or support a project like the relocation of the NFB in order to leave Montréal with an important legacy as part of the 375th anniversary of the City of Montréal. 5-18-16 PROTECTING INDIGENOUS NAVIGABLE WATERS AND TREATY RIGHTS Esquimalt–Saanich–Sooke WHEREAS the Harper government passed the omnibus “Jobs and Growth Act, 2012” which made changes to the Navigable Waters Protection Act and the Indian Act; WHEREAS Part 4, division 18 drastically eliminates environmental protection to over 30,000 lakes and 2.2 million rivers, including those on traditional territories affecting indigenous ways of life; WHEREAS Part 4, division 8 has major implications to the rights of indigenous peoples set out in treaties and the Canadian constitution; WHEREAS Amnesty International condemned the Division 8 changes which helped spark the #IdleNoMore movement; BE IT RESOLVED THAT an NDP government would repeal the changes enacted by Part 4, Divisions 8 and 18 of the “Jobs and Growth Act, 2012” to preserve environmental protections of Indigenous lands and treaty and constitutional rights. 5-19-16 GENDER PARITY ON CROWN CORPORATION London-Fanshawe BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following clause be added to section 5.3 in the policy book: 5.3.g. Establishing requirements for gender parity on the Boards of Directors of Crown Corporations Resolutions 106 5-20-16 ELECTORAL REFORM Spadina–Fort York WHEREAS Canada’s current federal electoral system over-represents some voices and silences others, ignoring a vast amount of votes cast across the country; WHEREAS a mixed-member proportional system would better reflect the political preferences of Canadians and get more Canadians to participate in elections; WHEREAS a mixed-member proportional system is already in place in Scotland, New Zealand and Germany where it has increased voter turnout, better-represented constituents’ interests, and improved the representation of women and other marginalized groups in Parliament; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP continues to hold the federal government to account to deliver on its promise of electoral reform, ultimately ensuring that the 2015 election was the last one under Canada’s unfair voting system by adopting a mixed-member proportional system. 5-21-16 PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION Saskatoon—Grasswood WHEREAS the “First Past the Post” electoral system allows minorities to rule over majorities; WHEREAS “First Past the Post” is a winner takes all system in which the total opposition votes surpasses the winners’ votes; WHEREAS the Liberal government has promised that the 2015 federal election will be the last time that “First Past the Post” is used to elect a government in Canada; BE IT RESOLVED THAT our federal NDP caucus encourage and support the establishment of an allparty committee to study and develop an acceptable form of Proportional Representation for Canada to employ in electing the next federal government. 5-22-16 ELECTORAL REFORM Beaches-East York WHEREAS the results of the last general election showed once again the flaws and inequalities of our first-past the post electoral system. WHEREAS the Liberal party promised to introduce electoral reform by 2019 and to form a committee to make recommendations to the government. WHEREAS the Prime minister has clearly expressed preference for a ranked ballot, a system which would clearly benefit the Liberal Party. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP continue to push to make every vote count through electoral reform that is proportional, arrived at through an open and transparent consultation process that engages Canadians. Resolutions 107 5-23-16 ELECTORAL REFORM Skeena—Bulkley Valley WHEREAS the Federal NDP has been in support of Electoral Reform for decades; WHEREAS there is broad cross-Party Agreement that our current, “first-past-the-post” voting system does not live up to our Charter Ideals of fair and equal representation and that the Canadian Public should be consulted on its replacement; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Federal NDP insist that Parliament, in consulting with the Canadian people on Democratic Reform, focus upon an open, objective process that pays special attention to consulting underrepresented Canadians, including women, First Nations, youth and those living in poverty. 5-24-16 PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION Ottawa—Vanier BE IT RESOLVED THAT Section 5.2.a. in the policy book be amended to read: a. Reforming Canada’s electoral system through mixed member proportional representation, designed to incorporate features that make MPs accountable to their constituents, including: preserving the traditional link between voter and MP by keeping single-member constituency seats, at the same time as electing additional regional MPs to offset disproportionality between the constituency elections and each party’s popular Party vote; and giving each voter two votes on their ballot: one for a local constituency candidate and one for a regional candidate. 5-25-16 ELECTORAL REFORM LEGISLATION Charleswood-St.James-Assiniboia-Headingley WHEREAS the government of the day has NOT announced a date for election reform that will change the way Canadians elect our members of Parliament by proportional representation thereby creating a fairer representation of said members of Parliament, Therefore BE IT RESOLVED: that the NDP calls upon the government of the day to give the people of Canada a clear date when electorial reform legislation will be adopted by the House of Commons. 5-26-16 ELECTORAL REFORM Parkdale-High Park, CUPE WHEREAS electoral reform is necessary in Canada to enhance democracy and was a component of our platform in the last election adopted by the Liberals; and WHEREAS the Liberals have claimed ranked ballots might be a preferred method, which wouldn’t reflect proportional representation but could help their future electoral fortunes; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP say loud and clear that the only method of electoral reform that it will support for the future is one consistent with principles of proportional representation as articulated by Fair Vote Canada; and Resolutions 108 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the NDP will do everything it can to block any attempt by the Liberals to bring in a ranked ballot method of electoral reform. 5-27-16 A DEMOCRATIC PROCESS FOR DEMOCRATIC ELECTORAL REFORM Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas WHEREAS we campaigned on the proposition to “Make your vote truly count by bringing in a system of mixed-member proportional representation that is appropriate for Canada in our first mandate”; and WHEREAS an open, public and transparent process is necessary to the public support of such significant change; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party supports, and the federal caucus is directed to support, giving responsibility for such a transformation of the electoral process to a citizens committee, as was done in Ontario and in British Columbia, with a mandate and the resources to study various systems and come up with a recommendation; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the recommendation be then subject to a Canadian public referendum with adequate information to the electorate and adequate time for debate. 5-28-16 DEMOCRACY Scarborough Southwest BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP endorse: §§ Town hall meetings across the country where residents can gather to democratically define what a genuine leap to the next economy means in their communities. §§ A system in which every vote counts and corporate money is removed from political campaigns. Resolutions 109 Panel 6: Strengthening Human Rights and the Canadian Identity 6-01-16 OMNIBUS 1 - RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES AS COMPILED BY THE RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE Persons Living with disAbilities Committee, Windsor—Tecumseh WHEREAS Policy Book section 6.4 on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is outdated and feeble, WHEREAS this proposed revision is based on research and consultation within and outside the NDP, providing clarity and direction to the Critic for Persons with Disabilities in addressing the inequalities experienced by this group, BE IT RESOLVED THAT section 6.4 of the policy book be revised in its entirety, and amended as follows: New Democrats believe in: a. The equality of persons with disabilities with all other people and the full inclusion and effective participation of all persons with disabilities in Canadian society as guided foremost by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) b. The full implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities including: i. national action plan with benchmarks and timelines ii. independent monitoring mechanism iii. meaningful involvement of the disability community in developing and monitoring the plan iv. signing and ratifying the Optional Protocol that provides a complaints mechanism v. ending the reservation on Article 12 that provides equal recognition before the law c. The creation and implementation of a comprehensive Canadians with Disabilities Act (CDA). Developed with broad and meaningful consultation with people living with disabilities and other stakeholders, the Act will eliminate barriers and promote accessibility, effective participation, and equality of opportunity for persons living with disabilities. d. Adequate funding for the Court Challenges Program to ensure that people with disabilities and allied organizations are able to protect and advance equality rights e. Applying a disability lens, i.e. disability-based analysis, to public policy and meaningfully including people living with disabilities in the development of public policy f. Appointing a Disability Commissioner to advise Parliament and the minister responsible for issues affecting persons with disabilities until this responsibility is assigned under the implementation of the UNCRPD or the CDA g. Promoting the economic equality of people with disabilities through: i. equitable pay with people without disabilities Resolutions 110 ii. initiatives that break down systemic barriers to employment iii. initiatives to recruit, hire, promote and retain people with disabilities in the public and private sectors iv. stopping the disproportionate employment of people with disabilities in temporary and precarious work v. improved access to EI regular benefits, sick benefits and compassionate care benefits h. Reducing poverty and exclusion by coordinating benefits and increasing access to adequate income support programs i. Establishing tax fairness and revenue supports for people with disabilities, including fair and equitable refundability of tax credits j. Simplifying, clarifying and ensuring fairness and transparency in access to the Disability Tax Credit and Canada Pension Plan Disability benefits. Eliminating the bias in program approach that effectively establishes “classes” of disability with unequal results in access to benefits. k. Fixing the Canada Pension Plan Disability appeal process. Giving appellants a hearing in a reasonable amount of time, in an equitable format, with a representative of their choosing and with adjudicators having expertise in disability issues. l. Ensuring accessible services are available in-person, by telephone and on-line at all points-ofcontact with the federal government, federal institutions and Crown corporations m. Investing in affordable, stable, safe, accessible and supportive housing n. Ensuring equitable access, cost and quality of post-secondary education for students with disabilities o. Ensuring that investments in health, pharmacare, public transit, infrastructure, community and social services, and sport and recreation increase the social inclusion and participation of people with disabilities p. Developing a Disability Justice Strategy to ensure equitable treatment of people with disabilities who come into contact with the justice system as victims, witnesses, suspects and offenders. The strategy would include a core set of principles and directives around appropriate communications and support, early intervention and diversion, increased service capacity and accessibility, effective training, enhanced accountability and monitoring, and better policies and frameworks q. Addressing the higher rates of violence and crime against people with disabilities, especially women with disabilities r. Eliminating obstacles to the political participation of people with disabilities by: i. reforming the electoral system ii. developing an Access to Elected Office strategy iii. compensating disability-related costs to run for office iv. promoting and providing an inclusive environment that enables full and effective participation Resolutions 111 in public and political life v. investing in election procedures, materials and facilities that are appropriate, accessible and easy to understand and use vi. advancing the right of all people with disabilities to vote by secret ballot s. Stopping discriminatory practices in immigration and refugee proceedings that prevent people with disabilities from immigrating to Canada t. Ensuring accessibility accommodations are available to complete the requirements to obtain citizenship u. Promoting and defending the rights of persons with disabilities internationally, increasing development aid for persons with disabilities with a focus on improving access and inclusion, and supporting international initiatives to address the human and socio-economic impact of combat tactics against civilians designed to disable people (e.g., landmines, amputations, toxic contamination, etc.) 6-02-16 NATIONAL INQUIRY INTO MURDERED AND MISSING INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND GIRLS Vancouver East WHEREAS a national inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women and girls must be effective and comprehensive; and WHEREAS clause 6.5.h as it stands restates clause 6.1.e, BE IT RESOLVED THAT Section 6.5.h in the policy book be amended to read: h) Calling on the government to develop a coordinated federal response to violence against indigenous women, including: i. ensuring that there is a national as opposed to federal inquiry; ii. recognizing that indigenous women, and violence against indigenous women and girls, must be the central focus of the inquiry; iii. acknowledging that the national inquiry should feature, and its findings be informed by, an analysis of closed, uninvestigated, and/or partially investigated cases; iv. supporting the meaningful participation of indigenous women and those who work with and advocate for these women; v. providing effective supports to ensure that each family has the opportunity to participate in the inquiry; vi. ensuring that the national inquiry focus on systemic causes of discrimination rooted in Canadian institutions and government practices and policies, while taking into account social and economic factors that put indigenous women and girls at greater risk, such as poverty, inadequate housing, overcriminalization, inadequate access to detox and addiction treatment programs, failures of the child welfare system, and the systematic de-funding of women’s and indigenous women’s organizations and leadership; Resolutions 112 vii. ensuring a public education component to the inquiry, such that the indigenous- and non-indigenous public are educated by what the inquiry finds and reveals about violence against indigenous women and the harms it causes; viii. incorporating ceremonial activities to promote healing; and ix. committing to implement the inquiry’s recommendations. 6-03-16 CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS Toronto-Danforth WHEREAS artistic creativity is the powerhouse of a prosperous economy, a source of economic innovation, and a powerful force in social renewal. The arts also provide our daily culture and entertainment, but are treated as if they are a less important part of the economy. BE IT RESOLVED THAT an NDP government will work with public bodies to adequately fund the arts across Canada. An NDP government will work towards ensuring free admission to national museums and galleries to encourage Canadians to experience our cultural treasures. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT an NDP government will adequately fund the CBC/Société RadioCanada and other cultural institutions so they may plan their programs, hire the needed employees, and provide the high quality Canadians deserve. 6-04-16 CARDING Scarborough Southwest WHEREAS the practice of police carding has needlessly documented thousands of innocent people, damaged reputations and made people of colour in communities like Toronto feel like criminals; and, WHEREAS the practice of carding was a systematic violation of the rights of people in our communities, especially young people, and the use of carding undermined the public’s confidence in the police, thereby hurting public safety; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP stand up for human rights and the freedoms of Canadians and calls for an immediate end to the practice of carding. 6-05-16 BALANCED REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN AND MEN ON BOARDS OF DIRECTORS NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS women currently make up 47.5% of Canada’s labour force; WHEREAS women hold only 26.6% of executive positions and 14.5% of seats on the boards of directors of the 500 largest companies in Canada according to the Financial Post 500 ranking; WHEREAS the equality of men and women is one of the NDP’s priorities; Resolutions 113 BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following point be added to section 6.1 of NDP Policy: “At least 40% of the seats on boards of directors should be held by women as a way to promote and defend equality among men and women in federally-regulated companies.” 6-06-16 BLOOD BAN Esquimalt–Saanich –Sooke, Victoria, Ottawa Centre BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP call on the government to implement immediate measures to end the current discriminatory policy governing blood and organ donations from men who have sex with men, and that Canadian Blood Services, HÉMA-QUÉBEC, and Health Canada replace the current policy with a science-based policy that protects the integrity of the Canadian blood supply while treating all potential donors with equal dignity and respect. 6-07-16 INCOME AVERAGING FOR ARTISTS University Rosedale, Scarborough Southwest WHEREAS the arts and culture sector accounts for 3.1% of Canada’s total GDP and employs over 671 100 Canadians. WHEREAS income averaging models specifically targeting artists exist in dozens of European Union economies, including Britain, France, Germany, the Netherlands. In Canada, Quebec introduced income averaging in 2004. WHEREAS the average employment income of artists is 39% lower than he overall labour force in Canada and cultural workers’ average earnings are 14% lower than the average earnings of the overall labour force; WHEREAS the NDP has always been pushing for better tax fairness for our creators to allow them to fully make a living out of their art. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP continues to push the government to include income averaging and tax fairness for artists and cultural workers in the next federal budget. 6-08-16 CULTURAL WORKERS Toronto-Danforth WHEREAS the biggest subsidy for Canadian culture comes from unpaid and underpaid cultural workers. WHEREAS many cultural workers find it difficult to access the social safety net. BE IT RESOLVED THAT an NDP government will institute a paid apprenticeship program in the creative industries, and will also fund, encourage and support experienced artists. Thus, cultural workers will have a decent income while creating their art. BE IT RESOLVED THAT an NDP government will include income averaging and tax fairness for artists and cultural workers in its first budget. Resolutions 114 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT an NDP government will ensure a robust study of the status of cultural workers. 6-09-16 PROHIBITION OF GENETIC DISCRIMINATION NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS the Canadian government has not always acted to prevent discrimination against people who have undergone genetic testing while, four years ago, the United States adopted the Genetic Information Non-discrimination Act of 2008; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP request that the government adopt legislation prohibiting genetic discrimination in order to protect citizens from any form of discrimination (employability, access to insurance, etc.) after undergoing a genetic test. 6-10-16 THÉRÈSE CASGRAIN AWARD NDP Women’s Council WHEREAS the previous Conservative government eliminated the Thérèse Casgrain Volunteer Award that has existed since 1982 to honour women volunteers; WHEREAS cancellation of this award once again represents an unwillingness to acknowledge the work of women and to recognize the value of the legacy of Thérèse Casgrain; WHEREAS Thérèse Casgrain was an outstanding individual in part because of her involvement in obtaining the right to vote for Quebec women in 1940 and in having the family allowance paid to mothers in 1945, and because she was the leader of the Social Democratic Party of Quebec, a fervent unionist and appointed a senator in 1970; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Women’s Council of the NDP ask elected New Democrats to take all necessary steps to reinstate the Thérèse Casgrain Volunteer Award so that the deserving efforts of women are recognized. 6-11-16 DIGITAL ISSUES NDP Quebec Section, Richmond-Arthabaska WHEREAS digital issues are playing an increasing role in Canada’s economic development, the way people communicate and the sharing of information and in education, and they contribute to a flourishing democracy; WHEREAS the NDP Policy Book contains only a few points on the matter and these cover only part of these issues; WHEREAS the NDP should show leadership in establishing a coherent policy vision on these issues; BE IT RESOLVED THAT a new section (seventh) be added to the Policy Book and worded as follows: Section 7 – Adapt our society to the technologies of the 21 century 7.1 Protection of the privacy of Canadians Resolutions 115 New Democrats believe in: a. Better protecting Internet users from companies that collect and share their information; b. Strengthening the laws that prevent intrusive and/or unsolicited communications; c. Canadians being able to know which organizations hold personal information related to them, to consult that data and to correct detected errors, if applicable; d. Giving the Privacy Commissioner the power to issue orders; e. Establishing a mechanism to report data breaches or thefts so that individuals can be informed when their personal information has been compromised so that they can better protect themselves; f. Citizens having a “right to be forgotten”, that is, the fact that personal data and traces that they leave when in contact with new technologies should be erased by the organizations that hold them when there is no longer a reasonable reason to retain them; g. Establishing a “right to silence chips”, that is, the right to be able to deactivate electronic chips that individuals carry on them so that Canadians are better able to protect their privacy. 7.2 Support for the digital economy New Democrats believe in: a. Encouraging research and development of technological innovations by Canadian companies; b. Encouraging a strong presence of Canadian content in new platforms; c. Improving the Copyright Act so that there is better balance between the rights of consumers and the rights of content creators; d. Encouraging the development of a reuse and recycling industry for digital devices and accessories to reduce their impact on the environment; e. Encouraging and supporting “free software” development initiatives that also contribute to the Canadian economy. 7.3 Development of infrastructure New Democrats believe in: a. Developing the scope of network infrastructure so that every citizen has access to high speed Internet at a reasonable cost, particularly rural regions and Aboriginal communities; b. The government establishing a policy to continuously upgrade network infrastructure in order to renew it as technological innovation occurs; c. Telecommunications companies participating, as finances allow, in the development, maintenance and ongoing improvement of the country’s network infrastructure; d. Enforcing the “neutrality of the net” through clear and transparent rules to protect the right of Canadians to freely access content of their choice. 7.4 Digital literacy Resolutions 116 New Democrats believe in: a. Encouraging and participating in the financing of the introduction, by the provinces, of educational programs for children to understand the issues around new technologies and how they work; b. Developing training programs enabling the entire population to increase its knowledge and understanding of the issues around new technologies and how they work, while respecting provincial jurisdictions. 7.5 Open government New Democrats believe in: a. The services of government organizations and federal agencies being accessible through digital portals; b. Government websites and those of federal agencies complying with web accessibility standards so that the entire population, without discrimination, is able to access them; c. Developing further “open government” type portals that offer citizens better transparency around government activities; d. Encouraging the use of new technologies in all government departments to improve access to decision-making entities and thus to our democracy. 7.6 National and international security New Democrats believe in: a. The government properly protecting the data and information it holds, especially that related to Canadians by ensuring that said data and information is not stored abroad; b. Fighting all forms of cyberterrorism, cybersabotage and cyberespionage, notably through extensive collaboration at the international level; c. Adjusting the legal framework for police and judicial action and procedures so that they take into account constantly changing technologies, while ensuring that the privacy of Canadians is effectively protected. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT section 6.10 of the Policy Book be deleted. 6-12-16 FRENCH LANGUAGE Drummond WHEREAS French and English are the two official languages of Canada; WHEREAS under the Conservatives, the protection of French was diminished across Canada; WHEREAS the NDP has always defended the official languages, notably through the adoption of a bill on the bilingualism of agents of Parliament, such as the Auditor General; Resolutions 117 BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP continue to defend French and the official languages and that it pressure the government to support the bill on the bilingualism of Supreme Court justices tabled on numerous occasions by Yvon Godin and now taken up by François Choquette, MP for Drummond. 6-13-16 HATE SPEECH AND DISCRIMINATION Ville-Marie-Le Sud-Ouest-Île-des-Sœurs BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following clause be added to Section 6.7 of the policy book: 6.7. New Democrats believe in: d. Strengthening laws against hate, discrimination and acts of racism, and programs for their prevention. 6-14-16 MEDIA AND JOURNALISM Etobicoke Centre WHEREAS private media companies are facing economic decline due, in part, to the concentration of on-line advertising revenue in the hands of a few foreign-owned corporations such as Google and Facebook; WHEREAS the current decline threatens Canadian journalism and local and regional content production, and reduces government accountability; WHEREAS the current decline provides an opportunity to reverse harmful cross-media ownership and concentration and to provide a diversity of Canadian, regional and local perspectives; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following clause be added to Section 6.10 of the policy book: H. Providing a media policy and subsidy program to maintain the viability of Canadian owned, locally produced journalism that provides a diversity of perspectives across Canada. 6-15-16 RACISM Nepean WHEREAS racialized Canadians earn an average of 81 cents to the dollar compared to other Canadians; WHEREAS black males living in Toronto are more likely to be stopped and asked for identification by police; WHEREAS there were 1,401 reported hate crimes in Canada in 2010; WHEREAS 50 percent of First Nations children live in poverty compared to 17 percent for other Canadians; WHEREAS the unemployment rate is more than twice among aboriginals than compared to that of other Canadians; WHEREAS fear mongering by politicians has created a racial divide against visible minorities Resolutions 118 BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP calls for: a. The acknowledgment that Canada has a problem concerning racism, in order for us to move forward in combating it, b. Paying attention to minority groups and ensuring that each group has a proper avenue to voice their concerns surrounding racism, c. Addressing this national problem by educating the public about the history of racism, and how these attitudes still exist today, d. Having a zero tolerance policy against hate speech against minorities, such as xenophobia, Islamophobia, and racism, e. Fighting systemic racism wherever it is found, by taking a proactive role in preventing and eliminating discrimination, f. Establishing that Canada is a place that embraces inclusion and diversity for all individuals 6-16-16 IN EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE, PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN RETURNING FROM PARENTAL LEAVE NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS there currently exists a shortcoming in the Employment Insurance Act that penalizes women returning to work from maternity leave; WHEREAS if the position that was held by this worker is abolished during her leave, or she is terminated shortly after her return, she will not be entitled to employment insurance benefits; WHEREAS this happens because she has not accumulated enough hours of work during the reference period; WHEREAS this creates an injustice for these women who have taken time to look after their child; WHEREAS this situation can be corrected quite easily by changing the reference period to the months preceding maternity leave; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP propose the necessary legislative and/or regulatory changes to ensure that workers returning from parental leave and who lose their jobs can access employment insurance benefits. 6-17-16 DISCONTINUE GRANTS TO HOMOPHOBIC ORGANIZATIONS NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS the Conservative government has in the past provided grants of more than a half a million dollars to a group that openly promotes discrimination against LGBTQ people in Uganda; WHEREAS non-government organizations that do not discriminate based on sexual orientation toward the LGBTQ community exist everywhere in the world; Resolutions 119 BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP demand that no government aid be provided to or through nongovernmental organizations that do not respect the rights of LGBTQ people, in accordance with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and the agreements ratified by Canada; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT New Democrats bring as much pressure as possible to bear on the current government so that no government aid is given to such organizations in Canada and internationally. 6-18-16 MISSING AND MURDERED ABORIGINAL WOMEN NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS the United Nations Organization (UNO) called on Ottawa to combat the deep roots of violence against Aboriginal women; WHEREAS the New Democratic Party asked the House of Commons in 2014 for a public inquiry into missing and murdered Aboriginal women and the promise to launch an inquiry was a key element of the NDP election platform in 2015; WHEREAS the Liberal government of Justin Trudeau decided to launch a consultation of the families and friends of missing and murdered Aboriginal women within a maximum of one year; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party demand that the Liberal government launch the inquiry into missing and murdered Aboriginal women before setting the mandate for the commission of inquiry; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP demand that the Liberal government ensure that an inquiry into missing and murdered Aboriginal women propose concrete solutions to eliminate violence against Aboriginal women; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the NDP demand that the Liberal government include in an inquiry into missing and murdered Aboriginal women the alleged cases in Val d’Or where 12 Aboriginal women have claimed to be the victims of sexual abuse in 14 cases perpetrated by members of the Sûreté du Québec between 2002 and 2015. 6-19-16 RIGHTS OF ABORIGINAL PEOPLES Etobicoke Lakeshore BE IT RESOLVED THAT Section 6.5 in the policy book be amended to read: 6.5.h Ensuring a coordinated federal response to violence against Aboriginal women, led by Aboriginal communities and organizations, including implementation of the national inquiry and response to missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, with sustained and multi-year funding sufficient to include expanded access to shelter and transition houses to support women fleeing violence. Resolutions 120 6-20-16 GENDER PARITY NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS the Canadian government made no effort to ensure male-female parity on the board of directors of every federal Crown corporation and every board of directors in the federallyregulated private sector although the European Union is adopting measures to correct this form of systemic discrimination; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP support the introduction of legislation requiring male-female parity, by a specific timeline, on all boards of directors of Canadian Crown corporations and those in the federallyregulated private sector and in all executive positions in the federal government. 6-21-16 GUARANTEED OPEN INTERNET ACCESS NDP Quebec Section, Richmond-Arthabaska WHEREAS Internet access is a necessity in an increasingly interconnected world; WHEREAS the government signed a treaty, the TransPacific Partnership, that is damaging to entire sectors of the Canadian economy and for the rights of Internet users; WHEREAS the former government, supported by the party currently in power, adopted Bill C51, which is a threat to freedom and which, among other things, restricts freedom and the right to privacy of citizens on the Internet; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP fiercely oppose any measure that would restrict freedom of expression, and open, fair and secure access to the Internet; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP oppose any measure allowing the government access to the Internet navigational data of Canadians without first seeking a warrant. 6-22-16 UPDATE NDP POLICY ON LGBTQ NDP Quebec Section, Richmond-Arthabaska BE IT RESOLVED THAT section 6.3 of NDP Policy, point (b) be amended as follows: “Supporting international efforts, innovating and acting against discrimination against LGBTQ persons, particularly. . .;” BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT point (h) of the same section be changed to the following wording: “Supporting the efforts of Canadian provinces and communities, while respecting shared jurisdictions, to promote equity for LGBT persons, particularly vulnerable people of the LGBTQ community who face discrimination, violence or hate;” BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT point (j) be added to the same section, stating: “Recognizing trans persons in their interactions with public and parapublic organizations and training government officials in this regard.” Resolutions 121 6-23-16 INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS the importance of the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage adopted by UNESCO in 2003 to foster the preservation of cultural diversity and advancement of sustainable development in the world and in Canada; WHEREAS Canada abstained from ratifying this convention despite the fact that 158 other states had already done so; BE IT RESOLVED to add the following point to section 6.8 of NDP Policy: “Formally and immediately endorsing the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage.” 6-24-16 ACCESSION TO THE CONVENTION CONCERNING MINIMUM AGE FOR ADMISSION TO EMPLOYMENT NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS the International Labour Organization’s Convention No. 138 concerning the Minimum Age for Admission to Employment adopted by member states in 1973 has not been signed by Canada; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP request that the Canadian government accede to the International Labour Organization’s Convention no. 138 concerning the Minimum Age for Admission to Employment and further request that it implement said convention in whole as quickly as possible. 6-25-16 ABORIGINAL REPRESENTATION ON EDAS Esquimalt–Saanich–Sooke, Victoria BE IT RESOLVED THAT section 5.7G be partially implemented, by the New Democratic Party through the implementation of Aboriginal Representatives on Electoral District Associations (EDA) executives throughout Canada, through a change to EDA by-laws at local Annual General Meetings. 6-26-16 ELIMINATION OF HATE PROPAGANDA NDP Quebec Section, Richmond-Arthabaska BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP demand that the Government of Canada: 1. Initiate collaboration among and participate in any current joint efforts among other countries recognizing LGBTQ rights, and such institutions as the United Nations Human Rights Commission, to pressure countries that have adopted or are in the process of adopting discriminatory laws against LGBTQ persons to change their internal laws in favour of LGBTQ persons or to make legislators aware of the rights of LGBTQ persons; 2. Seriously consider, with the goal of pressuring the countries identified in paragraph 1, stopping all financial aid to these countries, excluding international aid and solidarity that would be provided preferably through NGOs not discriminating against LGBTQ persons; 3. Strengthen Canadian laws to eliminate hate propaganda or inciting hatred against LGBTQ persons Resolutions 122 in Canada. 6-27-16 WOMEN’S RIGHTS Etobicoke Lakeshore WHEREAS gender analysis and participation of all genders are necessary to effect women’s rights, WHEREAS lack of access to day care limits women’s occupational options, WHEREAS the term “ministry” reflects the assessment of status as well as legislation and action to implement policy, WHEREAS mixed member proportional representation has been successful in many countries in increasing the proportion of women serving in office and WHEREAS an increased number of women can be more easily designated and put forward as candidates through the secondary list normally provided by the respective parties BE IT RESOLVED THAT Section 6.1 in the policy book be amended to read: 6.1.a Promoting women’s economic equality by ensuring pay equity, encouraging unionization, improving access to EI, providing affordable universal day care and setting a minimum salary for employees under federal jurisdiction. 6.1.f Creating a full ministry responsible for advancing women’s rights, including a legislated mandate for advocacy in research, and in line with Canada’s international commitments and obligations. 6.1.h Eliminating obstacles to women’s political participation by reforming the electoral system to mixed member proportional representation, improving political civility, and ensuring consultation with women’s groups in public policy development. 6.1.i Applying gender-based analysis to public policy and newly proposed legislation, especially addressing the needs of marginalized women. 6.1.j Showing world leadership by defending the rights of women and girls to live without poverty, increasing development aid for gender analysis and for women, including women in peace talks, and fighting the sexual exploitation of women and girls, men and boys everywhere. 6-28-16 REFORM OF THE CRTC NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS Quebec has its own unique culture that is expressed mainly in French, through different art forms and a number of cultural industries; WHEREAS the communications sector and the policies associated with it play a key role in the development and dissemination of Quebec culture; WHEREAS the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission is the federal institution responsible for regulating and monitoring broadcasting and telecommunications systems in Canada; Resolutions 123 BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party commit to reviewing the Broadcasting Act, the Telecommunications Act and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Act so that the CRTC has an obligation to take into consideration the unique nature of the different English and French realities of the country, notably that of the Quebec market, when developing its policies and regulations. 6-29-16 MAKING PREVENTIVE WITHDRAWAL PROGRAMS ACCESSIBLE TO PREGNANT WOMEN NDP Quebec Section WHEREAS in Quebec, there is a preventive withdrawal program for pregnant and nursing women; WHEREAS this makes it possible to protect the health of the mother and child if the job is deemed not to be safe by a physician; WHEREAS if no safe position is available, the woman will be withdrawn from her position temporarily and will receive allowances; WHEREAS this helps to keep down the proportion of prenatal problems; WHEREAS this program is not available to workers working in federally-regulated companies; WHEREAS this creates inequity among female workers in Quebec based on the type of company that hires them; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP promote legislative changes to enable women working in federallyregulated companies to have access to provincial preventive withdrawal programs for pregnant and nursing women. 6-30-16 DISABILITY PROGRAMS Etobicoke Lakeshore WHEREAS provincial disability programs are frequently underfunded and difficult to access for those most in need of support; BE IT RESOLVED THAT section 6.4 of the policy book be amended to include clause J, which will read: “Establishing a federal guaranteed income supplement to bolster provincial disability programs and ensure that persons living with disability are able to support themselves with dignity and independence.” 6-31-16 RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES Etobicoke Lakeshore WHEREAS the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was ratified by Canada in 2010 BE IT RESOLVED THAT Section 6.3 in the policy book be amended to read: 6.3.a The need to reduce poverty and the exclusion of persons with disabilities, including mental, physical, sensory, learning and communications disabilities, Resolutions 124 6.3.f Promoting broad implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 6-32-16 CANADA PENSION PLAN DISABILITY Sherwood Park-Fort Saskatchewan WHEREAS the Auditor General’s 2015 review of the disability component of the Canada Pension Plan (CPPD) uncovered serious deficiencies in the program’s operation; WHEREAS these deficiencies have the actual or potential consequence of denying benefits to applicants who are entitled to them; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party, directly and through its Parliamentary caucus, urge the federal government to take whatever actions are necessary to ensure that all qualified applicants for Canada Pension Plan disability (CPPD) benefits are awarded benefits as quickly as possible. 6-33-16 COMBATTING ELECTRONIC CHARACTER ASSASSINATION Toronto-Danforth WHEREAS politics is a high calling where a variety of viewpoints and broad participation are desired. WHEREAS the 2015 Canadian Federal Election was marred by much unwarranted electronic shaming, especially of relatively inexperienced candidates. BE IT RESOLVED THAT an NDP government will enact strong privacy legislation to protect all Canadians from unwarranted use of their electronic presence. 6-34-16 CAPPING THIRD PARTY FEES RELATED TO THE DISABILITY TAX CREDIT Sudbury, Council of Northern Ontario Federal Ridings BE IT RESOLVED THAT Canada’s NDP believes that tax credits, particularly the disability amount, are intended to reduce the tax burden on those eligible, and not to support a private industry of corporate ‘representatives’ who claim up to 30% of those credits in exchange for minimal administrative assistance. FURTHER, BE IT RESOLVED THAT Canada’s NDP believes in the implementation of a strict cap on the fees third party representatives can levy on the Canadians they assist, not to exceed the lower of 10% or $500 annually. 6-35-16 PROVISION OF INFORMATION IN ACCESSIBLE FORMATS Council of Northern Ontario Federal Ridings BE IT RESOLVED THAT Canada’s NDP make all its printed material available in an accessible format when requested by anyone not able to read standard paper copy. These formats include but are not limited to: Braille, Large Print, and electronic text (excluding Portable Document Format “PDF”). The format should be determined by the person requiring the material. Resolutions 125 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Canada’s NDP ensure that all of its web sites are fully compliant with the current Web Accessibility standards and therefore fully usable by people with disabilities. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Canada’s NDP take the lead in ensuring that a similar full accessibility policy be implemented by the provincial government and all its departments and subsidiaries. 6-36-16 ACCESSIBILITY OF NDP AND ASSOCIATED OFFICES Council of Northern Ontario Federal Ridings BE IS RESOLVED THAT Canada’s NDP develop and follow a policy that all offices associated with the party be totally accessible to all and that prior to entering into a contract, an accessibility audit similar be done and the building meet the established criteria. Resolutions 126 Panel 7: Party Affairs 7-01-16 COMMITTEE NAME CHANGE Persons living with disAbilities Committee, London-Fanshawe WHEREAS the Persons Living with disAbilities Committee adopted a name change in 2011 to reflect a more person oriented committee; and WHEREAS the name of the committee is not consistent throughout the Constitution; BE IT RESOLVED THAT Article VII, Section 3(d) of the Constitution be amended by striking “Disability Rights Committee”, and replacing this phrase with “Persons Living with disAbilities Committee”; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Article VIII, Section1(h)(ii) of the Constitution be amended by striking “People Living with Disabilities Committee”, and replacing this phrase with “Persons Living with disAbilities Committee”; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the phrase “Persons Living with disabilities Committee” replace “Disability Rights Committee” or “People Living with Disabilities Committee” throughout the document. 7-02-16 INCLUSION IN NDP ACTIVITIES (7-02) Persons Living with disAbilities Committee WHEREAS the funding regulations for political parties and revenue raising regulations for political conventions has changed dramatically resulting in a re-assessment and realignment of priorities and practices; WHEREAS individuals with low incomes are increasingly excluded from mainstream political participation as their incomes continue to shrink. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the federal NDP reaffirms its commitment to create the conditions necessary to include New Democrats living on low-incomes in party activities on an equitable basis with other New Democrats; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Federal Council will undertake to review and revise principles and guidelines for the setting of delegate fees and the Affirmative Action Travel Pool, and investigate and develop alternatives for addressing the participation gap. Work to be completed no later than eight months prior to next convention; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this work meaningfully include New Democrats with lived experience of poverty. Resolutions 127 7-03-16 DEVELOP AND SUPPORT ATLANTIC CANADIAN EDAS Halifax WHEREAS the Party failed to elect any Members of Parliament from Atlantic Canada in 2015, losing all six incumbents; WHEREAS the Party must remain a credible political force in Atlantic Canada in order to win seats in the next election; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Party develop a plan to ensure it remains vibrant and relevant to Atlantic Canadians, in consultation with Atlantic Canada EDAs; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Party commit sufficient resources to ensure that the Party remains politically attractive to Atlantic Canadians; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Party, in consultation with Atlantic Canada EDAs, develop a targeted electoral plan for Atlantic Canada to be implemented on the ground no later than 2 years before the next election. 7-04-16 STANDARDIZING PARTY PROCESSES, INTERPRETATION AND RULES OF ORDER AND EDAS BY-LAWS London-Fanshawe , Ontario Southwest Council of Federal EDAs WHEREAS the Party currently lacks documented and/or centrally-published rules that are necessary for good governance; and WHEREAS democratic principles require open processes to establish statute; therefore, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Federal Council shall establish by-laws on the following within 18 months: 1. The process for establishing and amending by-laws. 2. Interpretation and rules of order for business of the Party, which shall also address gender identity for gender-based requirements within the Party. 3. Minimum requirements for the by-laws of the electoral district associations of each province/ territory. 4. Rules of procedure for Convention resolution panels and plenaries. 7-05-16 RULES AND PROCESS OF VETTING CANDIDATES IN A FEDERAL ELECTION Sherwood Park-Fort Saskatchewan WHEREAS the decisions and timeliness of the National Candidate Nominations Committee were in many cases unsatisfactory and caused EDAs to delay nomination meetings and the start of campaigns, and in other cases to deny or approve prospective nominees on suspect grounds, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Federal Council review the rules governing the nomination of candidates in consultation with the EDAs, to identify problematic decisions and communication problems, and adapt Resolutions 128 the rules and processes to resolve those problems, including the lengthy vetting time frames, and to report to Convention 2018. 7-06-16 POOL OF CANDIDATES Burnaby South BE IT RESOLVED THAT Article XV of the Constitution be amended by adding 3. The pool of candidates selected to stand in the 2019 and each General Election thereafter must contain a proportion of (a) Indigenous Peoples; (b) Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Community Members; (c) People with Disabilities; (d) Visible Minority Community Members; and, (e) Women; equal to each of these named groups’ proportion of Canada’s population subject to an allowed variance of up to ten percent of each named groups’ proportion of the total population when used as a base. 7-07-16 TRANSPARENCY OF PARTY GOVERNANCE AND MEETINGS Sherwood Park-Fort Saskatchewan WHEREAS it behooves Canada’s New Democrats to set an example of a democracy governance which is accountable to an informed membership, rather than by decisions made behind closed doors, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the identity and contact information of the Federal Council members, and the minutes of their meetings which disclose the decisions and actions of that governing body, be provided to the EDA executives at a minimum of a quarterly basis. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT EDAs be informed of the names, contact information, and role of NDP staff who have been assigned to a responsibility to the EDA. 7-08-16 REGIONAL FORUMS Sackville-Preston-Chezzetcook WHEREAS the several years before the next federal election give the New Democratic Party of Canada an opportunity for self-reflection and innovative thinking; and WHEREAS some members, in post-election discussions and surveys, have expressed concern about dated campaign strategies and policy statements that are not engaging today’s voters; and WHEREAS recent regional and local post-election analysis has successfully enabled grass-roots participation and membership engagement; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP in 2016-7 convene a series of regional forums across the country, with presentations invited from leading thinkers on the left, to enable the party to explore new directions and to focus discussions in areas including policy development, partnerships and leadership; and further BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP make these forums as accessible and inclusive as possible to encourage members from across the country to participate in person or via electronic or other means. Resolutions 129 7-09-16 REINFORCING OUR INTERNAL DEMOCRACY NDP Québec Section, Outremont, Drummond, Esquimalt – Saanich – Sooke, Victoria, Richmond-Arthabaska, Vancouver East, NDP McGill, Jeunes néo-démocrates du Québec, Ville-Marie-Le Sud-Ouest-Île-des-Sœurs, Persons Living with disAbilities Committee, Longueuil - St-Hubert WHEREAS new democratic values and principles call for the membership to be included as much as possible in the decision-making processes of the Party and for its elected bodies to be accountable to the membership; WHEREAS most decisions regarding the 2015 Federal Election and its preparation such as the candidate nomination process and the writing of the electoral platform were taken and carried out by unelected and unaccountable staff and without any meaningful consultation with elected bodies; WHEREAS the Constitution of the New Democratic Party of Canada already provides for elected and accountable decision-making bodies before and during election periods: The Executive, the Council and the Election Planning Committee (EPC); WHEREAS the mandate and composition of the EPC as well as the checks and balances mechanism surrounding it are however very poorly defined by the Constitution; WHEREAS functioning and efficient partisan bodies should be pivotal in reaching the balance between professional efficiency and accountability towards the membership; BE IT RESOLVED THAT: 1. The words “To this end, the Officers will inform without delay the Executive or Council of each decision taken.” be added at the end of Article VI, section 2, paragraph (b). 2. The words “The Executive shall form the basis of the Election Planning Committee” be struck out of section 1 of Article VII of the Constitution of the New Democratic Party of Canada; 3. A new section be added to Article VII, which shall read as follows: “6. Election Planning Committee An Election Planning Committee (EPC) shall be from time to time struck by the Executive.” The EPC shall be comprised of: §§ the Executive, §§ two Candidate Nomination Committee Co-Chairs nominated by the Council, §§ two Platform Committee Co-Chairs nominated by the Council, and §§ two members at large nominated by the Council, all of whom shall have a voting right. The Executive shall be empowered to invite as many non-voting members to the EPC as it sees fit. Resolutions 130 The EPC shall: (a) Prepare a draft of the rules and procedures governing the nomination of the federal candidates to be debated and approved by the Council. (b) Propose to the Council a Candidate Nomination Committee who shall oversee the candidate nomination process. (c) Propose to the Council a Platform Committee who shall oversee the writing of the Electoral Platform of the Party, compatible with the Federal Policy Book. (d) Oversee the organization, mobilization and communication strategies of the Party before and during election periods. (e) Adopt the final version of the Electoral Platform proposed by the Platform Committee. (f) Meet in the month following an election to establish and oversee a debriefing process. (g) Meet at the call of the President or at the written request of ten of its voting members. (h) Receive reports from the Committee Co-Chairs elected by the Council. (i) Adopt rules of procedure governing the conduct of its business. 4. A new section be added to Article VII which shall read as follows : 7. Rules of procedure The Executive may adopt rules of procedure governing the conduct of its business. 5. A new paragraph be added after section 2(e) of Article VIII which shall read as follows: “(e) Nominates the Co-Chairs of the Candidate Nomination and Platform Committees and the two members at large to sit on the Election Planning Committee, at least one each of whom shall be a woman. These EPC members shall be accountable to and report at each meeting of the Council.” 6. A new paragraph be added at the end of section 2 of Article VIII which shall read as follows: “(h) Council may adopt rules of procedure governing the conduct of its business.” 7-10-16 CREATION OF A SUPPORTER CATEGORY NDP Quebec Section BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP support the creation of a new category of individual, the supporter category, to facilitate and clarify the process of fundraising when someone wants to contribute financially but does not want to become a member of the Party. This designation should be clearly defined on donation forms. Resolutions 131 7-11-16 MAINTENANCE OF THE QUEBEC SECTION OF THE NDP Quebec Section, Richmond-Arthabaska WHEREAS the New Democratic Party of Quebec is currently neither active nor functional; WHEREAS the Quebec Section of the New Democratic Party of Canada plays a critical role for NDP members and entities in Quebec; BE IT RESOLVED THAT, regardless of any possibility of creating a provincial New Democratic Party in Quebec, the Quebec section be maintained in its entirety. 7-12-16 DEVELOP A FEDERAL NDP VISION FOR CANADA AND FOUNDATIONAL DIRECTIONS TO ACHIEVE IT Scarborough Southwest, South Okanagan West Kootenay WHEREAS a clear idea of what the NDP fundamentally stands for would benefit both Party members and Canadians as a whole, and, WHEREAS with the recent federal election, lines have blurred on specific policies among the NDP, Liberals and Green Party, and, WHEREAS a clear and widely supported statement of the NDP’s vision for the future of Canada and the party’s foundational directions required to achieve it could add great value by informing and inspiring Canadians and helping the Party decide upon more specific policies to adopt in the future, and, WHEREAS now, in the aftermath of the recent election, is a very good time to step back from the day to day activity of the Party to engage members and supporters across Canada in re-examining, re-defining and re-stating what the NDP stands for, BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the federal NDP Executive launch a comprehensive, transparent, participative process within six months of the April 2016 convention to engage party members and supporters to define and, to the greatest extent possible, agree upon: (1) the federal NDP vision for Canada in the future, and (2) the foundational priority directions the NDP should follow to achieve that vision. This process should be no more than 12 months in length. 7-13-16 ACCESSIBILITY OF PARTY FUNCTIONS Persons Living with disAbilities Committee BE IT RESOLVED THAT Canada’s NDP shall develop and share strategies and mechanisms to make NDP meetings and celebrations financially accessible to members on low income BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Canada’s NDP set minimum targets for the participation of members on low income. Resolutions 132 7-14-16 PARTICIPATORY POLICY-MAKING Scarborough Southwest WHEREAS the health of Canadian democracy is enhanced by meaningful and effective internal democracy within political parties including participatory policy-making; and WHEREAS at least one political party, the Green Party of Canada, has made the shift to online engagement with, and decision-making by, party members in advance of policy conventions BE IT RESOLVED THAT (1) That, within eight months of the next policy convention, the Federal Council must issue a report to the membership on the practices of the federal NDP relating to internal democracy, paying special attention to policy formation, including in campaign platforms. (2) That, within four months of that convention, the National Director operationalize an online mechanism for presentation, discussion, and prioritization of policy proposals in advance of the next policy convention. 7-15-16 YOUTH AT CONVENTION Ottawa—Vanier, Ottawa Center, University of Toronto NDP WHEREAS youth and young adults are an integral piece of our future and present; WHEREAS we care deeply about our youth; WHEREAS we value and promote inclusivity and equal access; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party of Canada endeavour to schedule future conventions so as to not interfere with student exam times (April and December). 7-16-16 ENABLING LIAISON AMONG ELECTORAL DISTRICT ASSOCIATIONS Sherwood Park-Fort Saskatchewan WHEREAS The network of grassroots members has been and remains the heart and soul and strength of the New Democratic Party, and WHEREAS The Electoral District Association [EDA] Bylaws and Constitution requires that EDA Presidents liaise with each other to develop mutual goals, joint events, and improved public relations, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the identity and contact information of the President and Secretary of each Electoral District Association be provided to each EDA President, and that this information be updated within 10 days of notification of any change. Resolutions 133 7-17-16 AMEND THE PARTY’S CONSTITUTION TO CREATE CO-PRESIDENT POSITIONS Richmond – Arthabaska , Brome-Missisquoi, Section Quebec BE IT RESOLVED THAT Article VI, 1(b) and (c) be replaced by: “(b) Anglophone Co-President and (c) Francophone Co-President.” BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Article VI, 3(b) be replaced by: “(b) Co-Presidents. All delegates of the Convention shall elect the Co-Presidents.” BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Article VI, 3(c) be replaced by: “(c) Among the Co-Presidents, gender equity shall be respected. Thus, at least one of the Co-President positions shall be held by a woman.” 7-18-16 AVAILABILITY OF CONTACT INFORMATION FOR REPRESENTATIVES ON FEDERAL COUNCIL London-Fanshawe, Ontario Southwest Council of EDAs WHEREAS representation is a fundamental democratic principle and; WHEREAS a constituency’s knowledge of who their representative is and their ability to communicate with their representative is a fundamental democratic principle; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the National Director shall re-publish the list of members of the Federal Council on the party website, and that the list may only be temporarily removed from the website during a general election. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the National Director shall specify on the party website a method of contact for the members of the Federal Council, either individually, by caucus, or collectively. 7-19-16 INSTITUTING THE BEST DEMOCRATIC PRACTICES WITHIN THE PARTY Toronto-Danforth WHEREAS the NDP policy book already strives to repair Democracy in Canada (section 5). Develop democracy in workplaces (Section1.1) and bring about democratic reform of the UN (section 4.1-d) WHEREAS studies show that Social Learning is best achieved by example from trusted individuals and institutions (Pentland 2014) WHEREAS democracy like other systemic processes can be continually improved upon in all organizations and individuals. Through a process of discovering best practices and evaluation, an organization can measure its progress in the continual improvement of democratic relations. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP lead by example in evaluating its own internal practice of democracy by investigating programs like the Earth Charter and ISO26000 that support the continual improvement of democratic practice through the implementation of best practices and evaluation. 7-20-16 NDP HEADQUARTERS TO SET UP A CONCERNS AND COMPLAINTS PROCESS FOR NDP MEMBERSHIP Resolutions 134 Edmonton—Wetaskiwin BE IT RESOLVED THAT each and every federal NDP member in good standing be permitted to submit in writing 1-3 concerns or complaints to NDP Headquarters per calendar year. This must be responded to in writing by NDP Headquarters. The aim of this resolution is to promote the democratic rights of NDP rank and file members to participate in the Party. 7-21-16 FEDERAL NDP CAUCUS ONGOING RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THE REFORM ACT Regina Lewvan WHEREAS on June 23rd of 2015 Bill C-566 was proclaimed and became the Reform Act, 2014 and as a result all political party caucus have new legal obligations under this act WHEREAS the NDP caucus will be called upon after each election to cast a series of votes under this act that will have ramifications on not only the internal functioning of caucus, but also on the larger party. WHEREAS if any future caucus were to vote in favor of certain sections of the reform act (as is their legal right) there would be some uncertainty as to compliance with the constitution of the Federal New Democratic Party. WHEREAS the party should provide guidance to the caucus on how the caucus should handle their duties under this act in the future. BE IT RESOLVED THAT: 1) A working committee be struck by the newly elected federal executive at their next meeting, and that this committee be tasked with engaging members of the party, including the caucus, on how best to proceed under this new legislation. 2) In particular this committee should come up with recommendations to all future caucuses on how to precede on the votes that caucus must make after each election campaign: a. The committee shall provide a recommendation for future caucus on how to vote on the issue of expulsion and re-admission of caucus members b. The committee shall provide a recommendation for future caucus on how to vote on the issue of the election of a caucus chair c. The committee shall provide a recommendation for future caucus on how to vote on the issue of the issue of a caucus leadership review d. The committee shall provide a recommendation for future caucus on how to vote on the issue of the election of an interim leader if such a situation would arise e. The committee shall provide a recommendation for future caucus/the larger party on how to deal with the issue of the local nominations 3) That this committee include 1 member of the federal executive, 1 member of the federal caucus, and at least two members added by and from the federal council as soon as is feasible Resolutions 135 4) That time be set aside at a federal council meeting to receive feedback from council members (on behalf of those they represent) as to what recommendations this committee should make to the next convention 5) That time be set aside at a federal caucus meeting to receive feedback from caucus as to what recommendations this committee should make to convention 6) That a mechanism for online and e-mail submissions to the committee be set up so that party members can provide input. 7) That this committee report with any resolutions and/or constitutional amendments or any other report that they are proposing to a federal council meeting before the next convention so that councilors can make this information available to potential delegates for the next convention. 8) That any resolutions and/or constitutional amendments or any other report be made at the next convention and voted on at that time. This will be a set item on the agenda of the next convention 9) That the outcome of this process will result in all caucus members, now and in all future federal caucuses, are provided instructions from the party and/or guidance from the federal constitution, on how to discharge their duties under the reform act. 10) That when the caucus is called upon to explain how and why they voted after any given election campaign, they can point to the results of this process, including resolutions and/or constitutional amendments or any other report generated by the committee as having guided that vote. 7-22-16 COMMUNICATION OF OFFICERS, EXECUTIVE AND COUNCIL TO EDAS Etobicoke Centre WHEREAS party members require consistent support and engagement in order to take an active and productive role in the life and growth of the Party; WHEREAS the Constitution devotes one clause to Electoral District Associations that does not effectively integrate with other party bodies including Officers, the Executive and Council; BE IT RESOLVED THAT Article IX, Section 1 of the Constitution be amended by adding the following after the word ‘exercised’: “Accordingly, Officers, Executive and Council shall communicate their decision making activity at regular intervals, not less than semiannually, directly to each Electoral District Association through a report to members. 7-23-16 PLATFORM Parkdale-High Park WHEREAS the NDP deeply values the full participation of its membership in the development of policy for the party, and WHEREAS this democratic practice is foundational to our identify, and WHEREAS the previous election platform of the party did not fully reflect NDP policy passed by members, Resolutions 136 BE IT RESOLVED THAT those responsible for platform development in all future elections ensure that our party’s platform fully reflects, and does not in any way contradict, the democratically decided policy of the party, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT where specific details for a platform plank are not covered by policy, that the Federal Council of the party be consulted, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the NDP continue to process the releasing key progressive elements of its platform early in the election cycle to distinguish our party as Canada’s only true progressive party. 7-24-16 NAME CHANGE Sackville-Preston-Chezzetcook WHEREAS the New Democratic Party has been a political party for 55 years in Canada and like any political party must renew itself. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party of Canada change its formal name to the DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF CANADA 7-25-16 SEPARATION OF THE FEDERAL PARTY FROM THE PROVINCIAL AND TERRITORIAL PARTIES Sackville-Preston-Chezzetcook WHEREAS the New Democratic Party is an officially recognized political party of Canada. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party of Canada should be a stand alone federal political party and the provincial and territorial New Democratic Parties have their own separate membership lists. 7-26-16 ELECTIONS CANADA REIMBURSEMENT Ville-Marie-Le Sud-Ouest-Île-des-Sœurs BE IT RESOLVED THAT 1. Federal Council shall, by December 30, 2016, draft a stand-alone policy on all local campaign financial aspects, including the return of 40% of the Elections Canada reimbursement to the local EDAs, and shall promptly transmit the written policy to all NDP incumbents and newly-approved candidates. 2. If one or more new financial aspect(s) arise(s) that is(are) not squarely addressed by the policy, the party’s policy on such new financial issue(s) shall be communicated in writing to each candidate prior to the dropping of the writ for the upcoming election. Resolutions 137 7-27-16 THE DRAFTING AND AVAILABILITY OF THE PARTY’S RULES Richmond – Arthabaska, Essex, Scarborough Southwest, Regina-Wascana, York South Weston, Brome-Missisquoi BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP draft all its rules in a consistent manner and make them available to its members and to entities that request them. 7-28-16 ACCOUNTABILITY OF ELECTED PARTY EXECUTIVE AND STAFF Sherwood Park-Fort Saskatchewan WHEREAS the elected leadership and senior staff of the New Democrat organization have on several occasions during the 2015 federal election failed to provide requested information, or to acknowledge and respond to contacts and correspondence from EDA officers BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Party President establish an investigation team to investigate and recommend to the President the resolution of any such issue brought to its attention by a member or EDA officer. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the President report the number of contacts, the issues, and the resolution of issues to the membership at each Convention. 7-29-16 INVESTING IN IMPROVEMENTS TO VOTER DATABASE AND CONTACT TOOLS (7-28) Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Soeurs WHEREAS the information contained in the Populus database is often incorrect and is insufficient for conducting effective and modern voter contact activities WHEREAS the party is not currently equipped to use social media as an effective method for identifying and tracking supporters. BE IT RESOLVED THAT 1. The party launch an immediate study of its voter data and voter contact tools in order to identify improvements and alternatives. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT 2. This study devote specific attention to determining methods for using social media to identify and track supporters. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT 3. At the conclusion of the study, the party invest significant financial and human resources to put into place improved voter data and contact tools in time for the 2019 federal election, and to train campaign staff and volunteers to use these tools. Resolutions 138 7-30-16 ENABLING COUNCILS OF ELECTORAL DISTRICT ASSOCIATIONS Ontario Southwest Council of EDAs WHEREAS Councils of Electoral District Associations are internal, constitutionally-established entities that have no legal ability to manage finances; and WHEREAS the Party provides no financial administration for the Councils, limiting their ability to organize and hold events; therefore, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the National Director shall maintain a ledger for Councils of Electoral District Associations and shall credit to those Councils contributions to the Party for which the contributor has indicated the Council as the intended recipient. The National Director shall not withhold approval of reasonable disbursements from a Council’s leger balance that are requested by a Council. 7-31-16 ESTABLISHING BY-LAWS Ontario Southwest Council of EDAs WHEREAS the Constitution is our most fundamental document and, as reflected by the threshold to amend, is not intended for detailed procedures; therefore, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Constitution be appended with the following article, titled “By-laws”: 1. The Federal Council may adopt by-laws as desired. 2. The By-laws shall bind the Party, limited in authority only as specified by the Constitution or at a Convention. 3. In any conflict that may arise between the Constitution and the By-laws, the Constitution shall supersede and prevail. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the National Director publish the By-laws on the Party’s website. 7-32-16 GRAMMATICAL REVIEW OF THE PARTY’S CONSTITUTION Prince Albert BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party’s Federal Executive commission a professional review of the party’s constitution to ensure that it is a credible legal document, paying special attention to the matters of: 1. grammatical errors 2. incorrect or non-existent punctuation, 3. inconsistencies in the system of numbering the Articles, paragraphs, clauses, sub-clauses, et cetera, and 4. possible inconsistencies between the English and French versions of the Constitution. Resolutions 139 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Federal Council be presented with recommended corrections resulting from such a review within one year so that they may be presented for adoption at the next convention. 7-33-16 INFORMATION TO MEMBERS ABOUT THE PARTY’S POLICIES Dorval-Lachine-LaSalle WHEREAS, in the next four years, the Party must educate the public about its policies and eventual election platform; and WHEREAS, during the last election campaign, information about the Party’s platform, in a form easily communicable to voters, was not readily available to volunteers working on the campaign; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Party make information about its policies available to the membership, via the riding associations, at all times, including election campaigns. Such information shall be in a form readily communicable to the public at large. 7-34-16 RESTORATION OF THE ORIGINAL PREAMBLE TO THE PARTY CONSTITUTION Toronto-Danforth WHEREAS an amendment to change the preamble to the federal constitution was readily defeated when put to a vote at the Vancouver 2011 convention; WHEREAS a motion on the preamble was introduced at the 2013 Montreal convention and adopted without adequate debate; WHEREAS the new preamble to the constitution adopted at the 2013 Montreal convention lacked the robustness of the previous preamble to the constitution. BE IT RESOLVED THAT 1. The next convention discuss an amendment to the constitution to restore something closer to the previous preamble so as to ensure a preamble focused on meeting people’s social and individual needs within a sustainable environment and economy that is not dominated by the making of profit; 2. That this be done with proper advance disclosure and due process at the convention to ensure that the result can be trusted as the true will of the NDP membership. 7-35-16 PERMANENT ACCESS TO POPULUS Richmond – Arthabaska, Essex, Dorval-Lachine-LaSalle, Regina-Wascana, Beaches-East York, York South-Weston WHEREAS Populus was established for the electoral needs of the New Democratic Party (NDP) of Canada; Resolutions 140 BE IT RESOLVED THAT Populus be retained and made available to bodies (including especially electoral district associations) of the NDP; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, if technically and financially possible, Populus be updated to include more options to monitor members’ lists and the finances of electoral district associations more quickly and more directly. 7-36-16 MEMBERS’ VOICE (VOX MEMBRIS) Richmond – Arthabaska , Dorval-Lachine-LaSalle WHEREAS good communication between members and bodies are essential within a democratic party; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party (NDP) of Canada make an Internet forum available, reserved for its members and bodies, to promote ongoing communication between its members and bodies; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the federal bodies of the NDP participate in and administer this forum in a democratic manner and in collaboration with all participating members. 7-37-16 INDEPENDENT CAMPAIGN AUDIT & PROGRAM EVALUATION Sudbury WHEREAS the NDP’s national federal election campaign is a multi-million-dollar operation, financed exclusively through donations from party members and supporters, WHEREAS the NDP does not routinely seek independent analysis and evaluation of the effectiveness of campaign activities to assess value-for-money in its practices, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the National Director shall engage for the subsequent general election the services of an independent auditor and program evaluator to fully assess central campaign expenditures and practices including but not limited to administration, communications and media, leader’s tour, staffing and targeted resource investment to local campaigns. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the auditor and evaluator shall report directly to the party executive. 7-38-16 LOCAL REIMBURSEMENTS Richmond – Arthabaska, Essex, Dorval-Lachine-LaSalle, Scarborough Southwest, ReginaWascana WHEREAS local electoral district associations transfer virtually all of their funds to their respective campaigns (which is normal); WHEREAS the Party made as a condition for its candidates that all reimbursements for local campaigns be directed to the Party; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party of Canada commit to paying a significant portion of the reimbursement of local expenses to electoral district associations and that the documents prepared for the next campaign be clearer and fairer as to the distribution of local reimbursements. Resolutions 141 7-39-16 SUPPORTERS Burnaby South BE IT RESOLVED THAT Article VI, Section 3, part ii be amended to read: ii. Every member and individual supporter is entitled to cast a ballot for the selection of the Leader. 7-40-16 SUPPORTERS Burnaby South BE IT RESOLVED THAT the party constitution be amended to include ARTICLE XVII : There shall be individual supporters in the Party. Individual Supporter (1) The option to become an individual supporter shall be open to every resident of Canada, regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or national origin who undertakes to accept and abide by the constitution and principles of the Party and who is not a member or supporter of any other political party. (2) Applications to become an individual supporter require each person to complete an application form and delivering it to an office designated by the national executive or submitting it electronically in a manner prescribed by the national executive. (3) The national executive shall set the term and the amount of the fee for individual supporters in the New Democratic Party. The fee will not exceed the annual amount charged to an individual Party member within the same province or territory. (4) The Party must promptly admit as a supporter of the Party each person. However, the Party may refuse to admit any person as a supporter of the Party, if it has reasonable grounds to believe that a person does not meet the requirements of Section 1. (5) A supporter of the Party has the right to vote in a leadership vote as outlined in Article VI Section 3. 7-41-16 RESTORE SOCIALISM TO THE CONSITITUTION Hamilton West Ancaster Dundas, Hamilton Mountain WHEREAS reduction of the term “socialism” in the federal NDP Constitution preamble in 2013 to a mere background reference concerning the roots of the CCF-NDP implies that the party today uncritically embraces the capitalist system, which is characterized by growing inequality, waste, environmental destruction, war and economic chaos; and WHEREAS the 2015 NDP federal election campaign, which focused on unmandated policies for a balanced budget at all costs, and no major new taxes on corporations and the rich, showed a further shift away from traditional NDP values; BE IT RESOLVED THAT this convention amends the federal NDP Constitution to include in its preamble the following: “Socialism, a cooperative commonwealth in which social ownership and Resolutions 142 democratic control by working people of the major means of production, distribution and exchange, is the goal of the New Democratic Party.” 7-42-16 CANDIDATE VETTING PROCESS Ottawa—Vanier WHEREAS the process to vet new candidates for federal election is undertaken by too few staff which delays the process to allow new candidates to seek nomination; WHEREAS the process to vet new candidates is subject to too much interference from federal office influence; BE IT RESOLVED to endeavour to open up the candidate nomination window for all Electoral District Associations and to allow nomination meetings to be held up to one full calendar year before the next federal election; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the process to vet candidates for federal election be conducted by a committee set up by the National Campaign Director, in association with input from select members of Federal Council, and out of the hands of officials in National Federal Office. 7-43-16 DIRECTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INDEPENDENT FEDERAL MEMBERSHIP London-Fanshawe WHEREAS the current membership structure of the federal NDP is inequitable in that Canadians in Quebec and the Territories can purchase a federal membership for $10, without joining a provincial NDP; and WHEREAS linking memberships to provincial NDP sections can negatively impact support for the federal party. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the federal party create and maintain an independent federal membership. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, to ensure equitable access to federal membership, the federal membership fee be set at $10 and be established no later than January 1st, 2017 to allow membership growth ahead of the 2019 federal election. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, the federal party update membership lists monthly in the Populus database to ensure ridings are able to access their lists locally at any time. 7-44-16 LOCAL PARTICIPATION Toronto-St. Paul’s WHEREAS in the course of 2015 The New Democratic Party ran a highly centralized national campaign one that failed to pivot effectively in the face of tactical and strategic challenges (most obviously on the issue of deficit spending). Resolutions 143 WHEREAS during the last federal election campaign the central administration of the NDP campaign sought in some ridings to actively infringe the right to free speech of both the riding association and the local campaign. WHEREAS the NDP is the only national party that has as a matter of historical record countenanced genuinely free and open debate in pursuit of national political power. WHEREAS it is understood that national campaigns can benefit from communications generated at both the riding and the national level. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party respects and encourages local participation and action as it relates to the crafting and drafting of specific messages aimed at the interests of local campaigns, provided that there is adherence to adopted party platform and policy. 7-45-16 CANDIDATE WHITDRAWAL Charleswood-St.James-Assiniboia-Headingley BE IT RESOLVED THAT should federal campaign staff ask a duly nominated NDP candidate to withdraw his/her candidacy that this matter is thoroughly discussed in a conference call with the candidate, members of the riding’s Election Planning Committee and/or the Riding Executive, and the federal campaign staff, before the withdrawal is put into effect. 7-46-16 PERMITTING EMERGENCY BY-LAWS Ontario Southwest Council of EDAs WHEREAS unforeseen circumstances may require interim decisions between meetings of the Federal Council; therefore, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Constitution be amended to append the following to the article on By-laws: 4. The Federal Executive may adopt by-laws of the Party on an emergency basis. Such by-laws shall not remain in effect after the subsequent meeting of the Federal Council or four (4) months, whichever occurs first, unless the by-law is adopted by the Federal Council. The four (4) month limitation is suspended during the period from the issuance of writs of a general election to ten (10) weeks after the polling day.” 7-47-16 FREEDOM OF SPEECH Edmonton—Wetaskiwin BE IT RESOLVED THAT Freedom of speech should not be restricted within NDP especially criticism on party policies to make them better by party members, candidates, prospective members and leaders. Resolutions 144 7-48-16 CONFIRMATION OF POLICY WITH REGARDS TO ISRAEL AND PALESTINE Sherwood Park-Fort Saskatchewan WHEREAS New Democrat policy is clear that we believe in “Working with partners for peace in Israel and Palestine, respecting UN resolutions and international law, supporting peaceful co-existence in viable, independent states with agreed-upon borders, an end to Israeli occupation of Palestinian land, and an end to violence targeting civilians”, BE IT RESOLVED THAT this convention reminds the National Candidate Nominations Committee of its obligation to respect prospective candidates’ views in accordance with policy 4.1 rather than disallowing candidates who express opinions or concerns with the actions of Israel or any country or group which are contrary to those values. 7-49-16 INVESTIGATION OF CANDIDATES APPLICATIONS AND VETTING Edmonton—Wetaskiwin BE IT RESOLVED THAT as there have been complaints regarding the vetting of applications to stand as a Candidate for Nomination for the NDP in the 2015 Federal Election; the federal (National) office shall set a committee to investigate all applications submitted and vetted for the 2015 Federal Election. This committee is to inform the membership of its findings and develop policy that will be followed in the future elections equitably for all applicants. This policy shall include the requirement that all applicants receive a notice of acceptance or refusal and if refused, reasons for such a refusal in writing. 7-50-16 FORMAL CAMPAIGN REVIEW Sudbury WHEREAS the NDP’s national federal election campaign reflects a massive coast-to-coast effort of party and campaign staff, candidates, EDA officers, grassroots activists and volunteers, WHEREAS there exists no formal process for compiling perspectives from actors from across the nation to properly assess the success or failure of campaign strategy and tactics at the local, regional, or national level, WHEREAS current ad-hoc processes are ineffective at ensuring that participants are engaged and wholly debriefed following a general election BE IT RESOLVED THAT the National Director shall present for review to the Party Executive for approval a formal campaign review process, which provides structure for compiling and analyzing feedback from campaign participants. The process shall include but not be limited to: §§ ensuring that all party staffers receive appropriate debriefing §§ that the role of the Federal Executive and Federal Council is defined §§ that candidates, local campaign staff, EDA officials and the party’s grassroots supporters are engaged Resolutions 145 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT results of the formal review process be analyzed, compiled, and presented as a report to the party executive. 7-51-16 FOR MORE DEMOCRATIC, ACCOUNTABLE LEADERSHIP AND CONVENTIONS Saskatoon West WHEREAS much greater democracy, accountability and transparency are needed in the NDP; and WHEREAS the NDP suffers from leaders who violated policies and principles adopted at conventions; BE IT RESOLVED THAT this convention mandate and ensure more accessible, more democratic, membership-driven party conventions, with affordable registration fees, and with at least 80% of convention time dedicated to debate and voting on resolutions; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT adopted policies and priorities are binding on party elected officials and staff for implementation, and that leaders and employees be subject to recall and replacement for violation of party principles, or for failure to implement policies & priorities democratically adopted by convention or federal council. 7-52-16 ENCOURAGE DISCUSSION DURING FEDERAL CONVENTIONS Richmond – Arthabaska , York South Weston, Quebec Section, Brome-Missisquoi WHEREAS federal conventions are the supreme authority of the Party (see: Constitution of the New Democratic Party of Canada, April 2013, Article V, 5); WHEREAS these conventions are the only opportunities where members/delegates can present and debate resolutions; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following be added to Article V, 7 of our Constitution (NDP): “(c) The time for the re-prioritization and amendment of resolutions shall be a minimum of 180 minutes. (d) The time for debate (for each resolution group) shall be a minimum of 90 minutes.” BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT point 3 of the Appendix, Rules of Procedure for Plenary Sessions, be amended as follows: “Speeches shall be limited to two minutes. This shall not apply…” BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT point 17 of this same Appendix be rescinded. 7-53-16 PARTICIPATORY POLICY-MAKING Toronto-Danforth WHEREAS the health of Canadian democracy is enhanced by meaningful and effective internal democracy within political parties including participatory policy-making; and WHEREAS at least one political party, such as the Green Party of Canada, has made the shift to online engagement with, and decision-making by, party members in advance of policy conventions Resolutions 146 BE IT RESOLVED THAT 1) That, within eight months of the next policy convention, the Federal Council must issue a report to the membership on the practices of the federal NDP relating to internal democracy, paying special attention to policy formation, including in campaign platforms. 2) That, within four months of that convention, the National Director operationalize an online mechanism for presentation, discussion, and prioritization of policy proposals in advance of the next policy convention. 3) That, as a default standard, this online mechanism must be no less robust than the mechanism used by the Green Party in advance of its 2015 policy convention 7-54-16 PROGRESSIVE POLITICS IN CANADA Parkdale-High Park, Nepean WHEREAS progressive politics are the heartbeat of Canada’s NDP, the foundation of Canadians’ respect for the party and the main reason Canada has not reverted to a two party system, and WHEREAS New Democrats know the path to governing is not paved by distancing ourselves from progressive politics, BE IT RESOLVED THAT New Democrats are proud of who we are, proud to frame our campaigns in progressivity, proud of standing tall beside a genuinely progressive leader and focussed on forming government for the purpose of implementing a mandate from Canadians to realize a progressive social and economic agenda. 7-55-16 FOR MORE POLICY DISCUSSION AT CONVENTIONS Hamilton Centre, Etobicoke North, New Westminster Burnaby WHEREAS substantially greater democracy and political pluralism are an urgent necessity within the NDP; BE IT RESOLVED THAT all future conventions mandate and ensure more accessible, more democratic, membership-driven party conventions, with low/minimal registration fees, and with at least 80% of convention time dedicated to debate and voting on resolutions from grassroots organizations. 7-56-16 DEMOCRATIC POLICY PRIORITIZATION FOR CONVENTION Hamilton Centre, New Westminster Burnaby WHEREAS new technologies can be used to enable democratic participation in determining the ranking of policies for debate at convention. BE IT RESOLVED THAT this convention instructs the national director of the party to implement a membership and internet-based policy resolution-ranking process to enable the party membership as a whole to rank the resolutions passed by electoral district associations, affiliated unions and youth clubs for consideration at the next convention. Resolutions 147 7-57-16 REMOTE PARTICIPATION AT FEDERAL CONVENTIONS AND OTHER REPRESENTATIVE BODIES Ottawa West-Nepean, Regina-Wascana, York South Weston, Richmond – Arthabaska, Essex, Dorval-Lachine-LaSalle WHEREAS the costs (travel, accommodation and other) to participate in person at a Convention are considerable; WHEREAS current telecommunications technologies support on-line participation; WHEREAS on-line participation results in lower GHG emissions than travelling to participate in person; WHEREAS it is to the advantage of a democratic party to encourage maximum participation of its members at its federal convention (and other federal representative bodies). BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party (NDP) of Canada implement the necessary means to enable, for those who choose, remote participation at its Conventions and other federal representative bodies (Federal Council, Executive, etc.). 7-58-16 A TRULY GRASS ROOTS PARTY Edmonton—Wetaskiwin BE IT RESOLVED THAT We should make NDP a truly grass roots party where leaders and office bearers (including NDP HQ) should be accountable, accessible and system should be transparent and every candidate should get a level playing field. There should be no discrimination within party members. Every member should be treated with respect and equality. 7-59-16 PARTICIPATORY PROCESS TO DEFINE THE NDP VISION FOR CANADA Hamilton Centre, Sherwood Park-Fort Saskatchewan, Kelowna Lake Country WHEREAS Lines are blurred between the NDP and other parties, and, a compelling, widely supported NDP vision for Canada and related foundational priority directions would inform and inspire Canadians and help in deciding on specific policies, now is the time to re-examine and re-state what the NDP fundamentally stands for. BE IT RESOLVED THAT, within six months, the Party President launch a participative process for party members and supporters to define and, as much as possible, agree upon: (1) the NDP vision for Canada and (2) foundational priority directions to achieve it. 7-60-16 TRAVEL SUBSIDIES Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount WHEREAS Canada spans exceptionally long distances WHEREAS it is exceptionally expensive to travel long distances across the country WHEREAS the NDP favors the participation of members from across the country at National Conventions Resolutions 148 WHEREAS many living far away from the location of a National Convention cannot afford the travel costs in order to be a delegate BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NDP put in place measures that will establish a sliding scale of subsidies linked to the geographic location in relation to future National Conventions in order to facilitate the participation of those members coming from significant distances. 7-61-16 RESOLUTION PANELS Peterborough-Kawartha WHEREAS convention is an opportunity for NDP members to provide input into policy and WHEREAS MPs have many opportunities to speak out on topics and WHEREAS in past conventions MPs monopolized time allotted for debate of resolutions both in Resolution Panels and Plenary thereby depriving members of opportunities to speak, BE IT RESOLVED THAT MPs will not be allowed to speak in the Resolution panels’ debates about prioritizing resolutions until all those members who are not elected MPs have had an opportunity to speak. 7-62-16 SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PERSPECTIVE South Shore—St. Margaret’s WHEREAS Canadians, in the light of our party’s 2015 election campaign, have been left in doubt about the NDP’s primary convictions, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party of Canada will assume the responsibility to advocate courageously and explain the social democratic perspective in the public arena. Resolutions 149