RESOLUTIONS 22nd BIENNIAL CONVENTION NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF CANADA QUÉBEC CITY, SEPTEMBER 8-10, 2006300 T PARTY CONSTITUTION 7 T1 WHEREAS the current method of joining and becoming a member of the New Democratic Party is restricted to the Provincial wing only – Article III, 1 (2); and WHEREAS other political parties in Canada have a more varied approach to membership, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the membership clause in the New Democratic Party’s Constitution be amended to permit any eligible person wishing to join the New Democratic Party of Canada, to do so by applying for, and being admitted to membership in the Federal Party. OTTAWA CENTRE NDP 7 T2 BE IT RESOLVED that the Federal NDP Constitution be amended by adding a final bullet to Article VIII article 3: “Each province is entitled to representation on the Executive.” ALBERTA CFR 7 T3 WHEREAS events surrounding the decisions of affiliated labour organizations in the 2006 federal election caused a level of public embarrassment and internal friction for the NDP; and WHEREAS these events exposed a significant flaw in the existing Constitution allowing a provincial section to render a disciplinary decision which impacted on the Federal Party and every other Provincial Section in Canada, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Constitution of the Federal NDP be amended as follows: ARTICLE XIV: DISCIPLINE 1. a) Provincial Parties shall be responsible for the discipline of individual and affiliated members of the Party including the youth section, in accordance with the provisions of the appropriate provincial Constitution, except where such discipline is deemed likely to have a significant impact on the Federal Party and other Provincial Sections, as outlined in Article XIV subsection 1.b. b) In matters involving actions of individual and affiliated members relating directly to federal elections, issues relating to the exclusive jurisdiction or legislative authority of the federal government, or actions taken by members outside of the geographic regions of the Provincial Sections, the Federal NDP shall be responsible for discipline in accordance with the Constitution and official Party policy. 2. The Council of the Federal Party shall be responsible for the discipline of organizations affiliated under Article III, section 2. LONDON-FANSHAWE NDP301 7 T4 WHEREAS the Federal Council is the governing body of the NDP between conventions, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Constitution of the Federal NDP be amended as follows; Article IX: Council Article 1: no change Article 2: replace existing article with the following: The Council shall consist of: the Executive and Officers 16 Labour representatives elected by the Labour Caucus delegates at convention (pending changes of allotment in respect to C-24) One representative from each, elected by the membership of the, Aboriginal; Disability; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered; Visible Minorities Committees (alternating with Co- chairs on Executive) two Caucus representatives, elected by the Parliamentary Caucus, at least one shall be a woman 10 Provincial Secretaries or their designate, selected by the provincial Parties 10 representatives of the New Democratic Youth Committee, at least half shall be women 5 Representatives, one from each region, from the Participation of Women Committee, to be elected by the respective regional Women’s Caucuses. For the purposes of this clause, regions are defined as British Columbia, Prairies, Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic. one Co-chair of the New Democratic Youth Committee (alternating with the Co-chair of NDYC that sits on Executive) two Federal Riding representatives elected by each recognized Council of Federal Ridings, at least one of which shall be a woman, neither of whom may not be members of the Executives of Provincial Sections or Memb ers of Provincial/Territorial Legislatures. A minimum of four such representatives shall be selected to sit on Council from regions containing CFRs that have more than 20% of the population of Canada. For the purpose of this clause, regions are defined as British Columbia, Prairies, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic. one Northern representative elected by a caucus of the three Territorial riding associations. This position should rotate amongst the three territories from term to term. Article 3: no change. Article 4: no change. Article 5: no change. Article 6. No change. LONDON-FANSHAWE NDP302 7 T5 WHEREAS the core NDP principles are Democracy, Equity, and Sustainability, and WHEREAS these principles cannot be maintained if the executives of the Federal Party and the Provincial/Territorial Sections are dominated by individuals holding positions on both; and WHEREAS existing protocols of participatory democracy already prevent an individual from holding elected office at more than one level of government, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Constitution of the Federal NDP be amended as follows: Article VIII Executive Subsection 3.a) ten regional representatives. For the purposes of representation on Executive and Council, the regions shall be defined as; British Columbia, the Prairie provinces, Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic provinces. Each region shall be entitled to two representatives, at least one of whom shall be a woman, and neither of whom may not be current Executive members of provincial sections or members of provincial legislatures . Each region shall elect these representatives at a Caucus of delegates from the said region, and submit them to Convention for ratification. LONDON-FANSHAWE NDP 7 T6 WHEREAS Councils of Federal Ridings provide an important link between the “grassroots” membership and the executive bodies of the Federal NDP; and WHEREAS Councils of Federal Ridings provide an important vehicle to grow the Federal NDP strength in the diverse regions of Canada; and WHEREAS Councils of Federal Ridings already possess Constitutional standing and purpose, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Constitution of the Federal NDP be amended as follows: ARTICLE X – Federal Ridings Sub-article 1 replaced with: X.1 a) In each province or territory, a Council will be established to be called the Province/Territory’s Council of Federal Ridings (CFR). The CFR is the body that groups together the Federal Riding Associations in that province/territory. X.1 b) Notwithstanding Article X.1a, it is possible to create a CFR that covers more than one province or territory. It is also possible to create multiple CFRs in larger provinces. The Federal Council must approve these exceptions. Sub-article 2 replaced with: X.2 The purpose of each CFR is to: - Offer a venue for collaboration and information sharing between federal ridings - In conjunction with the central headquarters of the Party, support the work of federal ridings in their communications work, organization, fundraising, policy development and candidate search.303 - Offer advice to the central headquarters of the Party on organizational and strategic matters. - Elect delegates to sit on the Federal Council. Sub-article 3 replaced with: X.3 The CFR will adopt its own representational structure and bylaws. They will submit them for approval to the Federal Executive. Each CFR is required to have its own Executive elected at annual general meetings. Sub-article 4 be eliminated. Sub-article 5 remains unchanged. Sub-article 6 be eliminated. LONDON-FANSHAWE NDP LONDON NORTH CENTRE NDP 7 T7 ARTICLE X – Federal Ridings Sub-article 1 replaced with: X.1 a) In each province or territory, a Council will be established to be called the Province/Territory’s Council of Federal Ridings (CFR). The CFR is the body that groups together the Federal Riding Associations in that province/territory. X.1 b) Notwithstanding Article X.1a, it is possible to create a CFR that covers more than one province or territory. It is also possible to create multiple CFRs in larger provinces. The Federal Council must approve these exceptions. Sub-article 2 replaced with: X.2 The purpose of each CFR is to: Offer a venue for collaboration and information sharing between federal ridings In conjunction with the central headquarters of the Party, support the work of federal ridings in their communications work, organization, fundraising, policy development and candidate search. Offer advice to the central headquarters of the Party on organizational and strategic matters. Elect delegates to sit on the Federal Council. Sub-article 3 replaced with: X.3 The CFR will adopt its own representational structure and bylaws. They will submit them for approval to the Federal Executive. Each CFR is required to have its own Executive elected at annual general meetings. Sub-article 4 be eliminated. Sub-article 5 remains unchanged. Sub-article 6 be eliminated. PERTH-WELLINGTON NDP304 7 T8 WHEREAS the Federal Council is the governing body of the NDP between conventions, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Constitution of the Federal NDP be amended as follows: Article IX: Council Article 1: no change Article 2: replace existing article with the following: The Council shall consist of: -the Executive and Officers -16 Labour representatives elected by the Labour Caucus delegates at convention (pending changes of allotment in respect to C-24) -One representative from each, elected by the membership of the, Aboriginal; Disability; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender; Visible Minorities communities (alternating with Co-chairs on Executive) -two Caucus representatives, elected by the Parliamentary Caucus, at leas one shall be a woman -10 Provincial Secretaries of their designate, selected by the provincial Parties -10 representatives of the New Democratic Youth Committee, at leas half shall be women -5 Representatives, one from each region, from the Participation of Women Committee, to be elected by the respective regional Women’s Caucuses. For the purposes of this clause, regions are defined as British Columbia, Prairies, Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic -one Co-chair of the New Democratic Youth Committee (alternating with the Co-chair of NDYC that sits on Executive) -two Federal Riding representatives elected by each recognized Council of Federal Ridings, at least one of which shall be a woman, who may not be members of the Executives of Provincial Sections or Members of Provincial/Territorial Legislatures. A minimum of four such representatives shall be selected to sit on Council from regions containing CFR’s that have more than 20% of the population of Canada. For the purpose of this clause, regions are defined as British Columbia, Prairies, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic. -one Northern representative elected by a caucus of the three territorial riding associations. This position should rotate amongst the three territories from term to term. Article 3: no change. Article 4: no change. Article 5: no change. Article 6: no change. LONDON NORTH CENTRE NDP305 7 T9 WHEREAS the core NDP principles are Democracy, Equity, and Sustainability; and WHEREAS these principles cannot be maintained if the executives of the Federal Party and the Provincial/Territorial Sections are dominated by individuals holding positions on both; and WHEREAS existing protocols of participatory democracy already prevent an individual from holding elected office at more than one level of government, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Constitution of the Federal NDP be amended as follows: Article VIII Executive Subsection 3.a) ten regional representatives. For the purposes of representation on Executive and Council, the regions shall be defined as; British Columbia, the Prairie provinces, Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic provinces. Each region shall be entitled to two representatives, at least one of whom shall be a woman, and who may not be current executive members of provincial sections or members of provincial legislatures . Each region shall elect these representatives at a Caucus of delegates from the said region, and submit them to Convention for ratification. LONDON NORTH CENTRE NDP 7 T10 WHEREAS the New Democratic Party of Canada strives to ensure equity and gender parity at all levels of participation within our Party; and WHEREAS Article VI 3.3 of the Constitution does not achieve this principal, BE IT RESOLVED that: The wording of Article VI 3.3 be changed to: IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE GENDER PARITY AND EQUALITY, TWO DELEGATE SPOTS ARE RESERVED FOR YOUTH MEMBERS FOR EACH FEDERAL RIDING/CONSTITUENCY ASSOCIATION. In order to reflect gender parity and equality for youth representation at conventions. OTTAWA WEST NEPEAN NDP 7 T11 WHEREAS people of minority gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation are traditionally underrepresented groups whom it is within the Party’s mandate to defend; and WHEREAS it is important that protections for these groups be stated explicitly, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Party’s statutes be amended as follows: Article III, title 1, paragraph 1.306 Replace: Individual membership shall be open to every resident of Canada, regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, or national origin who undertakes … By : Individual membership 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… JEANNE-LE BER NDP 7 T12 WHEREAS the Federal Constitution currently has no text setting rules for the Committees representing traditionally underrepresented groups, nor their provincial counterparts; and WHEREAS these provincial counterparts cannot currently send delegates or propose resolutions to the Federal Convention, and the Equity Committees cannot send delegates; and WHEREAS it is important for the Equity Committees to be able to send groups, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the NDP adopt the following Constitutional amendments: Article V, title 4, paragraph 1. Replace : Resolutions for submission to a regular convention... may be submitted by: … d) the New Democratic Youth of Canada and provincial sections of the NDYC, or federally chartered youth chapters; … g) the Participation of Women committee; h) the Aboriginal Committee; i) the Participation of Visible Minorities committee; j) the Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual-Transgendered Committee; k) the Persons Living with Disabilities Committee…. By: Resolutions for submission to a regular convention... may be submitted by: … d) the New Democratic Youth of Canada and provincial sections of the NDYC, or federally chartered youth chapters; … g) each Equity Committee or Equity Commission of the Federal NDP and their provincial or territorial counterparts, as well as federally chartered Provincial and Territorial equity associations. Comment: Allows federal and provincial affirmative action committees to submit resolutions.307 Article VI, title 8. Add: (4) Each federal Equity Committee or Equity Commission or provincial counterpart thereof shall be entitled to representation on the basis of one delegate for every 50 members or less, one delegate for each additional 50 members or major fraction thereof up to 200 members, and one delegate for each additional 100 members or major fraction thereof; (5) A directly federally chartered equity association shall be entitled to representation on the basis of the same formula. Comment: this ensures that the Equity Committees have the same number of delegates at Convention as the NDYC has (not including the youth delegates that each riding association sends.) Article VIII, title 3, paragraph d: Replace: The Chairs of the Participation of Women Committee, the New Democratic Youth of Canada, the Participation of Visible Minorities Committee, the Aboriginal Committee, the Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual-Transgendered Committee, the Persons Living with Disabilities Committee, … By: The Chairs of the New Democratic Youth of Canada and the Equity Committees and Commissions… Comment: Change of form. Add to the new article concerning equity committees/commissions: Where a provincial/territorial Party has not chartered an equity committee or commission for one of the traditionally underrepresented groups, the relevant federal committee or commission may charter a federal association of those members in that province or territory. To be eligible to send delegates to federal conventions, such an association must also comply with the following provisions to the satisfaction of Federal Council: membership in a federal association shall be open to all members in good standing, as defined by their respective provincial or territorial Constitution, who identify as members of the traditionally underrepresented group in question; application for a charter shall be made or renewed annually and shall include with the application a current membership list of at least 10 members, a list of the association's executive, and a copy of the association's by-laws; there shall only be one association for each under-represented group in a given province or territory. Comment: To make it the same for other commissions/committees as for the NDYC. JEANNE-LE BER NDP308 7 T13 WHEREAS we can no longer be satisfied to be only "the conscience of the nation”; WHEREAS the slogan, "More New Democrats" means little to the many Canadians who want their votes to help determine which party will form the next government; and WHEREAS the world is changing so fast that much of our Party's program has become an urgent and immediate necessity; and WHEREAS our Leader and our Caucus are well qualified to fill the role of government, whenever the opportunity affords; and WHEREAS going for government would have the effect of reducing strategic voting and thus improving our credibility, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that, in future elections, the Federal New Democratic Party campaign, consciously and publicly, to be elected to government and that a practical program for a first-term of office be developed and publicized. GUELPH NDP 7 T14 THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Constitution of the New Democratic Party be amended to read: Article III: Membership Section 2 Affiliated Membership (3) – delete existing text, replace with: "An application for affiliation must be made to the Executive and include: evidence that the applicant organization officially supports the NDP b) confirmation of the number of individual NDP members within the applicant organization" Add a new subsection (4) to read: "The NDP Executive may waive Article III s. 2(3)(a) in cases where it deems just cause." Section 3 Contributory Membership – Delete Article IV: Fees, Dues and Revenue Sharing Section 1 General – Delete Section 3 Affiliated members – Delete Article V: Conventions Subsection 4(1)(b) – Delete309 Article VI: Convention Representation Sections 4, 5 and 6 – Delete Replace Sections 4, and 5 with new sections and subsections as follows: s. 4 The four (4) officers of the Canadian labour Congress shall be delegates at convention. s. 5 Affiliate delegate entitlement is based on NDP membership within the affiliated organization. Each affiliated organization is entitled to one (1) delegate for 50 NDP members or less; plus one (1) delegate for each additional 50 NDP members or major fraction thereof. National affiliated organizations are entitled to additional convention credentials based on the total number of NDP members within that affiliate, including all its branches or locals, and staff. Such entitlement is equal to one (1) credential for 1000 NDP members or less; plus one (1) credential for each additional 1000 NDP members or major fraction thereof. Every provincial or territorial Federation of Labour and/or Labour Council that includes one (1) affiliate may itself apply for affiliation under Article III subsection 2. Each such affiliate is entitled to two (2) convention credentials. Article VII: Officers Section 3(b) – Delete Section 3(e) – Delete “Remove the word “weighted”. Article IX: Council Section 2(d) – Delete Replace section 2(d) with new sections and subsections as follows: (d)(i) No more than thirty (30) representatives from national affiliates, these to be elected at Labour Caucus at convention. (d)(ii) Each national affiliate with more than 500 NDP members is eligible to have one (1) representative for its first 1000 NDP members, and one (1) additional representative for its second 1000 NDP members or major fraction thereof. (d)(iii) No affiliate may have more than two (2) Council representatives. (d)(iv) If there are more than thirty (30) labour-sector Council Representatives eligible under the terms described in just this section, Labour Caucus at Convention will determine the allotment of these 30 representatives. FEDERAL COUNCIL 7 T15 THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Constitution of the New Democratic Party be amended to read: Sub-article 1 replaced with: X.1 a) In each province or territory, a Council will be established to be called the Province/Territory’s Council of Federal Ridings (CFR). The CFR is the body that groups together the Federal Riding Associations in that province/territory.310 X.1 b) Notwithstanding Article X.1a, it is possible to create a CFR that covers more than one province or territory. It is also possible to create multiple CFRs in larger provinces. The Federal Council must approve these exceptions. Sub-article 2 replaced with: X.2 The purpose of each CFR is to: Offer a venue for collaboration, planning and information sharing between federal ridings Support the work of federal ridings in their communications work, organization, fundraising, policy development and candidate search. Offer advice to the Party on organizational and strategic matters. Elect delegates to sit on the Federal Council. Sub-article 3 replaced with: X.3 The CFR will adopt its own representational structure and bylaws. They will submit them for approval to the Federal Executive. Each CFR is required to have its own Executive. Sub-article 4 be eliminated. Sub-article 5 remains unchanged. Sub-article 6 be eliminated. FEDERAL COUNCIL 7 T16 THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Constitution of the New Democratic Party be amended to read: 4. NEW ARTICLE – Commissions x.1) Within the NDP, Commissions may be established. A Commission is a formal organization, internal to the Party, which regroups members on a basis of identity, or around a specific political issue. x.2) A Commission has clearly stated objectives, which would include: * Offer a forum for action and information sharing between its members; * Make outreach to people or groups outside the Party, notably with the intent of recruiting members or candidates for the Party; * Contribute to policy development in their area of interest.311 x.3) In order to hold the title of "Commission of the New Democratic Party", such an organization must be formally recognized by the Federal Council of the Party. It must, among other things, establish a working Executive. It must also present the Party Executive with an annual action plan and an annual report of its activities. x.4) If a Commission is set up emanating from an existing Committee (including Equity Committees), the Commission would replace the relevant Committee, including its right to representation and submission of resolutions included in the present Party Constitution. FEDERAL COUNCIL 7 T17 THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Constitution of the New Democratic Party be amended to read: Article VII – Add as a new sub-article 10: Gender Parity shall also apply to the Party Officers, Executive and Council. Gender and Diversity Resolution Article IX, section 2. (e) Amend to read (e) six regional POW representatives FEDERAL COUNCIL 7 T18 BE IT RESOLVED that the Party elect, at each Convention, a President and a Vice-President of the Policy Committee. These two persons will be of opposite sexes and will sit on the Party’s Executive and Council, respectively. MANICOUAGAN NDP 7 T19 WHEREAS elections within the Party often reveal the existence of different political tendencies and currents, but all too often such elections produce ‘winner take all’ results, excluding or marginalizing minority currents and points of view, thus minimizing vital and ongoing debate in the leading bodies of the Party, and alienating activists from the Party; and WHEREAS the NDP position for proportional representation in Parliament would be consistent if the Party practised proportional representation within the Party, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Party democracy be strengthened by making Constitutional provision for proportional representation within the Councils and Executive bodies of the Party for distinct, self-declared, policy-based tendencies, candidate groups and Caucuses within the Party. This means that a majority of seats on Party Councils and312 Executives would be reserved for members of competing lists of candidates apportioned on the basis of the percentage of votes received by each candidate list at the election venue. OAKVILLE NDP 7 T20 WHEREAS the name “New Democratic Party” may seem outdated for a Party which has existed for more than 40 years; and WHEREAS the NDP must be reconceived as a party with the goal of governing, and a change of name could be an important symbol of this renewal; and WHEREAS the Party must assert itself ideologically as offering an alternative to the current economic model; and WHEREAS the Party must be distinguished from other parties that falsely claim to be leftist or social democrats; and WHEREAS the NDP is the only Party in Canada based on socialist and democratic principles; and WHEREAS a large percentage of social democratic parties in Europe simply and explicitly bear the name “Social Democratic Party of...”; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the name of the NDP change to: the Social Democratic Party of Canada. ALFRED-PELLAN NDP 7 T21 WHEREAS elections within the Party often reveal the existence of different political tendencies and currents, but all too often such elections produce ‘winner take all’ results, excluding or marginalizing minority currents and points of view, thus minimizing vital and ongoing debate in the leading bodies of the Party, and alienating activists from the Party; and WHEREAS the NDP position for proportional representation in Parliament would be consistent if the Party practiced proportional representation within the Party, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Party democracy be strengthened by making Constitutional provision for proportional representation within the Councils and Executive bodies of the party for distinct, self-declared, policy-based tendencies, slates and Caucuses within the Party. This means that a majority of seats on Party councils and executives would be reserved for members of competing slates of candidates apportioned on the basis of the percentage of votes received by each slate at the election venue. DURHAM NDP313 7 T22 WHEREAS elections within the Party often reveal the existence of different political tendencies and currents, but all too often such elections produce ‘winner take all’ results, excluding or marginalizing minority currents and points of view, thus minimizing vital and ongoing debate in the leading bodies of the Party, and alienating activists from the Party; and WHEREAS the NDP position for proportional representation in Parliament would be cnsistent if the Party practiced proportional representation within the Party, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Party democracy be strengthened by making Constitutional provision for proportional representation within the Councils and Executive bodies of the Party for distinct, self-declared, policy-based tendencies, slates and Caucuses within the Party; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a majority of seats on Party Councils and Executives be reserved for members of competing slates of candidates apportioned on the basis of the percentage of votes received by each slate at the election venue. OAKVILLE NDP 7 T23 WHEREAS the weakness of the membership in Quebec; and WHEREAS the NDP is under construction in Quebec; and WHEREAS the low financial resources of Quebec associations; and WHEREAS the Federal NDP has no real political program; and WHEREAS a program is different from a platform; and WHEREAS a platform lists the priorities of the Party during an election campaign; and WHEREAS the platform must however comply with the Party’s program; and WHEREAS a program to unite and guide the action of a Party is important; and WHEREAS the existence of such program would streamline consultations on the Party’s directions; and WHEREAS a program allows the mobilisation of its members and supporters around a vision of society; and WHEREAS the proposal would improve the democratic process within the Party; and WHEREAS the proposal would make the process more efficient, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Federal NDP subsidize the participation of delegates from developing riding associations to Federal Conventions; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Federal Council develop a draft program based on the resolutions adopted at Convention since 1961. This draft program will be developed as soon as possible during a Federal Convention to be held in 2008; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that draft resolutions for the Convention be sent to the Federal Secretary at least 90 days before the opening date of Convention and that the Federal Secretary send all of the resolutions to constituency associations 45 days before the opening date of Convention. QUEBEC SECTION314 7 T24 WHEREAS the procedure for dealing with resolutions at Convention has changed in light of a resolution passed at the 2003 convention that mandated the adoption of the “Saskatchewan method” of self selected sub-caucuses for setting the priority of convention resolutions THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the appendix to the NDP constitution entitled “Rules of Procedure for Plenary Sessions” be amended by the insertion of the following paragraph as section 11: Reports from panels shall not be amended directly from the floor. Panels shall report resolutions to plenary in numerical order in the following order of categories: those passed by panel, those tabled by panel, those defeated in panel, and those without a mover in panel. A delegate may, however move a motion to refer a resolution to the Resolutions Committee, with instructions, and if this is supported by a majority vote, the Resolutions Committee will consider the instructions. Following such consideration, the Resolutions Committee will bring back the resolutions to plenary with their recommendation. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the remaining sections in aforementioned document be renumbered in light of the preceding addition. POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE 7 T25 WHEREAS the current method of joining and becoming a member of the New Democratic Party is restricted to the provincial wing only; and WHEREAS other political parties in Canada have a more varied approach to membership, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the membership clause in the New Democratic Party's Constitution be amended to permit any eligible person wishing to join the New Democratic Party of Canada, to do so by applying for, and being admitted to membership in: i) A federal constituency association; ii) A recognized Young New Democratic Club; iii) A recognized Women's New Democratic Club, association or commission; iv) A recognized First Nations New Democratic Association; and v) a provincial or territorial association that permits direct membership. OTTAWA WEST-NEPEAN NDP cope:225/cb/db