august 2006 built to win fa

8/6/2019 August 2006 Built to Win FA

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/august-2006-built-to-win-fa 1/30

August 2006

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

T H E L I B E R A L P A R T Y O F C A N A D A ’ S

R E D R I B B O N T A S K F O R C E

R E P O R T

A Party Built for Everyone

A Party Built to Win


http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/august-2006-built-to-win-fa 2/30 . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

L I B E R A L P A R T Y O F C A N A D A

A Party Built for Everyone

A Party Built to Win

T H E L I B E R A L P A R T Y O F C A N A D A ’ S

R E D R I B B O N T A S K F O R C E

F I N A L R E P O R T

A u g u s t 2 0 0 6




.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

2



.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. ExecutiveSummary 3

2. Introduction 6

3. Mandate 8

4. TheCaseorRenewal 9

a. C-24:The“newnormal” 9

b. Successestodate 11

c. TheImperativeorChange 11

d. CoreFunctions 12

e. Ridings:thecenteroouruniverse 13

5. Recommendations 14

a. ANationalParty–ANationalMembership 14

b. Provincial/TerritorialAssociations 16

c. NationalGovernanceStructure 17

6. ThePolicyImperative 23

7. ConventionsandLeadership 26

8. Conclusion 29




.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. Executive Summary

Canada’sLiberalshaveunquestionablybuiltabetterCanadaandabetterworld.WecanstandproudasaParty.Aswelookorward,weneedtobuilduponouraccomplishments,

learnromourdiculttimes,aceourchallengesanddoitwitharenewedocus,energyandenthusiasm.ItisinthiscontextthattheLiberalPartyoCanada’sNationalExecutiveestablishedtheRedRibbonTaskForcein2005.TheTaskForcewasmandatedtoevaluatehowthecurrentoperationalanddecision-makingstructureothePartycanbemademoreecient. TheTaskForcereviewedtheollowingissues:theprimaryimperativesoamodernCanadianpoliticalparty:politicalorganization,policydevelopment,revenuegenerationandnance/complianceissues;changestotheCanadaElectionsAct(BillC-24);theParty’sederatedconstitutionalstructure;andtheParty’scurrentvolunteergovernancestructure,includingCommissions,StandingCommitteesandtheNationalExecutive.The TaskForcereportissubmittedandpresentsrecommendedconstitutionalandstructural

changesthat-iapprovedbyNationalExecutive-willbepresentedtomembersattheupcomingConventionothePartyinNovember. TaskForcemembersacknowledgethatourbiggestchallengeaheadistoremaincompetitiveasapoliticalbody.Muchhasalreadybeendoneinthisregard.WehavenewProvincialandTerritorialAssociation(PTA)nancingagreements;wehaveestablishedaNationalElectionFund;adoptedanationalCodeoConduct;membershipsarenowavailableon-line;andwehavedevelopedandimplementedaNationalMembershipRegistry(NMR).

But much more needs to be done. Protecting the status quo is not an option - our

current system is not sustainable. Red Ribbon members have also noted some simple - i inconvenient - truths about the challenges we ace as a Party:

• A cumbersome governance structure with some 60 voting members and a Constitution that oten prescribes rather than enables;

• A highly competitive political and undraising environment; • The “new normal” political undraising reality created by our own Bill C-24;

• The Conservatives’ Bill C-2, which poses substantial administrative and compliance challenges that we will be required to meet according to law.

In grasping the challenge o renewal beore us, the Task Force targeted three key oundations to success: policy development, undraising and fnance, and

organization and election readiness. These areas, the Task Force submits, should serve as the undamental cornerstones o all that we do as a Party. Moving orward

with collective purpose, and renewed ocus, coast to coast to coast concentration on these primary activities will undoubtedly help to better serve, engage and energize all our

members and supporters in political discussion and action. Specifc recommendations include the ollowing:

National Membership: Everyone should be able to directly join the Liberal Party o Canada. The Task Force thereore recommends that national membership, with common

eligibility requirements, will orm a common platorm or access to the Party, helping the Party to grow across the country. Specifc recommendations are included herein.The Party as a ederation: The Task Force recommends that the Liberal Party o



.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.


Canada remain a ederated structure, and that our Provincial and Territorial Associations

(PTAs) will have a larger say in the direction o the Liberal Party. Task Force members submit that our ridings should be viewed as the centre o our Party’s universe, and that

they should be enabled to play an enhanced role with respect to the Party’s core activities o policy development, undraising and election readiness. Accordingly, Task Force

members suggest that PTAs will be reed rom administrative burdens, which would allow them to conduct more outreach with EDAs and ocus on the above-mentioned priority areas.

Governance: The Task Force recommends a streamlined governance structure that

is smaller and better able to draw upon the expertise around the national table. In this context, gone will be most standing committees – the new ocus will instead be on policy,undraising and fnance and election readiness as the key operational necessities o a

modern political party energized to win. Commissions will continue their good work and their presidents will sit on National Executive. PTAs will be the largest designated group o

the Executive. The size o our Executive will drop rom some 60 voting members to 22.

Council o Presidents: The goals o the Party and those o our ridings will be shared and acted upon through a new ‘Council o Presidents’ to be created within our Constitution and involving every riding president. This Council will meet about once a year and will

review key operational areas and rules relating to membership. This is another initiative that, i implemented, would strengthen the role o ridings in Party activities across the

country.

Policy: The vigour and creativity o policy development and our election platorm is the lieblood o our Party – Task Force members thereore suggest that it is imperative that the policy process be at the heart o our constitutional considerations. By inserting

the policy development unction at the heart o the structures o the Party, Task Force members believe we will achieve better processes, engagement, and ultimately, electoral

success. Thereore, among other recommendations, Task Force members suggest the

establishment o a new permanent standing committee dedicated to on-going policy and platorm development.

Conventions & Leadership: Task Force members recognize that Party Conventions are the supreme decision-making authority in the Party, and can be the birthplace o great ideas, orums or debate and discussion, and the launch pad or uture Prime Ministers.

But we also recognize that changes to the related rules and structures need to be made. Accordingly, recommendations include: expanding the size o delegations rom our ridings

(EDAs) to Party Conventions including aboriginal representation rom each riding. Our upcoming Convention in Montreal will also be presented an option on leadership selection,

namely between the status quo and a weighted one member, one vote system; and holding leadership reviews only ater elections where our Leader did not become Prime Minister.

The recommendations contained in this report are intended to strengthen and empower

our Party’s grassroots, simpliy and streamline our Party’s structures, and regroup our eorts around the aorementioned three core unctions. We steadastly believe the

choice in ront o us is relatively simple: change or become unable to compete to win.Simply put, we truly eel there is a “better way”.

The Party, however, belongs to us all. It is now up to Liberals rom all over Canada to discuss, debate, and ultimately decide how to best address the challenges beore us.




.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

6

2. Introduction

TheLiberalPartyoCanada’sNationalExecutiveestablishedtheRedRibbonTaskForcein2005.WhyRedRibbon?Simplybecausethemorecommon“BlueRibbon”monikerjust

won’tdointheLiberalParty,butalsobecause“BlueRibbon”somehowconnotesaormostuyelitism.Thatisnotwhothisgroupis.TheTaskForceiscomposedo“working”Liberals,romalloverthecountry.AnewMP.AnewSenator.Fourwomen,ourmen. AllotheTaskForce’smembers,likehundredsothousandsoCanadians,dotherealworkopoliticalparties:organizeridings,contributeideas,andoertimeandtalentreeochargeinexchangeorthehopeoabettercountry.

WecanstandproudasaParty.Together,wehaveaccomplishedmuchandhavecontributedtothevibrancyoournation.AsaNationalPartywehaveworkedtogether; theworkoourmembers,ourLeadersandourParliamentarianshasorgedpolicyanddirectionsthathavecontributedtothegrowthoournation.Canada’sLiberalshavebuiltabetterCanada,andhelpedbuildabetterworld.

Aswelookorwardweneedtobuilduponouraccomplishments,learnromourdicult timesandacethechallengesthatarebeoreus.

Ourbiggestchallengeaheadistoremaincompetitiveasapoliticalbody.Wemustengageourmembersinnewways,embracethechangedstructuralenvironmentopoliticalundraisingandnancialcomplianceanddeterminehowwecanbestcompetetoearnthetrustotheelectorate.

ThereareverygoodreasonswhytheLiberalPartyoCanadahasbeenthedominantpoliticalpartyinCanada.Oursuccesseshavebeencharacterizedbyourresolvetochallengeassumptions,tobewaryothestatusquo,andtoactonourimpulsethatthereisalwaysa“betterway”.

TheRedRibbonTaskForcehereinpresentsournalreporttotheNationalExecutive,includingitsrecommendations,ordiscussion.WehaveengagedourLegalandConstitutionalAairsCommitteeinassessingwhatchangesmightberequiredtoourConstitutionaswemoveorward.Asthisphaseotheworkcomestoanend,therealworkbegins.ItisnowuptoLiberalsromalloverCanadatoconsiderthesuggestionswehavemade,tosupport,rejectorimprovethem,andultimatelytovoteonthem.Itisadauntingchallengetoconsider.ThereisajustiableprideoownershipotheLiberalPartyoCanadathatbeatsintheheartsohundredsothousandsoCanadians.Thisprideisthedirectresultoourdemocratictraditionsandouropennesstonewideas. Wearecountingonthesecharacteristicsinmakingrecommendationsthatmustndahighdegreeosupportitheyaretobeadopted.ThatmeansthatwewillworktondconsensusandtopresenttothemembersoourPartychangestoourConstitutionatthe

LeadershipandBiennialConventioninNovember2006.

OurPresident,MikeEizenga,andtheentireNationalExecutive,relyingontheLiberal traditionochallengingthestatusquo,hadthevisionandtheresolvenecessarytoempowertheTaskForcetodoitswork.Mr.EizengaalsocontributedmightilytotheTaskForce’sdeliberations.



.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.


WethankJackGrahamandtheHon.AndyScott,ortheirinput,andortheworkotheRenewalgroupwhichJackchairedandwhichexaminedourgovernancestructure. Together,theyprovidednewinsightsandsuggestions.

Thededicationandhands-onexperienceprovidedbyNationalDirector,Steven

MacKinnon,inassessingourParty’scompetitiveenvironmentandhisclearandconcisepresentationotherealitiesweaceasaPartyormedabasisortheTaskForcedeliberations.GordonTaylorLeehasprovidedresearchthathasbeeninvaluableandhascontributedhisinsightandskillinthedratingothisreport.

Welookorwardtothedialoguethatwillensueromthisreport,andtotheexcitementoputtingshouldertothewheelandcreating“aPartybuiltoreveryone,aPartybuilttowin.”

Respectullysubmitted,

Annie-ClaudeDePaoli(Co-chair) MichaelHillman(Co-chair)KellyRegan ShannonSalterSen.GrantMitchell Hon.NavdeepBains,MPChristineHampson FrançoisL’Heureux




.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. Mandate: Red Ribbon Task Force

TheLiberalPartyoCanada’s(LPC)NationalExecutiveestablishedtheRedRibbonTaskForcein2005,althoughelectoralexigenciesintervenedandtheworkotheTaskForce

proceededinearnestinthespringo2006.TheideawastoengagemembersotheNationalExecutiveandNationalCaucus,togetherwithLiberalsromacrossthecountry,in“re-imagining”theLiberalPartyinthecontextosweepingchangesinthelegislativeandregulatorylandscape,tosaynothingothenewpoliticalrealitieswithwhichthePartymustgrapple.

Specically,theTaskForcewasmandatedtoevaluatehowthecurrentoperationalanddecision-makingstructureothePartycanbestreamlinedandmademoreecient.The TaskForcewasaskedspecicallytoreviewandconsidertheollowingissues:

• TheprimaryimperativesoamodernCanadianpoliticalparty:political organization,policydevelopment,revenuegenerationand nance/complianceissues;

• ChangestotheCanadaElectionsAct(C-24);• TheLPC’sederatedconstitutionalstructure;• TheLPC’scurrentvolunteergovernancestructure,includingCommissions, StandingCommitteesandtheNationalExecutive.

TheTaskForcewasaskedtocarryoutitsworkandreportbacktotheNationalExecutivein2006,withaviewtopresentingrecommendedconstitutionalandstructuralchangesto theupcomingConventionotheParty.



.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.


. The Case for Renewal

“The status quo in the Liberal Party o Canada is no longer working to the beneft o all members or to the beneft o the Party as a whole… we don’t raise enough money by our

current methods to fght national elections, sta our Party, and pay o our debt.”

Theaboveexcerptisasrelevanttodayasitwasalmostteenyearsearlier,whenitwasincludedin“AgendaorReorm”,theJuly1991ReormCommissionotheLiberalPartyoCanada’sinterimreport.

The1991ReormCommissiongrappledwiththesameissuescurrentlybeingassessedbyParty’sRedRibbonTaskForce,including:theneedoramorestreamlinedederation;membershipissues;reormstoCommissionsandCommittees;andapotentialoverhaulovariousaspectsotheParty’sinrastructure.

Today,likethen,theLiberalPartyndsitselwithconsiderablenancialchallenges,sittingin theOppositionbenches,andacingmanyothesameorganizationalchallenges.

Andnow,likethen,thePartyneedstotakestockowhoweareandhowwearestructured.Now,unlikethen,wedonothavetheluxuryodeerringchangeandpassingupouropportunitytorapidlyregroupandpresentacompelling,streamlinedPartyasanalternativetotheConservatives.

Thatisbecausethepoliticalworldhaschanged.Weareacing,orthersttimesince1984,aunitedright-o-centeroe.TheConservativesusedtheopportunityotheirmergertosignicantlystreamlinetheirorganizationandreducetheonerousstructures thathadbuiltupovertheyears(Importantly,theywerealsoabletoadoptanewConstitutionattheexacttimeo–andthereoreconsistentwith-BillC-24.)Onourlet, theNewDemocrats,whileailingtorenewtheirorthodoxsocialistphilosophy,havemadegreatstridesinbecomingamodernpoliticalghtingorce.TheBlocQuébécoishasbeensustainedbytheonsetopublicundingandtheunortunateeectsothesponsorshipissue.TheGreenPartyhasincreaseditsvoteineachothelastthreeelections.

However,beyondtheadjustmentsmadebyourrivalparties,awholenewcompetitivelandscapehasemergedwhichhasmadeourParty’sstructureanimpossibleonetosustain.

a. C-24:The“newnormal”

Themostimportantchangeinthepoliticallandscapewastheveritablerevolutionin nancingandcomplianceengenderedbythepassageoBillC-24,PrimeMinisterChrétien’ssignatureelectionnancereorm.ThisreormisagreatlegacyorourParty.

However,italsorequiresthatweadapt,andinsomecaseschange,toaccommodate thenewlegalrealitiesweace.Evenwithoutanyotherchangesinthecompetitiveenvironment,therealitiesothenewElectionsActwouldothemselvesrequirethatwemakeimportantchangestoourstructuresandadministrativeprocesses.

Ironically,whileC-24wasinitiatedbytheLiberalgovernment,thePartycontinuestobeinaperiodopainulreadjustmenttothenewundraisingclimatetheBillhelpedshape.Liberalsacrossthecountrymustrealizethatailingtoullyadjusttothis“newnormal”willpermanentlydamagetheParty.




.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

0

CracksinthePartyinrastructure-andtheC-24all-out-arealreadyapparent.Debtisstillanissue,eventhoughthePartyhasperormedthe“missionimpossible”opostingasurplusinJune2006.OurParty’sstructurehasletusdisconnectedrommembersandsmall-donationsupporters,thusgreatlyimpedingourabilitytoraisemoney.

Itisnosecretthat,oryears,wehavebeenhard-wiredasaPartytorelyonlargedonationsromcorporatedonors.C-24removedthatundingsourcebutwehavenot yetmadethestructuralchanges,orullyeectedthe“culturechange”,toamember- ocuseddonationbase.

WealsocontinuetolosetheoverallundraisingbattletotheConservativeParty.Somerecentstatisticsillustratethispoint:whileourPartyraised$6.5Mromindividualsin2005(upromabout$500,000in2003),theConservativePartyraisedalmostthreetimesthat.In2006,numbersprovidedtoElectionsCanadashowedthattheConservativePartyreceived$5.6-millionrom37,000contributorsintherstquartero2006.Bycomparison,ourPartyraisedapproximately$1.3-millionromapproximately6,500contributors.Wehaveallenvictimtoneveraskingoursupportersormoney.

Lettherebenoquestion–ourPartymustcontinuetodevelopandimplementanaggressivegrassrootsundraisingstrategythatengageswithmembersandsupporters.Ourdonorbasemustgrowandbeabletochallengethebaseootherpoliticalpartiesorwewilloreverallshortonourabilitytoundertakethehardworkoamodernpoliticalparty.

ThereisevidencethatthePartyismakingthetransition.Individualdonationshaveincreasedmarkedly.TheLaurierClubhasgrowninnumbersandrevenue.Butitwilltakemuchmorethanthis:wehavenochoicebuttoevolveandundamentallychangethewayweundraiseatalllevels.Thisimperativeismadestarkerbywhatliesahead.

TheHarperGovernment’sBillC-2,whichproposestobanoutrightallcorporate,union

andorganizationdonations,andwillimposeanewannualcontributionlimito$1,000 orindividuals(toeachonationalparties,ElectoralDistrictAssociations(EDAs),andleadershipcandidates),meanswemustadaptevermorequickly.

TheConservativesclaimthatthisisbeingdoneorreasonso“accountability”.However,LiberalsshouldbeundernoillusionthatthisBillC-2isanythingbutablatantattackaimedsquarelyatourParty’spoliticaljugular.Wecan,andmust,respond.

C-24didarmorethanrevolutionizepoliticalundraising.Italsoincludedsweepingchangesto“compliance”withthelaw,andimposedahugeburdenonEDAsandpoliticalparties.New,comprehensivelawsandsubsequentregulationshavemeantthatthePartyhashadtodevelopasignicantlybeeed-upnancial,legalandauditcapacity.

Anyonewhohasactedasalocalnancialagentwillattestthatthe“newnormal”meansacrushingburdenoreturnsandpaperwork.ThePartyreliesonvolunteers–unrecognizedandnoblepersonsineveryEDA-tocompletelings.Theirworkhasrealvalueandmustbebettersupported.ThePartymustcontinuetoworkwithElectionsCanadaandParliamenttoreduceandstreamlinethisburden,butnomatterwhat,thePartymustbeempoweredtobettersupportEDAswiththeircompliancerequirements.Thereisasharedinterestindoingso-anymistakesormisseddeadlinesrefectonthePartyasawhole,notmerelytheEDAinquestion.



.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.


Thiscomplianceburdenatthelocallevelismirrored–inspades–atthenationallevel.AtleasthalotheParty’stotalstaresourcesarenowrequiredorthesekindsounctions. ThishasincludedactivitiessuchasensuringthatPTAsandridingassociationslereturnswithElectionsCanada;organizingpapersoraudits;andtheworkinvolvedincentralizedreceiptingunctions.Signicantseniormanagementattentionmustbedevotedto

ensuringcomplianceandadministrativeeectiveness.

TheexistenceoPTAsurthercompoundthework–orthepurposesotheElections Act,PTAsAREtheNationalParty,andhencemustadapttheiraccountingandaudits toconormtonationalstandards.Thereisreallynowayaroundthis:thelawisthelaw. Thatmeansthatthechallengesoderivingrevenue,administeringitproperly,receiptingcontributors,managingourederation,andperorminglegalandauditunctions,havebecomecentraltoourexistence.

b. SuccessestoDate

Incredibly,anddespitethepoliticalchallengesothepastewyearsandtheonsetominoritygovernments,thePartyhasmadenumerousimprovementstoitsstructure.KeyaccomplishmentshaveincludednewProvincialandTerritorialAssociation(PTA)nancingagreements;theestablishmentoaNationalElectionFund;theadoptionoanationalCodeoConduct;advancementsincentralreceipting;makingmembershipsavailableon-line;andthedevelopmentandimplementationoaNationalMembershipRegistry(NMR).

Therstotheseimprovements,thePTAnancingagreements,representedaseachangeinmanagingandnancingalllevelsotheParty.Gonearethedaysomyriad,otensecret,revenue-sharingarrangementsbetweenabewilderingarrayoEDAs,PTAs,andtheNationalParty.ThePartyopenly,consciouslyanddeliberatelychosetospreaditsrevenueevenlyacrossthecountry,inthebeliethatbuildingLiberalismsomewherehelpsbuildLiberalismeverywhere.Moreover,PTAswererewardedorthesuccessesoundraisingintheirregionbyreturningaportionothoseproceedstothem.Thisisa

powerulandpositivedevelopment.

However,anotherotheseimprovements,theNMR,isperhapsthemostpowerullegacyothecurrentNationalExecutive.Itcourageouslydiscardedtheincomprehensible,andunworkable,patchworkodatabasesandinormationsystemsacrossthecountryintowhatwillbeastate-o-the-artpieceoPartyinrastructure.Whencomplete,theNMRwillmanageridingandCommissionmemberships,Conventions,nominations,undraisingandreceipting,andsupportvoteridenticationandget-out-the-voteeorts.Itwillbethe nestandmostmodernsystemoitskindinthecountry,andisdrawingnoticeromoursisterpartiesaroundtheworld.

c. TheImperativeoChange

Butmuchmoreisneeded.Ourundamentalsneedtobere-assessed.Thereisalimitto theextenttowhichtheabove,administrative,improvementscanrestoreourinstitutionalcompetitiveness.Theconstitutionalstatusquo–LPC’scurrentunwieldyandtop-heavystructure-impedesourabilitytocompetenanciallyandconstrainsusromeectivelycarryingoutourthree(3)coreunctions:

1) policydevelopment,

2) fnanceandundraising,and 3) organizationandelectionreadiness.




.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

2

TheactivitythatoccursinthehugespacethatexistsbetweenEDAs,themostvitalorganisminourbodypolitic,andtheLPC,thebodythatunitesusall,istoootenextraneoustothosecoreunctions.Putsimply,ourParty’sstructuresmustbealignedwithourpriorities.Inothingelseinthisreportisoundtobeworthy,thissimplerecommendationwillhopeullyendure.

JoeKlein,theamedAmericanpoliticalwriterandauthoro“PrimaryColors”,inhisrecentbook“PoliticsLost”,lamentsthedeclineohiscountry’sDemocraticParty.Forhim,therealizationthattheDemocraticPartyhadlostitswaywasin1981,asitconsideredthelossotheWhiteHousetoRonaldReagan.HerecallswritingtheollowingorRolling Stone magazineatthattime:

In early June o 1981, some sixty million years ater the last dinosaurs,

chilled by the cooling air and addled by the heaving earth, stumbled toward extinction in the Colorado highlands, the leaders o the

Democratic Party arrived in Denver or a meeting.

The Democrats, as always, divided themselves into caucuses: Women (concerned exclusively with the Equal Rights Amendment, a utile and symbolic gesture and thereore avored ground or Democrats), blacks,

Hispanics, homosexuals (a lonely caucus o one), progressive-liberals and ethnics (a caucus or Caucasians?).

They argued over rules and procedures, though less vehemently than in

the past. They passed resolutions, none o which showed the slightest spark o ingenuity or the aintest glimmer o a new idea. They railed against Reagan and walloped like happy brontosauruses in a turgid pool

o sel-congratulatory idealism. In the strictest sense o the word, they had become conservatives – deending the past, the troubled social

programs o New Deal and Great Society vintage, with a vengeance.

Weknowtherestothestory.Throughtheeightiesandnineties,theDemocratswent romaPartythatdominatedbothhousesoCongressandcompetedtowinineverylocal,stateandnationalelectiontoonethatlostthevastmajorityoStateHouses,Governorships,theSenate,theHouseoRepresentativesand(withtheexceptiono theremarkableBillClinton)everysinglePresidentialelection.ObvioustoevencasualobserversoAmericanpoliticswastheDemocrats’lossounity o purpose.

LiberalsmustavoidthewrongturnsmadebytheDemocraticParty.Wecannotbecomehostagestoanunwieldystructure,buriedinrulesandprocedures.Wemustpreserveourownunityopurpose.Wemustalwaysseektolookorward,andchallengethestatusquo.Thisreport,then,seekstomakeacontributiontoadebateaboutstructure,sothatadebateaboutideascanoccur.

d. CoreFunctions

Ourstructurematters .Itmattersbecauseagoodstructurewouldalloworexcitingworktooccur.Itmattersbecauserightnow,itistoohardtoevenjointheLiberalPartyoCanada.

Agoodstructure,byourdenition,wouldalloworinnovativethoughtonanongoingbasis,andwouldbeanaturalhomeorcitizenengagement.Itwouldprizeandcherisheverysinglemember.Itwouldseektostimulateinvolvement(andmembership)inourParty.Itwouldseektorewardvolunteereortinlocalcommunities.Itwouldcease



.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.


toosterinterminableandsterilediscussionsaroundrulesandprocedures.Andmostimportantly,itwouldseektobuildaPartyunitedaroundourthreecoreunctions.Theybearrepeating:

•Policydevelopment:Thisisthemostundamentalunctionoapoliticalparty.

Partymembersgetengagedbecauseotheirbelieinabettercommunity,abettercountry,andabetterworld.Anypartythatperormsthisunctionwellwillinvariablybecomethehometosociety’smostengaged,innovativeandenergeticpersons.Liberalsdeservenothinglessthanthemostopen,democraticand–especially–ongoingpolicydevelopmentprocessinCanada.OurParty’spolicydevelopmentinrastructureneedsnewlie.Thisreportwillseektodenenewandexcitingways toachievethis.

•Fundraisingandfnance:ChangestotheElectionsActknownasBillC-24,andplanned“accountability”measures,knownasC-2,requirethatwerethinkourprocessesanddevelopthemeanstoraisesignicantamountsomoney,insmallamounts,romagreatnumberoCanadians.Similarly,theselegislativechangeshavecreatedamassiveburdenorcomplianceonvolunteersandstaatalllevelsotheParty.Thepenaltiesornon-compliancearesevere,andtheimperativetoreportallnancialtransactionsandmakethempubliclyavailableisever-present.Ourstructures,needlesstosay,mustsupport,valueandenabletheseunctions.

•Organizationandelectionreadiness:TheonsetominoritygovernmentsservestohighlighttheneedorapermanentorganizationalandelectionreadinessinrastructureinourParty.Thereisonlyonelogicalplacetoaimthiseort,andthatistheonlystructureinourPartythatelectsMembersoParliament–theElectoralDistrictAssociation(EDA).Thisreportwillcontemplatestructures,andmeans,orempoweringEDAsonanongoingbasisandequippingthemtowin.

e. Ridings:TheCentreoourUniverse

InherentinthedebateoverourParty’sstructuresistheneedorLiberalstoreocusonactivityatthelocal(EDA)level.EDAsarethehomeoralloourmembers.Theyare thecentresoPartyactivity.Theyarecomposedodedicatedandidealisticvolunteers.Incredibly,alltoooten,theyarealsolostinNationalPartydiscussionsanddecision-making.Structuralrenewalmustthereorebeginwitha“returntoridings”withEDAsas themostvaluablecomponentsotheNationalParty.Moreover,structuralrenewalwillhelpEDAsaccomplishthethreecoreprioritiesthatareprerequisitestovictory.

TherecommendationscontainedinthisreportwillstrengthenandempowerourParty’sgrassroots.ItwillsimpliyandstreamlineourParty’sstructuresandregroupoureortsaroundourthreecoreunctions.Itwillincreaserepresentationolocalvolunteersinnationaldecision-making.Theendresultwillbeamoreopenanddemocratic

Party-unitedaroundLiberalvalues-betterabletocompeteandwin.

Wedobelievethatthechoiceinrontousisrelativelysimple:changeorbecomeunable tocompetetowin.ThestatusquoleavesourPartyatasignicantelectoraldisadvantage. Wedonotwishtocontemplatetheeectsonourcountryoaweakened,top-heavyParty.Rather,wearedeterminedtoonceagainchallengeourPartytochallengethestatusquoandoptorastrong,decentralizedvolunteer-basedinstitution.Thatisbecausehistoryhasshown-beyondallquestion-thatastrongLiberalPartymeansastrongandunitedCanada.




.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. Recommendations

TheTaskForceexaminedpossiblechangestotheParty’sConstitution–ouroundingdocument-thatwillenhanceLPC’sabilitytoperormitscoreunctions,whilestaying

aithultotheprinciplesthathavemadethePartyawildlysuccessulpoliticalinstitution throughoutourhistory.Moreimportantly,itishopedthatthesechanges,iadopted,willrealigntheprocessesandvaluesothePartysuchthatweosterdynamismattheridinglevel,engageLiberalsintheimportantdebatesotheday,anddeveloptheingredientscriticaltoelectoralsuccess.

Furthertomuchdeliberationandanalysis,consensusamongTaskForcemembersregardingproposedchangeshasbeenreachedintheollowingkeyareas:

a. ANationalParty–ANationalMembership

“HowdoIjointheLiberalPartyoCanada?”

Amazingly,thatisoneothehardestquestionstoanswerinourParty.Anotherhardquestionis“howmanymembersdoestheLiberalPartyhave?”ThatisbecauseourPartyisapatchworkquiltoees,eligibilities,rulesandprocedures.PTAsareliterallyswimminginorms,databases,lists,renewals,andcheques.

ThatisbecauseentrytotheLiberalPartyoCanadaisgainedthroughPTAsandtheirconstituentclubs,CommissionsandEDAs.TheLiberalPartyoCanadahasnomembers.ItsPTAsdo.

SomePTAsestimatethat60-80%otheirtimeandresourcesareappliedtotheadministrationomemberships,thedebateandcontemplationonewrulesandprocesses,andthelegalcompliancethatgoeswiththeseresponsibilities.

EvenwiththisHerculeanandvalianteortonthepartoPTAs,itisnosurprisethatnosinglePTA,actinginisolation(andwithcompletelydierentrulesandtools)romtheother twelve,possessestheecienciesoscalerequiredtoperormthejobuptominimumstandards.Forexample,insomeprovinces,membershipcards,itheyaresentatall, takesixmonthstobereceived.Bycontrast,iyouloseyourcreditcardinthemostremoteregionotheplanet,youcanusuallyhaveanotheroneissuedtoyouinsideo2-3businessdays.

Incredibly,somePTAseelorcedtoadoptrulesandproceduresthathavetheperverseeectolimiting membership(ormembershiporms)inthePartyorearogivingone“side”oaPartycontest–aleadershipcandidate,anominationcontestant,acandidate

orPartyoce–anadvantage(andsometimesortheexactlyoppositemotivation).

Howhavewegottenhere?Some“inconvenienttruths”mustbeacknowledged.NominationandleadershipcontestsintheLiberalPartyoCanadahavebecome,bydeault,theproxiesorthelargerelectoralcontestsinthecountry.Successinthesecontestshasgenerallyoreshadowedelectoralsuccessinthebroadestsense.ThishasmeantthatcontrololocalandregionalinstitutionslikePTAsandEDAshasenabledpeopleolikemindtomouldrulessuchthatonecandidate’sinterestisenhancedwhileothers’interestsareimpeded.



.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.


Asideromtheunairnessinherentinsuchanarrangement,personsinterestedinjoining theParty,inbecomingacandidateorpublicoce,orinbecomingitsLeader,havebeendiscouragedbythechallengesoworkingtheirwaythroughthiskindoamaze.

Similarly,theNationalParty’sinterest(andtheoverridinginterestoallLiberals)hasbeen

impededbytheexistenceintheConstitutionoaclausepreventing thePartyromcommunicatingwithitsmembers,absentexplicitpermissionromthePTAs.Manyare theLiberalswho,onadailybasis,complaintoLPCabouttheirlackoinormationontheParty’spolicies,newsandpositionsontheissuesotheday.Itcomesasnosmallshock tothesepersonstolearnthattheirParty–themostsuccessulPartyintheWesternWorld–isbarred romcommunicatingdirectlywiththem.

TheTaskForcehasheardromandacknowledgesthoseinourPartywhoeelthatour ederatedstructureconersstrategicadvantage.Weagreewiththis.However,werejectthenotionthatthismustmeanthatthePartymustcontinuetooperate13distinct“membershipcenters”acrossthecountry,whilekeepingits“sales”unctioninOttawa.Nobusinessororganizationweareawareounctionsalongthoseprinciples.Inthesections toollow,weoutlinewhatwebelievetobetheproperroleoourederatedmembers,thePTAs.

TheTaskForcethereorerecommendsproceedingwithaproper,nationalmembership. Thismembershipwouldhavecommoneligibilitycriteriaandopenaccess,atalltimes,oranypersonwishingtobecomeacard-carryingLiberal.WeproposenochangeinthebaseeligibilitycurrentlyoutlinedintheLPCConstitution.

Thebenetsonationalmembershiparecompelling:

•achievingcommoneligibilityeliminatestheconusingpatchworkorules andprocesses;•transparencyandairnessorthosewhoseekLiberalPartyoceornomination;

•acommonmembershipee;•portabilityomembershipromcoast-to-coast-to-coast;•achievingeconomiesoscaleinmembershipadministration;•settingperormancebenchmarksorserviceandissuanceomembershipcards;and•reeingupPTAresourcestoassistEDAsinperormingtheircoreunctions asnotedlater.

ThePartyhasmadesignicantprogressrecentlywiththedevelopmentoaNationalMembershipRegistry.ThePartyhasalsorecentlyallowedthepurchaseomembershipsonline.BotharekeydevelopmentsaccomplishedwiththeullcooperationoourPTAs.Bothwillmakethetransitiontonationalmembershipareasierthanatanytimeinthepast.(Keepinmind,however,thatthetechnological"workarounds"toaccommodatethe

patchworkomembershipregimesacrossthecountrycompoundsthecostotheNMRinasignicantway.)

Further,LPCHQwillnolongerhavetocontactProvincialandTerritorialAssociationsorpermissiontocontactmembers,whichwillbetterequipustoappealdirectlytoawidernetworkocurrent/potentialsupportersanddonorswithnews,policiesandinormation.




.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

6

TaskForceRecommendations-Membership:

Thereore,theRedRibbonTaskForcemakestheollowingrecommendations:

• TheLPCConstitutionbeamendedtoaccommodateanationalmembership.

Suchmembershipwouldconeruponanyoneeligibletojoinanautomatic membershipintheEDAandthePTAinwhichtheyordinarilyreside,andinany Commissionorwhichtheyareeligible.• Anationaleeshouldbeimposedorsuchmemberships,andthatapercentage osaideeshouldbeallocatedtocostrecovery,tobedeterminedbythe NationalExecutive,inconsultationwithEDAs/RidingsthroughtotheCouncil oPresidents.TheremainderotheeewouldbereturnedtotheEDA/Riding oorigin.• TheclausepreventingLPCromcommunicatingwithitsmembersshouldbe deletedromtheLPCConstitution.• Membershipby-lawswouldbetheresponsibilityotheNationalExecutive.• Anappropriatephase-inperiodshouldbeenvisaged.

b. Provincial/TerritorialAssociations

TheroleoPartyProvincialandTerritorialAssociations(PTAs)wascareullyassessedby TaskForcemembers,particularlyinthecontextothepostC-24world.TheElectionsActmakesnodistinctionbetweenPTAsandtheNationalParty:orthepurposesothelaw,theyareoneinthesame.

However,asindicated,theTaskForcebelievesthataederatedstructurehasconerredsignicantbenetonourPartyandhascontributedtoitssuccess.Thereore,webelieve thatarenewedocusonnon-administrativetasksshouldbeenvisagedtogivePTAsnewmeaningandrelevance.TheparticipationoourPTAspermitsvaluabledebate,inclusion

andapan-CanadianperspectiveonthekeyissuesacingtheParty.PTAshaveplayed,andmustcontinuetoplay,aninvaluablerolewithrespecttopolicydevelopment

ThereisanobviousgapwithrespecttowhatPTAsshoulddointheory,andwhattheyactuallydoinpractice.

Ideally,PTAsshouldrepresenttheirregiontotheNationalParty,andrepresenttheNationalPartytotheirregion.Theyshouldbeacatalystorlocalandregionalaction:promotingpolicydevelopment,assistingEDAsintheircoreunctions,supportingthenationalundraisingprogramandtheirlocalLaurierClub(aterall,theyreceiveaportiono thismoney!),conductingelectionsorPartyoceatthelocal/regional/nationallevel,andgenerallykeepingthePartyinanadvancedstateoorganizationalandelectoralreadiness. TheyshouldbethelocalinteraceorEDAsandrepresenttheirintereststoLPC,while

providingstaandvolunteersupport“intheeld”.PTAsshouldemployorganizerswhoworkwithridingstoperormtheseunctions.Currently,thisisimpossible,giventhecrushingnancialburdenoadministeringmemberships.Thereissimplynotenoughmoneytodoboth,sothe“minimum”(i.e.membershipadministration)getsdone.

Further,thenancingagreementssignedbetweenLPCandthePTAsrepresentsignicantprogressortheParty.PTAshavecommitted-orexample-toparticipateinthedevelopmentandmaintenanceoanationaldatabaseomembersandtorevamped nancialreportingrequirements.Theseareundoubtedlykeyadvancementsandare



.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.


tobelauded.Atthesametime,PTAsbenetromaguaranteedsourceorevenue romLPC.Fullyone-quarteroLPC’srevenuesgotooperatethePTAs,andaswehaveshown,thebulkothisinvestmentisspentonmembershipadministrationandcompliancerequirements.

TheTaskForcebelievesthatPTArevenuesshouldgotobuildingtheLiberalPartyandnotseparatemembershiplists.Webelievethatorganizationalandpolicydevelopmentwork,actingasacatalystandcoordinatingbodyorEDAs,betherstordersobusinessor thesebodies.Commensuratewiththese“new”unctions”,PTAsshouldgainininfuenceontheNationalExecutive,andrepresentativesoPTAsshouldormthe“heart”otheNationalExecutive.

TaskForceRecommendations-PTAs:

Thereore,weproposethatanew“jobdescription”orPTAsbeincludedintheLPCConstitution,whichwouldbeamendedasollows:

•TheLiberalPartyoCanadacontinuestobeaconstitutionalederation composedoProvincialandTerritorialAssociations.•ThatPTAsbecomposedoEDAsandCommissions(Clubs,etc.)asmembers.•PTAsareresponsibleororganizationandpolicydevelopmentintheirregion, orrepresentingtheirregiontotheNationalParty,andorimplementingnational programsandinitiativesintheirregion.•PTAsareresponsibleordeveloping,inconcertwiththeirmembers,an organizationalstrategicplanonanannualbasis,whichwouldproposeactivities intheareaso:membershiprecruitment,nance/undraising,policy development,EDAcompliance,EDAorganizationanddevelopment, administrationoPartyelections,andelectionreadiness.•PTAs(throughtheirPresidents)wouldormthecoreothenewNational Executive,asbetstheirrolesasederatedmembers,andassuch,gain

increasedinfuenceoverNationalPartydecision-making.•PTAConstitutionsshouldbeamended,shouldtheseamendmentsbeadopted, torefectthisnewarrangement.

c. NationalGovernanceStructure

TaskForcemembersconsideredvariousgovernance-relatedissues.Aclearconsensusemergedontheneedtosimpliyourgovernanceandvolunteerstructure–andthatourdecisionmakingprocessesgenerallyneedtobestreamlined.

TheLiberalPartyhasabewilderingarrayoCommitteesandCommissionsatthenationalandPTAlevel.Somehaveclearmandates,whileothersstruggletocontributeorevenmeetonaregularbasis.Formanyyears,thePartyhasbeenaddingsuchbodies,

enshriningtheirexistenceintheConstitution,andprovidingthemwithrepresentationon theNationalExecutive.Inmanycases,theseentitiesareaccompaniedbydemandsthatPTAssetup“mirror”structurestoproviderepresentationonthenationalbodies,hencecompoundingtheproblemattheregionallevel.

TheTaskForcebelievesthatthisapproachisinherentlyfawed.Inevitably,challengescomeandgo.LeadersandNationalExecutiveswillappropriatelyidentiytheirpriorities,andsetupthemeanstoachieveprogressonthosepriorities.Whathasbecomeproblematic,however,isthattheentitiesenvisagedintheConstitutionarerarelythose




.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

towhichthePartyturnstoachieveitspriorities.Whatthishasmeantisthattheelected, volunteergovernancestructureothePartyhasbeenbypassedinavouroad hoc ,appointedbodieswhichoperateinparalleltotheormalPartystructure,anddemand theattentionandresourcesoLPC.Meanwhile,theconstitutionally-ormedStandingCommitteesandCommissionsstruggletoremainrelevantortotackleissues.

WhatseemsclearisthatthePartyhastoomanybodiesinthespacebetweentheNationalPartyandtheEDAs.TheNationalExecutive,astheelectedandrepresentativebodyoallLiberals,shouldhavetheultimateauthoritytodetermineitsprioritiesandestablishentitiestoachieveitsobjectives.

StandingCommittees

Thereore,werecommendabolitionoallStandingCommitteesenvisagedunderthecurrentLPCConstitution.OnlyCommitteesrequiredtosupportthecoreprioritiesothePartyshouldbecontemplatedintheConstitution,providedthattheNationalExecutivemaysetupaCommitteeoranypurposeatanytime.

Werecommend,inthisstreamlinedcontext,theestablishmento:

•ArevampedandstrengthenedPolicyCommittee(discussedinthesection toollow);•ANationalRevenueCommitteeandaManagementCommitteeotheNational Executive,toensurethatthenance/undraising/administrationunctionsothe Partyarebeingperormed;and•ApermanentNationalElectionReadinessCommittee,toensurethatthe organizationalandelectionreadinessobjectivesothePartyarebeingmet.

TheNationalCampaignCommitteewouldalsobeestablishedromtimetotimeinconsultationwiththeLeaderandbeempoweredtorunthenationalcampaignand

expendmoneyaccordingtoabudgetapprovedbytheNationalExecutive.

Ocourse,theprinciplesoequalityomenandwomen,andotheEnglishandFrenchlanguages,mustbemaintained.Moreover,increasedeortsmustbemadetoensurerepresentationoyouthandvisibleminoritiesinPartydeliberativebodies.

Commissions

CommissionshavebecomeanintegralpartotheParty.Thereisseemingconsensus thateachotheYoungLiberals,AboriginalPeoples’,Womens’andSeniors’LiberalCommissionshaveprovidednetbenetstotheParty.Theircontinuedexistenceisimportanttoagreatnumberopeople.TheTaskForceisnotinclinedtochallengetheircontinuedexistence.

However,thereareperverseeectscommensuratewiththeestablishmentoCommissions.Firstandoremost,anythingthatdetractsromthecoreunctionsothePartyanddoesnotcontribute–directlyorindirectly-totheormulationopolicyortheultimateelectionoLiberalstotheHouseoCommonsshouldberejected.

Commissionsexist,essentially,toincreasetherepresentationotheirconstituentmembersinthePartyandasMembersoParliament.TheydothisbyencouragingthePartytoadoptpoliciesthatenticemembersotheirconstituenciestovoteLiberal,and



.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.


byencouragingmembersotheirconstituenciestoseekPartyoceandelectiveoce. TheyarenotdesignedtobeparallelorganizationsthatdissuadepeopleromaddingtheirenergiestoEDAsandtheNationalParty.Rather,theyareexpectedtoaddtheirunique voicestotheexistingeortsotheParty.Thismeans,inourview,thatCommissionsmustreocustheirenergiesaroundaddingenergyandperspectivetotheParty’score

unctions.

Therehavebeensuccessstoriesinthisregard.Liberalshaveelded,andelected,moreaboriginalcandidatesthaneverbeore.Legendaryarethose“ormer”YoungLiberalswhohavegoneontooccupypositionsoprominenceintheParty.However,challengesremain.WomenstilldonotrunasLiberalcandidatesortheHouseoCommonsinsucientnumbers,andtheSeniors’LiberalCommission,stillinitsearlydays,hasnotyetattractedasignicantnumberoeligibleLiberalstoitsactiveranks.

Perversely,CommissionclubprovisionsotheConstitutionhavealsobeenusedtogenerateaccrediteddelegatespotsorConventions,onlytodisappearoncetherelevantConventionhasended.Thisshouldnotdetractromtheexcellentworkdonebylegitimateclubs,butclearlyeveryonehasaninterestinseeingtheabusesend.The TaskForcebelievesthatstrengthenedaccreditationrequirementsshouldbeadoptedtorewardthoseclubsthathavebeenestablishedlegitimately,andwardoestablishmento“paperclubs”thatunderminetheParty’selectoralprocessesandreputation.Clubsthatachievethenewaccreditationthresholdwouldreceivedelegatespotsasollows:twoperwomen’sclub,two(1M,1F)perseniors’club,andocourseour(2m,2F)percampusclub.AboriginaldelegateswillbeelectedinEDAs,withtwospotsperriding.

Thereore,theTaskForcerecommends:

•Thataminimumo50membersberequiredtoaccreditaCommissionclub.•ThatcommissionceasestoexistoncePartymembers,atConvention, determinethattheyhavecompletedorullledtheirmandate.

The50memberminimumoraccreditationinnowaydiscouragestheestablishmentoclubsoanysize.Inact,thePartyshouldencourageclubsoanysizetobeestablished.However,onlyaccreditedclubswouldbeeligibletoparticipateinactivitiesestablishedpursuanttotheConstitutionotheParty,suchasConventions.

TheNationalExecutive

TaskForcemembersarealsoinullagreementthatthesizeotheNationalExecutivemustbesignicantlyreduced,asthecurrentstructuredoesnotpermitthenecessary ocusrequiredtochartaorwardpathortheParty.Wearemindul,however,thatanyreductionmustbeaccompaniedbyasystemo“checksandbalances”whichservetoprotecttheinterestsothegrassrootsotheParty,toensurethatourcoreunctionsare

beingperormed,andthatEDAsarerepresented.Moreonthatlater.

TheNationalExecutiveothePartyisanunwieldybody,comprisingapproximatelysixty(60)persons,andwhosemeetingsattractupwardsoeighty(80)persons.Governanceexpertseverywherewouldconrmthatanybodythissizecannotserveasaneectivedecision-makingstructure.Thisisalsotrueinact.TheNationalExecutiveoLPCserveslargelyasaraticationentityordecisionsmadeelsewhere.IndividualmembersotheNationalExecutiveeelrustratedthattheirvoicecannotbeheardinagrouposixtypersons.Contradictionsalsoexist.WhospeaksorBritishColumbia,orexample?Is




.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

20

itthePresidentoLPC(BC)?OrtheRegionalVice-President(BC)?Or,orthatmatter, thenationalVice-president(English-speaking),whoalsohappenstocomeromthatprovince?Whichotheseven(7)representativesotheWomens’Commissionspeaks orthatentity?Whichothesix(6)YoungLiberals?WhootheChieFinancialOcer,theSecretaryTreasurer,ortheChairotheRevenueCommitteeisresponsibleordetailing

theParty’sundraisinginitiatives?

EachmeetingotheNationalExecutivenowcostsover$50,000.ItisreasonabletoaskwhetherthoseresourceswouldbebetterspentononeotheParty’scoreunctions. WethereorerecommendthatthecurrentNationalExecutiveberequiredtomeetlessoten(twiceayear),andbesignicantlyreducedinsize,suchthatitbecomesaneectivedecision-makingbody.Numerouspermutationshavebeendiscussed,butsomeprincipleswereollowedindeterminingourrecommendationsormembershipontheNationalExecutive:

• Eliminationooverlappingresponsibilities;• RepresentationoPTAs;• RepresentationoCommissions;• ParticipationothoseresponsibleortheParty’scoreunctions(Policy,Finance Fundraising,Organization/ElectionReadiness);• Preservationoinstitutionalmemory;and• CoordinationwithNationalCaucusandtheLeader.

Thereore,theollowingmembershiponNationalExecutiveisrecommended:

•ThePresident;•TheLeader;•ThePastPresident;•TwoNationalVice-Presidents(English-andFrench-speaking);•TheNationalPolicyChair;

•ThePresidentsothetenProvincialederatedmembers;•OneothePresidentsothethreeTerritorialederatedmembers,tobe selectedbythem;•Onerepresentative,eitherthePresidentoroneotheCo-Presidents,oeach otheCommissions;•ArepresentativeoNationalCaucus,preerablytheNationalCaucusChair;•TheChieFinancialOcer(CFO)(non-voting);•TheChairotheFederalLiberalAgencyoCanada(FLAC),theParty’sChie Agent(non-voting);•TheChairotheParty’sRevenueCommittee(non-voting);•TheNationalCampaignCo-chairs(non-voting);and•TheNationalDirector(non-voting).

TheManagementCommitteeothePartywouldmeetourtimesannuallyandbeasubcommitteeo,andhavedelegateddecision-makingauthoritysimilartothatotheNationalExecutive.WerecommendthattheManagementCommitteewouldinclude:

•ThePresident;•TheLeader;•TwoNationalVice-Presidents(English-andFrench-speaking);•TheNationalPolicyChair;•OnePTApresident(asselectedamongthemselves);



.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.


•TheChieFinancialOcer;•TheNationalCampaignCo-chair(oneothetwoco-chairs);and•TheNationalDirector(non-voting).

Importantly,inordertoensureenhancedcoordinationotheactivitiesotheParliamentary

wingandtheParty,weurtherrecommend:•ThattheLeaderbeamemberotheManagementCommittee,andshallattend atleasthalothisCommittee’smeetings.

WemakethisrecommendationinthebeliethatbetterawarenessotheParty’sstateoaairs,plansandobjectivesonthepartotheLeaderwillresultinbetterdecision-makingbyboth thePartyandtheLeader,andpossiblyavoidmistakesbyboth.Ocourse,theLeader(andthePresident)wouldcontinuetobeamemberoalldecision-makingbodiesandCommitteesotheParty.

TheRevenueCommitteewouldbeormedoaChair,ten(10)provincialrevenuechairs, theChairsotheJudyLaMarshFundandtheAboriginalElectoralEndowment,theCFOandtheChairoFLAC.ItwouldberesponsibleordevelopingtheParty’srevenuebudget orapprovalbyManagementandtheNationalExecutive.

FortheguidanceoindividualsseekingelectiontotheNationalExecutiveatthebiennialconventioninNovember,atransitionalprovisionshouldbeproposedwherebythosepositionsbeingphasedoutwouldcontinuetoexistoraperiodooneyearoruntiltherstmeetingotheCounciloPresidents.

TheCounciloPresidents

Agreementwasalsoreachedwithrespecttotheneedoranewentity,comprisedoallEDApresidentsandNationalExecutivemembers.Itisrecommendedthat:

•ACounciloPresidentsbeestablished.

TheTaskForcebelievesthatthisnewentityisvitalinarenewedeorttoostergreaterengagementwiththeParty’sgrassrootsandgreatercoordinationoPartyactivities.

TheCounciloPresidentswouldmeetannually,asa“stand-alone”inoneyear,andinconjunctionwithBiennialConventionsinthenext.Logically,itsmeetingswouldalsocoincidewithoneothetwomeetingsotheNationalExecutive(andoneotheourmeetingsotheManagementCommittee)tobeheldeachyear.

Itsdutieswouldbetoreviewandconsidertheannualstrategic,organizationaland undraisingplansothePartyandeachotheCommissions,theelectionreadinessplansotheNationalCampaignCommittee,thePolicydevelopmentplansothePolicy

Committeeanditssubcommittees,andconsiderationoby-lawsrelatedtotheNationalMembershipRegistry,suchaseesandprocedures.Itwillalsoprovideauseulorumor theLeadertooutlinehisorherplansortheuture.Perhapsmostimportantly,itwillallowrepresentativesoeverysingleEDAtobeconsultedon,andgainknowledgeo,allothepoliciesandproceduresotheParty.

TheTaskForceurtherbelievesthatmeetingsothisbodywill,othemselves,becomecatalystsoractivityinthePartyandinEDAs.MeetingsotheCounciloPresidentswillimposedeadlinesandaccountabilityonallPartyentities.Planswillhavetobedeended




.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

22

andexplained.Theendresultwillbebettercohesiveness,andenhancedunityopurpose.Forthatveryreason,whiledeliberationsshouldbeabletobeheldincameraat thePresident’sdiscretion,weurtherbelievethatmeetingsotheCounciloPresidentsshouldbeopentoallmembersotheParty(withouttherighttovote,ocourse).

Ocourse,theestablishmentoaCounciloPresidentswillincurcosts.Webelievethesecostsshouldbewidelydispersed.Thereore,weurtherrecommend:

•Thattravel,mealsandlodgingexpensesorparticipantsbebornebyEDAs (orPTAsontheirbehal),whilemeetingcostsandtranslationwouldbethe responsibilityoLPC.



.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.


6. The Policy Imperative

TheParty’spolicyplatorm-whetherassessedissuebyissueorwritlarge-servesasrefectionotheParty’sundamentalbeliestructure.Whiletheterm“policydevelopment”

meansdierentthingstodierentmembers,ourplatormandkeypositionstaken togetherconstituteour“essence”asaParty.

Perhapsamoresalientpoint,though,ishowthecurrentpolicyprocessservesasthemeansthroughwhichourcaucus,Partymembers,volunteersandpotentialsupportersareengagedandmadetoeelpartohelpingtoshapetheParty.

ManywithintheParty–TaskForcemembersincluded-wouldarguethatwehavelostourwayinthisrespect;thatsuchengagementneedstobedonebetter;andthatclarityandstructuralchangesareneeded.

Indeed,thereexistsasignicantopportunitytodevelopmodernandcomprehensivemeanstoengageCanadiansindiscussionsaboutissuesthataremeaningultothem.

Asindicatedabove,peoplegetinvolvedinpoliticalpartiestomakeadierence.Theydonotseektobe“heeded”asmuchastheyseektobeheard.TheTaskForcebelieves thatparticipationandmembershipinourPartywillollowonceprocessesexisttoengagemembersintheormulationopolicy.Thuswouldbeginavirtuouscycleoengagement,membership,donation,participationandultimately,perhapsevencandidacyorPartyorpublicoce.Putsimply,“doingpolicyright”canbethecatalystordevelopmentothePartyonmanylevels.

Policydevelopmentprocessesmustalsobe“evergreen”.TheworkoEDAs,PTAsand theNationalPartymustconstantlyinvolveeortsaimedatengagingtheirmembers.NooneshouldneedtowaitorpermissionromLPCtolaunchconsultations,discussionsanddebateontheissuesconrontingcommunitiesandthecountry.

Moreover,thepolicydevelopmentprocessothePartycurrentlydoesnotleaveparticipantswiththeeelingthattheirvoicehasbeenconsidered.Littleormalaccountabilityexistsatertheoutcomesotheprocess(i.e.resolutionsadoptedataConvention).MembersarelettowonderiresolutionshavebeenconsideredbytheLeaderortheCaucus(orCabinet).FormalreportingontheconsiderationoPartypolicydevelopmentbytheParliamentarywingisrareornon-existent.

TheTaskForceperceivesadecliningconnectionbetweenthepolicydevelopmentprocessandtheplatormdevelopmentprocess.Itoccurstousaspassingstrange,asindeeditdoestoparticipantsintheParty’spolicydevelopmentinitiatives,thatthecurrentLPCConstitutioncontemplatesseparate policydevelopmentandplatormdevelopmentCommittees.

TheTaskForcedoesnotperceivethatitistheParty’sdesiretopre-empttheLeader’sauthorityovertheinclusion(orexclusion)oitemsintheParty’sPlatorm.Inact,weproposetoormalizethatauthority.However,enhancedconstitutionalprovisionstoexplainwhysomepolicieswereadoptedandotherswerenotwillservetovalidatetheeortsoPartymemberswhoparticipateinpolicydevelopment.

Whileeasytorecognizetheproblems,however,itismorediculttodeveloptheappropriatesolutions.




.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

2

TaskForcemembersagreethatthepolicydevelopmentprocessinmanywaysservesastheliebloodotheParty,andthatpolicyisanidealvehicleorrenewal.Further,TaskForcemembersviewourpolicyinrastructure,whileearnestand(very)hard-working,asrelativelyill-equippedtoeectivelydealwiththebigquestionsacingboththePartyandthecountry,andthattheprocessistootightlycontrolled,disconnectedromthe

grassroots,andunabletoharnessideasaroundregionalandnationalpolicyapproaches.

Partotheproblem,wesubmit,isthattheprocessitselissomewhatfawed–andthat theimportanceoprocessgenerallyincreatingpolicyhasbeengenerallyoverlookedbytheParty.Policyandprocesscannotbeseparated;inmanywayspolicyis process.Giventheenergy,ideasandtalentamongLiberalsacrossthecountry,gettingthepolicypiece“right”willundoubtedlymakeourPartystronger.

TheTaskForcebelievesthat,byinsertingthepolicydevelopmentunctionatthehearto thestructuresotheParty,wewillachievebetterprocesses,engagement,andultimately,electoralsuccess.Wedonotproposeaconstitutional“straitjacket”-typeprocess.Rather,webelievethatelevatingtheunctioninsidethePartywillengenderingenuityinestablishingprocesses,bothormalandinormal.

TaskForcerecommendations

Thereore,theTaskForcerecommends:

•TheestablishmentoaPermanentStandingCommitteeothePartydedicatedtoongoingPolicyandPlatormDevelopment.

• TheCommitteewouldbecomposedoaChair,electedatBiennialConventions,elected representativesoeachProvincialAssociationandoneelected representativeothethreeterritorialassociations,onerepresentativeoeacho theCommissions,theCampaignCo-chairs,thePresidentandtheNationalDirector(non-voting).

• Toproperlyblendthepolicydevelopmentandplatormprocesses,additionalappointmentsunderthedirectpurviewotheLeaderarerequired.FortheCommitteetoenjoythecondenceotheLeaderandtheCaucus,itmustnecessarilyincludepersonswhoenjoytheircondence.Ocourse,theLeaderhim/herselwouldbeeligibletoserveontheCommittee,butwouldalsobeempoweredtoappointadditionalpersonstotheCommitteeasollows:ourmembersoCaucus(twoowhomwouldnecessarilybeCabinetmembers,whenapplicable,andoneowhomwouldbeaSenator),andourotherLiberalswhowouldserveasLeaders’representatives.TheLeaderwouldalsoappointaVice-chairotheCommitteeromamongthemembers.Thispersonwouldideallybe theLeader’sleadpersonresponsibleorelectionplatormdevelopment.

• TheLeaderwouldalsobeaskedtoappointoneotheCaucusrepresentativesontheCommitteeasa“CaucusAccountabilityOcer”.(Thispersonwould

necessarilybeaMinister,whenapplicable).Thispersonwouldberequired toreporttotheCounciloPresidentsandtoBiennialConventionsontheconsiderationoPartypoliciesbytheParliamentarywingotheParty,torelate theplatormtotheParty’spolicydevelopmenteorts,andgenerallytoprovideaccountability.ThisservestounderscoretheseriousnesswithwhichtheParty views“policyaccountability”betweenthePartyandtheCaucus.

• Becauseoitssize,thePolicycommitteewouldnotberequiredto(butcould)meetinperson(andwouldinanyeventcloselycoordinateitsactivitiesvia teleconerenceandothermeans).However,werecommendthattheConstitution



.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.


beamendedtourtherprovideorasubcommitteeothePolicyandPlatormCommittee,calledthe“PolicyStrategyCommittee”.ThepurposeothisCommitteewouldbetodratandpresentacomprehensiveannualplanorpolicydevelopmenttotheCounciloPresidents.ThisCommitteewouldincludetheChairandVice-chair,theCaucusAccountabilityOcer,andourothermembers

otheCommittee.Theirplanwouldincludethebudget,means,anddetailedimplementationplanorpolicydevelopmentinthePartyoverthecourseothe year.

• Finally,toensurethattheLeaderhasanultimate(andappropriate)vetooverthepoliciesthathe/sheisaskedtocarryintoanelectionanddeendasLeadero theParty,a“policyapproval”subcommitteeothePartyisrecommended.ThissubcommitteewouldcomprisethePresident,thetwoNationalVice-presidents,andthePolicyChair,andtheLeaderwouldberequiredtoconsultthisgroupbeorerejectingapprovedPartypolicy.

• ThepolicydevelopmentunctionbeincludedasaormalpartotheconstitutionalmandateoallPartyentities,includingEDAs,Commissions,PTAsandtheLPCitsel.




.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

26

. Conventions and Leadership

Anexcitingmixoshowandsubstance,PartyConventionsarewherevariouskeydecisionsaremade,whererst-timersdevelopanintellectualbondtotheParty,where

long-timemembersarereinvigorated,andwherethePartymapsouttheroadahead.Conventionscanbethebirthplaceogreatideas,orumsordebateanddiscussion,and,moreotenthannot,thelaunchpadoruturePrimeMinisters.Conventionsarealsothesupremedecision-makingauthorityintheParty.

Conventions,tousetheoverworkedexpression,areaverygoodthing.Forthereasonscitedabove,participationinConventionsistobeencouraged.TaskForcemembersrecognizethatourmembersaretheessentialcornerstoneotheConventionprocess: theirenergy,ideasandhardworkmakeourConventionsasuccess.Ourmembersalsoplayaundamentalroleonseveralkeyronts–theelectionodelegatestorepresent them,thedevelopmentopoliciesorconsideration,andtheelection(andperiodicreview)oLeaders.ConventionsmustcontinuetoserveasthecatalystsorPartyactivism.

However,thecostobothholdingandattendingaConvention-regardlessothetypeandsize-hasincreasedgreatlyovertheyears.Further,theeespaidbymemberstoattendConventionsareconsideredadonationtotheParty.Thislegalrequirementdivertsmembers’resourcesawayromundingthatmightotherwisebeavailabletosupportridings,candidatesandtheotherworkoourParty.ThePartyalsocontinues,atsignicantexpense,tooergeneroussubsidiesortraveltomemberswhomusttravelgreatdistancestotakepartinConventions.

Thereore,severalactorsmustbeweighedinconsideringtheissueoPartyConventions.Regardless,therewillalwaysbeBiennialConventions,andtheyneedtobeencouraged.InkeepingwitharenewedocusonEDAsasthecentersoPartyactivity,theTaskForcebelievesthatitistimetoexpandthesizeodelegationsromEDAstoPartyConventions. Webelievethattwenty(20)membersoeachEDAshouldbeeligibletoattendPartyConventions.Othisnumber,tenwouldbemenandtenwouldbewomen.Threeoeachgenderwouldberequiredtobeyouth,thusenhancingyouthrepresentationatConventions.Therequirementorseniorswouldbeabandoned.RidingPresidentsandPastcandidateswouldcontinueasex-ofcio delegates.Thenumberoalternateswouldbeunlimited,tourtherstimulateparticipation.

InitialdiscussionshavebeenheldwithrepresentativesotheAboriginalPeoples’Commission(APC)concerningreormotheunwieldyaboriginaldelegateormulaintheLPCConstitution.TheTaskForcebelievesthatscrappingthisormulaisagoodidea,and thatasimplicationwouldbeachievedbyaddingtwoadditionaldelegatespots(onemanandonewoman)romeachEDA,dedicatedtoaboriginalpeoples.Tobeclear,aboriginalswouldnotbelimitedtotwospots,butwouldbeguaranteedatleasttwo.Welookorward

toconcludingthediscussionsaroundpotentiallyimplementingsuchapowerullysymbolicidea.

Asideromtheobviousbenetsoincreasedparticipationanditspositiveeectson thePartyanditsEDAs,thischangealsohasthevirtueospreadingthe(largelyxed)costsoaConventionovermoreparticipants,thusreducingthecostoreveryone.Wecontinuetobelieve,however,thatLPCmust(asitisnow)berequiredtobreakevenonConventions.

Somuchthen,orthequestionoConventionsingeneral.Increasedparticipationand



.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.


alargerdelegatestructureoughttobeimplemented,nomatterwhat.However,added totheseconsiderationsisthequestionoLeadership,andwhetherornotaConventionshouldelecttheLeader.ManyarethosewhourgethePartytomovetoaone-member,one-votesystemwhereeachEDAwouldhaveanequalweight.Manyotherswishtoretaintheexcitementoamulti-ballotLeadershipConvention(eventhoughtheneedto

electaLeadermaynotallconvenientlyintoanormalBiennialcycle).ThesedierencesoopinionexistontheTaskForce,astheydointhePartyatlarge.

Nomatterwhat,however,somechangesarerequired.Whatevertheprocess,theonsetominoritygovernmentsandcampaignnancereormssuchasC-24andC-2requireustoconsidershorteningwhateverprocessischosen.ThecurrentLeadershipprocess,prescribedbytheLPCConstitution,wasinitiatedinMarchandculminatesinDecember.Thisissimplytoolong,tosaynothingothesignicantexpenseincurredbyboththeLeadershipCandidatesandthePartyduringthislongperiod.Itisonerous, time-consuming,costlyandmustbereviewed.Thereore,ithecurrentprocessisretained,theTaskForcebelievesthatthat“actoretention”mustbeaccompaniedbyaconstitutionally-approvedprocessoreviewothecurrentselectionprocess,withaview toshorteningitandmakingitlesscostlyandunwieldyorallconcerned.

TheupcomingConvention,webelieve,mustbegivenanoptionsurroundingLeadershipselection,betweenthestatusquo(accompaniedbytheneedtostreamlineit)andaweightedone-member,one-votesystemsuchasthatemployedbyallothermajornationalparties(andmostprovincialparties).Thissystemwouldconsistoauniversal(i.e.allmemberseligibletovote),preerential(i.e.rankedpreerences)ballot,whereeachEDAisgivenequalweight,mostlikelybyallocating100pointstoeachEDA.Thissystemwouldhavethevirtueobeingshorter,lesscostlyorallinvolvedand(possibly)moredemocratic.However,itwoulddeprivethePartyoaseminaleventwhichattractsnationalattentionandresultsinabetterbrokeringointereststhatosterscompromise.

Inanyevent,theargumentsorandagainstbothproceduresarewell-known.TheTask

Forcebelievesitistimetochoose.However,wedonotbelievethatthischoiceislinked tothosewerecommendinthe“Partystructure”sectionsothisdocument.Putanotherway,wedonotwishtoorcepeopletovoteagainstwhatwebelieveareessentialandworthyreormslikethosesuggestedherein,merelybecauseonedoesnotavouroneortheothermethodoLeadershipselection.Thereore,werecommendthatdelegates totheupcomingConventionvoteseparatelyonstructuralreormandonConventions&leadershipselection.InthevoteonchangestoConventions,delegateswouldbeasked tochoosewhichormoleadershipselectiontheyavour(byasimplemajority),andthenonadoptingtheavouredchoice.

Finally,theTaskForcerecommendsthattheprocesso“leadershipreview”bestreamlined.Currently,leadershipreviewsarerequiredattherstBiennialConventionatereveryelection,andthenbya“double”vote,rstintheEDAs,thenagainatthe

Conventionitsel.Failuretoachieve50percentplusoneineithercontestautomatically triggersaLeadershipConvention.

Whilenever“successully”usedintheLPC,theTaskForceeelsthatthiscostlyandcontroversialprocessis,rankly,overkill(punctuatedonceagainbytheonsetominoritygovernment).Thereore,consistentwiththeenhancedroleoEDAsenvisagedinthisreport,theTaskForcerecommendsthat“leadershipreview”ballotingoccuronlybyauniversal-butweighted–voteoallmembersotheParty(heldinconjunctionwithdelegateselectionortherelevantBiennialConvention).Onceagain,eachridingwould




.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

2

beallocated100points,andthesimplepercentageso“yes”and“no”ballotswouldbeaveragedacrossallEDAs.This“score”wouldthenbeannouncedattheBiennialConvention,butnosuchvotewouldoccurattheConvention.Moreover,leadershipreviewvoteswouldoccuronly aterelectionswhereourLeaderdidnotbecomePrimeMinisteroCanada.

TheTaskForcethereorerecommends:

•IncreasingthesizeoEDAdelegationstoLPCConventionsto20,owhichten(10)wouldbemaleandten(10)emale,includingsixyouth.AboriginaldelegatescouldbeelectedromEDAs,insteadothecurrentalgebraicdelegateormula.Nochangetocurrentex-ofcio eligibilityiscontemplated,althoughwedonote thattheirrepresentationwouldbeurtherdiluted.•Oeringdelegatesachoicebetweena“statusquo”anda“weightedone-member,one-vote”methodoleadershipselectionattheupcomingConvention.

•NotlinkingthischoicetoavoteonstructuralreormstothePartyrecommendedherein.

•Streamliningthecurrentleadershipreviewprocessbyremovingthe“double vote”andrequiringreviewonlyateranelectionloss.



.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.


. Conclusion

Undoubtedly,therecommendationshereinwillengendermuchdiscussionanddebate. TheLiberalPartyoCanada,likeitornot,isanimpressive,sprawling,complicated,diuse

anddecentralizedentity.Somesaythatitisnotbrokenandshouldnotbexed,whilepointingtoourelectoralsuccess.Manyothersthinkchangesshouldbemade,thatnowisthetimetomakethem,asthePartyengagesinaprocessorenewal.Thislattergroupmostlyincludespeoplewhosensesomethingisn’tworking,butmostlycannotputtheir ngeronwhatthat“something”is.Thisgroup,itisairtosay,includedthememberso theTaskForce,whospentcountlesshoursdeterminingexactlywhatthat“something”is.

Still,othersbelievethatweshouldhavegoneurther,thatanyentitiesotherthanEDAsandtheNationalPartyareextraneoustoourrequirementsandshouldbediscarded.Werejectthatviewasrmlyaswerejectthestatusquo.WethinkthatpartowhatdenesusasLiberalsarethelengthstowhichwegotoensurerepresentationosociety’s’underrepresented,andoprovincesandterritorieswhoormtheederationoourcountry.

Whatweproposeisa“rebalancing”oourstructures,onethatswingsthependulummoreresolutelytowardindividualmembersandtheirridingassociations.Wehave,inbuildingagreatnationalinstitution,ailedtoreinorcethelinkagesbacktowhereitallbegins–intheheartsandmindsoourmembersandthecommunitieswheretheylive. Thisreportproposestoreconnectthem.

NomatterwhatLiberals’viewsoourrecommendations,westronglyurgethattheybeallowedtochoosethecourseoourParty’sevolution.Thereore,weurgetheNationalExecutive,theentitythatdemocraticallycreatedthisTaskForce,tooverseeorthwith thedratingoconstitutionalamendmentstoputbeoretheupcomingConvention. Theamendmentsaceanuphillclimb:ullytwo-thirdsodelegatesmustapprovethembeoretheybecomepartotheParty’sConstitution.Regardless,webelievetheymeritconsiderationandhealthydebate.

Inact,itisournalhopethatsuchdebateoccurlongbeoredelegatesandothersgatherinMontréal.ThatiswhyweurgethatthisreportbereleasedtoallEDApresidents,PTAExecutivemembersandanyotherswithadirectinterestintheaairsotheLPC. Appropriateeedbackmechanisms,suchasane-maillinkthroughtheParty’sWebSite,shouldbeestablishedtohearromallthosewhoagree,disagree,orhavesuggestionsorimprovements.

TheLiberalPartybelongstoallous,andwemustcollectivelyagreetochangeit.Letthediscussionsbegin!

august 2006 built to win fa

Documents