Big Tent
The Liberal Party of Canada in Alberta will be holding its annual convention this weekend and for the first time in years, there’s actually a legitimate policy discussion going on (The past few years has been devoted to instructional workshops such as “101 ways to take over a riding association” and “sucking up to get a job with Paul when he finally takes over the party”). The top priority resolutions will be jettisoned to the National Convention in March. Sure, the party will ignore them, but I imagine they’ll get a bit of media play, especially since there will be both same sex and missile defense resolutions up for debate.
I glanced through the 70+ resolutions that will be debated this weekend and came across a few interesting ones that will certainly lead to a lot of heated debate. Among the highlights:
-An anti-BMD resolution co-sponsored by several ridings and associations
-A pro-Kyoto resolution calling for a clear blueprint
-A resolution calling on the government to reject asymmetrical federalism
-A resolution urging marijuana legalization
-A pro-proportional representation resolution
-A resolution calling on the Liberal Party to urge its members to send more letters to the editor (I kid you not)
-A resolution demanding a Western PMO
-A resolution calling on Canada to annex the Turks and Caicos
-A pro-euthanasia resolution
-An anti-abortion resolution
-A pro-gay marriage resolution
-And anti-gay marriage resolution
-At least four resolutions that (indirectly) criticize Martin for the appointed candidates fiasco last year and calling for a variety of ways to prevent this in the future.
It will be very interesting to see what party members decide on, given the wide range of topics up for debate. Since both the Conservatives and Liberals are holding policy conventions in March, and we could have an election within a year, the policies voted on at the national conventions are certainly going to get a lot of scrutiny - more so than usual.
The Liberal Party of Canada in Alberta will be holding its annual convention this weekend and for the first time in years, there’s actually a legitimate policy discussion going on (The past few years has been devoted to instructional workshops such as “101 ways to take over a riding association” and “sucking up to get a job with Paul when he finally takes over the party”). The top priority resolutions will be jettisoned to the National Convention in March. Sure, the party will ignore them, but I imagine they’ll get a bit of media play, especially since there will be both same sex and missile defense resolutions up for debate.
I glanced through the 70+ resolutions that will be debated this weekend and came across a few interesting ones that will certainly lead to a lot of heated debate. Among the highlights:
-An anti-BMD resolution co-sponsored by several ridings and associations
-A pro-Kyoto resolution calling for a clear blueprint
-A resolution calling on the government to reject asymmetrical federalism
-A resolution urging marijuana legalization
-A pro-proportional representation resolution
-A resolution calling on the Liberal Party to urge its members to send more letters to the editor (I kid you not)
-A resolution demanding a Western PMO
-A resolution calling on Canada to annex the Turks and Caicos
-A pro-euthanasia resolution
-An anti-abortion resolution
-A pro-gay marriage resolution
-And anti-gay marriage resolution
-At least four resolutions that (indirectly) criticize Martin for the appointed candidates fiasco last year and calling for a variety of ways to prevent this in the future.
It will be very interesting to see what party members decide on, given the wide range of topics up for debate. Since both the Conservatives and Liberals are holding policy conventions in March, and we could have an election within a year, the policies voted on at the national conventions are certainly going to get a lot of scrutiny - more so than usual.
posted by calgarygrit at
7:41 p.m.
2 Comments:
Can I assume that anti-BMD refers to anti-ballistic missile-defence and not the less popular anti-birth, marriage-death wing of the party?
Actually, I'm in favour of Kyoto, open to SSM, waffling on BMD, struggle with abortion, and have no objection to the annexation of Turks and Caicos. I'm als00os hoping that somewhere those 70 resolutions is a condemnation of the invasion of Iraq, a formal complaint about Guantanamo, and an objection to the treatment of Canadian citizens and immigrants at the hands of US authorities. Not sure if that makes me a troubled Albertan or a typical Canadian.
I enjoy your blog Calgrit. I particularly enjoyed your predictions for 2005 and your clarification of traditional marriage as the circa 2002 variety.
By
Psychols, at 1:13 a.m.
Hey Paul; Yeah, BMD refers to missile defense.
I seem to recall one resolution regarding the Patriot Act and the treatement of Canadian citizens in the US in the package. I'll be sure to post a recap of which ones make the cut on Sunday.
By
calgarygrit, at 5:03 p.m.
Post a Comment
<< Home