The Conservative Party of Canada recently held its first ever policy convention in Montreal. At that convention, delegates adopted a series of resolutions on a raft of topics. These are the the resolutions adopted under the broad headings of Government Accountability; Role of Government; and Foreign Affairs. (The headings were chosen by the party and the resolutions were placed in various groups by the party.) Reproduced below is each resolution in the broad grouping as it was voted on by delegates. All of the following were adopted or carried by at the convention. The acronym EDA in the following stands for Electoral District Association. The resolutions here are presented in the order in which they were voted on by delegates. When the following documents talk about inserting new clauses or replacing new clauses, they are referring to modifying what's known as the “Base Document” — starting point for policy discussions put together by senior party officials in September, 2004.
Government Accountability, Role of Government and Foreign Affairs
P-2: Ministerial Accountability | P-3: Fiscal Imbalance | P-1: Federalism | P-81: Foreign Aid | P-80: Foreign Affairs Principles
P-2: Ministerial Accountability
It is moved that the current Clause 2 be amended as follows:
“A fundamental component of Parliamentary government is Ministerial Accountability to Parliament. The Conservative Party is determined to enforce Parliamentary principles of government accountability. Ministers in a Conservative government will have authority and be accountable for the policies they implement and the administrative actions of their departments.”
Combined motion reflecting Durham and Greater Toronto Area RJPMs. Similar resolution moved by Greater Vancouver RJPM.
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P-3: Fiscal Imbalance
It is recommended that a new clause be added in Section B) as follows:
Fiscal Imbalance
A Conservative government will fix, in collaboration with the provinces, the problem of fiscal imbalances by increasing the amounts allocated to provincial transfers, by reducing taxes, or by transferring tax points to the provinces.”
Moved by Quebec RJPM. Similar resolution moved by Greater Toronto RJPM.
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P-1: Federalism
It is moved that a new clause be added in Section A) as follows:
Federalism
A Conservative government will restore the constitutional balance between the federal and provincial and territorial governments.
The Conservative Party of Canada is committed to the federal principle and to the notion of strong provinces within Canada. A Conservative government will work co-operatively with the provinces to improve the lives of Canadians while respecting the division of power and responsibilities outlined in the Constitution.
A Conservative government will ensure that the use of the federal spending power in provincial jurisdictions is limited, authorizing the provinces to use the opting out formula with full compensation if they want to opt out of a new or modified federal program, in areas of shared or exclusive jurisdiction.”
Combined motion reflecting Eastern Ontario, Greater Toronto Area, and Quebec RJPMs.
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P-81: Foreign Aid
It is moved that the current Clause 83 be replaced with the following:
83. Official Development Assistance
i) The Conservative Party of Canada believes in the inherent benefits of development assistance to to Canadians and the world. Development assistance must be anchored by expression of Canadian values and pursued within the context of Canada’s strategic interests as defined by an integrated foreign policy.
ii) The Conservative Party is committed to strengthening Canada’s record in foreign aid. A Conservative government will introduce legislation that will empower Parliament to define a legal framework for Canada’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) envelope of spending. This legislation will include a clear mandate for development assistance; mechanisms for policy coherence, monitoring, accountability and reporting to Parliament; and enhanced public transparency.
iii) The Conservative Party supports increasing the effectiveness of humanitarian aid efforts by the Canadian government. In order to accomplish this, the Conservative Party will establish clear criteria for recipient countries.
iv) The Conservative Party will provide the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) with the authority to monitor and report on the expenditure and implementation of all official development assistance dollars to ensure it meets the objectives of poverty reduction, respect for human rights and good governance. CIDA will be responsible for publishing an annual report to the public to maintain public support for increases in ODA, enhance transparency, and increase accountability.
v) The Conservative Party will ensure that the ODA envelope of spending will increase in a steady and predictable manner, beginning with a significant one-time increase in the ODA budget. Benchmarks will be established in order to allow Canadians to hold the government accountable.
Moved by National Caucus.
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P-80: Foreign Affairs Principles
It is moved that a new subclause be added to Clause 82:
“iv) A Conservative government will integrate our foreign policy with policies on trade and national defence.”
Moved by Halifax RJPM. Similar resolutions moved by Eastern Ontario and Quebec RJPMs.
