NDP policy party

Before the Liberals confirm Justin Trudeau’s leadership announce the name of their new leader in Ottawa this weekend, the New Democrats will hold their biennial policy convention in Montreal.

Postmedia has an overview of the 432 policy resolutions that have been submitted—the full list is here. Greg Fingas offers a New Democrat’s perspective.

For those who want to see concerted action against tax havens and unbridled financial speculation (including a Robin Hood tax), an increased focus on social and community ownership and employment rather than capital interests, and a move away from corporate self-regulation, the NDP’s economic resolutions address all of those issues. 

For those interested in social issues typically ignored by Canada’s other political parties such as focusing on intergenerational fairness, basing policy on the social determinants of health, expanding and strengthening of the Canada Health Act, and eliminating mandatory minimum sentences, those subjects will also be up for discussion within the social investment panel. And for those wanting a trade policy which doesn’t handcuff Canadian governments, a system to protect the rights of temporary foreign workers or an explicit focus on diplomatic measures over military action, the panel on Canada’s place in the world will address all of those possibilities.

Greg also looks closer at resolutions on the economy and the environment.

I’ll be in attendance from Friday through Sunday. Before then, I’ll have a post on the democratic and parliamentary reforms that will be up for consideration.