Global Courant 2023-05-05 01:35:06
The Liberal Party of Canada kicked off its three-day policy convention in the nation’s capital on Thursday, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau walked down the street from Parliament Hill to meet and mingle with members, telling them Canada is facing ” a very, very big choice” in the coming years about the kind of country they want to live in and leave for future generations.
“The decisions we’re making now and the choices you’re all making as liberals will inform Canadians for years to come on how to choose a more positive, more optimistic… vision that can take all Canadians with us,” he said while he spoke to the party’s Indigenous Peoples’ Commission.
“I can’t wait to see all the energy you all are generating, I can’t wait to see all the ideas that are being put forward, but most of all I can’t wait to see, once we get back to our communities across the country after this exciting weekend, how motivated we will all be to not just continue with these ideas, but to get out there and knock on the doors and talk to Canadians about how we’re going to build a better future together.”
Popping in and out of some early meetings, and taking selfies with those who asked, Trudeau, who wore a delegate ID lanyard like everyone else, seemed empowered by being able to see his supporters in person.
“It’s been five years since the last convention,” Trudeau remarked while speaking to an attendee.
The party’s latest policy confab took place virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, making the 2018 Halifax, NS convention the last time liberals from across Canada gathered to discuss the party’s direction. According to the party, 4,000 delegates are expected to attend in person or virtually.
Trudeau will address the entire convention later tonight, in a keynote speech designed to try to convince liberals of the progress made over the past eight years and the commitments still to be met, at a time when the federal government is being faced a barrage of questions in the House of Commons on issues such as foreign interference and inflation.
Meanwhile, timed to the convention, the Conservative Party of Canada released a new attack ad titled “Out of the country”, which is expected to be released on TV and social media in English and French.
In it, the conservative voiceover talks about “lavish” foreign travel, crime, and affordability before concluding with the catchphrase, “Justin Trudeau: You’re out of money, he’s out of touch.”
WHAT’S ON THE AGENDA?
In addition to discussing policy, party conventions are an opportunity for ministers, MPs, their staff, those who wish to join them and the constituency to network.
Between Thursday and Saturday, delegates will gather at the convention grounds in downtown Ottawa to discuss and vote on policies, attend campaign training, and also elect a new party chairman.
They will also be able to sit a series of keynote conversationsincluding Congressional headliner Hillary Clinton speaking with Deputy Prime Minister and Treasury Secretary Chrystia Freeland.
Among the topics to be discussed in various breakout sessions with Liberal ministers and MPs over the coming days are:
“Leading Climate Action for Clean Air and a Strong Economy” “Fighting Racism and Hate and Building a Canada for All” “Stronger Gun Control and a Canada Where Everyone Feels Safe” “Women’s Leadership in the Economy” “Young Canadians and Growing Our movement” and “GOTV”
Several dozen members have also been supported policy resolutions that made it to the congressional floor and potentially ending up on the party’s next election platform include:
Making voting compulsory, lowering the voting age to 17 and extending voting over several days. Developing a “clear, budgeted proposal” for a return to balanced budgets from the next campaign. Calling on the Chief Electoral Officer to “develop a model code of conduct for federal political parties, candidates and third parties.” Analyzing, advising and proposing a guaranteed viable basic income policy. And increasing the federal defense budget to $32 billion while making major NORAD investments.
Other issues addressed in resolutions include affordable housing, climate change mitigation, protection of whistleblowers and justice reform consistent with reconciliation of indigenous peoples.
With files from Kevin Gallagher, Ian Wood and Mike LeCouteur of CTV News
