Die Neue Zeit
29th January 2012, 16:33
Excerpt from: http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/01/14/pol-liberal-convention-saturday.html
Liberals agreed Saturday night to allow people to join their party as "supporters," a move interim leader Bob Rae implored delegates to take.
He said it would be a "historic" change for the party and, after some debate, the proposal got the two-thirds support it needed to pass.
Rae said creating the supporter category, which will allow Canadians to take part in future leadership votes without paying a membership fee, will help break down walls between the Liberal party and citizens.
"It's an extraordinary opportunity for this party," he said.
The proposal was made by the Liberals' national board in its "Roadmap to Renewal" plan for rebuilding the party and it required an amendment to the constitution.
About 3,000 Liberals have come to Ottawa for a biennial convention where the focus is on how to rebuild after last May's historic election defeat. The Liberals dropped to third party status in the House of Commons after winning only 34 seats.
People can now become a Liberal supporter by filling out an application. To qualify a person must declare they support the purposes of the Liberal party, they must be a qualified elector – meaning they must be 18 years old – and they must not be a member of any other political party.
Those who backed the idea said it is necessary to help grow the party, and that bold changes are needed to rebuild the party and encourage Canadians to join it.
Those against the idea said it would create a two-tiered system and would devalue the meaning of membership. Some suggested allowing people to join the party for free instead. Others said Liberals just need to work harder to grow membership.
Former speaker of the House of Commons Peter Milliken presided over the debate.
After voting to create the new category, two-thirds of delegates agreed to let supporters vote for the party leader. They did not, however, vote to allow supporters to choose candidates. Not all 3,000 delegates were in the room for the voting session.
Outgoing party president, Alf Apps, said the party had taken steps that "will transform Canadian politics."
The supporter idea created a lot of buzz at this weekend's convention, and so has the question of leadership.
Looking at this from a politically neutral but very political perspective, this move is pathetic. Isn't the notion behind paying membership fees one of substantive political support?
Liberals agreed Saturday night to allow people to join their party as "supporters," a move interim leader Bob Rae implored delegates to take.
He said it would be a "historic" change for the party and, after some debate, the proposal got the two-thirds support it needed to pass.
Rae said creating the supporter category, which will allow Canadians to take part in future leadership votes without paying a membership fee, will help break down walls between the Liberal party and citizens.
"It's an extraordinary opportunity for this party," he said.
The proposal was made by the Liberals' national board in its "Roadmap to Renewal" plan for rebuilding the party and it required an amendment to the constitution.
About 3,000 Liberals have come to Ottawa for a biennial convention where the focus is on how to rebuild after last May's historic election defeat. The Liberals dropped to third party status in the House of Commons after winning only 34 seats.
People can now become a Liberal supporter by filling out an application. To qualify a person must declare they support the purposes of the Liberal party, they must be a qualified elector – meaning they must be 18 years old – and they must not be a member of any other political party.
Those who backed the idea said it is necessary to help grow the party, and that bold changes are needed to rebuild the party and encourage Canadians to join it.
Those against the idea said it would create a two-tiered system and would devalue the meaning of membership. Some suggested allowing people to join the party for free instead. Others said Liberals just need to work harder to grow membership.
Former speaker of the House of Commons Peter Milliken presided over the debate.
After voting to create the new category, two-thirds of delegates agreed to let supporters vote for the party leader. They did not, however, vote to allow supporters to choose candidates. Not all 3,000 delegates were in the room for the voting session.
Outgoing party president, Alf Apps, said the party had taken steps that "will transform Canadian politics."
The supporter idea created a lot of buzz at this weekend's convention, and so has the question of leadership.
Looking at this from a politically neutral but very political perspective, this move is pathetic. Isn't the notion behind paying membership fees one of substantive political support?