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 Health and Social Programs (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.
Health and Social Programs
P-54: Childcare | P-47: Healthcare | P-92: Definition of Marriage | P-48: Post-Secondary Education | P-93: Abortion Legislation | P-55: Support for Parents | P-52: Housing and Homelessness | P-51: Retirement Savings | P-53: Shared Parenting | P-50: Employment Insurance | P-49: Student Loans
P-54: Childcare
It is moved that a new clause be added in Section I) as follows:
Child Care
The Conservative Party of Canada recognizes that parents are in the best position to determine the care needs of their children, and that they should be able to do so in an environment that encourages as many options as possible, and in a manner that does not discriminate against those who opt to raise their children in family, social, linguistic, and religious environments. We also recognize that the delivery of education and social services are provincial responsibilities under the constitution. We believe that support should go to all parents and families raising children, especially to lower and middle income parents. All existing levels of support will be maintained and improved if necessary.”
Moved by National Caucus.
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P-47: Healthcare
It is moved that the current Clause 43 be amended by replacing the existing subclause iii) with the following:
“iii) Flexibility for the provinces in the implementation of health services should include a balance of public and private delivery options. This approach would ensure that health services remain publicly funded, while services are provided through the most appropriate public or private provider based on quality and cost.”
Combined motion reflecting Manitoba RJPM and Brampton West EDA. Similar resolutions moved by Alberta, Victoria-Saanich, and Hamilton / Niagara RJPMs, and Prince Edward-Hastings, Elgin-Middlesex-London and Nipissing-Timiskaming EDAs.
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P-92: Definition of Marriage
It is moved that the current Clause 56 of the Policy Statement be amended by adding a new subclause as follows:
iv) “A Conservative Government will support legislation defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman.”
Moved by New Brunswick RJPM. Similar resolutions were moved by the Regina, Alberta, Surrey, Halifax, Kitchener, and Southwestern Ontario RJPMs, and by Wild Rose, Nipissing-Timiskaming, Thunder Bay RJPM, Prince Edward-Hastings, Battlefords-Lloydminster, Saskatoon-Humboldt, and Saskatoon-Wanuskewin EDAs.
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P-48: Post-Secondary Education
It is moved that the current Clause 50 be replaced with the following:
“The Conservative Party believes in greater accessibility to education by eliminating as many barriers to post-secondary education as possible. We believe strongly that provincial jurisdiction must be respected. However, the federal government must play a role in addressing tuition and standards.
i) A Conservative government will remove post-secondary education funding from the Canada Social Transfer and create an independent Canada Education Transfer. The Transfer will be funded at a base level and increased annually according to inflation and demographic growth. The Transfer will be negotiated with the provinces to ensure the funding is targeted to post-secondary education.
ii) A Conservative government will change the current policy and make scholarships and bursaries tax free.
iii) A Conservative government would revamp the federal student loan program to eliminate the inclusion of parental income and assets in the assessment of loan applications.
iv) As the Millennium Scholarship Program currently only assists six per cent of students, a Conservative government would channel these funds into the student loan program to help more students obtain post-secondary education.”
Moved by National Caucus.
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P-93: Abortion Legislation
It is moved that a new clause be added in Section I) as follows:
Abortion Legislation
A Conservative government will not support any legislation to regulate abortion.”
Moved by Alberta RJPM. Similar resolutions were moved by the Greater Toronto Area, Greater Vancouver Area, and Quebec RJPMs.
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P-55: Support for Parents
It is moved that a new clause be added in Section I) as follows:
Support for Parents
A Conservative government will consider, in collaboration with the provinces, establishing the policies required to give parents who choose to stay home to take care of their preschool children the recognition and financial support they need to carry out this important task.”
Moved by Quebec RJPM. Similar resolutions moved Kitchener RJPM, Okanagan-Coquihalla EDA.
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P-52: Housing and Homelessness
It is moved that a new Clause be added in Section I) as follows:
“Housing and Homelessness
i) The Conservative Party believes that all Canadians should have a reasonable opportunity to own their own home and to have access to safe and affordable housing.
ii) A Conservative government would develop a policy of broad based tax relief, income support programs and tax incentives, to make home ownership and rental accommodation more attainable and accessible.
iii) A Conservative government will address homelessness by assisting in the provision of shelters and by recognizing, addressing and seeking solutions to contributing factors of homelessness.
iv) A Conservative government will partner and link with the respective jurisdictions of provincial and municipal governments, business initiatives and the work of social agencies and non-profit organizations, in dealing with housing, homelessness, social infrastructure and related support services, such as skills development, literacy, substance abuse treatment, health and social development.
v) A Conservative government will work with the provinces and municipalities to develo
p framework agreements that help low-income city dwellers access affordable housing, through the use of tax incentives for private sector builders. The Conservative Party of Canada recognizes that most renters live in urban centres, and that the pressures of population growth as well as certain economic factors have made it increasingly difficult for many renters to find housing.”
Combined resolution reflecting National Caucus and Greater Toronto Area RJPM.
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P-51: Retirement Savings
It is moved that the current clause 54 by amended by adding three new subclauses as follows:
“iii) A Conservative government will ensure that the CPP Investment Fund is mandated to seek maximum security and to maximize the rate of return being earned on behalf of Canada's pensioners. No other policy objective will be permitted to interfere with the objectives of security and maximum rate of return.
iv) A Conservative government will recognize the efforts put forth by Canadians to prepare for retirement and consider the splitting of registered retirement income and how best to enable flexibility in pension withdrawals.
v) A Conservative government will increase financial flexibility by implementing a Registered Lifetime Savings Plan which would allow Canadians to withdraw their savings tax-free.”
Moved by National Caucus.
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P-53: Shared Parenting
It is moved that a new clause be added in Section I) as follows:
Shared Parenting:
A Conservative government will make the necessary changes to the Divorce Act to ensure that in the event of a marital breakdown, the Divorce Act will allow both parents and all grandparents to maintain a meaningful relationship with their children and grandchildren, unless it is clearly demonstrated not to be in the best interests of the children.”
Moved by Manitoba RJPM. Similar resolutions moved by Eastern Ontario and Newmarket RJPMs, and Etobicoke Centre EDA.
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P-50: Employment Insurance
It is moved that the current Clause 52 be replaced with the following:
“A Conservative government will encourage the establishment of an independent employment insurance system, with a self-accounting fund administered by employees and employers, the surplus of which being used to increase workers' benefits or reduce contributions.”
Moved by Quebec RJPM. Similar resolutions moved by Prince Edward Island and Mississauga-Oakville RJPMs.
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P-49: Student Loans
It is moved that the current Clause 51 be amended by adding the words “and provide a preferred interest rate on student loans post-graduation” after the words “Income Contingent Loans.”
Moved by New Brunswick RJPM. Similar resolutions moved by Peterborough RJPM and Kings-Hants EDA.