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 Transportation and of Immigration. (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.
Transportation and Immigration
P-37: Transportation | P-38: Transportation [Border Crossings] | P-68: International Credentials | P-69: Applications Process | P-65: Refugee Determination
P-37: Transportation
It is moved that the current Clause 31 be replaced with the following:
“i) A Conservative government would consider expanding 'Open Skies' to promote competition and consumer choice.
ii) A Conservative government believes a modern, efficient transportation system is integral to the well-being of Canada's economy, and essential for Canada to be competitive in continental and global markets.
iii) A Conservative government will support public/private infrastructure investment as part of a comprehensive approach to improving and sustaining a world-class transportation system.
iv) A Conservative government will work in partnership with the provinces to achieve an integrated transportation system.
v) A Conservative government will work in partnership with the provinces to achieve a truly 'National Highway System'. A first-class Trans-Canada highway should be the centrepiece.
vi) A Conservative government will reduce or eliminate federal government fees, levies, taxes and rents, hidden and otherwise, associated with Canada's national transportation system.
vii) A Conservative government will re-evaluate the corporate governance and ensure accountability at Canada's airport authorities.
viii) A Conservative government will ensure access to future transportation infrastructure for people with disabilities is a fundamental priority for all future public or private transportation installations.
ix) To reduce automobile-rail accidents at level crossings, a Conservative government will encourage railroad owners to take more responsibility for ensuring consistency in level crossing markings and equipping rail cars with side reflectors.
x) A Conservative government will assume responsibility for legitimate Customs and Immigration costs for all marine ports and airports.
xi) A Conservative Government will ensure airlines are represented on the Board of NAV Canada.
xii) The Conservative Party of Canada supports the retention of lightstations their personnel and their aids to navigation. Lightstations are an important contribution to Canadian sovereignty, provide for public safety especially for recreational boaters and kayakers, are an essential presence to monitoring sea-planes and marine traffic, and assist in the interdiction of smuggling. The Conservative Party of Canada also recognizes the historical value of the lightstations and promotes the concept that they are well situated infrastructure and personnel which can be utilized for scientific data collection and for other uses.”
Moved by National Caucus.
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P-38: Transportation [Border Crossings]
It is moved that the current Clause 31 be amended by adding a new subclause as follows:
“ii) A Conservative government will work on a solution to improve border crossings and alleviate congestion at the borders setting goals within specified timelines while recognizing the need for improving security and improved relations with the U.S. and establish a study of the feasibility of a North American perimeter.”
Moved by Windsor RJPM.
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P-68: Immigration- International Credentials
It is moved that a new clause be added in Section Q) as follows:
“Recognition of International Credentials
The Conservative Party of Canada believes in providing new immigrants with the best possible opportunity to use their education and experience here in Canada. We see this as a matter of fairness to newcomers and their families and a means of ensuring that Canada receives the full benefit of immigration.
A Conservative government will:i) work with the provinces to develop, in consultation with Canadian professional and trade associations, a process to evaluate standards in countries of origin in order to establish a workable system for assessing and recognizing credentials and experience;
ii) work with the provinces to develop, in consultation with Canadian professional and trade associations, criteria for obtaining equivalent Canadian professional status and transition programs for integration of immigrants into the Canadian workplace;
iii) require the credentials process to be disclosed to applicants by immigration staff overseas and on the CIC website;
iv) encourage international students graduating from accredited Canadian colleges and universities to remain and work in Canada; and
v) develop a better system to identify Canada's labour market needs and make the points system more flexible to ensure these needs can be met.”
Moved by National Caucus
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P-69: Applications Process
It is moved that a new clause be added in Section Q) as follows:
“Applications Process:
The Conservative Party of Canada believes that there must be fundamental change to the applications process to minimize stress and uncertainty for applicants and their families.
A Conservative government will:
i) ensure that Citizenship and Immigration Canada is properly staffed, trained and resourced to improve the processing of people wanting to come to Canada;
ii) reorganize the applications process so that applicants are given accurate information about what to expect, are readily able to obtain information on the status of their files, and are given service in a considerate and professional manner;
iii) reverse the Liberal policy of separating married couples while the application of the non-status partner is being processed;
iv) extend automatic Canadian citizenship to children adopted from abroad by Canadian parents once the adoption is final;
v) provide options such as the posting of a bond to allow higher acceptance rates for family visits while protecting the integrity of the system from queue jumping; and
vi) reduce the need for Temporary Resident Visas (TRVs) issued by the Minister by making the applications process more fair and efficient, and make the use of TRVs by the Minister both transparent and accountable through a process of independent review.”
Moved by Nati
onal Caucus.
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P-65: Refugee Determination
It is moved that the current Clause 81 be replaced with the following:
“The Conservative Party of Canada is proud of Canada's humanitarian tradition of providing safe haven to those who have had to flee their homeland, and we welcome refugees to Canada. A Conservative government will promote the integrity and fairness of our refugee determination system, and will ensure that decisions are made expeditiously and with respect for due process. We believe that the current appeals process is flawed and moves far too slowly.
A Conservative government will:i) streamline the process of validating refugee claims;
ii) where the Immigration and Refugee Board finds claimants do not qualify as genuine refugees, ensure such individuals are escorted from Canada in a timely manner and provided with the information they need to start the proper process of applying for an immigration permit from abroad;
iii) give greater priority to refugees identified pursuant to the United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees;
iv) implement a fully merit-based process for Immigration and Refugee Board appointments; and
v) develop a refugee appeals process that is fair and timely.”
Moved by National Caucus.