Tag: convention

NDP convention: 2-06-13 Resolution to Reverse changes to Fish Habitat Protection, etc.

The NDP convention considered the following motion:

2-06-13 Resolution to Reverse changes to Fish Habitat Protection, to Navigable Waters Protection, and to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act

Submitted by Gaspésie-Iles-de-la-Madeleine, Dartmouth—Cole Harbour

WHEREAS, instead of strengthening habitat protection and environmental oversight, the Conservative government has: gutted the Fisheries Act and the Navigable Waters Protection Act; weakened the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act; cut funding for science and research; and continues to ignore the threats of climate change to Canada’s oceans; and

BE IT RESOLVED that New Democrats call on the Conservative Government to reverse changes to fish habitat protection, to Navigable Waters Protection, and to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the federal government immediately implement the 75 recommendations identified in the Cohen Commission Report, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that cuts to funding for fisheries science and ecosystem management be restored

MP Robert Chisholm spoke in favour of this motion.

MP Philip Toone (Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine) spoke in favour.

Motion passed.

NDP Convention: 2-05-13 Resolution on Improving Pipeline Safety and Environmental Protection

The NDP convention in Montreal considered the following:

2-05-13 Resolution on Improving Pipeline Safety and Environmental Protection

Submitted by Burnaby—New Westminster

WHEREAS the Conservatives have used numerous omnibus budget bills to weaken environmental protections in order to fast track major energy projects;

WHEREAS the construction of large scale oil pipelines for export of raw bitumen amounts to the export of tens of thousands of value added processing jobs from Canada; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT New Democrats condemn the reckless gutting of environmental assessments through Conservative changes to the Fisheries Act, National Energy Board Act, Navigable Waters Protection Act, and Canadian Environmental Assessment Act;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT New Democrats reaffirm their commitment to thorough, evidence based reviews of proposed energy pipeline projects and that full public consultation must be open and accessible to all concerned;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT any construction or maintenance of energy pipelines should be based on the highest safety standards; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the NEB should be directed to consider the impacts of proposed pipelines on the sustainability of the environment and of value-added processing of resources.

Delegate from Hamilton-Mountain spoke in favour of this.

Barry Weisleder of the socialist caucus spoke against this.

Another delegate from Quebec’s eastern townships. Complained about a 70-year-old pipeline that carries oil from Maine to Montreal. Notes that he drives a car that runs on gas and that’s not going to change tomorrow. Have to protect on pipeline safety.

Motion passes.

NDP convention: 2-03-13 Resolution on a National Mining Strategy

The NDP convention in Montreal debated teh following resolution:

2-03-13 Resolution on a National Mining Strategy

Submitted by Nickel Belt

WHEREAS Canada, a major mining country, was a top 10 producer of 17 key metals and minerals in 2012; and

WHEREAS New Democrats understand the significance of mining to Canada’s overall economy and to our mining communities in particular;

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following clause be added to Section 1.2 of the policy book:

New Democrats believe in

E. Supporting a national mining strategy that will contribute to sustainable development, job protection, training and skills development, responsible treatment of the environment, as well as community and Aboriginal partnerships for resource sharing.

A Steelworkers rep spoke in favour; another delegate was worried this motion omitted Canadian mining activity taking place outside of Canada.

Then Hélène Laverdière, MP for Laurier-Sainte Marie spoke. A member of the socialist caucus said this motion did not go far enough, that the NDP should nationalize mining companies.

MP Paul Dewar (Ottawa Centre) spoke on this motion, mostlly about conflict minerals.

 

NDP Convention: 2-02-13 Resolution on Updating the Federal Water Policy

The NDP Convention in Montreal debated the following resolution:

2-02-13 Resolution on Updating the Federal Water Policy

Submitted by the Quebec Section

BE IT RESOLVED that the NDP support updating the Federal Water Policy.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Policy must be updated in a manner respectful of provincial and municipal jurisdiction and First Nations over water management.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the policy’s core principles should include the notions already part of the NDP policy—that free universal access to clean water is a human right, and integrated water management must ensure that reserves of clean water are adequate to maintain aquatic ecosystems.

MP Jamie Nicholls spoke in support of this

NDP Convention: 2-01-13 Resolution on Coastal and Marine Area Protection

The NDP Convention in Montreal debated the following resolution Saturday morning:

2-01-13 Resolution on Coastal and Marine Area Protection

Submitted by Dartmouth—Cole Harbour

WHEREAS, Canada has the longest coastline in the world and Canadians expect and deserve healthy oceans and marine areas for present and future generations.

BE IT RESOLVED, that the following clause be added to section 2.1 of the policy book.

New Democrats believe in:

– Canada’s commitment to protect at least 10% of coastal and marine areas by 2020 as committed to under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.

MP Robert Chisholm (Dartmouth) speaking in support of this motion.

Motion passes.