Lets reform the LPC National Executive the right way

As most know the Liberal Party of Canada (LPC) is going through a renewal and leadership process this year. It is a time for the party to find itself, regroup and decide where it is going and how it will get there. With the strength of the reunited Conservative party and weaknesses caused by the sponsorship program and being in government for 13 years, this is a crucial time for the Liberal party and it is absolutely essential that we get it right, the first time, if we don’t do thing right this time, we could be in the political wilderness (opposition) for quite awhile. We are fortunate that our nation doesn’t yet feel the full damage of what a Harper Conservative majority would do to this country. Although we already feel the implications of a Conservative minority, the loss of the Kelowna Accord and destruction of the Kyoto Treaty are two that most affect me.

In a recent article (July 7, 2006) Toronto Star columnist Susan Delacourt reported on a supposedly leaked document that included recommendations by the Red Ribbon Committee, a committee set up by the LPC National Executive to review the party structure. Based on the article, the recommendations included changing the size and composition of the LPC to be cut in half. Before I even discuss this, I would like to raise the fact that many in the party haven’t even been consulted, nor have they been asked for input. I find it funny that the Star would have this document and the President of the party would do an interview without first consulting many of the people these recommendations would affect. I am on the national executive of the Aboriginal Peoples’ Commission, we have three representatives of the LPC National Executive, far less then the Women’s, Young Liberals or Senior’s commissions, yet we have not been informed or consulted about any of these recommendations. I found it premature and unaccountable to approach restructuring the LPC from recommendations that come from the top-down. I am also of the understanding that there are no commission representatives on this Red Ribbon Committee, which is also disturbing.

Since then I have heard all sorts of rumors on the Liberal Blogs and from party members that they are going to get rid of the commission representatives or the commissions all together. I think that those involved with Red Ribbon would know the benefit having these commissions has for our party and I trust this is not a recommendation. If they want to start somewhere, I would get rid of the overlap of having regional representatives and the provincial and territorial association presidents and maybe scaling back the commission representatives to two per commission. Quite frankly, I do understand our need to have a youth, women’s and Aboriginal commission, but I never understood why we have a senior’s commission. It has been well documented that seniors are well represented, if not over-represented in our political institutions. Seniors get elected, go to the polls and have their policies well represented, so I don’t understand their usage.

I don’t understand how using the Conservative National Council model would benefit us, our model is designed to run our party effectively and engage as many people as possible. I don’t even understand the basis of the Conservative model, but I believe it’s based on province’s population with 4 seats for Ontario, 3 seats for Quebec, 2 for Alberta and B.C. and one for the rest of each of the provinces with the territories sharing three. When we look at the Liberal National Executive model rather then taking away commission representatives, we need to ask ourselves about the other committees, as it seems party staff and executive fulfill most of those responsibilities. If these committees are useful, then the power to utilize them to the fullest extent should be given back to the committees. I think that is one of the biggest problems, under-utilization of current commissions and bodies within the LPC.

In the article, it was also suggested one of the reasons we lost is because of our party size and structure. I would say quite the opposite to be true. As an active member in two of the commissions, I would state that they were not used to their fullest capacity. The problem with the party is we have all these great organizations and individuals who run for leadership of these organizations with great ideas, only to lose all of the power during elections to appointed un-elected party officials who call all the shots.

Apparently the recommendations of the Red Ribbon Committee will be coming out shortly, finally, to us in the party who are actually elected to represent the grassroots, so maybe we can actually have some input and say what we feel will best reflect the needs of our party. I would certainly not support any amendments to the constitution that disbanded the Young Liberal’s, Women’s or Aboriginal Peoples’ Commissions, I would however support fewer commission reps on the LPC National Executive, I think two per commission again is a balanced number. Without having this representation, the same thing can happen which happened with the Red Ribbon Committee, that is people above your making decisions that directly affect you, without having any input from your constituency group.

I know for myself and many Aboriginal and young Liberals, we would not have been this active in the party unless they had our respective commissions to engage us and be a conduit for our involvement.