We also know some of you weren't able to make it to last weekend's New Democratic provincial council meeting. But fear not! Public Eye has also obtained a copy of the meeting agenda, which we're happy to provide to those of you who were snowed in or had other pressing engagements (like going to a vintage whiskey and port tasting fundraiser - see below). According to that document and party insiders, one of the main events was a public opinion research presentation by IdeaWorks Consulting Inc. member Ian Reid using an early summer 1,200 sample poll from Viewpoints Research Ltd. Mr. Reid, you may remember, was previously a senior advisor to the New Democrat government and communications director for the West Coast Environmental Law Society.

The poll's voting intention results were within one percentage point of the most recent Mustel Research Group Ltd. survey, which showed the Liberals at 43 percent and the New Democrats at 37 percent. Also included in the presentation were detailed breakouts of regional, gender, age and trade union numbers. And the polling showed voters expect both the Liberals and New Democrats to provide more evidence they can be fiscally responsible.

The following is a copy of the meeting agenda.

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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL
of the New Democratic Party of BC
September 25 - 26, 2004
Landmark Hotel Vancouver

AGENDA

Saturday, September 25, 2004

9:00 am

1. Call to Order
2. Adoption of the Agenda
3. Approval of the Provincial Council Minutes of July 10 and July 11, 2004 SCHEDULE A
4. Receipt of the Provincial Executive Minutes of June 22, July 6, July 9, July 20, August 3, August 17 and August 31, 2004 SCHEDULE B

9:15 am

5. Federal Caucus Report Followed by Question and Answer Session, Bill Siksay, MP

10:00 am

6. Leader's Address, Carole James (Order of the Day - Media present) Followed by Question and Answer Session

10:45 am

7. Provincial Secretary's Report, Gerry Scott SCHEDULE C

11:15 am

8. President's Report, Including EPC Report, Jeff Fox SCHEDULE D

12:00 pm LUNCH BREAK

1:00 pm

9. Public Opinion Research Presentation

2:00 pm

10. Policy Review and Platform Development Discussion

3:00 pm

11. Affiliation/OMOV Reports and Discussion

4:30

12. Regional Caucus Meetings (including nomination of the Executive Regional Representative for Vancouver North Shore and Vancouver Island South)

5:15

13. Adjournment

Mt. Pleasant Constituency Association Presents:
Whiskey & Vintage Port Tasting - $100
4442 Sophia Street
Saturday, September 25 at 7 pm to midnight
Wine and Beer available
Includes a selection of fine, single malt whiskies and vintage ports.
Accompanied by various cheeses, haggis and smoked salmon.
Chocolate pate for dessert. Music by bagpipe.
Info 604-719-6413

COPE 15

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL
of the New Democratic Party of BC
September 25 - 26, 2004
Landmark Hotel Vancouver

AGENDA

Sunday, September 26, 2004

9:00 am

1. Call to Order

2. Treasurer's Report Including Debt Payment Plans, Cheryl Hewitt SCHEDULE G

10:00 am

3. 2005 Draft Budget (For Adoption at December Council Meeting) SCHEDULE H

11:00 am

4. Committee Reports

* WRC
* SCOE
* SCOA
* YND

11:30 am

5. Notices of Motion

* West Kootenay Boundary Constituency Association - Investigation Into Colony of Bountiful, Creston BC
* Revelstoke NDP Club; Columbia River Revelstoke; Kelowna and Shuswap Constituency Association - Provincial Support Staff Located At Regional Centres
* BC YND - Young Rights Campaign Funding To BC YND
* Kelowna Constituency Association - Campaign Workshops Outside The Lower Mainland
* Kelowna Constituency Association - Candidate & Nominee Training Sessions
* Kelowna Constituency Association - NDPVote Data & Training

6. Adjournment