Earlier, your humble organ reported the author of Victoria Civic Electors mayoral candidate Ben Isitt's Wikipedia entry appears to have been none other than his personal secretary Morgan Stewart. But one of our astute readers wondered whether he also had a hand in writing the article about Mr. Isitt's competitor Alan Lowe. And it turns out he may have. Back in October 2004, a user sharing the same name as Mr. Stewart's email address added that Mr. Isitt managed "to surprise many observers by gaining more votes than any second place mayoralty candidate in the City of Victoria's history and more than several winning mayors" and further noted "his second term in office has been haunted by lingering doubts about a new arena." All of that is true, of course. But one wonders how Mr. Lowe feels about his opponent's long-time ally editing his biography?

It is oft said that history is written by the victors. But it turns out the defeated can also make a contribution via Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia whose articles are written and authored by ordinary Internet users. Consider this example: an entry detailing the epic story of re-running Victoria Civic Electors mayoral candidate Ben Isitt. Weighing in at 510-words, including sections on Mr. Isitt's early life and later life, the article describes him as a "Canadian socialist politician" whose left-wing views became "radicalized" following a backpacking trip through the United States. Surely another Che Guevara in the making! And who might be the author of this screed? Well, according to Wikipedia, the entry was written and has been repeatedly edited by a user named Veenoghu. Coincidentally (and somewhat entertainingly), veenoghu@uvic.ca is listed as being the email address for Morgan Stewart, who was recently described by brother muckraker Russ Francis as "a long-time ally, adviser and general confidante" to the candidate (Mr. Stewart just calls himself Mr. Isitt's personal secretary).

By now, most of our loyal readers are acquainted with Colin Metcalfe, Non-Partisan Association mayoral candidate Sam Sullivan's campaign manager. Lesser known though is Mr. Metcalfe's Madison Avenue magician Steve Simpson, the chairman and chief strategist for Vancouver-based Identity Mangement Inc. In an interview with your humble organ, Mr. Simpson, once a Social Credit communications director and now the association's top ad man, said, "Colin and I have sort of hunted as a pack for years because we're both federal Conservatives." In fact, Mr. Simpson's portfolio includes work for every political operation Mr. Metcalfe has recently run from Mr. Sullivan's mayoral nomination bid to provincial Liberal candidate Joan McIntyre's election campaign, as well as the Knowwards Coalition. He also did advertising for the federal Conservatives in British Columbia during the last election.

Mr. Simpson is a recent member of the association's campaign team. Until the earlier this month, the civic party's advertising had been mostly handled by Blair Dewan and Ken McCartey, formerly of the Cossette Communications Group. The two won that contract work via an informal request for proposal process back in August. Speaking of his predecessors, Mr. Simpson - who says he's volunteering his services - explained they departed due to creative differences. "But they're great guys," he added.

Mr. Simpson was formerly FCB/Ronalds Reynolds Ltd.'s senior creative services vice-president, a creative director at Cockfield Brown Inc. and president of Simpson and Simpson Advertising Inc. and Totally Hip Software Technologies Inc. He has also been a broadcaster in Vancouver.

Earlier, Public Eye reported the British Columbia New Democrat's provincial council will be discussing a proposal that could reduce the number of labour movement delegates at convention. So is that compromise a big win for party leader Carole James? That seems to be the spin twisting around the corridors of the legislature. But that heroic tale has gotten some members of the labour movement a bit hot and heavy. Said one well-placed union insider: "That's not what happened. (British Columbia Federation of Labour leader Jim) Sinclair brokered the deal. Carole couldn't get (the majority report) past convention. So we said, 'First of all, we won't back down. If you think we're going to go to convention and then curl up like a possum it's not going happen. So you sit down and make a deal.' They refused. And it looked like the ship was sailing. And Sinclair pulled it out of the fire. That's what happened. The affiliates have agreed to this. There's no opposition at this point. The affiliates are going to pass (the compromise proposal)."

Added the insider, "I understand wanting to come out and raise the flag and say this is a victory for Carole. And, at the same time, acknowledging there has been fundamental change in the party. But frankly, they were fucked...It's almost a question of audacity. The political staff in Victoria needs to learn that phones aren't just for ordering sushi...They don't seem to know how to talk to people who generally support them."

The provincial New Democrat's oh-so-painful attempt to birth a harassment policy continues. Loyal Public Eye readers may recall, at their last meeting, provincial council delegates voted to refer that policy to the Dippers' constituonal and party affairs committee for further development (where many hoped it would stay). But now it seems the committee has thwarted those hopes, drafting what some would consider a wet dream for the party's political correctness crowd.

If passed, the New Democrat's harassment policy will be required reading "at the commencement of formal meetings of the BC NDP, including but not limited to BC NDP Convention, constituency executive meetings, Provincial Council and Executive meetings, policy review and standing committee meetings, YND and WRC conventions." Oh boy.

But wait, there's more delights. Under the policy, the chair of the women's rights committee will be a member of the committee reviewing harassment complaints. Surely those accused of said harassment will get a fair hearing from her! The following is a complete copy of that policy, which was leaked to Public Eye and will be discuss at this weekend's council meeting.

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Harassment Policy

The Policy

The BC New Democratic Party is committed to ensuring that all Party activities be conducted in an environment that is free from harassment and/or discrimination and that all members treat each other with respect and dignity.

In dealing with actions, words, or behaviour by a member or members that is offensive to another, the following ideal should be observed: The purpose is to promote communication and understanding between people. The goal of the policy is to foster a harassment-free environment as well as to encourage discussion and resolve problems that may occur between people.

The BC New Democratic Party will neither tolerate nor condone any behaviour which is likely to undermine the dignity or self-esteem of an individual, or create an intimidating or offensive environment.

What is Harassment?

Harassment or discrimination, including sexual harassment, is an expression of perceived power or superiority by one person over another.

Harassment or discrimination happens when a comment or action occurs that is known or ought to have been known to be unwelcome or offensive.

Harassment or discrimination can be based on many grounds including but not limited to gender, race, age, political belief, ancestry, colour, family status, sexual orientation, class, physical or mental disability, religious affiliation, or place of origin.

Who Will Resolve Harassment Complaints?

Following the call to order of formal meetings of the BC NDP, Harassment Officers shall be chosen from delegates to serve until the end of the meeting. Two Harassment Officers, one male and one female, shall be chosen.

Between formal meetings, if a person or persons feel they have been subjected to harassment or discrimination, the information should be reported immediately to the two Harassment Officers designated by the Provincial Executive

Where the alleged harassment or discrimination involves one of the appointed Harassment Officers, then that Officer will be excused and replaced by a member of the Executive who is not directly involved.

How Will Harassment Complaints be Resolved?

The Harassment Officers will investigate the matter and attempt to mediate the issue informally or have it investigated and/or mediated by a person designated by the Provincial Executive. The complaints will be investigated in an expeditious manner.

Both the complainant and the alleged harasser will be interviewed, as will any individuals who may be able to provide relevant information. Confidentiality and the rights of all members concerned will be respected. The subject of a complaint has a right to know the nature of the complaint and to make reasonable explanation or defence.

The goal of the policy is for Harassment Officers to deal with the incident in a way that satisfies the parties involved.

If mediation fails to resolve the issue, the person or persons who feel harassed or discriminated against will put the allegations in writing and submit the issue to a committee consisting of the President, two Vice-Presidents, and the Chair of the Women's Rights Committee.

The committee will review the information and seek input from persons with a direct interest in the complaint. After hearing the matter, the committee will fashion a remedy which could include but is not limited to issuing appropriate sanctions. If the complaint is determined to be unfounded, the complaint will be dismissed.

Application of the Policy

This policy shall be read at the commencement of formal meetings of the BC NDP, including but not limited to BC NDP Convention, constituency executive meetings, Provincial Council and Executive meetings, policy review and standing committee meetings, YND and WRC conventions.

Looks like Vision Vancouver mayoral candidate Jim Green could soon be suffering from a self-inflicted wound. Earlier this week, during a scrum, Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reporter Stephen Quinn questioned Mr. Green about Non-Partisan Association council candidate Ronald Leung's alleged opposition to gay marriage. In response to those questions, Mr. Green was clipped on the broadcaster's Radio One Tuesday newscast as saying "What if somebody were making comments, for instance, that Hitler didn't go far enough in dealing with the Jewish question? Would we not be concerned about that person's ability to lead a multi cultural city like this? I certainly would." That comment has raised some eyebrows - as well as having been the cause of much gleeful hand-rubbing among association members. So we called Mr. Green to see if he wished to clarify that statement.

In an interview with Public Eye, the sitting councillor explained "In a way Sean, I regret I said it. I'm very sensistive about issues around the Jewish community. And I wasn't comparing homophobia with Hitler's actions against the Jewish people. I was just saying where do you draw the line on personal opinions. Do personal opinions effect your right to govern? And the most severe case was this - that I know of. I think it was a bit unfortunate actually. I did call some people and talk to them about it. And I'd rather not have it go any further because I don't want to offend anyone with the comment."

Mr. Green also said his recollection was that Mr. Quinn was "asking me, in a very straight-forward question, 'What does a person's personal opinions have to do with their right to govern?' So it wasn't comparing Ronald Leung to anything else. It was just a statement about an abstract question about someone's right to govern." The following is a transcript of that interview, which was graciously provided by Mr. Quinn.

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Mr. Quinn Mr. Leung says he participated in the debate - first of all he says this is all in the past because the legislation is the legislation. He participated in the debate as a radio commentator. Lots of people came down on one side or the other. That doesn't have anything to do with his job as a Vancouver city councillor if he's elected.

Mr. Green Well, if somebody has made the comments we've heard he's made. And they're true. What if somebody were making comments, for instance, that Hitler didn't go far enough in dealing with the Jewish question? Would we not be concerned about that person’s ability to lead a multi cultural city like this? I certainly would.

Mr. Quinn Uh...a great number of people happen to agree with Mr. Leung?

Mr. Green They may agree. But the position of Vancouver should be one of multi-culturalism. And multi-culturalism includes people's sexual preference. It's not for us to say we're going to make it illegal for you to be in love and have a caring relationship with your partner. That's not the kind of Vancouver I want to see. That may be the Vancouver of 100 years ago. And it may be the view through the rear-view mirror. But it's not the balanced, forward view we carry.

Who's that we saw heading into the legislature, looking shaved-head stylish in a fashionable black sports jacket and oversized-collar shirt? Could it be Daniel Igali, the famous wrestler and former provincial Liberal candidate for Surrey-Newton? Why yes, it turns out it was. In an interview with Public Eye, Mr. Igali confirmed he was roaming the Rockpile's corridors yesterday. Said the Olympian, "I was going to see a couple of my friends - the people who worked on my campaign stuff." But no talk of any government appointments, we inquired? "No, no, no," responded Mr. Igali.

Of course, the aforementioned compromise (or the unions will whip your ass) proposal wasn't the only document circulated to the provincial New Democrat's executive council on Wednesday night. Also included in that package was a memo from party president Jeff Fox detailing a constituional amendment that will introduce a one member, one vote system for selecting party leaders. The following is a complete copy of that memo.

OMOV Proposal for Council, Convention

From: Jeff Fox, President

As you know, the Council has not amended the Constitution re OMOV as it was empowered to do by the 2003 Convention. Given the closeness of Convention, after consultation with others I believe that doing this at Convention, in tandem with affiliation, makes more sense, and that's what I'd like to propose for discussion tonight. The following resolution is a draft of how that could be done by Convention:

Whereas the June 2004 meeting of the Provincial Council endorsed the full implementation of "one member, one vote" for any leadership election to be held after January 1, 2006 and empowered the Executive to develop constitutional proposals to enable that process, pursuant to Article XIX of the Constitution, passed by the 2003 Convention;

and whereas the work of the OMOV Committee and the timing of and preparations for the provincial election delayed the process of Council amending the Constitution under Article XIX;

And whereas the Provincial Convention is to be held in approximately one month, in November 2005, and, notwithstanding Article XIX, the Convention is the most appropriate body to amend the Constitution;

and whereas the Council and Convention are also considering constitutional changes relating to affiliated organizations, also authorized as per Article XIX;

Therefore be it resolved that the Provincial Council recommend to the Provincial Convention, that Article 12.01 of the Constitution of the BC NDP be amended to read as follows:

"The Provincial Leader shall be elected through a ballot of all individual members of the party residing in BC who are in good standing 90 days prior to the date of the election of Leader. Appropriate regulations for the conduct of the election and of election balloting shall be developed from time to time by the Provincial Executive and all such regulations shall be placed before the Provincial Council for ratification.";

[currently reads: After 2003, the Provincial Leader shall be elected by all individual and affiliated members in good standing of the Provincial Party.]

Earlier, Public Eye reported rumours the British Columbia New Democrat's provincial council would, this weekend, "discuss a last-minute compromise proposal" concerning the party's relationship with the labour movement. And now, your humble organ has obtained a copy of that proposal. According to the document, unions will still be permitted to affiliate with the New Democrats. But the number of delegates they send to convention will be calculated according to the total number of individual party members belonging to that union - not the union's total membership, as is presently the case. That will likely reduce the number of labour movement delegates at convention - although not as dramatically as the affiliation committee's majority report had initially recommended. Suprisingly, the proposal also increases the number of labour representatives on provincial council for four to six - a recommendation also contained in the majority report. The following is a copy of that proposal.

Proposal on Affiliation

Significant debate has ensued since the September Provincial Council meeting regarding the report of the Committee on Affiliation. What follows here is a model which has received considerable support during those discussions, enough to warrant consideration formally by the Provincial Executive for possible recommendation to the Provincial Council and ultimately to Provincial Convention. While asserting the principle of individual members being the fundamental building block of the party, the model acknowledges the historic and ongoing importance of Labour�s participation.

* An individual may choose to join the BC NDP as an affiliated member by indicating their involvement or membership in an affiliated organization.
* All affiliated members shall be individual BC NDP members in good standing.
* Affiliated members of the BC NDP shall participate in party decision making as members of the constituency association where they reside (unless their membership is transferred to another constituency in accordance with the constitution) with the exception of selecting delegates to convention.
* For the purposes of selecting delegates to convention, affiliated members will only participate through their affiliated organization, including calculation of delegate entitlement, standing for nomination as delegate to convention, and voting for delegates to convention.
* Calculation of delegate credential entitlement will be based upon the following:
* For an affiliated union, whether that affiliation is through the union�s local, provincial or national office, delegate entitlement will be calculated by aggregating all affiliated individual members from all affiliated locals of the union or through regionally based organizations as approved by Provincial Executive.
* For other affiliated organizations, affiliated local organizations will aggregate their total affiliated individual memberships with like organizations province wide or through regionally based organizations as approved by Provincial Executive.
* The same formula used to determine constituency entitlement will be used to determine delegate entitlement for these aggregations.
* The position of a labour Vice-President and labour member-at-large on the Provincial Executive be retained (as is the current practice), and that six (instead of four) labour representatives be on the Provincial Council, all to be elected by the labour caucus at the Provincial Convention.

Below are suggested draft amendments to the BC NDP Constitution that reflect the model as outlined.

Mayor Doug McCallum's embattled Surrey Electors Team has hired two high-profile Toronto-based political consultants to help them win the upcoming civic election. In an interview with Public Eye, Stew Braddick confirmed that flew into town on Thursday, joining the campaign as a senior advisor. Mr. Braddick, a principal with research/strategy firm Navigator Inc., served as the provincial Liberal's caucus secretary back in 1997 and was the party's operation director during the 1996 election. Mr. Braddick, who is working under a personal contract with the team, said he had been approached to help out civic party by its candidates and uber-provincial Liberal backroom boy Pat Kinsella's wife Brenda - who is friends with one of those running for office. Mr. Braddick also confirmed the Surrey electors have commissioned polling from the Innovative Research Group Inc. Innovative Research is the home of Greg Lyle, who was the Liberal's campaign director during the 1996 election and is rumoured to have been briefly been a member of the party's 2005 super-secret campaign committee. Mr. Lyle was previously a principal at Navigator. A version of this article was originally published in today's edition of 24 hours.

It is oft said in political circles that Young New Democrats go to convention to make policy, Young Conservatives go to convention to make contacts and Young Liberals go to convention to get laid. Certainly, based on documents leaked to Public Eye, the New Democrats (both young and old) are living up to that reputation. At next month's party convention, members could be debating at least 132 resolutions, submitted by committees, affiliates and constituency associations from across the province. In addition to perennial favourites calling on the New Democrats to reverse the government's privatization initiatives, put a moratorium on aquaculture expansion and introduce a guaranteed annual income for all British Columbians (among other delights), a number of newsworthy proposals could also be making their way to the convention floor.

The party's good governance committee is proposing that some regional health board members should be elected. The Vancouver-Point Grey consttituency association and the Salt Spring Island NDP club are calling on the party to support a declaration on the principles of parks - reaffirming the "sanctity" of those protected areas. And another resolutions demands the party support a ban on video lottery terminals.

The New Democrat's gender parity pushers also have a number of resolutions up for convention debate: one proposing the establishment an affirmative action committee "charged with recruiting affirmative action candidates for nomination" prior to the 2009 provincial election. And the women's rights committee is calling for changes that would ensure at least 50 percent of constituency association convention delegates and constituency association executive members are women. The following is a complete copy of those resolutions.

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2005 BC NDP CONVENTION RESOLUTIONS

ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS

A2005-01 First Nations Outreach
WHEREAS the BC NDP as a political body no longer has an active Aboriginal advisory committee; and

WHEREAS the BC NDP as a whole (MLAs, executive, council members, organizers) needs to be fully informed of the new evolving relationship between First Nations and the Crown and would benefit from up-to-date information on Aboriginal issues in BC; and

WHEREAS Aboriginal peoples’ issues legal climate in British Columbia is constantly evolving and the recent court decisions have placed more of the onus of consultation and accommodation on government; and

WHEREAS BC's First Nations leadership recently signed a historical Leadership Accord that commits them to work together on areas of common interest such as advancing the interests of First Nations in British Columbia; and

WHEREAS the main agenda for the November 2005 First Ministers meeting that will be held in Vancouver is Aboriginal issues; and

WHEREAS the pre-election, short, conference call training session on "Working more effectively with Aboriginal peoples" for BC NDP MLA candidates was very well received and many of the candidates commented that they could use far more in-depth training;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the BC NPD head office immediately resource and offer the NDP as a whole (MLAs, executive, council members, organizers) the opportunity to attend training/workshops to obtain a better understanding of Aboriginal issues in British Columbia and to learn to work effectively with the Aboriginal peoples.

Vancouver Mount Pleasant

A2005-02 First Nations Treaties
WHEREAS the BC Government has been dragging its heels in resolving treaties with our First Nations communities;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the BC NDP urge the BC Government to continue the Treaty Process negotiations with renewed vigor to ensure a speedy conclusion.

Cowichan Ladysmith

ADVANCED EDUCATION

B2005-01 Access to Post-Secondary Education and Tuition Fees
WHEREAS tuition fees for the average BC student pursuing a post-secondary education have more than doubled since the BC Liberal government lifted the former NDP government's tuition fee freeze in 2002; and

WHEREAS regressive fees are now being charged for Adult Basic Education denying thousands of British Columbians the ability to upgrade their high school education and earn a high school diploma; and

WHEREAS the recent Layton/Martin Federal Budget includes an investment of $1.5 billion to be used to increase access to post-secondary education, specifically mentioning reduction of tuition fees; and

WHEREAS the allocation of $1.5 billion in federal funding to reduce tuition fees and improve access is unprecedented in the history of Canada;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the BC NDP call for federal dollars for post-secondary education being spent on enhancing access by reducing tuition fees; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the BC NDP call on the BC Liberal government to pass legislation ensuring Adult Basic Education is free for all British Columbians.

Vancouver Mount Pleasant
Advanced Education Policy Review Committee

B2005-02 Skills Shortages, Trades Training and Apprenticeships
WHEREAS the province is in the midst of a growing skills shortage in the trades due in part to an aging population; and

WHEREAS the government appointed Economic Advisory Council has cited a skills shortage as a major risk to BC's economy; and

WHEREAS many trades face a potential decline in quality and standards through the employment of unqualified workers; and

WHEREAS young people eligible for trades training remain on waiting lists for trade and apprenticeship programs while significant numbers of women have little choice but to work in low paying, minimum skilled jobs;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the BC New Democrats demand that the BC Liberal government take immediate action including increased funding, to expand accessibility for training and apprenticeship programs to all British Columbians and that the government increase financial supports to students of trades and apprenticeships programs.

Powell River Sunshine Coast
Victoria Hillside

B2005-03 Education Cost Relief Act
WHEREAS the costs of tuition, residence costs, books and debt levels for post secondary students is rising and low and middle income students cannot earn sufficient income to pay the higher costs: and

WHEREAS the Provincial NDP formerly called for freezes on tuition at lower levels and then roll backs on the tuition increases from 2001-2004:and

WHEREAS the impact of increased costs falls on those less able to finance their education, preventing lower and middle socio-economic groupings in post secondary educational institutions to attend full time; and

WHEREAS the impact of increased costs directly has increased the individual debt loads that students at graduation are carrying and often prolonging completion of education programs;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the New Democratic Caucus propose the following Bill in the forthcoming sessions (Fall 2005 - Spring 2006):

Post-Secondary Student Education Costs Relief Act
1. That each student attending post secondary certified and ministry approved college, technical institute and university in BC shall be eligible to receive a direct BC provincial government cheque of $ 1000 plus an index inflationary increase for the year 2005 in January 2006.
2. That such cheque shall be mailed to each eligible student who has successfully completed their first semester (fall -2005) and is continuing their studies in the January -May 2006 semester.
3. That part-time students would receive a proportional amount equivalent to the number of courses being taken as a percentage of the minimum annual requirement (e.g two of five would generate a cheque of 40 %)
4. That this cheque be paid annually in the January of each year with the purpose of offsetting living and educational expenses which may include any of the following categories: living expenses while attending school, tuition, books and school required equipment; educational debt reduction while the student is attending a registered institution.
5. That post secondary institutions shall not be the initial direct recipient of funds specifically directed to individual enrolled students.
6. That the level of student educational financial relief shall be reviewed annually by a committee of the BC Legislature and shall include an additional item of inflation relief based on the previous year's inflation rate of educational expenses.
7. The purpose of this Education Costs Relief Act is to recognize the impact of rising costs on individual students and families, the level of personal debt undertaken, the inadequacy of short term earned income to fund expenses, and the public recognition of the value of student effort in achieving their educational goals at a reasonable fiscal cost. The Act also recognizes the impact of higher costs on low and middle income individuals and families.

Okanagan Vernon
Kelowna Mission

AGRICULTURE

C2005-01 Agricultural Land Reserve
WHEREAS an alarming increase in applications to withdraw excellent farmland from the Agricultural Land Reserve is occurring in British Columbia's finest farming regions, including recent removal of 400 acres of class 1 and 2 soils in Abbotsford and 1,000 acres currently being considered for removal from the ALR on Barnston Island, and

WHEREAS Regional Panels of the ALC are granting such exclusions on the basis of what are described as "community needs" for urban development rather than performing the ALC's primary mandate to preserve farmland in the provincial interest; and

WHEREAS the loss of such lands cannot be compensated for by adding less productive lands in other regions of the province;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the NDP reaffirm its commitment to the ALR and the preservation of BC's farmland by ensuring:

* renewed dedication of the ALR to the preservation of BC's farmland, rather than its current apparent role as land bank for urban development
* no net loss of farmland within regions and soil categories must be the key operating principle for the ALR
* a dominant role for the provincial interest in future land use decisions by the ALR
* the ALC maintains an up to date public inventory of BC's ALR land, specifying soil classifications
* restoration of sufficient funding to enable the ALC to carry out this mandate; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the BC NDP immediately press the Liberal Government to place a moratorium on all Agricultural Land Commission decisions that remove land from the ALR, including those already made under the new regional structure and those pending, until a thorough bi-partisan examination with public participation can assess the extent to which regional ALC panels are fulfilling the Commission's mandate to preserve the province's farmland for future generations, and are using soil capability as determined by agronomists as the principal criterion for land use decisions.

Abbotsford Clayburn
Okanagan Westside
Saanich South
Standing Committee on Agriculture

C2005-02 Financial Aid for New Co-Op Meat Processing Plants
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the BC NDP endorse the Standing Committee on Agriculture Report (2004 &2005) that supports financial aid for new co-op owned meat processing plants in British Columbia.

Cariboo North

C2005-03 Avian Influenza
WHEREAS the recent Avian Flu epidemic was of a grave concern for farmers, poultry processing workers and public health and;

WHEREAS there has been no public review of this epidemic;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the question of the relationship between the Avian Flu outbreak and density of flocks on farms is thoroughly investigated to insure the protection of the public from future outbreaks through regulation of the poultry industry with the identification of procedures to prevent future outbreaks and the required control of such outbreaks.

Standing Committee on Agriculture

C2005-04 Farmer's Advocate
WHEREAS the creation of the Landowner Liaison Inspector in the Oil and Gas Commission Office has been viewed by the Agriculture Industry as not effective as is the Farmer's Advocate in Alberta; and

WHEREAS there is a distinct need for legal, practical and other advice/services that is provided by the Farmer's Advocate in Alberta by the Agriculture Industry; and

WHEREAS this function can only be provided through an independent office;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the NDP lobby the BC government to create a Farmer's Advocate to be structured similarly to the Farmer’s Advocate in the province of Alberta at an early date; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Land Owner Liaison position with the Oil and Gas Commission be incorporated with this new independent agency.

Peace River North

CONSTITUTION AND PARTY AFFAIRS

D2005-01 One Member One Vote
WHEREAS the BC NDP has repeatedly confirmed its commitment to a system of one member one vote for the election of its Leader; and

WHEREAS the members of the BC NDP have remained committed to practically implementing one member one vote; and

WHEREAS Provincial Council has mandated that all future elections for Party Leader be undertaken using a one member one vote model; and

WHEREAS Constitutional amendments to enable one member one vote have been brought to several conventions; and

WHEREAS at its last convention the BC NDP again confirmed its commitment to one member one vote; and

WHEREAS a one member one vote committee was struck in 2003 to determine the mechanics of one member one vote;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the BC NDP Constitution Section 12.01 be amended to read: "The Provincial Leader of the BC NDP shall be elected by every member in good standing of the BC NDP."

Constitution and Party Affairs Committee
Oak Bay Gordon Head

D2005-02 RESOLUTIONS NOT HEARD AT CONVENTION
WHEREAS the resolutions process is the primary method of creating Party policy; and

WHEREAS constituencies spend considerable time developing and proposing such policy; and

WHEREAS Provincial Council is charged with important responsibilities regarding strategic Party operation between conventions; and

WHEREAS the Party Policy Review Committee has responsibility for encouraging policy review committees and their ongoing work; and

WHEREAS the Policy Review Committee is charged with steering resolutions throughout the convention cycle; and

WHEREAS there is an interest within the Party to revise and make more relevant Party policy development;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that all resolutions submitted to but not heard at convention be referred back to the Policy Review Committee, and then to the resolutions' originators, for review.

Constitution and Party Affairs Committee

D2005-03 FORCE & EFFECT OF REGULATIONS
WHEREAS regulations governing candidate nominations may include rules declared in the BC NDP Constitution and Appendices thereto;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that changes to Constitutional Appendices and other related regulations may be made by Provincial Executive; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the BC NDP Constitution be amended under Section 9.06 to add the words: "Such regulations shall have the same force and effect of any section of this Constitution."

Constitution and Party Affairs Committee

D2005-04 NOTICE TO MEMBERS
WHEREAS the costs associated with postal mailings have become prohibitive for some constituency associations; and

WHEREAS a significant number of BC NDP members now have access to electronic mail;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the BC NDP Constitution be amended thus:

* Appendix A, Regulation 1: Add the following words: "Such notice may be provided by regular mail and/or electronic mail, so long as every eligible member receives said notice at the time required."
* Appendix A, Regulation 4: Add the following words: "Such notice may be provided by regular mail and/or electronic mail, so long as every eligible member receives said notice at the time required."
* Appendix A, Regulation 13: Change to read: "Candidates shaft be given 7 days notice, by regular mail, electronic mail or telephone, of any constituency meeting at which issues concerning the nomination are to be discussed."

Constitution and Party Affairs Committee

D2005-05 POLICY REVIEW REQUIRED
WHEREAS the policies of the BC NDP must be considered in the changing context of an evolutionary political climate and a changing society; and

WHEREAS there is no current consistent mechanism for reviewing the utility, application or relevance of past Party policy;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Party policy positions be reviewed at least every 10 years, and recommendations for the retention or updating of such policies be brought forward for the consideration of members at the next constitutional convention, with the understanding that all other policies are retired.

Constitution and Party Affairs Committee

D2005-06 CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW REQUIRED
WHEREAS a provincial Constitution is a living tool which should be useful to the operation and decision-making of the BC NDP; and

WHEREAS the circumstances in which the BC NDP operates change from year to year;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Constitution of the BC NDP undergo a complete review every 7 years, and such amendments as necessary to make practical the Constitution be brought forward for the consideration of members at the next constitutional convention.

Constitution and Party Affairs Committee

D2005-07 Affirmative Action Committee
WHEREAS the BC NDP has throughout its history extolled its commitment to affirmative action in candidate selection; and

WHEREAS during the last election the BC NDP struggled to recruit affirmative action candidates, especially women, in so-called 'winnable' constituencies;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the BC NDP establish, at its first Provincial Council meeting of 2006, an Affirmative Action Committee which shall be charged with recruiting affirmative action candidates for nomination in as many BC constituencies as possible for the 2009 provincial election.

Oak Bay Gordon Head

D2005-08 COMPLAINTS AND APPEALS [1]
WHEREAS the current process for initiating, managing, and appealing Constitutional complaints about nominating contest proceedings is somewhat vague; and

WHEREAS current complaints processes do not anticipate commonly occurring misunderstandings and misuses of those processes;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the BC NDP Constitution Section 9.07 be amended thus:

That the existing Section 9.07 to be revised to read:

* Section 9.07 [a] "Notwithstanding the provision of Article 15, complaints arising from conduct relating to nominating conventions for public office shall first be referred, in writing, to the President of the Constituency executive concerned."
* Section 9.07 [b] "A Constituency President to whom such a complaint has been directed shall have ten (10) calendar days to respond, in writing, to the complainant. Delivery of such response must be documented."
* Section 9.07 [c] "If the complainant is not satisfied with the response of the Constituency President, an appeal may be made, in writing, to the Provincial Executive. Such an appeal must be received by the Provincial Secretary no more than fifteen (15) days after the documented delivery of the response of the Constituency president."
* Section 9.07 [d] "Provincial Executive shall rule on such an appeal within twenty-one (21) days of its receipt by the Provincial Secretary. Parties to the dispute shall be invited to provide one submission of written evidence and one oral submission to the Provincial Executive. Failure of the Parties to submit evidence or present argument shall in no way limit the capacity of the Provincial Executive to rule on the appeal within the timelines stated."
* Section 9.07 [e] "The ruling of the Provincial Executive is final. No further appeals from this ruling shall be made."
* Section 9.07 [f] "No Party member, Constituency Association or Executive, or other Party body shall instigate more than one complaint to a Constituency President and one appeal to Provincial Executive regarding conduct relating to any single nominating convention."
* Section 9.07 [g] "Provincial Executive may act to sanction or otherwise intercede with a Constituency Association or Party member that acts in any way contrary to the interests of the Party in relation to a Provincial Executive ruling under section 9.07."; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the BC NDP Constitution Appendix A, Regulation 16 be amended so that the phrase "Provincial President" is replaced with the phrase "Provincial Executive".

Constitution and Party Affairs Committee

D2005-09 COMPLAINTS AND APPEALS [2]
WHEREAS the Constitution of the BC NDP sets out clear and reasonable regulations for appeal and/or complaint; and

WHEREAS there have been occasional abuses of the regulations thus set out; and

WHEREAS the BC NDP seeks to make every reasonable effort to afford each member reasonable appeal and complaint; and

WHEREAS the BC NDP seeks to ensure that repeated appeals and/or complaints on the same substantive matter be minimized in an effort to ensure that reasonable final outcomes and practical conclusions;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that a new Section 16.12 be added to the BC NDP Constitution which shall read thus: "Except as specified in Section 9.07, no member or Constituency Association may bring more than one complaint or initiate more than one appeal on any single substantive matter in any calendar year. Determination of such substance shall be made by the Party President, and that determination shall be final."

Constitution and Party Affairs Committee

D2005-10 HONOURARY LIFE MEMBERS
WHEREAS the number of senior members of the Party is increasing; and

WHEREAS opportunities to thank and showcase such members are few; and

WHEREAS honouring the work of rank and file members celebrates the successes of our movement and illustrates the value of our continuing collective efforts;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the BC NDP Constitution Section 2.03 (a) be amended so that the annual allowable number of Life Memberships able to be granted increases from ten [10] to twenty [20], and that members who themselves identify as a 'couple' be counted as one for the purposes of this honour.

Constitution and Party Affairs Committee

D2005-11 PARTY PURPOSE
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that a new clause be added to the Constitution under Article 1 - NAME AND PURPOSE, which would be called Section 1.06, and which would read: "The purpose of the Party shall be to act on behalf of its members to apply the principles of social democracy to government and the administration of public affairs, and to influence decision-makers to improve the quality of life for all citizens."

Constitution and Party Affairs Committee

D2005-12 PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE: RESPONSIBILITIES - STANDING COMMITTEES

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Article XIII the Provincial Executive Section 13.13, which now reads: "The Executive will administer matters of political and strategic importance to the Party and will ratify and oversee the decisions of the Table Officers. The Executive shall be responsible to Provincial Council. The minutes of the Provincial Executive meetings shall be distributed in a timely manner to the Provincial Council.", be amended to read: "The Executive will administer matters of political and strategic importance to the Party, and will ratify and oversee the decisions of the Table Officers. Provincial Executive will be responsible for receiving and approving applications to establish Standing Committees. The Executive shall be responsible to
Provincial Council."

Constitution and Party Affairs Committee

D2005-13 REGIONAL CONVENTIONS
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Article X - Conventions Section 10.21, which now reads: "In alternate years, when there is no Provincial Convention, the Party will convene Regional Policy Conventions whose recommendations will not be binding on the Party but will be brought as resolutions to the provincial Convention the following year.", be amended to read: "In alternate years, when there is no Provincial Convention, the Party will convene Regional Conventions, conferences, meetings, workshops, seminars or other events on matters of political or electoral interest to the Party."

Constitution and Party Affairs Committee

D2005-14 PROVINCIAL COUNCIL: DELEGATE; PRESIDENT; ALTERNATE
WHEREAS constituencies may need the flexibility to send to Council either a Provincial Council Delegate or President; and

WHEREAS the current Constitution does not identify the existence of Alternates at Provincial Council; and

WHEREAS the role of Alternates is limited to Provincial Council;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Article XV- Provincial Council Section 15.01 be amended to read "The Provincial Council of the Party shall consist of the members of the Provincial Executive, one Delegate (or an Alternate) chosen by each Provincial Constituency Association
or that Association's President, four members chosen by the Young People's Section, representatives of affiliated organizations, and the Past President."

Constitution and Party Affairs Committee

D2005-15 Constitutional Amendment regarding Gender Parity in Convention Delegations
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Article 10.10 (1) of the Constitution of the BC New Democratic Party be amended to include as a final paragraph the following new language: "At least 50% of Constituency Association Delegates to Convention shall be women. When a Constituency Association is not able to meet this requirement, they may apply for a waiver of this requirement to a body composed of the WRC Chair & BC NDP President, who will decide whether the remaining seats may be filled by male delegates."

Women's Rights Committee

D2005-16 CONVENTION RESOLUTIONS: TIMELINE
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Article X - Conventions Section 10.06, which now reads: "Resolutions for consideration by the Convention must be received by the Provincial Secretary not less than 60 days in advance of the date of the Convention" be amended to read: "Resolutions for consideration by the Convention must be received by the Provincial Secretary not less than 45 days in advance of the date of the Convention."; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Section 10.07, which now reads: "All resolutions so received shall be distributed to each Provincial Constituency Association, the Young People's Section, and each affiliated organization not less than 30 days in advance of the date of Convention." be amended to read: "All resolutions so received shall be distributed to each Provincial Constituency Association, the Young people's Section, and each affiliated organization not less than 21 days in advance of the date of Convention."

Constitution and Party Affairs Committee

D2005-17 PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE: MEETING REQUIREMENTS
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Article XIII the Provincial Executive be amended to add a new Section 13.18, to read: "The Provincial Executive shall meet at least six times annually."

Constitution and Party Affairs Committee

D2005-18 REGIONAL COUNCILS
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Article VIII - Regional Organizations and Combined Associations Section 8.02, which now reads: "The Provincial Executive may, upon application from two or more Associations, authorize the formation of an Area Council, which shall consist of delegates from the component Associations, which shall coordinate activities of the Party on a municipal or regional basis.", be amended to read: "The Provincial Executive may, upon application from three or more Constituency Associations, authorize the formation of a Regional
Council, which:
a) shall consist of no more than two delegates selected by each of the component Associations
b) may facilitate and coordinate activities of the Party on a municipal or regional basis
c) shall provide support and information to its component constituencies
d) shall present a regular report of its activities to Provincial Council
e) may submit resolutions to Convention and Provincial Council.

Constitution and Party Affairs Committee

D2005-19 CONVENTION RESOLUTIONS: ORIGINATORS
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Article X - Conventions Section 10.05, which now reads: "Resolutions for consideration by the Convention must originate from Provincial Constituency Associations, from chartered clubs, the Young People's Section, affiliated organizations, the
Provincial Council, the Provincial Executive, all Policy Review Committees and duly constituted bodies of the Provincial Party.", be amended to read: "Resolutions for consideration by the Convention must originate from Provincial Constituency Associations, Regional Councils, chartered clubs, the Young People's Section, affiliated organizations, the Provincial Council, the Provincial Executive, all Policy Review Committees, all Standing Committees and duly constituted bodies of the Provincial Party."

Constitution and Party Affairs Committee

D2005-20 TABLE OFFICERS: RESPONSIBILITIES
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Article XIII the Provincial Executive Section 13.12, which now reads: "The Table Officers shall deal with administrative matters and matters of clear emergency. Minutes of Table officers' meetings will be provided to the Executive and the table Officers will be responsible to the executive" be amended to read: "The Table Officers shall deal with administrative matters and political or other urgent Party matters. Minutes of Table Officers'
meetings will be provided to the Provincial Executive in a timely manner, and the Table Officers will be responsible to the Provincial Executive."

Constitution and Party Affairs Committee

D2005-21 OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Article XIV Oversight Committee be amended in the following manner:

* Section 14.02 to read "Oversight Committee members shall serve terms of four years and no member may serve more than one consecutive term, or two terms altogether."
* Section 14.03 to delete the sentence "In the first election of the Oversight Committee, three members shall be elected, two for four years and one for two years."
* Section 14.05 to be restated as:
* 14.05 (a): There shall be representatives of both genders on the Oversight Committee; and
* 14.05 (b}: At least one member of the Oversight Committee shall be resident outside the Lower Mainland."

Constitution and Party Affairs Committee

D2005-22 Gender Parity in Constituency Association Executives
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the BC NDP require Constituency Associations to include in their by-laws a provision that at minimum 50% of their Executive be women.

Women's Rights Committee

D2005-23 Standing Committee on Multiculturalism and Human Rights
WHEREAS British Columbia increasingly has become a home for people of diverse cultures and varying ethnic backgrounds; and

WHEREAS the BC NDP is a Party of inclusion; and

WHEREAS the BC NDP will be enriched by active participation of people from all cultures and background; and

WHEREAS a focused effort from the Party leadership, with adequate resources, is needed to engage ethnic citizens to create broader awareness of our movement;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the BC NDP establish a Standing Committee on Multiculturalism and Human Rights within three months from the conclusion of this convention.

Multiculturalism Policy Review Committee

D2005-24 Revenue Sharing
WHEREAS constituencies must earn $2 for every $1 returned by the provincial party; and

WHEREAS the burden of fundraising increases where limited volunteers and extensive debt exist;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the current 50-50 revenue sharing formula be revised to 60-40 in favour of constituencies.

Vancouver Fraserview

D2005-25 Revenue Sharing Formula
WHEREAS financing elections is challenging especially in rural areas;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the revenue sharing formula be examined and adjusted to make revenue sharing more equitable.

Cariboo North

D2005-26 INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP: ALLOCATION OF FUNDS
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Article II - INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP Section 2.04, which now reads: "Subject to the provisions of the Federal Constitution, Provincial Council shall allocate funds among the Party, the New Democratic Party of Canada, and the Provincial and Federal Constituency Associations.", be amended to read: "Subject to the provisions of Canadian law and the Federal Constitution, Provincial Council shall allocate funds among the Party components. Article II - Individual Membership Section 2.04 shall be reviewed and affirmed or amended at the next provincial convention."

Constitution and Party Affairs Committee

D2005-27 PROVINCIAL COUNCIL: MEETINGS
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Article XV - Provincial Council Section
15.07, which now reads: "Meetings of the Provincial Council shall be called by the President. Calls may be issued on the order of the Provincial Executive or any 12 members of the Provincial Council. There shall be a minimum of four meetings of the Provincial Council in each calendar year." be amended to read: "Meetings of the Provincial Council shall be called by the President. Calls may be issued on the order of the Table Officers, Provincial Executive, any 15 members of the Provincial Council, or 125 Party members in good standing from at least 5 different provincial constituencies. There shall be a minimum of three regularly scheduled meetings of the Provincial Council in each calendar year."

Constitution and Party Affairs Committee

D2005-28 Resolutions Electronic Archive
WHEREAS resolutions passed at Provincial Council and at Convention form the democratic backbone of BC NDP policy; and

WHEREAS in the interests of educating and informing the Party membership, these resolutions should be freely and easily accessible; and

WHEREAS resolutions are brought to Provincial Council and Convention with the expectation that they be of lasting value to the Party; and

WHEREAS this body of resolutions can be a source of inspiration to our membership and Caucus; and

WHEREAS these resolutions may often form a basis for the development of Party platform; and

WHEREAS the body of resolutions is large, varied, continually evolving and beyond the resources of conventional paper-based documentation at feasible cost; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Party commit resources to the creation of full-text-searchable electronic archive of all resolutions passed under all policy areas since inception of the BC NDP, and that the project be completed in essentials prior to Convention 2007; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the archive

* be keyword/subject indexed after the model employed by Hansard
* be accessible through a world-wide-web-based portal
* be organized under a hierarchical model which recognizes that some resolutions are critical components of policy, while others are subsidiary.

Vancouver Point Grey

D2005-29 E-Alerts
WHEREAS there are increasing numbers of NDP members who have e-mailing capability; and

WHEREAS there are often urgent responses needed to important issues that are of significance to the NDP;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we ask our central organizers to send out e-alerts on issues where our membership could be both educated and also be empowered to act through e-mail (or phoning) campaigns.

Okanagan Vernon

D2005-30 Funding for Standing Committees
WHEREAS Standing Committees established by BC NDP Council are to be long term in nature; and

WHEREAS these committees allow for regional participation in developing policy and require committee members to engage in in-depth issues; and

WHEREAS the conclusions of the committees are of great benefit to BC NDP when forming policy, it is therefore imperative that a budget for these committees allow for face to face meetings;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Standing Committees be provided with an established budget; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this budget remain in place on a yearly basis.

Peace River North

D2005-31 Secure Funding for Standing Committees
WHEREAS farm organizations were one of the original partners in the CCF; and

WHEREAS an Agriculture Committee has been one of the Policy Review Committees since the formation of the NDP; and

WHEREAS the Agriculture PRC with members from all regions of B.C. was of essential assistance to our Ministers of Agriculture after the 1991 election, and;

WHEREAS the Agriculture PRC became The Standing Committee on Agriculture by way of Constitutional amendment at the 1998 Convention to allow for secure and stable funding for quarterly face to face committee meetings and other SCOA expenses; and

WHEREAS Carole James has committed to a closer relationship between elected Members of the Legislature and specifically the Critics and the Standing Committees and PRC committees; and

WHEREAS the proposed budget for 2006 does not separate Standing Committee budgets from the PRC; and

WHEREAS both the Standing Committee on the Environment (SCOE) and the Standing Committee on Agriculture have historically been funded as separate entities in the budget as are the Women's Rights Committee, and the Young New Democrats; and

WHEREAS both SCOE, SCOA present current reports to Provincial Council; and

WHEREAS the work done by SCOE and SCOA provides necessary information and contributes to both the Party policy and liaison work with the Caucus; and

WHEREAS both SCOE and SCOA have been frugal in their past cost to the Party through combining of meetings with other events and through funding of committee members through other sources where possible; and

WHEREAS the elimination or reduction of funding to these committees will further concentrate Party affairs to the lower mainland members (those that attend);

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the budget line items remain for the operation of both SCOE and SCOA for the 2006 and subsequent party budgets; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this funding be sufficient to allow for at least two face to face meetings of the regional members of these committees and required conference call meetings and operational cost like mailing etc.

Standing Committee on Agriculture

D2005-32 Voting Procedure for Proposed Constitutional Changes RE Affiliation
WHEREAS any change to the BC NDP Constitution is a fundamental change to the Party's rules which requires a two-thirds majority vote at a Convention to be approved; and

WHEREAS proposed changes to the BC NDP Constitution regarding the formal affiliation of unions and other organizations provoke strongly-held views by many NDP members both in favour and opposed; and

WHEREAS Party unity is crucial to continue the fight against the repressive policies of the Gordon Campbell Liberal government;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that all voting held at the November 2005 NDP Convention to change the Party's Constitution regarding affiliation be conducted by secret ballot.

Coquitlam Maillardville

D2005-33 Provincial Council Representation
WHEREAS Party members have expressed interest in a closer relationship between the provincial and federal parties; and

WHEREAS Provincial Council offers an opportunity for a regular sharing of information; and

WHEREAS both the provincial and federal parties benefit from regular opportunities for closer joint provincial/federal discussion of common issues;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Article XV, Section 15.01 be amended to add "the President of each Federal Riding in British Columbia."

Penticton Okanagan Valley

The following resolutions, each dealing specifically with options for the Party regarding affiliation, have not yet been prioritized. Recommendations on the priority listing of these 'affiliation resolutions' will be made after the Provincial Council meeting of October 29, 2005, so that their ranking may be informed by the discussions and/or instructions of Provincial Council. If necessary, CPAC will meet again after October 29, 2005 to finally process these resolutions.
Constitution and Party Affairs Committee

D2005-XX Affiliation
WHEREAS Labour and the NDP have worked together to improve the lives of ordinary British Columbians; and

WHEREAS the benefits of working together were shown in the 2005 election by a tenfold increase in seats; and

WHEREAS the Party was reduced to winning two seats in the 2001 election when Labour did not fully support the campaign; and

WHEREAS criticism of the BC NDP/Labour coalition only comes from the right wing media who fail to criticize the Liberal/Corporate coalition;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the BC NDP and Labour continue to be affiliated and that Labour continue to be involved at the executive level; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the BC NDP and Labour continue to work together; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the BC NDP and Labour continue to work towards the goal of improving the lives and working conditions of all British Columbians.

Mount Waddington North Vancouver Island District Labour Council

D2005-XX Labour
WHEREAS organized Labour in the province of BC has for more than 100 years supported the programs advocated by the NDP, not just as members but for the community as a whole; and

WHEREAS organized Labour in the province of BC supported and assisted in the organization of the CCF and the NDP; and

WHEREAS organized Labour in the province of BC provides great support for the NDP;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the NDP of BC in convention reaffirm its bond with organized Labour.
Penticton Okanagan Valley

D2005-XX Labour Affiliation
WHEREAS a resolution passed at the 2003 NDP Convention was not intended to exclude or disaffiliate Labour; and

WHEREAS the task force committee has been unable to come to consensus and/or compromise on this important issue;

THERFORE BE IT RESOLVED that this Convention re-affirm its affiliation to the Labour movement; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the NDP and Labour leaderships meet with the intent to come to consensus on affiliation.

South Okanagan Boundary Labour Council

D2005-XX Affiliation
WHEREAS this is a very controversial and potentially divisive issue; and

WHEREAS contemplation of the impact of any significant change is a complicated matter;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that this matter be continually discussed and debated and not be brought forward for Constitutional amendment until the 2007 Convention.

Abbotsford Clayburn

D2005-XX Labour Affiliation
WHEREAS a resolution passed at the 2003 convention was intended to exclude or severe relationships with Labour; and

WHEREAS the task force committee has not been able to come to a consensus and/or compromise on this issue; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that this constituency urge the BC NDP and Labour to meet with the intent to come to consensus on this critical issue.

Penticton Okanagan Valley

D2005-XX Affiliation
WHEREAS this is a very controversial and potentially divisive issue; and

WHEREAS contemplation of the impact of any significant change is a complicated matter; and

WHEREAS both the majority and the minority reports are unacceptable to this Executive;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that this matter be continually discussed and debated for Constitutional amendment to the 2005 Provincial Convention.

Surrey Newton

ECONOMICS

E2005-01 Sale of Terasen Gas
WHEREAS energy self-sufficiency is fundamental to the environmental, social and economic stability of the people of BC and by extension the people of Canada; and

WHEREAS majority control of production and energy exports are the fundamental right of the producing region and Country; and

WHEREAS public hearings are a fundamental right of the BC electorate in matters involving majority foreign ownership in BC's energy sector; and

WHEREAS no public hearings have been held to this date on the proposed sale of Terasen Gas to a US energy firm;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the proposed sale of Terasen Gas not be allowed to proceed and that full public hearings commence immediately with respect to the proposed sale.

Vancouver Kensington

E2005-02 The Granting of Water Rights and Sale of Excess Power
WHEREAS former New Democrat and Social Credit governments built or encouraged to be built hydro-electric capacity on British Columbia's rivers in order to encourage industrial or community use of the power produced primarily in the region of its production; and

WHEREAS Corporations like Teck Cominco and Alcan own hydroelectricity dams on our rivers and the provincial government issues these Corporations water licenses to store and use a natural resource that belongs to the citizens of BC to produce electric power; and

WHEREAS the water licenses granted were precisely for the intent of providing electricity to create jobs in BC; and

WHEREAS these Corporations are, during periods of high power prices, cutting production, laying off employees or are forcing them to take vacations, or are using profits from power exports to prolong strikes; and

WHEREAS the water and rivers belong to the citizens of this province and these water rights were granted in order to create jobs in this province and not for corporate windfall profits at the expense of workers and communities;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the BC NDP use whatever means possible to have the Provincial Government change the conditions under which these water licenses are issued and that the water licenses be tied to full production at the BC operations of these Corporations; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if these Corporations are not at full capacity that the BC NDP insist that the Government of BC demand that any excess power as a result of the Corporation not being at full capacity be turned over to the citizens of the province; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that should the BC NDP not be successful in making these changes they commit to removing water licenses from those companies who are in contravention of the intent of the water license.

United Steelworkers Local 9705
Economy Policy Review Committee

E2005-03 Site C Development
WHEREAS Site C development is again on the table; and

WHEREAS the BC NDP have policy in place which opposed this project;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the BC NDP reaffirm our position of opposition to the development of the Site C project.
Peace River North

E2005-04 BC Petroleum
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the next NDP government will enact legislation in the first session of the House to establish BC Petroleum as a provincial Crown Corporation, with exclusive control over the marketing of natural gas in BC; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the NDP government will investigate the feasibility of extending the scope of BC Petroleum's operations to include other areas of oil and gas marketing in the province, with the specific aim of achieving price stability of heating oil and transportation fuel, and also securing the maximum public benefit from the province’s fossil fuel resources.

Victoria Beacon Hill

E2005-05 Regulating the Payday Lending Industry
WHEREAS payday lenders typically charge interest rates between 300%-900% despite the Criminal Code capping the annual effective interest rate at 60%; and

WHEREAS payday lenders target low-income neighbourhoods; and

WHEREAS many of BC's most vulnerable families fall prey to the payday lenders tactics and find themselves in a cycle of debt and despair; and

WHEREAS the federal government has recently decided to allow provincial governments to regulate the industry; and

WHEREAS Manitoba and Ontario have enacted legislation to regulate the industry;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the BC New Democrats support introducing legislation to regulate the payday lending industry, providing much needed protection for consumers.

Victoria Hillside

E2005-06 Payday Loan Companies
WHEREAS the gaming industry is expanding continually in our province; and

WHEREAS the number of "payday loan" businesses is growing equally quickly in our cities and municipalities; and

WHEREAS the gambling businesses and the payday loan businesses enable each other and in fact feed off each other; and

WHEREAS it has been shown that the addiction to gambling is more powerful than the addiction to tobacco; and

WHEREAS our government must pay large amounts in social support for those who become bankrupt as a result of gambling and to those who are the victims of family turmoil and breakup as a result of gambling;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the BC New Democratic Party support strict enforcement of all usury laws which forbid the lending of money at rates which make payday loan companies viable businesses; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if at present there do not exist laws which will protect people from payday loan companies (otherwise known as "loan sharks"), then the BC New Democratic Party supports the rapid passage of such laws.

Coquitlam Maillardville

E2005-07 Home Taxation
WHEREAS municipal taxation is calculated by provincial assessment authority based on sales of similar property; and,

WHEREAS permanent residents may find their taxation value-increased but are without any income increase;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the assessed value for homeowners in residence over ten years be frozen; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the property value be re-assessed to the new value at the time of sale.

Okanagan Westside

E2005-08 Role of the Bank of Canada
WHEREAS Article 14 of the Bank of Canada Act establishes the ultimate responsibility of the Government for the general policy of the Bank; and

WHEREAS in 1934, Parliament passed the Bank of Canada Act, and the Bank of Canada opened in March 1935; and

WHEREAS since 1938 the bank has been owned entirely by the federal government; and

WHEREAS in order to assist Canadians in their recovery from the depression, and to finance Canada's participation in WWII, the Bank of Canada legally made massive loans, virtually interest free, which created full employment, and until 1974, paid tuition fees for returning veterans, gave VLA grants, built the Trans Canada Highway, Trans Canada Airlines, the St Lawrence Seaway, upgraded CN Rail, provided Family Allowances, created a National Health Plan and brought in Pensions for the Elderly; and

WHEREAS all this was done because the financial credit came from OUR bank, authorized by US through our elected Parliament, and was SPENT into existence; and

WHEREAS this continued until 1974 when national policy was changed to borrow from private banks for public projects; and

WHEREAS our national debt has ballooned from $18 billion in 1974 to over $500 billion; and

WHEREAS money borrowed from private banks is loaned into existence and must be repaid with interest;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Provincial NDP urge the BC Legislature to demand the Federal Finance Minister restore it's intended role as per articles 18 (c), (i) & (j) of the Bank of Canada Act.

Cowichan Ladysmith

E2005-09 General Taxation
WHEREAS sales and purchase taxes are regressive while income tax is fairer and efficient; and,

WHEREAS there are many families living in our near poverty but must still purchase goods and services;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the income tax be raised to bring in sufficient finds for the government; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that service and license charges be reduced.

Okanagan Westside
EDUCATION

F2005-01 Education Funding
WHEREAS public education of a high standard for all children is essential for personal reasons and for a healthy democracy; and

WHEREAS insufficient funding by the British Columbia government has resulted in lost staff, closed schools, scarcity of English as Second Language teachers, support staff, and supplies;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that sufficient funds be given school boards for maintenance, supplies and staff, so that British Columbian schools can operate properly; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that schools serving low-income areas be assisted so all children will receive and enjoy full curriculum rights.

Okanagan Westside

F2005-02 Public School Fees
WHEREAS many school districts are requiring parents to pay additional fees for students to participate in school activities;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the BC NDP press the BC Government to ensure all school activities are publicly funded, including field trips.
Cowichan Ladysmith

ELECTORAL REFORM

G2005-01 Proportional Representation Referendum Majority
WHEREAS the BC Referendum Act provides that a referendum proposal shall be deemed to be approved if it is supported by a simple majority of voters (50% plus one of valid ballots cast); and

WHEREAS the Campbell Government amended the Referendum Act in 2004 so as to establish a super-majority threshold for the passage of proposed reforms to BC's electoral system: namely, the requirement that a proposal for electoral reform be supported by at least 60% of the valid ballots cast on a province-wide basis and by at least a simple majority of ballots cast in no less than 60% of the 79 provincial electoral districts; and

WHEREAS this super-majority requirement is arbitrary and undemocratic, as it gives a minority of voters the power to block the adoption of a new electoral system; and

WHEREAS in jurisdictions that use referenda as a means of deciding important matters of public policy, including constitutional amendments, 50% + 1 is accepted as the appropriate threshold of support; and

WHEREAS the foregoing point is exemplified by the referenda held in France and the Netherlands in 2005 on the proposed European Union Constitution and the referenda held in Scotland and Wales in 1997 on the creation of regional parliaments;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the BC NDP demands the repeal of the super-majority threshold applicable to referenda on electoral reform and calls for the establishment of a simple majority threshold (50% + 1 of valid ballots cast) for the approval of a new electoral system for BC; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that it be the position of the BC NDP that where more than two models of electoral reform are submitted to the people in a referendum, the choice of an electoral system shall be decided either by way of a preferential ballot or by way of a run-off ballot to be held in the event that none of the options on the first ballot is endorsed by a majority of voters; in the latter case voters would be invited to choose on a second ballot between the two most popular options on the first referendum.

Vancouver Fairview

G2005-02 Electoral Reform
WHEREAS the implementation of a ban on corporate and unions donations to political parties was part of the BC NDP 2005 Election Platform; and

WHEREAS various groups, associations, corporations and unions engage in third-party advertising during and prior to provincial elections; and

WHEREAS there are few limits on financial contributions and third-party advertising by groups, associations, corporations and unions in BC; and

WHEREAS these groups, associations, corporations and unions do not have the right to vote; and

WHEREAS there is a perception that financial contributions and third-party advertising by groups, associations, corporations and unions influence the actions of elected politicians and corrupt the political system; and

WHEREAS there is a need to increase voters' confidence in the political process, in the electoral process and in government;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the BC NDP will promote, support or implement provincial policies and legislation:
* that will ban political contributions by groups, associations, corporations and unions
* that will limit contributions by individuals
* that will limit third-party political advertising
* that will provide public funding of political parties and candidates in a way similar to that recently implemented at the federal level
* that will also empower municipalities in general and the City of Vancouver in particular to promote and implement such policies and legislation at the municipal level.

Vancouver Fairview

G2005-03 Vancouver Charter and Electoral Reform
WHEREAS the Vancouver Electoral Reform Commissioner Thomas Berger recommended legislative changes to the Vancouver Charter and other provincial legislation in order to improve local democracy;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the NDP endorse amending the Vancouver Charter and other provincial legislation in order that:

* names on election ballots would be allowed to be randomized, such that different ballots would be printed with the names in different order. This provision would eliminate the advantage of being towards the beginning of the ballot
* multilingual ballots would be allowed
* the City would be given the power to change the current rules regarding non-resident electors. This provision would eliminate this vestige of a time when property ownership was the measure of a citizen and a condition of full electoral participation
* the City would be given the power to choose proportional representation as an alternative to first past the post
* limits on election donations would be imposed
* limits on election spending would be imposed
* contributions to political parties or candidates during non-election years would be considered political donations and therefore would be required to be disclosed
* donations to municipal elections would be tax deductible as political donations.

Vancouver Fairview

G2005-04 Electoral Reform
WHEREAS the NDP supports proportional representation voting systems, including geographic representation and voter choice; and

WHEREAS BC-STV was chosen as the most appropriate form of proportional representation for British Columbia by the Citizen's Assembly on Electoral Reform, a special assembly of BC citizens; and

WHEREAS Carole James and the BC NDP supported this Citizen's Assembly at all stages of their deliberations; and

WHEREAS the BC-STV system chosen meets all the principles endorsed by the NDP, including proportional representation, voter choice and local representation through geographic constituencies; and

WHEREAS 58 % of British Columbians have endorsed the Citizen's Assembly's proposals at referendum;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the BC NDP calls on the BC Government to implement BC-STV without delay, so that new boundaries can be drawn up for a BC-STV election in 2009; and further that the government examine the number of seats.
Cowichan Ladysmith

G2005-05 Proportional Representation
WHEREAS the BC NDP is formally committed to the adoption of an electoral system for BC provincial elections based on proportional representation; and

WHEREAS the Citizens' Assembly on Electoral reform, acting on public input by ordinary British Columbians, recommended that the current single-member plurality electoral system be replaced by a form of proportional representation; and

WHEREAS it was an unfortunate shortcoming of the process recommended by the Gibson Report and adopted by the Campbell Government that the Citizens' Assembly was restricted to recommending a single alternative voting system, thereby limiting the choices available to the electorate in the referendum of 17 May 2005; and

WHEREAS the Government imposed an unreasonable limitation on the work of the Citizens' Assembly by precluding it from recommending an increase in number of MLAs; and

WHEREAS the Government's failure to organize and to fund adequately a campaign of public education on the proposed BC-STV system denied many electors the opportunity to gain a sound understanding of the nature and possible implications of BC-STV; and

WHEREAS it may safely be said, notwithstanding the foregoing, that a clear majority of British Columbians who cast ballots in the provincial referendum of 17 May 2005 affirmed their support for the adoption of a new electoral system; and

WHEREAS the Campbell Government, in its Throne Speech of September 2005, intends to repeat its earlier mistake by proposing to hold another referendum, in November 2008, in which BC-STV is to be the sole alternative on offer;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the BC NDP calls on the Government to initiate forthwith an open and democratic process for examining alternative forms of proportional representation with a view to submitting at least two models of proportional representation to the electorate in a provincial referendum to be held in November 2008; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED as part of such a process, the Government shall not pre-determine the maximum number of legislative seats that may form part of any proposed model of electoral reform; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Electoral Boundaries Commission be instructed to prepare in advance of the referendum constituency boundaries for each of the reform proposals to be put on the referendum ballot; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that prior to the referendum the Government initiate a campaign of public education on the reform models on offer; that it provide reasonable funding to registered yes and no committees for use during the referendum campaign; and that it establish limits on the amount of money that may be spent by such committees during the campaign period.

Vancouver Fairview

G2005-06 Support for MMP
WHEREAS the BC NDP is formally committed to the adoption of an electoral system for BC provincial elections based on proportional representation; and

WHEREAS the BC NDP's Electoral Reform Committee has assessed and compared forms of proportional representation and, in its 2001 report, concluded in favour of mixed member proportional (MMP); and

WHEREAS despite the fact that over 90 percent of submissions by members of the public to the Citizens' Assembly's public hearings preferred and recommended MMP, the 2005 referendum offered only Single Transferable Vote (STV) and not MMP;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the BC NDP reaffirms its support for MMP and calls on the BC government to present MMP as an option in the 2008 provincial referendum.

Vancouver Point Grey

ENVIRONMENT

H2005-01 BC Oil and Gas
WHEREAS the size of current and future land-based oil & gas development in the province is such that this development affects substantial areas of the province, particularly in the north-east; and

WHEREAS the scale of the negative environmental impacts from this sizable development is significant on a local, regional and provincial scale; and

WHEREAS environmental impact audits on current oil & gas operations in the province consistently indicate significant non-compliance with environmental regulations; and

WHEREAS current levels of development are unsustainable, particularly given the non-renewable nature of the resource;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the BC New Democratic Party advocate for and commit itself to an oil & gas policy based on the following principles:

1. A review of the existing legislative and regulatory regime with a view to improving legislation and regulations regarding the protection of the environment, the public review of new tenures, adequate consultation on and accommodation of First Nations' interests, appropriate planning for site specific and cumulative impacts, environmental assessment, and site decommissioning
2. Appropriate bonding for operations, including for existing operations, and including site decommissioning and reclamation costs
3. Intensive land-use planning and assessment for current and proposed development at the site, regional and provincial levels before any new tenure approval, including consideration of cumulative and environmental impacts, and aimed at determining and implementing sustainability thresholds
4. Full environmental assessment of any new tenure approval, including site specific and cumulative impacts
5. A reaffirmation of the BC NDP's energy policy of 2003 which commits the NDP to an energy policy based on the following principles:
* reductions in greenhouse gases
* energy conservation
* transition to environmentally sound renewable energy sources
* First Nation, community and worker involvement in energy planning and decision-making and ensuring these entities are the beneficiaries of new energy opportunities
* public ownership of energy production and supply
* research and development in support of these principles
* funding and capital to support these initiatives through a number of options, including a carbon tax, tax shifts, green incentives and investment strategies, among other options
6. A forward-looking strategy for the immediate investment of a substantial fraction of oil & gas revenues into alternative energy research and development initiatives
7. The recognition that use of a non-renewable energy resource demands a legacy contribution, or endowment, to the generation deprived of the opportunity to exploit those resources.

Standing Committee on the Environment

H2005-02 Declaration on the Principles of Parks
WHEREAS Over 20 million people visit BC parks on an annual basis, contributing half a billion dollars to the provincial economy; and

WHEREAS the BC Liberals took full credit for opening or expanding a series of Parks which had actually been established by legislation created by the former NDP government; and

WHEREAS the BC Liberals have opened provincial parks and protected areas to commercial logging, have rolled back protected area boundaries to accommodate mining, and have increased park privatization; and

WHEREAS the BC Liberals plan (their BC Parks Lodge Strategy, 2005) to put privately financed lodges, complete with long-term leases, into provincial parks; and

WHEREAS the BC Liberals introduced pay-for-parking at most Provincial Parks around British Columbia, resulting in a dramatic 25% decline in the number of people visiting our parks; and

WHEREAS the BC Liberals, over the past four years, have closed 45 visitor facilities, have eliminated Parks-funded nature interpretive programs, have cut the budget to BC parks by 30%, and staffing by 34% thereby making monitoring of eco-system health and enforcement of the BC Parks Act almost impossible; and

WHEREAS Sixty environmental groups, mostly in BC, have signed on to the Declaration on the Principles of Parks; and

WHEREAS "The Principles" declare that parks belong to the public and should not be commercialized or privatized; that they are for ecosystem protection, not money making;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that in distinction to the BC Liberals attack on our cherished Parks system, that the New Democratic Party of BC re-affirm its longstanding commitment to the sanctity of B.C.'s Provincial Parks and become the first political party in BC to adopt and endorse the Declaration on the Principles of Parks:

We, the undersigned, wish all to know that the following tenets are the true principles that should guide park management:
1. Parks have a dual mandate: The preservation of land in its natural condition, and outdoor recreation based upon the appreciation and enjoyment of nature.
2. The goals of the dual mandate are to foster all the holistic values of completely natural areas, including: environmental health, survival of species, protection for animal and plant life, physical and spiritual health of people, tourism, cultural values and scientific knowledge.
3. Preservation is the highest form of protection for land and resources. The removal, damage or pollution of natural features are totally prohibited. This means no logging, mining, drilling, hydro development, or human settlement.
4. The only human modifications allowed are for the essential needs of public recreation and resource protection. Preservation is the source of a unique and valuable kind of recreation based upon natural attractions, with minimal commercial intrusion. Guiding businesses that provide this kind of recreation are compatible. Commercial development should be located outside of parks, where it will concentrate tourism expenditures in local communities. It is well known that this kind of recreation richly profits businesses across the land.
5. Parks are a shared, public good to be held in trust by governments, and not to be sold or privatized. This requires an institutional legacy of experienced public servants. This legacy must remain stable as governments come and go.
6. Ecosystem health and the survival of species are the top management priorities. Fully protected areas fill a universal need for health and survival that is shared by all species, cultures and generations.
7. Parks should be fully supported by taxes. The government has a duty to maintain sufficient staff and funding to manage every aspect of the park system.
8. Parks should be administered in an unbiased manner, free of conflict of interest. Private interest control through leases of park land or privatization must be avoided.
9. The public has a right to know how its parks are being managed, and to participate in open, transparent planning procedures.
10. Wilderness - large, undeveloped, road less areas - should be maintained as wilderness in all our parks. Such areas best represent the ecological, health, and scientific values of parks, while including many intangible values of importance to people - values such as remoteness, pristine qualities, solitude, and natural quiet.
11. Parks are for perpetuity. They contain priceless biological, cultural and historical legacies. Unmaking parks or changing park laws to weaken protection violates a sacred trust belonging to all those in the past and present who fought and paid for our parks, as well as future generations. Parks laws should be changed to better honour these principles, never to undermine them.

Alberni Environmental Coalition
Allan Brooks Nature Centre Society
Applied Conservation GIS
Applied Ecological Stewardship Council of B.C.
B.C. Pathways
Bert Riggall Environmental Foundation (AB)
Bragg Creek Environmental Coalition (AB)
Canadian EarthCare Society
Canadian Reforestation and Environmental Workers Society
Castle-Crown Wilderness Coalition (AB)
Chetwynd Environmental Society
Coalition to Save Forest Recreation in B.C.
Comox Valley Land Trust
Comox Valley Naturalists
Cortes Land Conservancy
Denman Conservancy Association
Environmental Investigation Agency (U.S.A./U.K.)
Federation of Mountain Clubs
Fins in the Forest
ForestEthics
Fraser Headwaters Alliance
Friends of Caren
Friends of Clayoquot Sound
Friends of Cortes Island Society
Friends of Gabriola
Friends of Strathcona
Friends of the Nemaiah Valley
Friends of the Stikine
Friends of the Tlell
Georgia Strait Alliance
Get Bear Smart Society
Golden Outdoor Recreation Association
Granby Wilderness Society
Grand Forks Watershed Coalition
Greenpeace
Kettle Range Conservation Group (U.S.A.)
Labour Environmental Council
North Cascades Conservation Council (U.S.A.)
North Okanagan Naturalists Club (Vernon)
Northern Ecology Watch
Northwest Ecosystem Alliance
Okanagan Similkameen Parks Society
ParkWatch (U.S.A.)
ProTerra
Purcell Alliance for Wilderness
Quadra Island Conservancy and Stewardship Council
Quesnel River Watershed Alliance
Raincoast Conservation Society
Salt Spring Island Conservancy
Save Our Parklands Association
Selkirk Conservation Alliance (U.S.A.)
Shuswap Environmental Action Society
Sierra Club of British Columbia
Society Promoting Environmental Conservation
South Okanagan Naturalist Club
Southside Economic Development Association
Sustainable Environment Network Society
Tetrahedron Alliance
Tuwanek Ratepayers Association
Travel Just
Valhalla Wilderness Society
West Kootenay Coalition for Jumbo Wild
Western Canada Wilderness Committee
Wild Wilderness (Oregon, U.S.A)

Vancouver Point Grey
Salt Spring Island NDP Club

H2005-03 Potable Water
WHEREAS a permanent supply of good, clean potable water seems to be an ongoing struggle to acquire in any areas of British Columbia, and

WHEREAS the Ministry of Forests and Range, and the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources appear to have no problem in allowing logging and/ or mining in local watersheds, therefore jeopardizing the quality of our drinking water, and

WHEREAS this is an ongoing problem in many areas of British Columbia, and

WHEREAS it is possible to live without logging or mining in watersheds, but not possible to live without an adequate supply of good potable water;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that our potable water supply should come under the jurisdiction of local government and the Ministry of Health, who are ultimately responsible for supplying clean, potable water to residents in perpetuity.

Powell River Sunshine Coast

H2005-04 Pesticides
WHEREAS the E&N Railway is planning to use extremely dangerous organo-phosphates and other chemicals and pesticides along a rail corridor that passes over many aquifers used for domestic water;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the BC NDP urge the BC Government to ban the use of organo-phosphates and other dangerous chemicals over or near domestic water sources.

Cowichan Ladysmith

H2005-05 Outdoor Recreation for British Columbians
WHEREAS BC's parks should be for the benefit of all British Columbians; and

WHEREAS ordinary families rely on BC's parks for affordable family vacations; and

WHEREAS BC's parks are a major draw for tourists from all over the world; and

WHEREAS the BC Liberal government increased fees for outdoor recreation activities, including camping and fishing, and introduced parking meters in parks;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that fees for outdoor recreation activities be reduced and parking meters be removed from BC's parks.
Standing Committee on the Environment
H2005-06 Water Monitoring Stations
WHEREAS the province of BC plans to eliminate or reduce the funding for Existing Water Monitoring Stations on Rivers and Lakes; and

WHEREAS these stations provide valuable information for the use and regulation of water; and

WHEREAS this information is a critical use to the Agriculture and other industries along with the public use and need for this important resource;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the NDP identify this important government function through the caucus of the party; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Party go on public record as supporting the continuation and enhancing of this vital function of government.

Standing Committee on Agriculture

H2005-07 SUSTAINABLE BC
WHEREAS a healthy environment is the basis for a just and sustainable society, and

WHEREAS the splitting of the 'green' vote has too often led to a narrow defeat for the NDP;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the NDP commit the necessary resources to develop a fully articulated "Sustainable BC" plan to ensure the preservation of a healthy environment and a vital quality of life for the citizens of BC today, tomorrow, and into our children's future.

Comox Valley
H2005-08 Provincial Parks
WHEREAS provincial parks are a common heritage of great value to be paid for and nourished for, now and in the future; and

WHEREAS recent funding levels have reduced staff in provincial parks to token numbers, restricting research and care of the flora and fauna of parks;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that funding for provincial parks allow for sufficient professional staff to operate parks at world class levels; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that public education be reinstituted and parking fees ended.

Okanagan Westside

H2005-09 Salmon Net-Cage Aquaculture Expansion
WHEREAS the people of the coast of British Columbia derive significant benefit, both economic and cultural, from wild salmon; and

WHEREAS a significant majority of people living in North Coast communities view existing salmon net-cage (open net) aquaculture as a real and direct threat to the wild salmon populations of our coastal waters and to the cultural and economic benefits derived there from;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that no further expansion of salmon net-cage (open net) aquaculture take place along the coast of BC until such time as closed containment is fully operational; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that existing salmon net-cage (open net) aquaculture facilities be phased out.

North Coast

H2005-10 Fish Farms
WHEREAS fish farms have been proven to be detrimental to the environment and to the health of our wild salmon stock;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the moratorium on all new fish farms, lifted by the present Liberal Government, be reinstated immediately until such time as a full and independent study be made on this industry; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the BC NDP emphasize at every reasonable opportunity its opposition to the expansion of fish farms unless the operation is land base and meets the highest environmental standards.

Powell River Sunshine Coast

H2005-11 Genetically Engineered Crops
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that this Convention adopt in principle a commitment to work on promoting BC as a genetically engineered crop free zone within the next two years.

Comox Valley

H2005-12 Privatization of Public Lands Maintenance & Operations
WHEREAS privatization of public parks and lands has led to deterioration of these public facilities;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the BC NDP urge the BC government that no further privatization of any parks or public lands be undertaken, and that all current private maintenance or operation contracts be cancelled or not renewed.

Cowichan Ladysmith

H2005-13 Okanagan Basin Water Board
WHEREAS water is an essential, common for all life, and that the climate change predicts hotter, drier Okanagan weather; and

WHEREAS there is tremendous development occurring, often in areas not previously allocated water;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) be mandated as arbiter for all new licenses in the Basin; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the OBWB promotes economical use of water, and protect the Okanagan and all downstream lakes.

Okanagan Westside

H2005-14 All-Terrain Vehicles
WHEREAS recreational vehicular use has become popular but has caused meadow damage, erosion, and noxious weed spread; and

WHEREAS there is no adequate British Columbia legislation to identify or curtail ATV operators;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that British Columbia adopt regulations designed to identify and restrict ATV operation and penalize as needed, as other provinces have; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that trails and areas of "No-ATV" activity be recognized.

Okanagan Westside

H2005-15 Environmental Standards
WHEREAS environmental standards help protect our environment for present and future generation; and

WHEREAS the New Democratic Party believes in government's responsibility to lead through setting regulations and standards; and

WHEREAS the New Democratic Party is opposed to neo-liberal campaigns to eliminate standards or to create "voluntary industry standards" that do not work;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the New Democratic Party initiate a comprehensive plan to improve environmental standards.

Salt Spring Island NDP Club

FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL AFFAIRS

I2005-01 Marijuana Laws
WHEREAS numerous public opinion polls conducted since 2000 show that most Canadians support eliminating criminal penalties for marijuana, with support for non-punitive marijuana policies strongest in British Columbia; and

WHEREAS in 1971 the LeDain Commission on Drugs, after exhaustive hearings and research, recommended legalizing the cultivation and possession of marijuana for personal use; and

WHEREAS the 1995 Chief Coroner's Report into Illicit Narcotic Overdose Deaths in BC, commissioned by BC's NDP government, recommended that the BC Attorney General pursue legalization of marijuana possession with the federal government; and

WHEREAS in 2002 the Canadian Senate issued a comprehensive report on marijuana issues, after extensive research and hearings, which recommended that marijuana should be made legally available to adults and regulated by provincial governments in the same way that they operate the wine industry, plus that Canada's 600,000 criminal records for pot possession to be erased, and that medical marijuana access should be expanded; and

WHEREAS the policy of Canada's federal NDP has long included a non-punitive, regulatory approach to marijuana, including a legally regulated and taxed marijuana supply, elimination of penalties for personal possession and cultivation, and amnesty for past possession convictions; and

WHEREAS the policy of the Ontario NDP explicitly supports that of the federal party, and includes a non-punitive approach to marijuana, with a regulated and taxed legal marijuana supply; and

WHEREAS the punishment of marijuana users is inconsistent with the principle that "the dignity, freedom and equality of the individual is a basic right" as enshrined in the Constitution of the BC NDP; and

WHEREAS waging a "war on drugs" is inconsistent with the principles of peace, co-operation and mutual responsibility within a compassionate and caring society, as outlined in the 1983 Statement of Principles Adopted by the 12th Federal NDP Convention in Regina; and

WHEREAS previous leaders of the BC NDP have made statements concerning Canada's marijuana laws which are inconsistent with the non-punitive marijuana policy of the federal party;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that BC New Democratic Party establish an explicit marijuana policy based upon a non-punitive, regulatory approach, including support for a legal supply of marijuana, elimination of all penalties for personal cultivation and possession, and amnesty for past convictions of marijuana possession.

Kelowna Mission
Powell River Sunshine Coast
Victoria Beacon Hill

I2005-02 Canadian Sovereignty
WHEREAS United States agencies such as the DEA and the FBI are instigating, inspiring and consulting on, and sometimes directing, the course of criminal investigations in Canada; and

WHEREAS this clearly constitutes an infringement on Canadian sovereignty;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the BC NDP call upon the government of BC and the Government of Canada to investigate the extent of US agencies involvement in criminal investigations in Canada, and enact clear and firm policies to ensure Canadian authorities control and direct such cooperative investigations.

Powell River Sunshine Coast

FORESTRY

J2005-01 Forest Community Recovery and New Forest Industry Strategy
WHEREAS the current pine beetle infestation threatens to destroy the BC interior forest industry, regional eco-systems and resource communities; and

WHEREAS this is being exacerbated by the closures of multi-million dollar facilities, such as pulp and sawmills as a result of the BC Liberal government's removal of job protections via the appurtenance clause of the Forest Act, leading to further job loss, especially in Coastal and Island regions; and

WHEREAS this crisis is compounded by the fact the concentration of ownership of the corporations dominating the industry has shifted the focus to downsizing instead of appropriate capital re-investment; and

WHEREAS it is becoming clear that the governments and corporate regime in the US, through repeated NAFTA challenges and unilateral punitive actions, are apparently interested in controlling our forest lands; and

WHEREAS these factors are adding pressure on the industry to further compromise environmental practices that is jeopardizing the long-term health of our forests and related eco-systems; and

WHEREAS very little serious inclusive planning and strategy development has been done by the Liberal government to address these situations, especially for the long term; and

WHEREAS a fundamental principle of the NDP is the democratization and community focused development of our economy for the creation of prosperous, sustainable and ecologically respectful industries and economic sectors;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the related NDP caucus and party committees and working groups initiate as a key project a viable strategy to restructure and reform the forest industry and other related resource industries in time for the next provincial election; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this strategy include:

* an overhaul of forest tenure to focus on public and/or community based ownership of commercial forest lands and other resources via elected boards and councils with full stakeholder representation, including from resource workers, and where appropriate, First Nations that includes a commitment to local processing and severe restrictions on the export of raw logs
* a locally based, and as much as possible democratically structured, capitalization plan, such as community investment funds, employee/union share purchase plans, labour venture capital and credit union investment and, where possible, public, private or mixed pension investments
* a publicly funded community investment plan specifically dedicated to rebuilding and modernizing communities damaged by the pine beetle outbreak and to provide resources to control or prevent future outbreaks