NDP may drop 'socialism' from party's constitution
Federal New Democrats will contemplate shedding the party's socialist principles in favour of mainstream and less revolutionary ideals at their party convention in Vancouver this weekend. The three-day convention, which begins Friday, will bring together an expected 1,500 delegates to celebrate the party's historic election success on May 2.
But between the congratulatory speeches and pats on the backs, delegates will be hard at work debating policy proposals, such as deleting the preamble to its constitution, which now states that social, economic and political progress in Canada "can be assured only by the application of socialist principles" to government and administration of public affairs.
Although officials insist they simply want to modernize the party's constitution, the current preamble talks about the principle of redistributing goods to meet the needs of people "and not to the making of profit" as well as the extension of social ownership. The NDP is now suggesting much more tame language and a preamble that states the party is dedicated to the application of "social democratic principles" and that it believes in social justice, equality and environmental sustainability to achieve a strong united and prosperous Canada.
The discussion over the shedding of "socialism" in the party's constitution will be discussed on the last day of the convention, when delegates will also be asked to vote on a proposition to "reject any proposals to merge with the Liberal party."
NDP may drop 'socialism' from party's constitution
Federal New Democrats will contemplate shedding the party's socialist principles in favour of mainstream and less revolutionary ideals at their party convention in Vancouver this weekend. The three-day convention, which begins Friday, will bring together an expected 1,500 delegates to celebrate the party's historic election success on May 2.
But between the congratulatory speeches and pats on the backs, delegates will be hard at work debating policy proposals, such as deleting the preamble to its constitution, which now states that social, economic and political progress in Canada "can be assured only by the application of socialist principles" to government and administration of public affairs.
Although officials insist they simply want to modernize the party's constitution, the current preamble talks about the principle of redistributing goods to meet the needs of people "and not to the making of profit" as well as the extension of social ownership. The NDP is now suggesting much more tame language and a preamble that states the party is dedicated to the application of "social democratic principles" and that it believes in social justice, equality and environmental sustainability to achieve a strong united and prosperous Canada.
The discussion over the shedding of "socialism" in the party's constitution will be discussed on the last day of the convention, when delegates will also be asked to vote on a proposition to "reject any proposals to merge with the Liberal party."
NDP may drop 'socialism' from party's constitution
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