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The Constitution of the Liberal Party of Canada

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The Constitution of the Liberal Party of Canada Liberal Party Constitution of Canada Table of Liberal Party of Canada Contents 01 04 06 09 A. Establishment D. National Board I. Permanent M. Leader (Cont.) 1. Name (Cont.) Appeals Committee 46. Leadership Vote 2. Purpose 17. Powers (Cont.) 33. Establishment Procedure (Cont’d) 3. Language 18. Meetings and 34. Governance 47. Leadership 4. Gender and Process 35. Referrals Endorsement Ballot Diversity 19. Miscellaneous 5. One Constitution J. Chief Agent 6. Property E. National 36. Appointment Management 37. Governance B. Registered Committee Liberals 20. Composition K. Policy 10 7. Eligibility 21. Powers 38. National Board 8. National Register 22. Meetings and N. General Provisions 48. Amendment 9. Period Process L. Conventions 49. Interpretation 10. Rights 39. Call 50. Notice F. Provincial or 40. Frequency Territorial Boards 41. Registration 23. Provincial Board and Attendance Composition M. Leader 02 42. Office 43. Role 11 C. Electoral District 44. Election O. Transition Associations 51. Effective Date 11. Recognition 05 52. Repeal 12. Purpose 53. Dissolutions as of 13. Governance F. Provincial or Effective Date 14. Requirements Territorial Boards 54. Registered Liberals (Cont.) 55. Commissions D. National Board 24. Territorial Board 07 56. Permanent Appeals 15. Composition Composition M. Leader (Cont.) Committee 16. Election and 25. Election and 44. Election (Cont.) 57. National Board Appointment Provincial or 58. National Convention Territorial 59. Chief Agent Conventions 60. Provincial or 26. Responsibilities Territorial Boards 27. Limits G. National Campaign 08 03 Committee 28. Appointment by M. Leader (Cont.) D. National Board Leader 44. Election (Cont.) 12 (Cont.) 29. Rules 45. Leadership O. Transition (Cont.) 16. Election and 30. Ratification Contestants Appointment 46. Leadership Vote 60. Provincial or Territorial Boards (Cont.) (Cont.) H. Commissions Procedure 61. Dissolution of PTAs 17. Powers 31. Establishment 62. Blended PTAs 32. Governance 63. Electoral District Associations 64. Leader 65. By-Laws 66. Expiry CONSTITUTION OF THE LIBERAL PARTY OF CANADA As adopted at the Biennial Convention on May 28, 2016. As amended at the Liberal National Convention on April 11, 2021. Preamble: The Liberal Party of Canada is an association of Registered Liberals who share certain principles, as set out below, and who strive to elect candidates to the House of Commons for the purpose of advancing those principles. The Liberal Party of Canada is committed to the view that the dignity of each individual person is the cardinal principle of democratic society and the primary purpose of all political organization and activity in such a society. The Liberal Party of Canada is dedicated to the principles that have historically sustained the Party: individual freedom, responsibility and human dignity in the framework of a just society, and political freedom in the framework of meaningful participation by all persons. The Liberal Party is bound by the constitution of Canada and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and is committed to the pursuit of equality of opportunity for all persons, to the enhancement of our unique and diverse cultural community, to the recognition that English and French are the official languages of Canada, and to the preservation of the Canadian identity in a global society. In accordance with this philosophy, the Liberal Party of Canada subscribes to the fundamental rights and freedoms of persons under the rule of law and commits itself to the protection of these essential values and their constant adaptation to the changing needs of modern Canadian society. The Liberal Party of Canada recognizes that human dignity in a democratic system requires that all citizens have access to full information concerning the policies and leadership of the Party; the opportunity to participate in open and public assessment of such means, and such modifications of policies and leadership as they deem desirable to promote the political, economic, social, cultural and general well-being of Canadians. To realize this objective, the Liberal Party of Canada strives to provide a flexible and democratic structure whereby all Canadians can obtain such information, participate in such assessment and militate for such reform through open communications, free dialogue and participatory action both electoral and non-electoral. This Constitution sets forth the institutions, systems and procedures by which the Liberal Party of Canada, in co-operation with its provincial and territorial boards, electoral district associations, and commissions, works to implement these ideas on behalf of all Registered Liberals. Constitution Liberal Party of Canada 01 A. Establishment B. Registered Liberals 1. Name 7. Eligibility There is an association named “The Liberal Party Any person may register as a Registered Liberal, of Canada”, which is referred to throughout this provided that they meet the requirements set out Constitution as the “Party”. by the National Board. There shall be no fee for registration. 2. Purpose The purpose of the Party is to participate in 8. National Register the public affairs of Canada by endorsing and The Party will, under the direction of the supporting Registered Liberals as candidates of National Board, maintain a national register of the Party for election to the House of Commons, all Registered Liberals, indicating the Electoral advocating and supporting Liberal values and District Association in which they are resident philosophies, principles and policies, providing (hereinafter their “home Electoral District a forum for Registered Liberals to provide input Association”). into the policies of the Party, and raising money in support of these purposes. 9. Period Registration as a Registered Liberal will remain 3. Language current for the period established by the National English and French are the official languages of Board, and may be renewed and/or terminated the Party. in the manner and at the times set out by the National Board. 4. Gender and Diversity The Party will promote diversity, inclusiveness 10. Rights and gender parity at all levels of the Party. This Each Registered Liberal has the right, subject to Constitution will operate without discrimination this Constitution, to do the following: on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, a. receive newsletters, information, and notices colour, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, of general meetings and other activities from sexual orientation, age or mental or physical the Party (provided that the Party may elect disability. to limit certain notices to electronic form); b. attend, speak, and vote at a general meeting 5. One Constitution of their home Electoral District Association This Constitution and the by-laws made by the or any Commission or Commission Club with National Board pursuant hereto govern the affairs which they are registered; of the Party and all of its boards, commissions, c. attend and speak (but not vote) at a general committees and associations. No board, meeting of any Electoral District Association commission, committee or association of the other than their home Electoral District Party may establish a constitution other than this Association; Constitution. d. attend, speak, and vote at any convention or general meeting of the Party or their Provincial 6. Property or Territorial Board; Only the Party, an EDA, or a campaign, acting e. be elected as a candidate, or to any office in through its Chief Agent, may hold property and the Party, their Provincial or Territorial Board, money, accept contributions, make expenditures, or any Electoral District Association, provided, enter into contracts of employment, enter in each case that they comply with the into leases, or otherwise make agreements or requirements of this Constitution and the arrangements. No board, commission, committee National Board in respect of such office; or association of the Party may do any of the f. vote on the Leadership Vote and on the foregoing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Leadership Endorsement Ballot conducted nothing herein limits the ability of an Electoral with respect to their home Electoral District District Association or campaign to hold and Association; and administer property and funds or to enter into g. exercise any other right granted to them by the agreements for the provision of services, subject National Board or any other board, commission, to the by-laws established by the National Board. committee or association of the Party. Constitution Liberal Party of Canada 02 C. Electoral District Associations D. National Board 11. Recognition 15. Composition Recognition may be granted by the National The affairs of the Party will be governed by Board to one Electoral District Association a National Board of Directors (the “National in each federal electoral district, and such Board”), which will consist of: recognition may be revoked, pursuant to rules a. the Leader; and procedures set out in the by-laws (each b. the President; association so recognized, an “Electoral District c. the Vice-President (English); Association”) and in accordance with theCanada d. the Vice-President (French); Elections Act. e. the Policy Secretary; f. the Party Secretary; 12. Purpose g. the immediate past President; Each Electoral District Association shall: h. one representative of those Members of a. endorse and support the candidate of the Parliament who caucus with the Party Party for election to the House of Commons (the “Caucus”); for its electoral
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