CONSTITUTION OF THE New Democratic Party of Canada EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 2018 PREAMBLE Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the and harmonious exchanges among individuals of world. New Democrats are Canadians who believe differing cultures. we can be a better one — a country of greater New Democrats believe in freedom and equality, justice, and opportunity. We can build democracy and in a positive role for democratical- sustainable prosperity and a society that shares its ly elected and accountable Parliaments, legisla- benefits more fairly. We can look after our seniors. tures, and the governments responsible to them. We can offer better futures for our children. We can do our part to save the world’s environment. New Democrats affirm a role for government in New Democrats work together to these ends for helping to create the conditions for sustainable the sake of our fellow citizens and in the interests prosperity. We believe in a rules-based economy, of all of humanity. nationally and globally, in which governments have the power to address the limitations of the New Democrats are proud of our political and market in addressing the common good by having activist heritage, and our long record of visionary, the power to act in the public interest for social practical, and successful governments. That and economic justice, and for the integrity of the heritage and that record have distinguished and environment. inspired our party since the creation of the Co-op- erative Commonwealth Federation in 1933 and New Democrats belong to the family of other pro- the founding of the New Democratic Party in 1961. gressive democratic political parties that govern successfully in many countries around the world. New Democrats seek a future that brings In co-operation with like minded political parties together the best of the insights and objectives and governments, New Democrats are committed of Canadians who, within the social democratic to working together for peace, international and democratic socialist traditions, have worked co-operation, and the common good of all – the through farmer, labour, co-operative, feminist, common good being our fundamental purpose as human rights and environmental movements, a movement and as a party. and with First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, to build a more just, equal, and sustainable Canada within a global community dedicated to the same goals. New Democrats celebrate Canada’s diversity and the deep histories, traditions and aspirations of all of its peoples. New Democrats believe in an intercultural integration model based on solidarity CONSTITUTION OF THE NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF CANADA | 1 ARTICLE I 2. Affiliated Membership NAME (1) Affiliated membership shall be open to trade unions, farm groups, co-operatives, The name of this political party shall be the women’s organizations and other groups New Democratic Party. and organizations which, by official act, undertake to accept and abide by the ARTICLE II constitution and principles of the Party, DEFINITION AND INTERPRETATION and are not associated or identified with any other political party. 1. Definitions (2) An application for affiliated membership In this constitution, wherever the words may be received from: “province” or “provincial” appear, they shall be (a) an international, national, provincial read to include “territory” or “territorial” unless or regional organization in respect of the context otherwise requires. its membership in Canada or in the 2. Interpretation province or region concerned; This constitution shall be interpreted by the (b) a provincial or regional section of an President. Any such interpretation may be international or national organization over-ruled by a majority vote of all members in respect of its membership in that present and voting at any meeting of the province or region; Executive, Council or Convention. (c) a local, lodge or branch of any of the 3. Languages above-mentioned organizations in This constitution shall be printed in both respect of the membership of that local, official languages of Canada. lodge or branch; ARTICLE III (d) a local group or organization in respect MEMBERSHIP of its membership. (3) An application for affiliation must be made There shall be individual and affiliated to the Executive and include membership in the Party. (a) evidence that the applicant organization 1. Individual Membership officially supports the NDP (1) Individual membership shall be open to (b) confirmation of the number of every resident of Canada, regardless of individual NDP members within the race, colour, religion, sex, gender identity or applicant organization. expression, sexual orientation, or national (4) origin who undertakes to accept and abide The NDP Executive may waive Article III (2) by the constitution and principles of the (3) (a) in cases where it deems just cause. Party and who is not a member or supporter of any other political party. (2) Applications for individual membership shall be dealt with in accordance with the constitution of the appropriate provincial Party and shall be subject to the approval of that provincial Party. 2 | CONSTITUTION OF THE NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF CANADA ARTICLE IV 5. Authority of Conventions FEES AND CONTRIBUTIONS Conventions are the supreme governing body of the Party and shall have final authority in all matters of federal policy, program 1. The Federal Party and all provincial Sections and constitution. shall remit, immediately on receipt, all monies received on behalf of another 6. Delegates to Conventions section of the Party. (a) Eligibility of Delegates and Credential Calculations 2. Individual Members: Each provincial Section shall set the amount of the fee in each i each delegate must be an individual province for individual membership in the member in good standing of the Party. New Democratic Party. ii each delegate may have only one ARTICLE V vote at Convention. CONVENTIONS iii for the purpose of calculating credential entitlements for electoral General Description: There are two kinds district associations, affiliates and of Conventions: Biennial Conventions and youth organizations, formulas shall Special Conventions. be calculated based on membership lists as at the end of the previous 1. Timing and Location of Conventions membership year, or as at 120 days (a) Biennial Conventions shall take place at prior to the convention, whichever is least once every other calendar year at a the greater. time and place determined by the Council. (b) Electoral District Association Delegates (b) Special Conventions shall be called by the Each electoral district association shall be Council or if requested by a majority of entitled to: Electoral District Associations in a majority of provinces and territories. i one (1) delegate for 50 party members or less; 2. Notice of Conventions ii one (1) additional delegate for each (a) Notice of Biennial Conventions will be additional 50 party members or major sent to each Electoral District Association, fraction thereof; and affiliate and every group or organization eligible for representation at least 150 days iii one (1) additional credential reserved prior to the date of the Convention. for a youth delegate. (b) Notice of Special Conventions shall be (c) Affiliate Delegates determined by the Council. Each affiliate shall be entitled to: 3. Quorum at Conventions i one (1) delegate for 50 party members A quorum for the transaction of business shall or less; and consist of not less than one-third of the total registered delegates at the Convention. ii one (1) delegate for each additional 50 party members or major fraction 4. Procedure at Conventions thereof. The rules of procedure at Conventions will be those described in the Appendix to this Constitution. CONSTITUTION OF THE NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF CANADA | 3 (d) Youth Delegates 7. Resolutions at Convention Each federally chartered chapter, campus (a) Notice club, provincial or territorial New Democratic The Party headquarters must receive all Youth Section shall be entitled to: resolutions no less than 60 days prior to i one (1) delegate for 50 party members start of Convention. or less; (b) Submission of Resolutions ii one (1) additional delegate for each The following may submit resolutions additional 50 party members or major to Conventions: fraction thereof up to 200 members; and i Electoral District Associations; iii one (1) additional delegate for each ii Affiliates or affiliated groups 100 party members or major or organizations entitled fraction thereof. to representation; (e) Delegate Entitlements iii Provincial Parties or Sections; The following shall be entitled to delegate credentials: iv New Democratic Youth of Canada; i All former federal leaders of the Party; v Provincial Sections of the New Democratic Youth of Canada, or ii All members of the federal Caucus; federally chartered youth chapters; iii All members of the Council; vi Council; iv The Canadian Labour Congress shall vii Councils of Electoral be entitled to four (4) delegate creden- District Associations; tials; viii Participation of Women Committee; v Each national labour organization with at least one affiliate to the party shall ix Aboriginal Commission; be entitled to two (2) delegate creden- tials; x Racial Justice and Equity Minorities Committee; vi Each affiliated provincial and territori- al federation of labour with at least one xi Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, affiliate to the party shall be entitled to Transgendered Committee two (2) delegate credentials; and xii Persons Living with disAbilities