Euthanasia, flat-tax and other issues to be discussed at federal Tory convention

Federal Conservatives from across Canada are preparing to descend on Ottawa for the party's national convention June 9-11 and local riding associations are packing policies they hope the government will adopt.

To date, much of the press about the convention has been about the battle of party voting rules.

At issue is a resolution retracting a "deal-breaker" policy that brought the two parties together in 2003 — the concept that all riding associations would be treated equally during leadership and policy conventions no matter how many members they had.

The rule was important to Progressive Conservatives because it would keep a check on the power of large western Canadian associations that could easily swamp a leadership vote.

In addition, Tory delegates will be debating and voting on numerous policy resolutions put forward by electoral district associations (EDA) across the country.

If a policy is passed, at a convention, it becomes part of the party doctrine. The Stephen Harper government, however, isn't obligated to adopt the policy.

Policy Resolution 4: Free Votes

The EDA from Regina Qu'Appelle is proposing to change the party's "free-vote" policy.

They want to change the policy's text from, "All votes should be free, except for the budget, main estimates, and core government initiatives" to "A Conservative government will make all votes free, except for the budget and main estimates."

Policy Resolution 6: Binding Referendum

The EDA of Nipissing-Timiskaming is introducing a new resolution on a binding referendum:

"The Conservative Party supports more participation by citizens in the workings of government. In particular, it agrees that binding referendums, after a sufficient number of petitions for such, should be part of the system of democracy which helps to make our country successful.

"The details of this process should be established by an all-party committee, after studying the many other jurisdictions where such is now being effectively utilized."

Policy Resolution 8: Flat Tax Rate

Two EDAs, Calgary Nose Hill and Oshawa, are proposing the party adopt a policy supporting the introduction of a flat-rate tax system.

Policy Resolution 21: Foreign Ownership Restrictions

The EDA in Saint John would like to see a relaxation of foreign ownership rules for the airline industry and natural resource sector.

Policy Resolution 25: Labour Policy

The EDA from Durham wants to add a clause to the party's labour policy stating that if a worker in a unionized shop chooses not be part of the union, he or she would not be penalized.

Policy Resolution 45: Palliative Care

Three EDAs, Kitchener — Conestoga, London RPM, and GTA (Vaughan) RPM have agreed to jointly propose a new party policy on assisted suicide:

"The Conservative Party will not support any legislation to legalize euthanasia or assisted suicide in Canada."

(Reuters Photo)