ENHANCING DEMOCRACY

This excellent document comes from Dr. Carolyn Bennett, PC, MP and her team of 2011 Women Candidates. I endorse it fully!

Speaking to the core values of what we believe all members of the Liberal Party of Canada should embody if we wish to regain the trust of Canadians, members at all levels of our Party shall exhibit the following:

Integrity: established rules will be followed not just to the letter of the law but to the spirit as well. Integrity is not evaluated by someone’s ability or willingness to correct a misdeed once it is exposed, but rather not having misdeeds to expose.


In the case of elections within the Party, fundraising limits should be set and accountability guidelines established to ensure candidates are in compliance with the spirit of Elections Canada Act.

When nominations from the floor are accepted, a process of credentialing will be in place. Downloadable, untrackable memberships will not be accepted.

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Civility: displaying respect towards colleagues and opponents alike and respect for the public trust held.

In contested nominations or any elections within our Party, regardless of the level of the race – i.e. EDA, PTA, National Board – the collection and hoarding of memberships for a last minute drop off at cut-off times is not respectful. This practice is not transparent nor does it take membership seriously. A fully transparent, accountable and trackable membership form must be retained with consistent cut-off timelines for all election races being established and adhered to.

Moral principles: The electorate must know what our values are with respect to the issues and why we hold the values we do so they may evaluate our actions and make accountability a criterion for performance.

We, as members of the Liberal Party of Canada, assume the obligation to be informed and keep the electorate informed. We will say what we will do, and then do it.



We will engage citizens between elections through a minimum number of townhall meetings and public forums. Enabling discussion and debate between elections lets people know we are not only interested in what is being said, but also that we take them seriously enough to allow a venue for public discourse, shows that we are listening, that we are including their views in our policies and platforms and that we are open and transparent in our actions.

All election meetings – EDA, PTA, National Board, or Nomination of Candidates as well as Executive meetings of the EDA Board— will be chaired and conducted by trained individuals and open to all members so as to ensure the fairness and consistency of our internal proceedings.



Sincerity: not having a hidden agenda, being straightforward, not being hypocritical or cynical.

A dispute resolution mechanism will be established to assist EDAs in resolving issues that threaten the strength and development of an EDA.

Lines of communication will flow in all directions across Party lines. Any communications to members will be sent directly to members, no longer relying on the EDA President to pass along information.

Honour: always conducting ourselves in a way that brings respect and value to democracy, respecting the process, the institutions and their value to citizens.

Liberal members should be proud to carry their flag publicly. Civic participation is a criterion of membership in the Party. An evaluation of each EDA will include regular participation in activities within the Riding which enhance the lives of constituents – e.g. public area clean up days, volunteer hours at a food bank, participation in community events.