More thoughts on the recent Liberal Biennial Convention

Report from Graham Stewart:

This was my first convention so I did not know what to expect but I imagined that it would be a tense time filled with difficult policy and organizational debates that left some wounded and frustrated. It didn't turn out that way. Sure, there was a strong contest for president and the other members of the executive and outspoken worries about the inclusion of supporters and other reforms, but what impressed me was the degree of consensus and good will at the conference. 3000 people appeared to agree strongly on the principles and values that lie at the heart of the liberal party. The rest was really a debate about strategies and tactics - not outcomes. Even with the debate on tactics where opinions were strongly held there was always the recognition that "I could be wrong" and even "I hope I am wrong". The fundamentals appeared to simply not be an issue. That for me indicated that the party looked more like a movement than an institution and I think it is that sense of a movement of people with common progressive values that was inspiring for me.

Throughout the conference, and particularly after Don Tapscott spoke, I sensed that those present felt that their party was embarking on a transformative process that would engage Canadians as never before. No one knew exactly what the party might look like in a few years but the excitement was at times palpable. It was as though we were cooking up something that was new and smelled delicious but nobody knew exactly how it would turn out. That excitement and positive energy has, I think, the potential to pull people together.

I thought the resolutions were addressed well and from that came a number of very important resolutions that were adopted. Those not adopted, however, were not defeated so much as they were delayed. We needed to take some of the big steps first and then, with the wisdom of experience, come back to reassess those ideas. So, for instance, we agreed that supporters could participate in the selection of the next leader but we were not ready to include them in the selection of candidates. Similarly we were not so sure about regional votes referred to "primaries" - though I think that is a misnomer. No decisions were taken that closed doors or, so far as I could tell, alienated some significant portion of those present.

Having over 3000 register was pretty impressive and I like to think was reflective of the sense many had that the party was in god and hopeful place in spite of the obvious problems it faces. It certainly did not seem preoccupied with failure and I could see no serious blaming going on. It would not have been surprising to me if the party turned on the leaders who were in place during the last election but that was not the case. I thought that was a very healthy sign - particularly for a party that was supposed to be deeply divided.

The party members seem to have considerable confidence and pride in the caucus members. My own opinion after seeing them field dozens of tough questions was that they are really far more competent than we have a right to expect. Each has taken their particular areas of policy specialization very seriously and all spoke with passion and detail that reflected high levels of expertise. We need make no excuses for this group of exceptionally competent and talented people.

Whenever political concerns came up against points of principle, such as the question of legalization of marijuana, principle ruled. Evidence was a theme throughout and always trumped expediency that might grab a good headline but betray a public trust.

While the attendance, was double that in recent history, the numbers attending their first convention was over half and many of those I met joined the party quite recently. There was a huge contingent of young people present. They were animated engaged and electrified. I was impressed and reassured by their passion and knowledge. All of this must have an enormous refreshing effect on the party and that has to be a good thing. Perhaps it explains why I could see no serious sign of old divisions.

No one was naive about the challenges ahead but that reality did not dampen the enthusiasm - perhaps because it was difficult to separate the party from the liberal values and the tenacity of those values seemed indomitable. The party is straining under the weight of the political struggle it faces but buoyed the values that seem to be timeless and permanent.

It was exhausting but overall it was as successful an event as I could have hoped for.

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Report from Anne Peace-Fast:

Such positive energy!

Like a huge family reunion; people you've never met but are somehow related to.

Red is the new orange!

Harper's vision of Canada isn't the endgame. We can and will help Canadians envision and build a better Canada.

POLICY

For about six weeks before the convention, the discussion about policy occurred online as we read, sought clarification, shared ideas about, and voted to include suggested policy motions. During Caucus Critics Corner sessions and Evidence-based Policy Sessions, we gathered background information, asked questions and shared viewpoints about policy.

When it came time to vote, we voted on thirty policy motions. Someone was asked to speak to each motion. Mr. Milliken or the other chair would then ask if we were ready to vote with the preparation we had already made or wished to debate the proposal. It only needed twenty-five of the almost 3000 in the room to move to a debate. While speakers on each side of the issue were passionate in their defence pro or against, everyone listened without animosity and, whichever way the vote fell, the thousands of us remained united in our support for each other and our work to build a better future for Canada.

Some few policies received much press. We adopted many; these others include:

• A commitment to develop a national food policy, addressing food supply, sustainable farm income and environmental sustainability
• A commitment to develop a national water policy
• A commitment to work with the provinces to improve programmes of homecare, long term care and palliative care
• A commitment to develop a national housing strategy
• A commitment to be fiscally responsible and decrease the national debt over a calculated timeframe
• A commitment to evidence-based policy in the safe development of resources in the North and in the existing tar sands projects
• A commitment to develop a programme where young Canadians can get free of their school debts through community work
• A commitment to include mental health as a health policy priority
• A re-commitment to supporting aboriginal Peoples, women's right to reproductive health services, stability in seniors' income, early childhood development and childcare and grants for student excellence