Opposition to the PC-CA Merger
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Motion to the National Council of the
Progressive Conservative Party of Canada

Whereas the Constitution of the PC Party of Canada (the Constitution) provides:

8.2 The government, management and control of the activities of the Party are vested in the Members at national meetings; and

8.3 Between national meetings of the Party, the government, management and control of the activities of the Party are vested in the National Council, subject to general direction from, accountability to and review by the Members at national meetings; and

8.4 Between meetings of the National Council, the government, management and control of the activities of the Party are vested in the Management Committee, subject to general direction from, accountability to and review by the National Council at meetings of the National Council.

and whereas Management Committee has convened a Special Meeting of Members to consider whether to approve the Agreement-in-Principle on the Establishment of the Conservative Party of Canada, such National meeting to be carried on in multiple remote locations across Canada;

and whereas the Constitution provides:

4.1.12 "National Meeting" includes general and special meetings of Members for any purpose provided for under the provisions of the Constitution save and except for the Leadership process;

and whereas the Constitution contains no provision for a meeting to be held for the purpose of considering whether to approve the establishment of another party,

and whereas the Constitution provides:
4.4 "in interpreting the Constitution, any conflict between or any ambiguity in its terms shall be resolved by giving preference to the provision or interpretation which best reflects the aims and principles set out in Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution;

and whereas the Aims and Principles set out in Articles 2 and 3 provide:

2.3 The Party will operate in a manner accountable and responsive to its Members.

3.1.12 A belief that good and responsible government is attentive to the people it represents and has representatives who at all times conduct themselves in an ethical manner and display integrity, honesty and concern for the best interest of all.

and whereas Article 8 of the Constitution provides:

8.1 The governance of the Party shall adhere to the following objectives:

    8.1.1 full representation of the interests and views of Members;

    8.1.2 mutual and direct regular communication and accountability between the Members and leadership;

and whereas Article 8 further provides:

8.5 The By-laws of the Party shall describe the criteria for participation of and voting by Members at national meetings;

and whereas the By-Laws of the Party:
4.8 provide for participation "in any meeting of the National Council or Management Committee by means of telephone or video conferencing facilities which permit all persons in the meeting to hear each other";

and whereas the By-Laws of the Party do not provide for a National meeting of Members to be conducted "by means of telephone or video conferencing facilities which permit all persons in the meeting to hear each other"; or in some similar fashion;

and whereas the Party has never before conducted a National meeting of Members in more than one location and/or by means of telephone or video conferencing;

and whereas such a meeting would limit the rights of Members to the full representation of their interests and views as required in the Constitution and By-laws:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

a) The decision of Management Committee to convene through the National President a Special National Meeting to be carried on in more than one location and/or to be conducted by telephone or video conferencing is hereby revoked, and

b) National Council hereby directs the National President of the Party to convene a Special National Meeting of the Party to be held at one location, at a time and place to be determined by the Management Committee of the Party, and to be conducted in full compliance with the Constitution and By-laws of the Party.

Moved by:

John Perrin, President, Winnipeg South Centre

Seconded by:

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