PC Party On The Ballot

Well it seems that a number of people and parties are working towards the same goal. In fact I was quite surprised when I seen the article referring to the new progressive party. I do realize that they were trying to get the progressive conservative party back but as I said to David Orchard, The new Conservative party will never let that happen.

I tried to help by doing my part by drafting up a straw man constitution. That could accommodate a moderate pro Canada party at the centre. Especially now that the NDP has stalled. Once again as I said in other posts Canadians may like the leader but they will not vote for them to form a government. I think that this could be the start of that one Big Party that Paul Hellyer has been fighting for. One of the things I found while dealing with trying to form this one progressive party is that the people I spoke to wanted to keep their identities so that is why I added to the constitution article 2.1 The purpose of the PC Party shall be to bring together progressives in Canada who, within the framework of Sections which members may want to be associated such as: The Progressive Liberal Section, the progressive Bloc Quebecois section, Progressive Democrats section, Progressive Conservative Section, Progressive Green Section, Progressive Canadian Action Section, and the Progressive Grey’s section, wish to contribute to Canada.

2.2 Those members who have identified themselves with one of the sections in article 2.1 will be allowed to identify themselves as for example a progressive conservative running or campaigning for the Progressive Canadian Party;

2.3 These sections and individual members will seek a common position on all important matters affecting Canada and her people;

2.4 The PC Party is the forum where progressives discuss and develop agreed policies. They establish a common political program for Canadian elections. Members participate at all levels in this process, and it promotes this program in Parliament.

Article 3 of the staw man constitution incorporated values which could be vary attractive to others from other parties.
3.1 As PC Party members, we believe in a balance between fiscal accountability, progressive social policy and individual rights and responsibilities.
3.2 We believe that the social, economic and political progress of Canada can be assured only by the application of democratic principles to government and the administration of public affairs.
3.3 We believe that the production and distribution of goods and services shall be directed to meeting the social and individual needs of people within a sustainable environment and economy and not to the making of profit.
3.4 We believe that we can modify and control the operations of the monopolistic productive and distributive organizations through economic and social planning. Towards these ends and where necessary the extension of the principle of social ownership.
3.5 We hold firm to the belief that the dignity and freedom of the individual is a basic right that must be maintained and extended.
3.6 Every individual, in the peaceful pursuit of personal fulfillment, has an absolute right to his or her own life, liberty, and property.
3.7 We are proud to advance the party’s platform, policy, values and basis of unity, and to contribute to the welfare of Canada, Canadians and the community of life in Canada by fielding candidates in federal general elections and by-elections, by electing PC Party members to the Parliament of Canada, by debate and legislation in Parliament, and by participation in the Government of Canada.
3.8 We will develop policy and platform consistent with its values and basis of unity.
3.9 We will advance the party's platform, policy, values and basis of unity outside of electoral periods.
3.10 Build a national coalition of people who share these beliefs and who reflect the regional, cultural and socio-economic diversity of Canada.
3.11 Develop this party, embracing our differences and respecting our traditions, yet honouring a concept of Canada as the greater sum of strong parts.
3.12 Provide an organizational framework within which Members of the Progressive Canadian Party can effect change, gather public support for its policies and influence government policy through the nomination of PC Party candidates in every constituency and the election of PC Party Members of Parliament, for the betterment of Canada.
3.13 Provide above all, a pro-Canadian party dedicated to the principle that Canada can best serve its citizens and the world by re-claiming and maintaining its political and economic sovereignty as an independent country.
3.14 We are committed to the view that human dignity is the underlying principle of a democratic society and that the purpose of political organization is to guarantee equal opportunity in order to give full expression to that dignity.
3.15 We subscribe to the fundamental rights and freedoms of all persons and equality under the law and commit itself to the protection of these essential values and their constant adaptation to the needs of a modern society.
3.16 We recognize that human dignity, and a democratic system requires that all citizens have access to full information regarding the policies and leadership of the state; and that such information should not be unreasonably denied. Citizens should be provided full opportunity to participate in open and public assessment of public policies and their impact, as they deem desirable to promote the political, economic, social, cultural and general well being of Canadians.
3.17 To realize this objective, the Party will strive to provide a flexible and democratic structure under which all Canadians can obtain such information, participate in open assessment and make their views known through open communication and political actions both electoral and non-electoral.
3.18 We recognize the responsibility of the state to provide certain essential services for its citizens. To assist in this regard the Party will reform the banking system and use the Bank of Canada creatively in order to provide the fiscal flexibility essential to this end.
3.19 We are committed to keeping the budget balanced, reducing the national debt and to the progressive tax system.
3.20 We believe in a sphere for free enterprise and a sphere for an activist government.
3.21 We believe that the free market, individual initiative and self-reliance should be encouraged as the keys to prosperity. We want government to collaborate with businesses, not work against them, to reduce needless red tape and taxes that hurt competitiveness. However, we do not adhere to the American Republicanism that is manifest in the Canadian Alliance. We do not agree with the neo-conservative belief that individuals should be entitled to follow self-interest for its own sake, magically leading to some "public good" through the invisible hand of the market with no government role beyond protection of property rights. We believe that faith in the law of the jungle will produce a jungle.
3.22 We believe that faith in the public good will lead to the public good. We believe that the invisible hand of the market is important, but the hand of public responsibility must steady it. We believe that a conscious and direct consideration of an individual's free-market activity should be the public good, and government involvement is an integral part of this.
3.23 We believe that the greatest financial gains in the world do not make a society better if they are accrued through environmental destruction, creating an underclass of the working poor, or the starvation of key public goods. The free market has shown itself to be a poor provider of universal education, health care, a clean environment and public infrastructure, such as water systems, which exist for the benefit of all and which, ultimately, make us more economically competitive.
3.24 We respect the marketplace, but we do not worship it as the solution to all problems. As part of this, we oppose flat taxes; the privatization of core services and the far-right dogma of massive tax cuts trumping all other policy considerations.
3.25 We believe that aboriginal self-government, which is both an inherent and a constitutional right, is the key to aboriginals growing in self-reliance and harmonious relations with Canadians as a whole.
3.26 We believe asymmetrical federalism is the genius of Canadian confederation and the reason our diverse regions have worked together to create the best country on earth. We believe that the provinces are inherently different, and their jurisdictions should reflect this. We believe devolving more powers to the provinces would weaken our nation. We need fewer provincial barriers, not more. We need more ties that bind us, not fewer.
3.27 We believe that Canada's existence requires a constant treasuring of the above values. Canada has been woven together by threads of accommodation, both powerful and fragile -- powerful in what they support, fragile in that the passions of division are a constant threat. Never believe that Canada has a right to eternally exist. It exists because we as Canadians will it to exist. This existence is easily endangered by those who stoke the divisions of region versus region, immigrant versus non-immigrant, aboriginal versus non-aboriginal, and rich versus poor.
3.28 We believe that immigration is important to Canada's future; and Canada needs an immigration policy that will attract and select the best and brightest people (including skilled trades people) who can contribute to Canada and help our country develop and grow.
3.29 We believe that immigrants add to our prosperity and immigration to Canada should be increased. Immigrants do not increase our crime rates or steal our jobs or take our university spots. Those who exploit isolated crimes by immigrants for political gain do not deserve public office. Those who fan the flames of fear of rising crime, when Canada's homicide rate has steadily declined from its 1976 peak, also do not deserve public office.
3.30 We also believe that Canada is obligated to offering protection to refugees from around the world and to assisting refugees in their resettlement in Canada.
3.31 We believe that illegal immigrants who enter the country illegally must be deported. We believe that those who sneak into this country must be refused the right to stay.
3.32 We believe that we must expand wealth by increasing opportunity through investing in economic growth and education; and by enhancing the security of workers by empowering them with greater responsibility for their own economic well being.
3.33 We believe that we must reconstruct our social order by strengthening families, attacking crime, and empowering the urban poor. A stable social order reflecting mutual trust and responsibility is the foundation upon which successful self-government depends. We believe in preventing crime and punishing criminals and that Canada’s criminal justice system should be rooted in and responsive to the communities it serves.
3.34 We believe that we must confront global confusion by building enduring new international structures of economic and political freedom. The collapse of the Cold War order presents Canada with an opportunity to reaffirm and safeguard our interests and values by constructing a new international system upon a foundation of democracy, free markets and human rights.
3.35 We believe in a free market system that economically empowers all individuals and families through direct and effective ownership of the means of production—the best check against the potential for corruption and abuse. It becomes imperative for all economies of the world to implement effective programs of expanded ownership of productive assets.
3.36 We believe that this party is the movement of the small businessman and woman. We oppose the destruction of local shopping areas, the unnecessary burdens of red tape and unfair competition. We believe that fostering small business opportunities, capital investment and entrepreneurship should be a cornerstone of our economic policy. Sustaining and promoting small business growth and entrepreneurship demands innovative public policy solutions that harness the power of the market to funnel capital and resources towards Canada’s most promising ventures.
3.37 We believe that we must defend the common civic ideals and the spirit of tolerance that enable Canada to draw strength and unity from its diversity. Because we can no longer take our cultural cohesion for granted, we must all work harder to defend Canada's common ground--the values and institutions we share in common as well as our mutual rights and responsibilities as citizens--against those on either end of the political spectrum who would divide us.
3.38 We believe in loyalty to a sovereign and united Canada governed in accordance with the Constitution of Canada, the supremacy of democratic parliamentary institutions and the rule of law. We believe in our constitutional monarchy, the institutions of Parliament and the democratic process. A federal system of government as the best expression of the diversity of our country, and in the desirability of strong provincial and territorial governments. The purpose of Canada as a nation state and its government, guided by reflective and prudent leadership, is to create a climate wherein individual initiative is rewarded, excellence is pursued, security and privacy of the individual is provided and prosperity is from a free competitive market economy. A belief in the power of states to respond to the needs of their own jurisdictions, particularly in regards to their public services. A belief that Canada should accept its obligations among the nations of the world. We believe in progressive internationalism -- the bold exercise of Canadian leadership to foster peace, prosperity, and democracy.
3.39 This Constitution sets forth the systems and procedures by which the PC Party will work to implement these ideas on behalf of its members and all Canadians. The Party will operate in a manner accountable and responsive to its members.

These aims would look attractive to many voters and would bring more members and people together because the aims above came from newspaper articles, forums like this one where people articulated there heartfelt wishes for Canada. Call it mushy but the fact is that I don't believe that parties and politicians have been listening to the public. How many more times do the public have to say that our top priority is health Care. This is the opportunity to create this one big party that is required to form a government. I think that together we will be able to
actually get more than the 50 seats that are required if we use this method of forming the party.

By calling the party the Progressive Canadian Party, the founding members have taken the lead in forming this
one big party. In fact during the negotiations with the NDP, Paul Hellyer as the leader of the Canadian Action Party insisted on three things, that the name of the party contain the word Progressive. The second, was that the party be pro Canada and have a centralist view neither far right or far left or beholden to big business or unions. Finally, he required that a new constitution be developed. Well I believe that the new party meets the criteria accept for a new constitution. Together I am sure that we could put out a large number of candidates in the next election.

I hope that the Progressive Canadian Party will see their way to making a few changes to let the rest of us in.

JimmyD,

There's a PCOptions egroup on my site under forums. You may find that group interesting. My site you will find in my profile. I suggest you email Bruce the site owner and let him know I shared the group with you. He will most likely want to know who you are before he approves your membership to the yahooe group.

Kevin

Kevin--believe you've done an admirable job in your article. Have you transmitted it to Joe Hueglin for consideration? If not, suggest you do so. Have suggested in Joe's Daily Digest that we invite all Canadians to offer their suggestions on actions they deem necessary to include in the PC party platform. Disgruntled members of ANY party will surely be aware of the shortcomings of their party and hopefully contribute their thoughts for inclusion in the PC party's "to do" list. Keep up the good work. Vern Bretin

Hello Anon,

Not sure if your referring too the main article, or the article(platform) that JimmyD posted as a reply. If its the main article that started this discussion, then as much as I would like to take the credit for the great article I should note that it was not my article.

I can't even remember where it came from.

Kevin

Hello Kevin

I have taken your suggestion and am now waiting for the email to confirm my acceptance.

We have an opportunity here to get something going and that's why I made the post that you replied to. I just think that if the two parties ( Canadian Action and Progressive Canadian) are going down the same road that with a little compromise we can get together and form that Big tent party everyone is talking about. We can attract people who did not vote in other election and people from other parties who are tired of the same, old same old. If we do not provide that new alternative, people will just vote for the same parties or not at all.

JimmyD,

What do you think about the possibility of the Progressive Conservative Party being resurrected? I can see this party as being a real choice and will have attraction with voters.

Its the same Kevin, just using a friends computer.

Well Kevin, I am not sure if we will ever get the Progressive Conservative Party name back. I think the only way we can use the progressive conservative name is as posted in my very long post on changes to the Progressive Canadian Constitution. As you read the aims you can see all of the Progressive Conservative Party aims are included and more.

I have included other aims which should be able to attract disenchanted progressive liberals, New Democrats, Bloc, green supporters, Orchard supporters, and Canadian Action Party members. It is also important to recognize that the Progressive Conservative Party also carries its own issues such as free trade, GST etc. We have the opportunity to reconstruct the Progressive Canadian Party into the party of MacDonald, Borden, and Diefinbaker. We need to get back to the centralist, moderate policies that we were known for, before we became known as the Mulronney tories.

In this election we must open the party to all Canadians and insure that the members of the party control our destiny.

The main reason why I mentioned the resurrection of the Progressive Conservative Party is cause Orchard, Stevens and others say they won't give up with their case regarding a wrongful merge that broke rules.

Also just a few days ago Orchard won in court against New Conservative Party who had a $200,000 lawsuit against him. They ruled in favour of Orchard. You should see a article posted here about this soon.

Kevin

Hi Kevin

1. I have read the article that you have made reference to. I like many others would like to see the Progressive Conservative Party revive. But the only way that we will be able to do this is through the Progressive Canadian Party.

2. I think and I have stated this before that the Conservative Party will fight tooth and nail to keep the funding from elections Canada and the name progressive conservative. They will not call themselves progressive Conservatives but on the other hand they will not give the name to anyone else to use.

3. I must say that I do appreciate the initiative but just think what we could do with this new party if all of that energy and money could be put into the new party so we can recreate that what Sir John A MacDonald did when he united with the liberal faction which made the party liberal Conservatives. Also in the 1940's when John Bracken said the only way that he would take the reins of the party is if the whole convention agreed that the Party would change its name to Progressive Conservative. This provided a party for all Canadians to support.

4. Kevin, I guest what I am saying is that this new party is just another evolution in the history of the Progressive Conservative Party. We have the PC Party on the ballot, we have our aims and we should develop national policies. By using the section system as I outlined in a previous e-mail,we can have a progressive Conservative section that people can join and call themselves progressive conservatives. But like Sir John A MacDonald and John Bracken we must open the party and unite the country again. We have a proud history and we can continue to write that history. Now is the day and time in the history of the Progressive Conservative Party, that we write a new page where the former PC Party is now embodied into the Progressive Canadian Party just as the Liberal Conservatives and the Progressive conservatives have done before us.

5. Now is the time for all good progressive conservatives to come together not to exact vengence but to carry on with our history and unite our country. We can and we must provide all good progressives whether they be liberal, New Democrats, conservatives who want to come back to the original vision of the party and a whole host of others, a place where they can be comfortable and be able to contribute the continuing evolution of our country.

6. People are counting on us now to get on with ensuring that we have as many Progressive Canadian candidates in as many ridings as we can. We have to also show that we are created from the Progressive Conservative Party but in this time in our history necessity has shown that a different plan of action is required. We have kept our aims and principles and have adapted them to the new reality of Canada.