On behalf of your National Board of Directors, I am pleased to submit “A Roadmap to Renewal” for the review and consideration of all Liberals. It sets out some suggested ‘renewal and rebuilding’ resolutions, inspired and informed by grassroots input, for final consideration at our upcoming Ottawa 2012 – Liberal Biennial Convention (January 13-15).
Our report is intended not only to facilitate further discussion, comment and criticism but also to stimulate alternative ideas, and inspire different and better approaches, all of which are welcomed. The resolutions we have proposed, if enacted, would result in sweeping constitutional change and radical operational modernization of the Party’s affairs. We are inviting – indeed, hoping to provoke – the sort of feedback from Liberals everywhere that will make this process truly meaningful.
Today, the Board is posting the discussion piece: “A Roadmap to Renewal” to the Liberal Party of Canada’s website so that all Liberals, and indeed all Canadians, can fully participate in the consultation process. But this is only the beginning, we want to hear from you:
- Share your comments and ideas by commenting on this blog post below, by joining the discussion on our Member’s Community Page, using #renewal, or by emailing the National Party Office at Ottawa2012@liberal.ca (prior to December 1, 2011)
- Consultation teams consisting of elected MPs, Senators and Party officers will hold online and in-person consultations with Liberal Members across Canada between now and December 9, 2011
- Riding Presidents and Provincial and Territorial Executives will be sharing the feedback they collect in their ridings and regions with the National Board during informal regional consultations, culminating in a formal meeting of the Council of Presidents on December 7, 2011
We believe that any successful renewal and rebuilding process must be staged and orderly, with a clear roadmap that is widely understood and supported by a broad consensus of Liberals. We have identified 6 major phases for the Party’s effort that take us from today to the next federal general election. These 6 major phases are outlined in the discussion paper.
The challenge of achieving profound organizational change is an inherently difficult one, but we believe that Liberals recognize what is at stake and are ready, even eager, for the sort of change that is proposed; reforms for which Members everywhere have advocated.
The decisions we take at the Ottawa 2012 – Liberal Biennial Convention are a critical first step in the rebuilding and renewal of our Party. Make sure you are signed up to participate as a delegate.
We look forward to the feedback of Liberals everywhere.
It is time again for Liberals to dream and plan for a better Canada.
Alfred Apps
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UDPATE: “Building a Modern Liberal Party” has been prepared by me as background to the document “A Roadmap to Renewal” published by the National Board of the Liberal Party of Canada (“LPC”). It does not represent an ‘official’ perspective of LPC or the National Board on the matters it addresses but is provided as a personal perspective solely to stimulate discussion and debate among, and input from, LPC members and supporters. Copies of this paper are also available in French.
I’ve been away for a week taking the Liberal fight out to the streets. I must say, there sure hasn’t been much activity here since I left.
Can anyone tell me where everyone went?
Hi Robert:
The “Roadmap” blog posting has gotten a “old and tired”, I think. Most of the current discussion is happening in the “Let’s Talk About Canada” post (http://www.liberal.ca/newsroom/blog/talk-canada/) and on the community page (http://www.liberal.ca/groups/canada/)
See you there!
Hello Robert,
Looks like Martin beat me to the reply! In addition to links provided by Martin, there is also a lot of activity on Kirsty Duncan’s article “How can Canada lead again on the environment”: http://www.liberal.ca/newsroom/blog/share-views-canada-lead-environment/
It was a pleasure to see a lot of meaningful discussion about the metods of fundrising the Liberal road-map. Conducted mostly from the view-point of qualified fundrisers. I think, many of those methods will be efficient.
Unfortunately, I could not see there as much discussion about the donors’ points of view on that fundrising purpose. About the need for their educated motivation built onto the understanding of our country’s hierarchy of such needs. Especially those needs, which the Tories systematically suppress and the Liberals plan to “resurect”.
For example about the need to co-fight the climate change together with the countries already doing that. As opposed to the Tories who join their forces with few powerful oponents of such co-fighting.
Especially, when such co-fighting will not harm the economy, but may even benefit it. If the recent development of (often local) turning the carbon dioxide into the synthetic methane will reduce the demand for fossil fuels.
The German scientists have already advanced that technology to the “pilot” level. What was widely published (in two languages -German and English) at least in the entire Europe.
I think, that lack of voters’ TIMELY education in similar to the above matters has somehow contributed to the Liberals’ defeat in the last election.
I pledge to invest $100 in the LPC in order to become an online delegate for the Ottawa 2012 Biennial in Ottawa. To confirm that the LPC is making this member participation possible for this event, please have Mr. Jamieson, Membership Chair, provide me with the same email facilitation he provided for the June 2011 extraordinary convention and I will remit by credit card. This is truly history making and I am proud to be a part of it.
Cc: members via Community; A. Apps;
Let’s make it happen NOW…go to the top of this page, hit ‘Contact’, fill in your particulars and make a committment to invest $100 to become an online delegate at the Ottawa 2012 Conventionl. Cc your pleade on the Community Page. We can do this.. Here is my Cc…
I pledge to invest $100 in the LPC in order to become an online delegate for the Ottawa 2012 Biennial in Ottawa. To confirm that the LPC is making this member participation possible for this event, please have Mr. Jamieson, Membership Chair, provide me with the same email facilitation he provided for the June 2011 extraordinary convention and I will remit by credit card. This is truly history making and I am proud to be a part of it.
Cc: members via Community; A. Apps;
Let’s give EVERYONE the vote for the Ottawa 2012 Biennial! Mr. Apps and the NBOD need to hear from us on this.
Make a pledge to invest $100 to become a delegate at the Ottawa 2012 meeting, FROM HOME, providing the NBOD makes it possible. Email, write or call ((613) 237-0740…do it NOW. Imagine, in one month we could have a history making truly MEMBER driven convention if we want it. I DO! Do YOU?
I think that if you want peopple to donate they have to see that the liberal party will work for them.
What the Liberal Party will do to stop the richer to get richer and the poorer to get poorer?
Do you think that is fair that a brain surgeon or a university profesor to make 100 times less than a bank CEO or a hockey player.
What motivation have a kid to go to university to become an engeneer or teacher, when only if you do business studies you have chances to make more money
Why a CEO of a corporation, public or private with unlimited share holders(nobody holds 50% or more) is alowed to get this huge salaries? These CEO can make 100 times more than the prime-minister and he risks nothing? I think that we have to encourage this CEO to start their own business to take a risk and than they can make as much money they can.
The point is that the people don’t trust the politician because they see that they only represent the rich.
I allways respected the rich, but only Gates, Buffet or Jobs kind not the one which get rich taking from midle class and from the poor.
We have to promote a programe to fix this isues, which make people to not trust politicians and not to vote, and than the Liberal Party will be able to get back in power with a large majority.
LPC members looking for a more secure alternative for members-only discussions are welcome to sign up for an account on En Famille at http://enfamille.liberal.ca/user/CreateUser.aspx
If you already have an active account on En Famille, please log in at http://enfamille.liberal.ca/login.aspx
En Famille continues to be the Party’s best kept secret. Although the Party does not promote En Famille publicly and discussions there are not endorsed by the Party, it has been hosted by the LPC for the past three years.
Thank you Doug. I just applied and I am looking forward to seeing what this site is all about. Seems strange to me though…why does the LPC have what amounts to a “secret” site? Is this just a hangover from the old days? Are there plans to integrate this site with liberal.ca? Andre…do you have any comments?
Just to add to that…I guess my questions are:
1. Why wasn’t I invited to join En Famille when I became a member of the LPC? How was I supposed to learn about it?
2. Has any thought been given to integrating this site with liberal.ca – for example a link/menu item for “Members” – this would not necessarily need to alienate non-members and the link could only be displayed when you are logged on to liberal.ca and your membership verified.
To Robert MacBain……I have been reading your comments here over the past few weeks, with a great deal of interest. Because. Though I don’t always agree with some of your positions on different issues, you always seem to be asking the right questions. The things you asked about in your last comment certainly being no exception. Because I consider such an attribute attached to certain individuals, when looking at the big picture, amounts to being no small thing. I would very much like to provide you with some substantial answers to your questions. If you’d be kind enough to let me know, you would in fact like me too.
Would such answers to your questions be coming down from on high In all fairness to everyone, I hardly think so. The official state of the Liberal Party of Canada right now is such that not even the Caucus, nor the Officials or the the presently elected governess of the Party can out right make such a claim. (Not to step on any toes, the 34 Liberal M.P.’s. were in fact elected by the people) Pretty much the entire Liberal Party is in a process of transition.
What many people are referring to when they say the Official Liberal Party of Canada. Is a large number of people doing what best they can to enable and manage that transition to happen. And not to belittle any of them in any way. I think they are doing a kick ass job with what they presently have to work with.
Hi Robert,
Yes, that is correct: all Canadians can comment on liberal.ca blog articles such as this one but only Liberal Party of Canada (LPC) members can comment in the community chat http://www.liberal.ca/groups/canada/ and on policy resolutions http://convention.liberal.ca/
” Without sufficient funds nothing else is do-able.” suggests that money is the only platform on which a movement can be built. I say this is putting the cart before the horse. Build it and they will come or give reason in your fundamentals and they will come bearing their money. As it is now there are , in my opinion, too many justly disaffected voters who are looking for a Party who deserves their vote. They deserve something for their loyalty and they have not been getting it. This is the grand chance for the LPC to get it right. The control in this country, as it is in many others, is disproportionately out of sinc with the voting profile. That is governing favour is not accorded to the many who are required to put a government in power. It is perennially those with power who get the benefits while unconscionable poverty disintegrates the lives of our people. This need not be. Wealth could be more equitably shared, justice could be done for all, with no great harm to the HAVES. I am not suggesting here that people given anything other than opportunity to be productive but this would require careful thought and planning. Needed ,is to reverse wealth distribution mechanisms which have been carefully structured to favour those who now benefit resulting in the poverty undue to a country as well set as Canada . The first priority is to consider our People as our most valuable resource and to create processes and programs that would ensure that they may become happy and productive members of our nation. That for me is the prime directive of a governing party. Create a reason for loyalty ,a people who have reason to feel that their government is really working for them then you would have members to support you . And they would give their money along with their support.
As for me I see no movement in this direction and until I do I for one can not give my support or money to the LPC.
.
Sorry Dale I missed out replying to your last comment here.
This is how I see things come out in the wash. Some of us get creative doing the money thing and some of us are good at the the street fight it takes to find new members and re-enlist the old ones. Both are equally important to be able to put on a great event.
It takes people to make an event a success. Some to wine and dine. Some to engage their families neighbors and friends and some to duke it out in the street.
On the other hand someone still needs to buy the groceries and pay the cooks. Provide descent facilities to work out of and a reliable with which to scour the country side. Well equipped with flags and banners to mark their turf.
And they don’t come in any particular order of one another either. In fact its best when they come in waves. If everyone just goes out and does what their good at seldom do hands get stepped on by feet. Eventually a whole functioning body emerges that resembles something of good stature. Then its off to the races.
Its going to be a bit of a challenge to say what I want to say here. As well as point out I do agree and disagree with all of you. YOU…. would be Ralph, William, Martin, Dale, Lionel, Robert, Doug, Leon and Judith.
And please don’t expect me to make a separate reply by name to each. Trying to stick to the positions as best I can if successful is a big enough feat on its own.
As a matter of fact Coke and Pepsi do make their financial strategies known on the street and if its a good one. Its gets bought by consumers as “Killer” marketing. However. in no other field than Politics is it more important to Know your enemy. Friends are those who trust you enough and you trust enough to stand behind you.
I’m very sure we’ve all seen enough by hook or by crook Politicking to last all our lifetimes. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m here for the real thing this time around. Because I know if we don’t manifest this into the Party now. There isn’t going to be another time around. Also even though it seems things are happening rather quickly actually they are not. If the policy formulation in the up coming Convention happens to go too far south and changes need to be made. They still can be if need be. By the time the Leadership race rolls around the present membership will be only be a fraction of the membership it will be by then and adjustments may be required anyway.
And that takes me to “Gunslingers” and “Tulips” No need to consider fuller brushes as a catchy slogan when we’ve got both “Grits” AND greenbacks though. Judith you can ask Ralph about Tulips, but sometime later. Right now I need to ask him about some missing bullets.
Very concise,organized,informative and important post here Ralph, but Holy Crap. Is it boring! Please don’t get me wrong. I’m extremely aware how crucial the plan is, but we really need to find a time and place where we can to do lunch or dinner in the next few months. I’ve got a pretty good stash bullets I could share with you. Six for each of your guns and 40 or 50 to put in your gun belt and not just for show. A good “Gunslinger” should always be equipped to let people know they mean business.
Oh yeah and don’t forget to find an opportunity to tell Judith about Tulips. I have a hunch its important.
Two quick things…
How does one quickly get to the latest content in the Roadmap discussion instead of the oldest content being at the front?
Second, to Andre…tell me it isn’t so…
Ah Andre….tell me you didn’t mean it! The quotation marks here are mine, as are the italics; however you are the author of this: “there is nothing like an in-person meeting, in this case, a very large gathering of like-minded individuals who share an adherence (I.E. DEVOTION; OBEDIENCE; LOYALTY; OBSERVANCE; FAITHFULNESS) to the Liberal Party of Canada.”
As an increasingly disobedient, disloyal and disenchanted liberal with a Liberal membership card, I am sickened by the sentimental goose-step being advocated by you, Mr. Goodale (or is that Goo-dale? – I’m increasingly unsure) and other leaders of the party. When power is confronted by the people they claim to represent, does that not indicate that something is wrong in the party?. But I’m just an old angry guy fed up with the party nonsense to which you would suggest people become loyal and devoted.
Hello Dale,
The comments on this blog article are posted from newest to oldest with the newest comments being on top of the page. You can view older comments by clicking on the link found at both the top and bottom of the comments.
Secondly, please don’t misinterpret my words nor add words that I did not say. I don’t want to get into the semantics of it but if you have a membership to the Party, then by definition, you have adhered to the party.
Finally, I would ask that you keep your comments on topic, factual, and constructive to the discussion. We are open to criticism but it would be much more constructive and you could have a much better contribution if you could also offer practical suggestions and ideas.
I will end by copying the guidelines found at the top of the comments:
Please note that comments are moderated with the goal of stimulating an intelligent and fruitful discussion. As such, we ask that you use language that is civil and respectful, and refrain from attacks of any kind. We reserve the right to remove or not post any comments or information that does not meet these requirements.
Sigh … why do we have to head down this tired old road again, proud and unknowing lambs.. I had such high keen hopes … I really believed we could sing the Flower of Scotland, and be a “nation” (governing party) again. What a disappointment … why could we not have become new, and democratic, and 2019 winners? Fuller brushes, anyone?
Hello Robert,
I just wanted to comment on your question re: why this was posted on a public site…
As the Liberal Party rebuilds, it has been said by many that we must do things differently. We heard it loud and clear so we are trying to be more open and transparent and to be more accessible to Party members but as well as to all Canadians. That is why all blog articles on liberal.ca are open to comments from all Canadians, not just members.
Also, Ralph Goodale was simply expressing his views on the Roadmap to Renewal paper which is available to download at the top of this page. All the information is already public.
#roadmaptorenewal #renewal
A strong bully pulpit (for those looking for adherence no doubt) is best in PUBLIC view for me. By the time you are allowed to see secret adherents, they are often in lockstep with the powers that be with the questions and issues already sorted out to only their private satisfaction.
What can be hurt by being transparent while we yearn for and advocate transparency? Politics is an act of citizenship, not sportsmanship or entrepreneurial-ship, although party elite would indicate the opposite. They go so far as to declare citizenship to be simply warfare against our fellow citizens.
I am not here to defeat the Conservatives or the New Democrats or the Greens, I am a liberal seeking superior ideas and methods to current ideologies or belief systems that require blind adherence. Being a liberal or a Liberal surely must mean free thinking, free expression, free debate and the freedom to vote on the results of such ideas: and in plain view.
A strong bully pulpit (for those looking for adherence no doubt) is best in PUBLIC view for me. By the time you are allowed to see secret adherents, they are too often in lockstep with the powers that be with the questions and issues already sorted out for their private satisfaction.
What can be hurt by being transparent while we yearn for and advocate transparency? Politics is an act of citizenship, not sportsmanship or entrepreneurial-ship, although party elite would indicate the opposite. They go so far as to declare citizenship to be simple warfare against our fellow citizens.
I am not here to defeat the Conservatives or the New Democrats or the Greens, I am a liberal seeking superior ideas and methods to current ideologies or belief systems that require blind adherence. Being a liberal or a Liberal surely must mean free thinking, free expression, free debate and the freedom to vote on the results of such ideas: and in plain view.
I think because there is nothing there that is even remotely secret. The CPC is already well aware of a) the LPC financial situation b) what we need to do about it c) how any money we raise can best be used and d) how much we stand to get for the per vote subsidy. What is in that paper that the LPC would want to try and hide? I think if the CPC wants to get at “our secrets” they have the means and the wherewithal to do a lot more that scan our public website.
I agree with Robert. Some conversations are better not carried out on the ‘street’. PespiCo and Coca Cola do not log onto each other’s networks and exchange tips on corporate operations, planning & marketing, and for obvious reasons.
When was the last time you visited the NDP’s and CPC’s official websites? For certain, you will not find any online forums or comments that are open to public view. Why is that? Does it mean the NDP and CPC members do not discuss party matters online? Of course not. They do, but not in public on their official Party websites, and for good reason; it keeps the LPC from learning more about their vulnerabilities.
When football players huddle to discuss their next play, do they share it with their competitors? Do their competitors joing the huddle with them? Of course not; they would have no edge in the game if the did.
Remember who’s in 3rd, 2nd, and 1st place. Where are the LPC’s competitors? Ahead of the LPC. Discussing everything in public will not reverse this situation. Strategic thinking, discipline and discretion be more effective in moving forward.
I think we need a rallying motto. Something that can quickly define the party and advertise it’s virtues. I suggest “Liberty, Prosperity and Equality”. I mean equality in the sense of the intrinsic value of all individuals, not the idea that equality of outcomes should ever be expected between individuals. I think these three words describe what our party has stood for over its history. What do you say?
Very good idea!
#roadmaptorenewal #fundraising #community #Ottawa2012 #renewal
Mr. Goodale: If you have not noticed, I am also fundraising, with a specific plan to raise $3,000,000 by getting 3000 members to donate $100 each, PROVIDING that the NBOD makes it possible to conduct another ONLINE EXTRAORDINARY CONVENTION on December 17th by which to make the constitutional changes necessary that will see that EVERYONE VOTES at the Ottawa 2012 Biennial. You talk about money and here we are talking about the hearts and minds of people who truly want to make a difference. To do that, they need to vote. EVERY ONE of us. This initiative will give us that right, correct the democratic deficit that many complain of within the party and it will demonstrate the health, appeal and vigorous abilities of the LPC more than all the money either of us could raise in the next ten years.
In response to Ralph’s message I will again state my message of contradiction. In war the wisdom supposedly is ” Know your Enemy ” In Politics it should be “Know your Friend “. / Can we take a lesson from the former Obama campaign where he tapped the ” common man ” to raise funds- although tipically did not produce the results they hoped for. Let the LPC not make the same mistake. Political parties usually play to the economically strong for their voter base and govern to keep them while at the same playing pretender to the masses who have the greater number of votes. / If this thinking could be reversed the Party who could achieve this would need less money since a genuine appeal to the masses would have a greater base to appeal to. That is, more important than money, is the message. Change your message which must be formed from a genuine intent to appeal to the great lode of rightfully disaffected voters. / I have not renewed my Party membership and have no intention of doing so until I see that the ship has turned around. By that I mean that it becomes the intention and process of the LPC to actually govern for all of the people and not just for those with the bucks. This of course will require a total change in the internal process of the party function and structure from that of internal power and control to one of a broad base of participation by party members.( One that has already been suggested in this forum ) I realize that this is very unlikely to happen but then one must also realize that the definition of insanity is to keep doing the same thing and expecting different results. / The change that I am suggesting is radical but again it is only with radical concepts that one can aspire to the needed transformation. / One phrase that caught my eye in Ralph’s email was-” We must not sound confused contradictory or unfocussed. I suggest that the word ” sound ” be changed to ” be ” ? To BE genuine we must be who we say we are . We must not BE pretenders if we expect genuine and repeated votes.