The NDP-Liberal coalition is on its last legs but unfortunately the NDP leadership will not recognize what a disaster it has been. Below are three resolutions to highlight the issue of the coalition. Please forward these resolutions widely and pass them at your riding association, youth/student group, union local, etc. The Ontario NDP is currently organizing resolution and delegate selection meetings in the run up to its convention – these meetings are a perfect opportunity to move these resolutions and make it clear that there is no unanimous support for the leadership’s actions amongst the rank-and-file.
No Confidence in the Conservatives, no Liberal-NDP Coalition
Whereas, the Harper Conservatives pursue a pro-corporate, anti-women, pro-war and anti-worker agenda, and deserve to be defeated, and
Whereas, the Federal Liberals have followed the same agenda by supporting Harper’s corporate tax cuts, supporting the war in Afghanistan, opposing anti-scab legislation and instituting massive cuts when in government, and
Whereas, maintaining an independent principled position on Afghanistan and corporate tax cuts enhanced NDP support in the 2008 Federal election, while abandoning these principled positions in a coalition has seen NDP support to drop to 12% in some polls, and
Whereas, abandoning the NDP platform merely feeds into the disappointment of the 41% of non-voters who believe that all politicians are the same and will abandon their principles to gain power, and
Whereas, Ignatieff’s call for a “coalition if necessary, but not necessarily a coalition” uses the NDP as a bargaining chip, in a humiliating way, to gain pro-Liberal concessions from the Conservatives.
Therefore be it resolved that this body recommends that the Federal NDP parliamentary caucus vote no confidence in the Harper Conservatives but does not enter into any coalition with the Federal Liberals who uphold the same anti-worker, anti-women and pro-war policies.
Bring the Troops Home from Afghanistan
Whereas, in 2006 the Federal NDP took a courageous stand against the war in Afghanistan, and
Whereas, 2/3 of the Canadian population want to bring the troops home as the war is leading to a shameful loss of life on all sides and is clearly unwinnable, and
Whereas, the $18-billion price tag of the war is a waste of money that should go to fund childcare, health, education or the protection of manufacturing jobs, and
Whereas, there is no way that any NDP member should assume a position where they take responsibility for this war.
Therefore be it resolved that this body recommends that the Federal NDP parliamentary caucus table legislation, in the next session, to end the war and that all caucus members vote according to party policy during this and any other related vote.
Reallocate Corporate Tax Cuts to aid Canadians
Whereas, the Federal NDP’s principled opposition to the Conservative’s $50-billion corporate tax cuts won the party significant support in the 2008 election, and
Whereas, reversing these tax cuts would enable the creation of a universal childcare program, a catastrophic drug program, and programs to help seniors and young families, as outlined in the 2008 NDP election platform.
Therefore be it resolved that this body recommends that the Federal NDP parliamentary caucus table legislation, in the next session, to reallocate the corporate tax cuts to help the Canadian population and that all caucus members vote to oppose the corporate tax cuts during this and any other related vote (such as a budget vote).
