North Okanagan-Shuswap Conservatives have had their say on the future of the party.
Sixteen local residents recently attended the national Conservative convention in Vancouver.
“The delegates debated significant policy and constitutional amendments during the convention, with sometime impassioned speeches,” said Linda Hawes, with the local riding association.
“Of note, policy 315 was amended to state, ‘The party believes funds contributed by employers and employees to the EI fund should only be used to provide benefits to recipients; these funds should not be used for other government program spending.’”
Hawes said this is a direct response to the $50 billion the federal Liberals took from workers funds from 1993 to 2006.
Delegates also endorsed the return of the universal child care benefit and the abolition of the Indian Act in favour of a new deal with First Nations based on autonomy, taxation capacity, transparency, accountability, and property rights.
“In contrast to the Liberal top-down policies that were reluctantly passed at their convention, the Conservatives were busy assigning major decisions to Canadians, like policy 299 which states that a national referendum must be held prior to the institution of any electoral reform measures,” said Hawes.
“This convention amplified the sense of determination, of excitement, and positive expectations of the bright future Conservatives see themselves being part of for Canada.”