CORNWALL, Ontario – Canada’s New Democrats for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry are gearing up for the next big step in the party’s future. The Federal Electoral District Association met on the evening of December 14, 2017, to debate and vote on policy proposals for the upcoming NDP National Convention in Ottawa, scheduled for early next year. The local EDA passed two policies to bring to the party convention floor, and one research directive.
“This was a great policy meeting, and an awesome chance to discuss the issues with other members,” said longtime member and local volunteer, Carilyne Hebert.
The first policy takes a hard look at the state of post-secondary funding in all Canadian provinces. Recognizing that public student loan debt has exceeded $28 billion nationwide, and with less funding allocated to Indigenous post-secondary education annually, the SDSG NDP voted unanimously in favour of advocating for fully funded post-secondary education, and guaranteeing treaty rights for education for First Nations, Inuit, and Metis people.
The NDP EDA for SDSG also voted on improving greenhouse gas emissions targets, to bring federal policy in line with our international commitments to reduce the impacts of the climate crisis. In addition, a research directive was passed to look further into sustainable development due to better allow for increases in population.
Local EDA President Marc Benoit was elected as a delegate for the riding, and will be attending the convention in Ottawa early next year, bringing these proposals for further consideration and debate. The local NDP is looking forward to engaging with its supporters on the issues that matter to them, to develop a Canada that works for everybody, not just a few key insiders.
“These are issues which matter to our voters, they are issues which affect us all. We need a sustainable future, and a strong democracy, and tonight we made our voices heard through these initiatives,” said EDA President, Marc Benoit. “Jagmeet Singh’s NDP is the only federal party that will actually address what matters here, and not just with fancy window dressing. I’m confident in 2019 we will have the platform Canadians get excited to vote for.”
