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COSN Federal NDP Updates | December 2023
Winter Wrap-up
We're rapidly approaching 2023's finale, and we can't help but reflect upon the past 12 months as we find the time to celebrate with our loved ones and catch up on any loose ends. This year-end edition of COSN Updates begins with a story from October's Federal NDP Convention, then onto a report of recent happenings with the NDP Indigenous Peoples' Commission, and capped off with an analysis of the state of Merritt's ongoing flood recovery efforts. Happy holidays to all, and thank you for staying up-to-date with news from the membership of our riding!
As always, we extend an invitation to the entire membership to contribute to upcoming editions of COSN Updates. If you have an opinion, a story, an event or a photo that you want to share with the COSN NDP, please contact:
• Jeannette Angel (jeannetteangel.ndp@gmail.com), or
• Trevor McAleese (trevor.mcaleese@gmail.com)
Lim’limpt,
Jeannette & Trevor (President & Vice President, COSN Federal NDP Riding Association)
A Story of Convention
In October, the Federal NDP Convention took place in Hamilton, Ontario, the largest gathering of NDP members from across the country in two years. Trevor, our EDA Vice President, traveled to Hamilton to attend convention in-person as the lone delegate representing Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola.
Over 700 resolutions were submitted by NDP members, and through a prioritization voting process, delegates selected those that would be eligible for debate and ultimately voted upon on the convention floor. Resolutions were broken into 6 blocks (People & Planet, Human Rights & Indigenous Justice, etc.), and debate on these was slotted into the agenda over the three days of convention.
Notably breaking from the precedent set by 2021’s hybrid convention held during the height of the pandemic, the happenings in Hamilton were exclusively in-person. The rationale for this was provided ahead of the first debate block, where a party spokesperson explained that technical issues plagued the previous hybrid arrangement, abusive language in the chat was difficult to curtail, and the energy of membership filling a room is irreplaceable.
As fortune of the prioritization vote would have it, one of the very first resolutions up for debate centered around virtual participation in future conventions. Disability advocates took to the microphones and made the case for how more needed to be done for inclusivity of disabled, immunocompromised, and economically depressed people. The financial & environmental costs of travel, the quandary of how to safely attend a 1000+ person event held without a mask mandate, and the inherent physical challenges of being present for a 3-day event were all explained. The result of this was a referral that sought to strengthen the language of the resolution to ensure that future conventions would not only permit members to view the convention remotely, but also to fully participate in convention activities, such as voting on resolutions and in elections for federal council. A majority of delegates voted in favour of the referral, and the amended resolution was rescheduled for debate pending a review of the referral by the party’s Referrals Committee.
In a shocking turn on the last day of convention, the Referrals Committee announced that the referral had been rejected. The additional language calling for participation in convention activities, according to the Committee, was not in keeping with the spirit or intent of the original resolution as authored. This was met with audible shock and disappointment from many delegates in attendance, but the Referrals Committee spokespeople were not here to discuss the decision and exited the stage immediately after their presentation. An attempt was made by the disability advocates behind the rejected referral to challenge the chair for more debate on the matter, but procedurally, there was nothing more to be done at this stage of convention.
It’s worth noting that a good many worthwhile resolutions were voted on and passed over the course of the 6 policy blocks, but this decision by the Referrals Committee to reject the majority will of delegates was, to put it simply, antidemocratic. Of the dozen or so referrals carried with support, this was the only one to be rebuffed by the committee. When the party itself is seemingly finding excuses not to do everything it can to enable the full participation of its members, one has to wonder what the actual purpose of federal convention is to the NDP. Empowering the grassroots seems not to be it.
A proper hybrid convention is not asking too much. With the next such gathering of delegates not slated until 2025, there is time for the party’s concerns about the poor experience of remote participants to be fully addressed. A commitment to giving a public voice to the most marginalized is part of what sets the NDP apart, and that starts with making every effort to hear voices from within the party. We know the NDP can do better, and we will be following this matter closely.
NDP Indigenous Peoples’ Commission 2023-2025
On December 3rd, there was an online gathering open to First Nation, Metis and Inuit NDP members. Participants heard updates, shared ideas, and elected the 2023 - 2025 Commission Executive. The Commission Executive names have yet to be posted on the NDP website. The following statement was copied from the Facebook page for the NDP Indigenous Peoples' Commission.
“NDP Indigenous Peoples' Commission is an organization made up of First Nations, Inuit and Metis New Democrats who believe Indigenous people must have a voice at all levels of the Party and government.
Our vision is to promote greater awareness among Canadians of the contributions of Indigenous people to Canada and issues of concern to Indigenous people. Our primary goal is to promote the election of New Democratic Party candidates, and in particular, to promote the nomination and election of Indigenous candidates, provide support and assistance to provincial sections in their efforts to organize Indigenous New Democrats at a local and provincial level. We work to assist the New Democratic Party in developing policies and procedures to create a welcoming environment for the participation of Indigenous peoples in the political process.”
In other Indigenous NDP news:
“MPs Leah Gazan and Lori Idlout say their votes against it are intended to send a message to the Liberal government that it is failing on Indigenous and gender issues.
"We are putting them on notice that it is not OK anymore to leave women and gender-diverse and Indigenous Peoples out in the cold," Gazan, who is the NDP critic for women and gender equality, told reporters following the vote. The MPs said they voted against the motion because it failed to address challenges facing Indigenous communities, including a sizeable infrastructure gap.
"We've been fighting hard the last two and a half years to make sure that Indigenous Peoples' needs are being met," said Idlout, who is the NDP critic for multiple Indigenous files. "And the fall economic statement was a clear indication that the Liberals are not willing to do what they can to uplift Indigenous Peoples."
See full CTV News article: https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/two-ndp-mps-vote-against-fiscal-update-motion-over-indigenous-gender-issues-1.6667881
Researching Merritt's Recovery Story
by Jeannette Angel, with background information from Denise Williams
It’s been three years since flooding wreaked havoc in Merritt and six months since Merritt Mayor Mike Goetz spoke to a Federal Standing Committee on the ongoing and future impacts for communities. Getz emphasized that “Merritt’s flood mitigation infrastructure has had no substantial improvements since the disaster.”
(Full article: https://www.merrittherald.com/merritt-mayor-goetz-mp-albas-call-on-feds-to-expedite-flood-mitigation-funds/)
Adding to Infrastructure concerns, a BC Ombudsperson shared a report in October 2023 about the effects on people facing long-term displacement due to extreme weather, citing that “[d]isplacement affects physical and mental health, education, employment, livelihoods and culture – especially in Indigenous communities.” Mention of folks in Merritt was made in the report, which suggested that the waiting time, for decisions to be made, and for people to be rehomed, contributes to “the erosion of individual well-being and community cohesion.”
(Read the full article at https://bcombudsperson.ca/)
Making links between climate instability and social dissolution in these reports can be alarming because they paint a grim picture of crisis and recovery. However, it is vital that people in communities such as Merritt continue to step forward and let all levels of government know about their personal and local community experiences of moving through natural disasters. It is these stories, shared at the community level and entered into the record, that inform our governments about the need for cooperating on “climate governance.
Merritt needs direct support that isn’t mired in continually shifting responsibilities and inaccessible bureaucratic processes. This local frustration with intertwined political and government practices, was alluded to in Building a more climate resilient Canada - a Federal Report of the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, released in November 2023. Appointed Chair, Liberal MP Peter Schiefke, summarized the findings and “[stressed] the limited financial capacity of municipalities.” He noted that “witnesses urged the Government of Canada to invest more in infrastructure resilience, and some called for funding to be based on risk, not on population.” Also highlighted was “barriers to access federal infrastructure programs that impede mitigation and reconstruction efforts —whether it was the application funding timelines, the narrow criteria attached to funding, or the complexity of the application process.”
(Read the full report at https://www.ourcommons.ca/)
We are all witnesses to the increasing effects of climate change. However, we cannot afford to be bystanders. Climate change disasters are our stories in British Columbia. Learn what our federal government, provincial government, municipal governments, and First Nations governments are actively doing. Figure out where you want to be involved in the democratic and/or activist process, share your story.
What's Next?
Just so you know, the COSN NDP Executive meets every month to discuss what is happening in our riding and where we can focus our attention. We listen to concerns, decide on actions and share local social and environmental justice events. We are currently thinking about the next election and potential nomination candidates in our new, multiple ridings. If you're interested in running as a candidate or know someone who is, we would love to hear from you!
As well, we encourage you to share with us anything that's happening in your community deserving of more attention. Let us know and we will work to include it in the next edition of COSN Updates.
Call or text Jeannette at 250-681-3692; or email:
• Jeannette Angel (jeannetteangel.ndp@gmail.com), or
• Trevor McAleese (trevor.mcaleese@gmail.com)
