Conservative Party members are urging their leader to embrace various contentious policy stances, including endorsing private health care, eliminating Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and revising the party’s previous stance to stay neutral on the abortion issue. These are just a few of the multiple policy suggestions set for discussion at the upcoming Conservative Party convention in Calgary this month. The proposals cover a wide spectrum of topics, from ending the temporary foreign worker program to empowering the ethics commissioner, banning a central bank digital currency, and enhancing oversight on judicial appointments.
Policies endorsed through a plenary vote at the convention hold significance as they reflect the viewpoints of grassroots Conservative members. However, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is not bound to adopt these policies. Among the healthcare-related proposals is a call to grant provinces the option of “private delivery options” within the public health-care system, akin to countries with two-tier healthcare systems. Another proposal seeks to restrict access to medical assistance in dying (MAID).
Regarding abortion, the current Conservative Party policy book states a commitment to not support legislation regulating abortion. However, a policy proposal up for debate aims to remove this commitment from the party’s policy book. Additionally, there is a proposal challenging the ban on conversion therapy, framing it as a parental rights issue.
A policy named the Jordan Peterson Policy is proposed to prevent the revocation of professional accreditation for expressing opinions or refusing compelled speech, particularly in the transgender debate. There is also a push to challenge DEI principles, emphasizing merit over background or social status in career advancement decisions.
Another proposal suggests defunding CBC/Radio-Canada to reduce government influence and regulation of the media. Immigration proposals include ending the temporary foreign worker program, advocating for Canadian job prioritization, and proposing pathways for temporary foreign workers to become permanent residents while ensuring their legal rights align with those of Canadian citizens. Pierre Poilievre has previously expressed his support for ending the temporary foreign worker program.