Canadian Federalist Party

"Canadians with moderate views and perspectives are invited to contribute to the final version of the CFP's Constitution. We welcome input and ideas that will reflect the values and thoughts of most Canadians."

 

Constituency Associations

 

Article 8: Constituency Associations

8.1 Members shall be organized according to their residence in the federal electoral districts of Canada.

8.2 Members temporarily residing outside Canada shall be assigned to the federal district in which they vote for federal elections.

8.3 Interim Constituency Associations may be established by five (5) or more CFP Members. Their purpose will be to recruit additional members and otherwise promote CFP interests until such time as there are sufficient members to form a recognized Constituency Association.

8.4 Where there are at least twenty-five (25) members resident in an electoral district they may apply to obtain CFP recognition as a Constituency Association by making application to National Executive Council for recognition, including a copy of the minutes of the founding meeting, and a list of the Officers and Directors of the Interim Constituency Association.

8.5 A Constituency Association, either interim or fully recognized, shall elect an Executive Board comprised of a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer and, at the discretion of the Association, may include the Chairs of the Finance, Publicity and Organization Committees.

8.6 The affairs of each Constituency Association shall be under the control of its Members, acting through the Constituency Executive Board, which shall be responsible to ensure that the affairs are conducted in a manner consistent with the Constitution of the CFP and not prejudicial to the interests or well-being of any other Constituency Association, or of the CFP.

8.7 If for historical or other valid reason, a member may choose to be a member of a Constituency Association other than the Constituency Association for the riding in which he or she resides. Provided, however, that at no time shall the non- resident members of a Constituency Association exceed twenty (20) percent of the total membership.

8.8 Membership lists are to be used for CFP purposes only. No other use is permitted unless authorized in writing by National Executive Council.

8.9 The Association shall hold an Annual General Meeting and at least one (1) General Meeting each calendar year.

8.10 National Executive may call a meeting of the Constituency Association if it believes that it is necessary to do so, with notice of the meeting consistent with this Constitution.

8.11 The rules of organization for riding associations shall apply similarly, where pertinent, to Campus Clubs.

Article 14: National Executive Council

Composition of National Executive Council

14. 1 The National Executive Council shall consist of:
  • 14.1.1 the President (1),
  • 14.1.2 the Vice President (1),
  • 14.1.3 the Leader (1),
  • 14.1.3 the Chief Agent (1),
  • 14.1.4 the Secretary - Treasurer (1),
  • 14.1.5 the Executive Director (1), and
  • 14.1.6 the Chairpersons of the following standing committees:
    Policy; Organization; Constitution and Legal Affairs; Communications and Publicity; and Finance.

Meetings of National Executive Council

14. 2 The National Executive Council shall:

  • 14.2.1 meet at least four (4) times per year,
  • 14.2.2 have as its quorum at least six (5) voting members, and
  • 14.2.3 make all of its decisions by a majority vote of those present and voting, except as may otherwise be provided in this Constitution.

Meetings by Electronic Means

14. 3 The National Executive Council may meet by electronic means and where it does it shall

  • 14.3.1 follow the procedures set out in the bylaws for meeting by electronic means, and
  • 14.3.2 fully observe the requirements set out in this Article, as may be applicable.

Voting on National Executive Council

14. 4 All members of National Executive Council may vote, except:

  • 14.4.1 the Chairperson, who may only vote to break a tie, and
  • 14.4.2 the Executive Director, who shall not vote, but who shall have a voice.

    • Procedural Rules on National Executive Council

14.5 The National Executive Council may adopt procedural rules for conducting National Executive Council meetings, not inconsistent with the Constitution.

National Executive Council Committees

14. 6 The National Executive Council may:

  • 14.6.1 establish a Management Committee for the purpose of exercising such of National Executive Council 's powers when it is not in session as by resolution National Executive Council delegates to it,
  • 14.6.2 establish other committees for such purposes as it deems necessary for the effective running of the Party, and
  • 14.6.3 set the terms of reference of any committee it establishes, including a Management Committee.

14. 7 Without prejudice to third parties, the National Executive Council may, with respect to the Management Committee or any of its other committees

  • 14.7.1 ratify, modify or revoke any act or decision,
  • 14.7.2 change the terms of reference, or
  • 14.7.3 disestablish the Management Committee or any other of its committees.
  • 14.8 Every committee established by National Executive Council under this Article shall report all decisions and actions taken and advise and recommend to the National Executive as required.

Article 15: Amendments To Constitution

15.1 National Executive Council, or any committee or task force established by National Executive Council or by a National Convention, or a Constituency Association on approval of a majority vote of the members at a duly constituted meeting of the Association called for that purpose, among others, may propose amendments to this Constitution. An amendment so proposed by a Constituency Association, together with a copy of the notice and minutes of the meeting where it was passed shall be presented to the Secretary of CFP.

15.2 The Secretary of CFP, or the chair of the constitutional committee, shall create a grassroots Constitutional Amendment Process, which shall include timelines, leading up to each National Convention. Such process will allow for all Constituency Associations to receive all Constitutional Amendments to be debated at the National Convention not less than thirty (30) days prior to the National Convention.

15.3 This Constitution may be amended at a National Convention but must receive a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the votes cast and a majority of the votes cast in a mail-in vote by members not in attendance at the National Convention.
15.4 This constitution may also be amended at any time, with a minimum of fifteen (15) days notice, by direct referendum of CFP members, provided any such amendment must receive a two-thirds majority of the votes cast.

Article 16: Enforcement And Interpretation Of The Constitution

16.1 The Leader and National Executive shall uphold and enforce the provisions of this Constitution.

16.2 Between National Conventions, National Executive Council shall be the final authority on the interpretation of this Constitution. In interpreting this Constitution, any conflict between or any ambiguity in its terms shall be resolved by giving preference to the provision or interpretation which best reflects Articles 1 – 5 of this constitution.

16.3 This Constitution governs the affairs of CFP and, in the event of any conflict between this Constitution and any other CFP or Constituency Association document, this Constitution shall prevail. If there is a conflict between this Constitution and any policy
passed by a National Convention or by referenda, this Constitution shall prevail and such policy shall be deemed null and void.

16.4 All matters not specifically covered in this Constitution are within the purview of National Executive Council, governing in the capacity of National Executive Council to act with; full authority, subject to subsequent ratification or nullification by the membership.

16.5 Notwithstanding clause 16.4 the National Executive Council may establish, from time to time, a Constituency Association Constitution that will have the same force and effect as if it were a Schedule to this Constitution.

Article 17: Offices

17.1 CFP shall maintain a National Office and/or other offices at locations determined by National Executive Council.

Article 18: Policy

18.1 The policies shall be presented in the Policy Statement, which sets out the long range policy directions of CFP.

18.2 A National Resolutions Committee shall create a grassroots Policy Development Process, which shall include timelines, leading up to each National Convention. Such process will allow for all Constituency Associations to receive all Policy Resolutions to be debated at the National Convention not less than thirty (30) days prior to the National Convention.

18.3 All Policies placed in the Policy Statement shall be reviewed prior to each National Convention through the Policy Development Process.

18.4 The Leader and the Caucus are bound by the Principles and Policies as determined by the members of CFP.

18.5 All Policies may be adopted or amended by referenda or at a National Convention.
Between National Convention, Interim Policies of CFP shall be determined by the Caucus in consultation with National Executive Council or the Leader in consultation with the Caucus and National Executive Council provided that such Interim Policies shall be consistent with those established in accordance with this Constitution.

18.6 Final approval of Interim Policies shall occur at the next National Convention.

Article 19: Notice

19. 1 For all matters requiring notice under this Constitution, may be given in one or more of the following ways with the effective date indicated:

19.1.1 by regular mail, effective three (3) days after the later of the date of the postmark or, with appropriate documentation, the date of the delivery to the post office;

19.1.2 by facsimile, appropriate telephonic or computer technology, effective on the date of transmission;

19.1.3 by personal delivery, effective on the date of delivery to the recipient;

19.1.4 by bulk mail, effective five (5) days after the date of delivery to the post office; and,

19.1.5 by courier, effective one (1) day after the date of delivery to the courier.

19.2 Notices to CFP, or National Executive Council, or to the Secretary of CFP shall be addressed to the National Office of CFP and marked to the attention of the appropriate person or body.

19.3 Notices to a member shall be sent to the member’s address according to the most recent CFP records.

19.4 Notices to Constituency Associations shall be addressed to the Association’s President, Secretary or other Executive Officer designated by the Association, in writing, to National Office.

19.5 Any notice required by this Constitution shall be deemed given if reasonable compliance has been achieved and no material prejudice has resulted.

Article 20: Provincial Parties

20.1 The CFP will encourage establishment of Provincial Parties subject to the national party's Constitution, Bylaws and Policies.

20.2 Provincial Party bylaws and policies must conform to the national interests of the CFP and be approved by the National Executive Council. Disagreements with their decisions may be appealed to the National Convention and require a two-thirds majority vote for approval.

Article 21: Dissolution Or Merger

21.1 Any resolution to dissolve the Party or to merge it with another party passed at a National Convention shall only become effective upon members passing an identically worded resolution by a vote of greater than ninety (90) percent of the votes cast in a members vote conducted by mail-in ballot, with a ballot return date of no later than 120 days following the general meeting at which the resolution to dissolve or merge the Party was passed.

21.2 For greater certainty, no transfer of the Party’s assets may be commenced or completed until such a mail-in ballot is passed with the required 90 percent majority and the resolution to dissolve or merge the Party takes effect.

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