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"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."
Principles
Article 5: Principles of the CFP Party
5. 1 The principles of the CFP include:
5.1.1 Crime:
We believe in crime prevention, punishing and rehabilitating criminals, victim loss restitution and that Canada's criminal justice system should be rooted in and responsive to the communities it serves.
5.1.2 Family:
We believe the family is a foundation of Canadian society and culture. We affirm the value and dignity of the individual person and the importance of strengthening and protecting the family unit as essential to the well-being of individuals and society. Government and businesses have a responsibility to help parents balance work and family, and parents have a responsibility to support their children and spend the time to raise them to adopt positive social values.
5.1.3 Citizenship:
We believe that Canadian citizenship entails responsibilities as well as rights, and we mean not only to call on our citizens to give something back to their communities and their country but also to expand the opportunities for them to do so.
5.1.4 Foreign Relations:
We believe that close cooperation among democratic societies through global and regional organisations, within the framework of international law, of respect for human rights, the rights of national and ethnic minorities, and of a shared commitment to economic development worldwide, is the necessary foundation for world peace and for economic and environmental sustainability.
5.1.5 Liberty:
We believe that the state is only the instrument of the citizens it serves; that any action of the state must respect the principles of democratic accountability; that constitutional liberty is based upon the principles of separation of powers; that justice requires that in all criminal prosecution the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, and to a fair verdict free from any political influence; that state control of the economy and private monopolies both threaten political liberty; that rights and duties go together, and that every citizen has a moral responsibility to others in society; and that a peaceful world can only be built upon respect for these principles and upon cooperation among democratic societies.
5.1.6 Freedom of Conscience:
We believe in freedom of conscience and religion, and the right of Canadians to advocate, without fear of intimidation or suppression, public policies that reflect their most deeply held values.
5.1.7 Minorities:
We believe that the interest of minorities and the people of the under-populated regions of Canada should be safeguarded by constitutional guarantees and parliamentary institutions that effectively balance representation by population with regional representation.
5.1.8 Accountability:
We believe in the accountability of elected representatives to the people who elect them, and that the duty of elected members to their constituents should supersede their obligations to their political parties.
5.1.9 Fiscal Responsibility:
We believe that governments should regard public money as “funds held in trust,” and that governments should practice fiscal responsibility — in particular, the responsibility to balance expenditures and revenues.
5.1.10 Democratic Process:
We believe that there is an inherent dilution of democratic process by party political systems. The Senate, consisting of appointed respected and deserving citizens, will continue to function in Canada as a watch-dog and advisory group to the federal parliament.
5.1.11 Canadian Unity:
We believe that Canada has been woven together by threads of accommodation, both powerful and fragile -- powerful in what they support, fragile in that the passions of division are a constant threat. Never believe that Canada has a right to eternally exist. It exists because we as Canadians will it to exist. This existence is easily endangered by those who stoke the divisions of region versus region, immigrant versus non-immigrant, aboriginal versus non-aboriginal, and rich versus poor.
5.1.12 Discrimination:
We believe in the elimination of discrimination and exploitation on the grounds of class, race, sex, sexuality, religion, political affiliation, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, regional location, economic or household status.
5.1.13 Rights:
We believe in the recognition and protection of fundamental political and civil rights, including freedom of expression, the press, assembly, association, conscience and religion; the right to privacy; the protection of the individual from oppression by the state.
Asymmetrical Federalism:
5.1.14 We believe asymmetrical federalism is the genius of Canadian confederation and the reason our diverse regions have worked together to create the best country on earth.
5.1.15 Provincial Ties:
We believe that the provinces are inherently different, and their jurisdictions should reflect this. We believe devolving more powers to the provinces would weaken our nation. We need fewer provincial barriers, not more. We need more ties that bind us, not fewer.
5.1.16 Common Good:
We believe in the promotion of the common good. Securing the common good means putting the public interest above narrow self interest and group demands; working to achieve social and economic conditions that benefit everyone; promoting a personal, governmental and corporate ethic of responsibility and service to others; creating a more open and honest governmental structure that relies upon an engaged and participatory citizenry; and doing more to meet our common responsibilities to aid the disadvantaged, protect our natural resources; and provide opportunities rather than burdens for future generations. The common good does not guarantee that everybody will be the same, think the same, or get the same material benefits in life; it simply means that people should start from a level playing field and have a reasonable chance at achieving success in meeting their personal goals.
5.1.17 Citizens are the Government:
We believe that the People, as a whole, are the government. They have the only authority in a democracy to decide on important public policy.
5.1.18 Ecological Wisdom:
We believe in Ecological Wisdom: the basis of ecological wisdom is that human beings are part of the natural world and the natural world is finite, therefore unlimited material growth is impossible and ecological sustainability is paramount. We recognize that the use, conservation and enhancement of Canada’s natural resources and environment so that the community’s total quality of life, both now and into the future, is maintained and improved. We also recognize the need to work towards achieving ecologically sustainable development.
5.1.19 Social Justice:
We believe in Social Justice. The key to social justice is the equitable distribution of social and natural resources, both locally and globally, to meet basic human needs unconditionally, to ensure that all citizens have full opportunities for personal and social development, and there is no social justice without environmental justice, and no environmental justice without social justice. In conclusion, we believe in social justice and equality for individuals, the family and all social units, and the elimination of individual exploitation in the home.
5.1.20 Harmonious Values:
We believe that harmony between peoples requires personal: tolerance, compromise, diversity, optimism, hope and renewal.
5.1.21 CFP Role:
We believe that the CFP has a role to continually try to pull things together: achieve consensus, resolve conflicts between regions and between Canadians in different walks of life, strengthen the fabric of society and work towards a feeling of harmony in the country.
5.1.22 Economic Priority:
We believe that a healthy economy is important, but increasing the size of the gross national product is not in itself a sufficient goal for a civilized nation. We are concerned about the effects of economic growth – what this does to our environment, what kind of living conditions it creates, what is its effects on the countryside, what is its effects on our cities; whether a greater feeling of justice and whether fairness and self – fulfillment will result from this growth, thereby strengthening social stability and improving the quality of national life.
5.1.23 First Nations Peoples:
We recognize: the prior settlement of Canadian land by the First Nations Peoples; their special and essential relationship with the land as a basis of their culture; a commitment to the allocation of established traditional lands to the stewardship of First Nations Peoples;.and the recognition of special priviledges according to their rightful dual national heritage.
5.1.24 Global Role:
We believe in the maintenance of world peace; an independent Canadian position in world affairs; the recognition of the right of all nations to self determination and independence; regional and international agreement for arms control and disarmament; the provision of economic and social aid to developing nations; a commitment to resolve international conflicts through the UN; and a recognition of the inalienable right of all people to liberty, equality, democracy and social justice.
5.1.25 Poverty and Equality:
We believe in the abolition of poverty, and the achievement of greater equality in the distribution of income, wealth and opportunity.
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