Constitution of the New Democratic Party of Prince Edward Island
– as last amended on April 24, 2010
Preamble
The New Democratic Party of Prince Edward Island believes that the social, democratic and political progress of Prince Edward Island and Canada can only be assured by the application of democratic socialist principles to government and the administration of public affairs.
The principles of democratic socialism can be defined briefly as:
- Giving priority in the production and distribution of goods and services to the social and individual needs of people rather than to the making of private profit;
- Modifying and controlling the operations of monopolistic productive and distributive organizations through economic and social planning;
- Extending the principles of social ownership, where appropriate and feasible; and
- Fostering co-operative social development and, through efforts to support fairness and equality, encouraging social harmony so that the great potential of all citizens can be fully developed on both an individual and a collective basis.
The New Democratic Party of Prince Edward Island holds firm to the belief that the dignity and freedom of the individual is a basic right that must be maintained and extended.
The New Democratic Party of Prince Edward Island is proud to be associated with the democratic socialist parties of the world and to share the struggle for peace, international co-operation and the abolition of poverty.
ARTICLE 1: Name
The name of this political party shall be the New Democratic Party of Prince Edward Island.
ARTICLE 2: Purpose
The New Democratic Party of Prince Edward Island shall be affiliated with the New Democratic Party of Canada and is committed to the objectives of the national body in working towards a just social order in both Prince Edward Island and the country as a whole.
To this end, the New Democratic Party of Prince Edward Island will strive to:
2.1 Extend the New Democratic Party of Prince Edward Island’s policies and programs with all the resources at its command.
2.2 Promote, through political action and other appropriate means, the policies of the New Democratic Party of Canada, both domestic and international;
2.3 Unite progressive people and organizations into a party democratically controlled and openly financed by its membership and supporters;
2.4 Ensure equal representation of women at all levels of the party in its policies and programs;
2.5 Establish in this province, a government whose object shall be to substitute economic planning for irresponsible control with all its unjust consequences and, thereby, to give maximum opportunity for public, co-operative and private enterprise to contribute to the development of our province;
2.6 Support and assist organizations and individuals who share our goals and values; and
2.7 Promote co-operative efforts and the exchange of information among and between organizations that share our goals and values.
To these ends, we will invite the co-operation of all persons who are dedicated to the extension of freedom, the abolition of poverty and the elimination of exploitation.
ARTICLE 3: Interpretation
The President shall interpret this constitution. Any such interpretation may be over-ruled by a majority vote of all members present and voting at any meeting of the Executive, Council or Convention.
ARTICLE 4: The Federal Constitution
Should conflict arise between the constitution of this party and that of the New Democratic Party of Canada, hereafter referred to as “The Federal Constitution”, the Federal Constitution shall prevail.
ARTICLE 5: Membership
5.1 Individual Membership
5.1.1 Membership in the New Democratic Party of Prince Edward Island may be granted by an active riding association subject to Article 12.6, to every applicant, regardless of, but not limited to, race, ethnic background, colour, religion or religious belief, national origin, sex or sexual orientation, who undertakes to abide by the constitution and principles of the New Democratic Party of Prince Edward Island and who is not a member or supporter of any other political party.
5.1.2 All applications are normally subject to approval by the relevant riding association executive. However, where no riding association exists in the relevant constituency or where the riding association executive is not functioning, approval may be given by the Provincial Executive.
5.1.3 Should an application be rejected, the applicant shall be entitled to appeal the decision at the next meeting of the Provincial Council. Notice of the appeal shall be given in writing to the President at least 14 days prior to the next scheduled meeting.
5.1.4 All applications, unless rejected as outlined in 5.1.3 above, shall be forwarded as soon as possible to the Provincial Office and, upon receipt, a membership card shall be issued.
5.1.5 Upon application, a member in good standing of the New Democratic Party of any other province or territory who becomes a resident of Prince Edward Island, shall be a member in good standing, without payment of fees, for the remainder of the current year.
5.1.6 A member in good standing of the Young New Democrats of the party shall be an individual member of the party without any additional payment of fees.
5.1.7 Membership in the New Democratic Party of Prince Edward Island shall be on the basis of an annual fee due January 1.
5.1.8 An individual member shall be in good standing as long as payment of fees is not more than three months in arrears.
5.1.9 An individual member whose membership fees are beyond three months in arrears shall not be in good standing and membership shall cease.
5.2 Affiliated Membership
5.2.1 Affiliated membership shall be open to trade unions, farm groups, co-operatives and other groups and organizations that, by official act, undertake to accept and abide by the constitution and principles of the party and are not associated or identified with any other political party.
5.2.2 Affiliate membership fees shall be as set out in the Federal Constitution (Article 4:3).
5.3 Honourary Life Membership
5.3.1 Honourary Life Membership may be conferred upon any member in good standing of the party, upon recommendation of the Provincial Executive and upon approval of the Annual Convention.
5.3.2 The number of such Honourary Life Memberships granted in the year shall not exceed five, with every effort made to achieve equal representation of women.
5.3.3 An Honourary Life Member shall be an individual member of the party without payment of fees.
5.3.4 Honourary Life Membership shall entitle the holder to delegate status at any Convention of the provincial party with voice and vote.
ARTICLE 6: Young New Democrats
6.1. The New Democratic Party of Prince Edward Island shall, if in its opinion sufficient interest is shown, charter a young people’s provincial section known as the Young New Democrats, subject to Article XII of the Federal Constitution.
6.2. Such young people’s section shall be fully autonomous in its constitution and program, provided that the constitution and program are not in conflict with those of the federal party or those of the provincial party.
6.3. The President of the young people’s section shall furnish to the Provincial Secretary at least sixty (60) days prior to any annual or special convention of the New Democratic Party of Prince Edward Island, a list of chartered clubs, if any, of the young people’s section and the members thereof.
ARTICLE 7: Fees and Dues
7.1. The individual membership fee shall be ten dollars ($10.00) per year, with the option of $5.00 per year for those on limited income.
7.2. A member of an affiliated organization may become an individual member on payment of the difference between the annual per capita fee paid on his or her behalf and the prescribed membership fee.
ARTICLE 8: Provincial Officers
8.1. The officers of the provincial party shall be:
8.1.1. Provincial Leader;
8.1.2. Provincial President;
8.1.3. First Vice-President;
8.1.4. Second Vice-president;
8.1.5. Third Vice-President;
8.1.6. Treasurer; and
8.1.7. Secretary.
8.2. Provincial Officers shall be elected to a two-year term at the Annual Convention with the President, Second Vice-President and Treasurer elected in odd-numbered calendar years and the Leader, First Vice-President, Third Vice-President and Secretary in even-numbered years. This shall not mean that the Convention cannot review the office of the Leader or any member of the Executive at any Convention where two-thirds (2/3) of the delegates in attendance agree to do so.
8.3. Candidates for the position of Provincial Leader must have filed all necessary papers at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of voting at a Leadership Convention.
8.4. The position of President shall alternate between women and men.
8.5. A member of the Federal Parliament or Provincial Legislature may not be President of the party except that a President, who is elected an MP or MLA during his or her term of office, may complete that term of office.
8.6. Excepting the Leader, at least three of the Officers of the provincial party shall be women.
8.7. A member of the Federal Parliament or Provincial Legislature may not be President of the party except when a President is elected as an MP during his or her term of office, that term of office may be completed.
8.8. When a vacancy or vacancies occur in an Officer’s position, such position(s) shall be filled on an interim basis by and from members of Provincial Council. A member elected to fill such a vacancy shall serve until the next Annual Convention.
ARTICLE 9: Provincial Executive
9.1. The Provincial Executive shall consist of:
9.1.1. All Provincial Officers;
9.1.2. Three (3) Provincial Council members;
9.1.3. The Young New Democrats’ representative;
9.1.4. The Participation of Women representative;
9.1.5. The immediate Past President
9.2. The Provincial Executive shall be elected as follows:
9.2.1. The Provincial Officers shall be elected in accordance with Article 8, Section 2;
9.2.2. The three (3) Provincial Council members shall be elected to one-year terms by and from Provincial Council and represent the geographic areas of Prince, Kings and Queens Counties, at a Provincial Council meeting after the Annual Convention;
9.2.3. The Young New Democrats’ representative shall be elected by and from the Prince Edward Island Young New Democrats; and
9.2.4. The Participation of Women representative shall be elected to a two-year term by and from a caucus of all registered women delegates at the appropriate Annual Convention. This caucus shall be chaired by the highest ranking woman Officer of the Provincial Executive.
9.3. At least one half of the members of the Provincial Executive shall be women.
9.4. The Provincial Executive shall meet at least six (6) times a year and shall have full authority to administer the affairs of the party between meetings of the Provincial Council.
9.5. Quorum:
9.5.1. A quorum at any meeting of the Provincial Officers or the Provincial Executive shall consist of one-third (1/3) of the members of the respective body.
9.5.2. A quorum at any meeting of the Provincial Council shall consist of one quarter (1/4) of the members of the Provincial Council.
ARTICLE 10: Provincial Council
10.1 Provincial Council shall consist of:
10.1.1 The Provincial Executive;
10.1.2 One (1) member elected by each provincial riding association; and wherever a provincial riding association does not exist, Provincial Council is authorized to appoint a riding representative only for provincial riding associations;
10.1.3 The Prince Edward Island Young New Democrats’ representative on the Provincial Executive and two (2) members elected from and by the Prince Edward Island Young New Democrats;
10.1.4 A representative for seniors, one for aboriginals and one for persons with disabilities.
10.2 At least one half of the members of the Provincial Council shall be women.
10.3 The Provincial Council shall be the governing body of the party between Provincial Conventions.
10.4 The Provincial Council shall have full authority to accept or reject applications for membership or affiliation, subject to the requirements of Article 5.
10.5 The Provincial Council shall meet at least four (4) times a year, at the call of the Executive. Council may suspend any council member missing three (3) consecutive meetings without just cause.
10.6 Committees:
10.6.1 The Provincial Council shall establish the following Standing Committees:
10.6.1.1 Party Constitution (Chaired by President; members approved by Provincial Executive);
10.6.1.2 Finance (Chaired by the Treasurer; members approved by Provincial Executive);
10.6.1.3 Policy and Education (Chair elected to a two-year term by Provincial Council; members appointed by Advisory Committee and Provincial Executive);
10.6.1.4 Women (Co-chaired by POW Representative and a women elected annually to a one-year term by and from the women delegates at the Annual Convention; open to all women members of the New Democratic Party of Prince Edward Island);
10.6.1.5 Membership and Organizing (Chaired by the Secretary, members approved by Provincial Executive);
10.6.1.6 Communications and Public Relations (Chair elected to a two-year term by Provincial Council; members approved by Provincial Executive).
10.6.2 All members of Standing Committees must be members in good standing of the New Democratic Party of Prince Edward Island.
10.6.3 Every effort shall be made to ensure that at least one-half of the members of each Standing Committee are women, with the exception 10.6.1.4 above.
10.6.4 The Provincial Council shall approve the terms of reference for all Standing Committees.
The Standing Committees listed above shall be appointed by Provincial Council on an annual basis and shall be established at the first council meeting following the Annual Convention. Other Standing Committees appointed from time to time by the Provincial Council shall commence their functions at the time of their creation. The Provincial Council shall approve the terms of reference for all Standing Committees.
10.7 On a temporary basis, and to meet specific needs, the Provincial Council may establish one or more Ad Hoc committees. The council shall outline the terms of reference for these Ad Hoc Committees and determine the time period for their operation.
10.8 The Provincial Council may authorize the establishment of one or more Advisory Committees and outline the terms of reference for the Advisory Committees so established.
10.8.1 Each Advisory Committee shall, in co-ordination with the Leader, choose one or more spokesperson to serve as a public representative of the party for subjects within the committee’s terms of reference and to assist the Leader in the public dissemination and communication of the party’s policies and positions.
10.8.2 Although the composition of Advisory Committees may include individuals who are not members of the New Democratic Party of Prince Edward Island, only party members may vote on committee decisions and serve as committee spokespersons.
10.9 If a member of Provincial Council elected by a riding association is unable to attend a Provincial Council meeting, the respective riding association president shall be permitted to appoint an alternate to attend the Provincial Council meeting and the alternate so named shall be entitled to full voice and vote.
ARTICLE 11: Duties of Provincial Officers
11.1 The Provincial Leader shall be the chief political spokesperson of the party and, subject to the Convention and Provincial Council, shall interpret to the public the policies of the party.
11.1.1 In co-ordination with the Advisory Committees established under Article 10, Section 6, the Leader shall ensure that party spokespersons are selected to assist the Leader in furthering the political aims and objectives of the party.
11.1.2 Bearing in mind party policy and positions within their area of responsibility, these spokespersons shall act under the direction of the Leader and in conjunction with the Advisory Committees.
11.2 If the Provincial Leader is a member of the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island, he or she shall be the House Leader. In the event that the Provincial Leader is not a member of the Legislative Assembly, or should the position of Leader become vacant, the caucus shall elect an interim House Leader.
11.3 The Provincial President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the party and shall be responsible to the Provincial Executive. He or she shall have supervision over the work of the party, sign all official documents and preside at Conventions and all meetings of the Council and Executive.
11.4 The Vice-Presidents shall assist the President in order of standing and assume the duties of the President in his or her absence.
11.5 The Secretary shall be the Chief Administrative Officer of the party and the custodian of party records.
11.5.1 The Secretary shall supervise the membership lists and constituency association structure, ensuring, wherever possible, that vacancies on constituency association executives are filled and defunct constituency associations are re-activated at the earliest opportunity.
11.5.2 The Secretary shall also be responsible for the recording of Executive, Council and Convention minutes and shall, in consultation with the Leader and the President, co-ordinate the preparation of the agenda of all meetings of the Executive, the Provincial Council and the Convention.
11.6 The Treasurer shall be the Financial Officer of the party, the custodian of party funds and he or she shall formulate the party’s financial policy, subject always to the approval of Provincial Council and/or Convention.
11.7 For legal and banking purposes, the signing officers of the party shall be any two (2) of the President, Secretary and Treasurer.
ARTICLE 12: Provincial Riding Associations
12.1 Each provincial riding association shall adopt by-laws for the conduct of riding business. Such by-laws shall include provisions for equal representation of women wherever possible. Such by-laws or regulations shall be subject to approval of the Provincial Council and shall be in accord with the Provincial Constitution. Where no by-laws are in effect, the model by-laws outlined in Appendix A shall be deemed to be in effect.
12.2 The purpose of the riding association shall be to organize its electoral district for educational and election purposes and, generally, on a continuing basis, to undertake on behalf of the party, the furthering of party work within its particular district.
12.3 Each member shall be a member of the riding association in which he or she resides, unless the person concerned makes a request that his or her name be listed as a member of another riding association. Each member shall be a member of the provincial riding association in which he or she resides unless he or she requests and is granted membership in another provincial riding association.
12.4 Members of affiliated organizations are entitled to send two (2) members to vote at riding meetings and nominating conventions, provided their names are submitted to the riding Secretary at least fourteen (14) days prior to the meeting or nominating convention.
12.5 Where no riding association exists, the Provincial Council may appoint an acting riding association executive subject to the approval of the Provincial Executive. Every effort will be made to ensure equal representation of women on appointed executives. These interim officers will hold office until regular riding elections take place in accordance with the other provisions of Article 12.
12.6 Each provincial riding association must hold at least two general membership meetings each year, one of which must be hold no more than 90 days prior to the Annual Convention and the other which must be held no more than 90 days after the Annual Convention.
Each provincial riding association executive must hold at least two executive meetings each year. The dates of these meetings must be no more than 60 and no less than 30 days prior to the constituency’s general membership meetings referred to in Section 12.6 (above).
ARTICLE 13: Conventions
13.1. All Conventions
13.1.1. Subject to the provisions of the Federal Constitution and the procedures contained in this constitution, sovereign power is vested in the Convention.
13.1.2. Any member, fourteen (14) and over and in good standing thirty (30) days before the actual date of the Convention of the New Democratic Party of Prince Edward Island is eligible to attend Convention as a voting delegate.
13.1.3. The Provincial Executive shall determine the registration fee for delegates to Convention.
13.1.4. Each affiliated organization is entitled to send representatives (as delegates) on the basis of two (2) delegates for the first one hundred (100) members or portion thereof and one (1) additional delegate for each additional fifty (50) members or major portion thereof.
13.1.5. Each delegate to Convention shall have only one vote.
13.1.6. A majority of the delegates registered at the Convention shall constitute a quorum.
13.1.7. All Honourary Life Members shall have voice and vote at Conventions.
13.1.8. The provincial party shall adopt such rules and regulations as it deems necessary for the conduct of its business but, in all matters not governed by those rules and regulations, Robert’s Rules of Order shall apply.
13.2. Annual Conventions
13.2.1. A convention, known as the Annual Convention, shall be held in April of each calendar year, at the location and dates determined by Provincial Council. Under exceptional circumstances, the Provincial Council may postpone the Annual Convention until no later than the first week of December. Should the convention be postponed, sixty (60) days notice will be given.
13.2.2. Not less than forty-five (45) days notice of the date and place of an Annual Convention shall be given to each provincial constituency association, each member of the party who is a member of the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island or the House of Commons representing a Prince Edward Island constituency, and an advertisement taken in the local media for the purpose of notifying any member or prospective member of the party of the forthcoming Annual Convention.
13.2.3. The Annual Convention shall elect, by secret ballot, all Provincial Officers as prescribed in Article 8, Section (2).
13.2.4. Resolutions or recommendations for submission to an Annual Convention must be received by the Provincial Secretary at least thirty (30) days prior to the start of the Convention, and may be submitted by:
13.2.4.1 Any Riding Association;
13.2.4.2 The Provincial Council;
13.2.4.3 The Provincial Executive;
13.2.4.4 The Young New Democrats;
13.2.4.5 Any Standing Committee;
13.2.4.6 Any Advisory Committee and;
13.2.4.7 Any Affiliate.
13.2.5. Resolutions or recommendations for submission to an Annual Convention must be available to members at the party office ten (10) days prior to the start of Convention.
13.2.6. Emergency resolutions may be submitted in writing by any delegate at an Annual Convention, up to the end of convention. Such resolutions shall deal with important matters that arise after the resolution deadlines. Two-thirds of the delegates at the convention must support a motion to consider any resolution so submitted.
13.3. Special Conventions
13.3.1. A Special Convention shall be one that is held in addition to an Annual Convention.
13.3.2. Special Conventions may be called by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote at a Provincial Council meeting.
13.3.3. Special Conventions may be called on fifteen (15) days notice.
13.3.4. Notice of such convention shall specify the matters to be considered and the Special Convention shall confine itself to these matters.
ARTICLE 14: Discipline and Appeal Process
14.1 The Provincial Executive and any riding associations have the right to expel, suspend or discipline any member for conduct contrary to this constitution and to the principles of the party.
14.2 A complaint may be lodged with the Provincial President by any member or constituted body of the party alleging a violation of the constitution or a statement or action resulting in severe and evident injustice to a member or constituted body of the party.
14.3 Such complaint(s) must be in writing, must set out details of action or statement that give rise to the complaint, the remedy sought and such evidence as may be pertinent.
14.4 Satisfaction must first have been sought under existing party procedures and rules of the appropriate organization before the appeal is directed to the President.
14.5 The President shall endeavour to achieve an amicable settlement. Failing such settlement, the complainant may lodge the complaint with the Provincial Council.
14.6 The Provincial Council shall rule on the complaint by motion and shall direct, within fourteen (14) days, its ruling by mail to those affected.
14.7 When such suspension, expulsion or discipline is contemplated, adequate notice must be given to the individual concerned so that he or she may have the opportunity of a hearing.
14.8 At any hearing, the complainants and the defendants shall each be entitled to representation by someone of their choice to speak on their behalf, and any witnesses to the case.
14.9 Those affected by the ruling by motion of the Provincial Council may appeal the matter to Annual Convention.
14.10 Any individual expelled, suspended and etc., may appeal such action or decision to the next highest level of authority of the party, up to and including the Annual Convention.
14.11 Notice of appeal to the Annual Convention must be lodged with the Provincial Secretary within sixty (60) days of the ruling of the Provincial Council.
14.12 The convention shall render its ruling by motion prior to adjournment and such ruling shall be final and binding on those affected.
14.13 No member, and no constituted body of the party, shall seek redress of any matter arising from disputes within the party through legal action or by public notice or solicitation.
ARTICLE 15: Public Office
15.1 Each provincial riding association shall be responsible for the nomination of its candidate(s) for all elections and by-elections.
15.1.1 The nomination and election of candidates shall occur at a general membership meeting open to all members in good standing of the provincial riding association. However, where such a meeting fails to obtain a quorum as outlined in the riding association by-laws, the provincial riding association executive may hold a nominating meeting to elect a candidate. This meeting shall be open to all members in good standing of the provincial riding association.
15.2 Wherever possible, meetings described in (1) above shall be preceded by at least one week’s advance notice to all members of the provincial riding association.
15.3 Should the meetings described in (1) above fail to secure the nomination and selection of a candidate or candidates, the Provincial Executive may appoint a candidate or candidates.
15.4 Where no provincial riding association exists, the Provincial Council may authorize and/or approve the naming of a candidate or candidates to contest an election or by-election with the approval of the majority of members in the riding.
15.5 All persons proposed as candidates of the party for public office shall be members in good standing of the party and shall obtain acceptance from the Provincial Executive.
15.6 Each member of the party, including candidates for and holders of public office, has covenanted that:
“I will accept and abide by the constitution, principles and policies of the New Democratic Party.”
ARTICLE 16: Property
16.1 The Provincial Executive shall be empowered to nominate members of the party to serve as officers of societies and limited companies to manage the properties of the party.
ARTICLE 17: Amendments
17.1 This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of all delegates present and voting at any Provincial Convention.
17.2 Constitutional amendments must be submitted to the Constitutional Committee and made available for members’ scrutiny twenty-one (21) days prior to convention.
