New Democrats are gathering in Hamilton for their first national convention since 2018, voting on many policy resolutions, including “gender-affirming care,” funding for LGBT+ organizations, recognizing 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India as a genocide, and standing with Ukraine.
Among the resolutions that will be considered at the convention are
funding plans developed for new and existing LGBT+ organizations to ensure “every major municipal region in Canada has at least one stably funded” organization, according to the NDP’s convention website. Another resolution asks for the party to adopt 29 recommendations included in a white paper on the “Status of Trans and Gender Diverse People” prepared by NDP MP Randall Garrison.
Some of the recommendations in the white paper propose funding for trans and gender-diverse organizations, comprehensive gender-affirming care in every province, and for research and innovation for gender surgeries.
Mr. Garrison’s recommendations call for Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada to end the policy of “denying coverage for all gender-affirming procedures” and to implement gender-affirming care for trans and gender-diverse refugees and asylum seekers, as well as federal prisoners.
The white paper says Sport Canada should “ensure the sports organizations they support do not adopt trans exclusionary policies” and provide incentives for organizations “that respect trans and gender diverse rights and promote access to participation for all Canadians.”
Mr. Garrison’s paper also seeks to fully decriminalize sex work.
Sikh Treatment in India
One resolution, labelled “1984 Sikh Genocide Recognition,” says the NDP recognizes the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India as a genocide.
“Canada’s New Democrats recognize the November 1984 state-sponsored violence perpetrated against the Sikhs throughout India as a genocide,” the resolution says. “Acknowledging this genocide throughout Canada is a significant first step in community healing.” Nearly 3,000 people were killed in riots that broke out that year following the murder of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, killed by two of her Sikh bodyguards. The attack was in retaliation for Ms. Gandhi sending the army against Sikh separatists in the Golden Temple, the holiest shrine for Sikhism. Hundreds were killed when the army moved in, including the leader of the separatists, and the temple was damaged.
The resolution said the “ongoing human rights violations against Sikhs by the Indian government reveal a distressing pattern of systematic oppression.”
NDP Support for Ukraine
Also on the agenda is a resolution to stand with Ukraine as the war with Russia continues. “New Democrats stand firmly in support of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, and believes Canada should support international justice efforts,” the resolution says. Other Resolutions
The NDP membership will also be voting on the following resolutions:
Making mental health care and substance use health services a part of the public health-care system.
Creation of a crown corporation to manufacture vaccines, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices. The corporation would sell or licence products on a cost-recovery basis, the resolution document says.
Making union representation a mandatory part of the Foreign Worker Program. “Union representation is the best practical measure in providing proper representation and protection to Canada’s most precarious and vulnerable work population,” the resolution says.
Support for an interprovincial power grid that would run from East to West, offering 100 percent non-emitting electricity.
Increasing the federal minimum wage to $20 an hour.
Requiring large companies to publish the CEO-to-median-worker pay ratio, defining CEO payment as the total compensation of the CEO or the highest-earning individual in the company.
Creating a publicly owned telecommunications crown corporation to “increase access to internet and cell phone service at affordable prices” across Canada.
The party is also looking at a comprehensive policy program that would see 3.5 million new “high-quality, affordable housing units over the next decade.”
Another proposition is to increase Old Age Security payments by 10 percent, and expand eligibility for the Guaranteed Income Supplement to help low-income seniors.
The NDP also has a resolution to work with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to fund a housing program nationwide.
The convention runs from Oct. 13–15.
Reuters contributed to this report.
