Conservative Party members are urging their leader to embrace several contentious policy stances, such as endorsing private healthcare, eliminating Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) measures, and revising the party’s previous stance of staying out of the abortion discourse. These proposals, among many others, will be discussed at the Conservative Party convention in Calgary later this month, with the potential for some to be ratified as official party policies by delegates at the final plenary session.
The array of proposals up for discussion spans from abolishing the temporary foreign worker program and granting more authority to the ethics commissioner to prohibiting a digital central bank currency and enhancing oversight on judicial appointments. While policies approved at the convention carry significance as reflections of grassroots Conservative members’ views, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre retains the discretion to not adopt them.
One notable proposal regarding healthcare in Canada advocates for providing provinces with “private delivery options” within a universal public healthcare framework. This proposal suggests offering Canadians insurance coverage alternatives for healthcare services akin to countries with two-tier healthcare systems. Another proposal aims to restrict access to medical assistance in dying (MAID), contemplating the removal of the requirement for doctors and nurses to refer patients seeking MAID to willing healthcare professionals.
Addressing abortion and conversion therapy, the Conservative Party’s current policy book asserts a commitment to not supporting legislation regulating abortion. However, a policy proposal under debate suggests eliminating this commitment due to inconsistencies with existing positions on abortion-related issues. Additionally, a proposal challenges the ban on conversion therapy, framing it as a parental rights matter and advocating for parental autonomy in arranging body-affirming talk therapy for gender-confused children.
A proposal known as the Jordan Peterson Policy, named after the controversial figure, seeks to safeguard individuals from professional accreditation revocation for expressing opinions or rejecting compelled speech, particularly in the context of the transgender debate. Furthermore, grassroots supporters are contesting Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) principles, arguing that merit should supersede background or social status in determining career advancement.
Another proposal advocates for defunding CBC/Radio-Canada and reducing government intervention in media operations, emphasizing independent, non-governmental funding for the public broadcaster. Immigration proposals are also on the agenda, with one proposing the termination of Canada’s temporary foreign worker program to prioritize Canadian job opportunities and reduce youth unemployment. Another proposal suggests facilitating the transition of temporary foreign workers into permanent residents while ensuring equal legal protections for seasonal workers as enjoyed by Canadian citizens. Pierre Poilievre previously expressed support for abolishing the temporary foreign worker program.