The Conservative Party members are urging their leader to embrace several contentious policy stances, such as endorsing private healthcare, abolishing Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and revising the party’s stance on abortion. These proposals will be discussed at the upcoming Conservative Party convention in Calgary, where delegates will vote on them to potentially become official party policies.
The range of proposals up for debate at the convention covers a broad spectrum, from abolishing the temporary foreign worker program to granting more authority to the ethics commissioner, banning a central bank digital currency, and enhancing oversight on judicial appointments.
While policies approved at the convention reflect the views of Conservative grassroots members, it is not mandatory for Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to adopt them.
One notable proposal related to healthcare suggests providing provinces with “private delivery options” within the public health-care system, offering Canadians insurance coverage options for health services, aligning with countries that have two-tier healthcare systems. Another proposal aims to restrict access to medical assistance in dying (MAID).
Regarding abortion, the current Conservative policy book states a commitment not to support legislation regulating abortion. However, a proposal under debate seeks to remove this commitment, citing inconsistencies with existing positions on MPs’ free votes on abortion legislation, conscience rights for doctors, and opposition to sex-selective abortions.
Additionally, there is a proposal challenging the ban on conversion therapy, framing it as a parental rights issue and advocating for parents’ right to arrange body-affirming talk therapy for gender-confused children.
The “Jordan Peterson Policy” proposal aims to protect individuals from having their professional accreditation revoked for expressing opinions or refusing compelled speech, particularly in the transgender debate.
Another proposal calls for defunding CBC/Radio-Canada and reducing government interference in media operations, advocating for independent, non-governmental funding for the broadcaster.
The convention will also address immigration-related proposals, including ending the temporary foreign worker program to prioritize Canadian job opportunities and suggesting pathways for temporary foreign workers to transition to permanent residency.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has previously expressed his support for scrapping the temporary foreign worker program.