The matter is the first in what promises to be a number of sharp policy debates among the various candidates and factions that Mr. Layton managed to hold together during his time as NDP leader.
The party set aside 25 per cent of the vote for organized labour at its last leadership convention in 2003, but NDP MP and House Leader Thomas Mulcair is calling for the abolition of union privileges this time around.
President Brian Topp – executive director of ACTRA (the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) – argues that the party's historic link with labour must be preserved, and that affiliated unions should get a set percentage of the vote at next year's leadership convention.
A final decision will be made by the NDP federal council on Friday.
The internal tussle comes as the Conservative Party is accusing the NDP of breaking fundraising rules at its party convention in Vancouver by accepting union sponsorships. The governing Conservatives and the opposition NDP have already faced off over major labour disputes this year, which shows the importance of the next NDP leader's position on the role of organized labour in the party and the economy.
Mr. Mulcair, who comes from the provincial Liberal party in Quebec, is stating that union members should be treated like everyone else at the convention. His statement signals a desire to expand the NDP’s reach beyond its traditional allies in the labour movement and into other progressive elements of Canadian society.
“Why unions and not environmental groups?” Mr. Mulcair asked about the leadership rules. “If [unions] want to help sell cards to their members, that’s fine, but I don’t think there should be a reserved number of delegates for unions.”
On the other hand, Mr. Topp called for tradition to be respected by the federal council, which will choose the date and location of the convention, in addition to setting spending limits and other rules.
Mr. Topp said he will walk with his union in Monday’s Labour Day parade in Toronto, which will be dedicated to Mr. Layton.
“The details of how our party’s affiliates play a role in our party can always be updated and improved,” Mr. Topp said. “But I flatly and emphatically reject the idea that the labour movement should be excluded from our party.”
Mr. Topp added that many social-democratic parties around the world have benefited from their ties to unions, and that the NDP’s “partnership with working people and their labour movement is part of our DNA.”
Mr. Mulcair and Mr. Topp, as well as a number of NDP caucus members, are waiting for the convention rules to be established by the federal council to determine whether to officially enter the race. A key question is the length of the race, with Mr. Mulcair arguing for a vote in April or May to allow candidates to sell memberships and increase their profile.
“Even though I’m the House Leader and one of the better known faces on the front bench of the NDP, it’s true that all of us will stand to be better known as the race rolls out,” he said in an interview. “I’d love to see us have the ability, over a seven- or eight- month race, to communicate some of those ideas and connect with all of the people across Canada.”
Mr. Topp has called for the vote to be held slightly earlier, in February or March. He said his campaign would try to build on Mr. Layton’s efforts to focus on issues that unite New Democrats. His goal, he said, would be to “build unity and solidarity in our party.”
The Conservative Party and the NDP are likely to clash in the future on the role and power of unions in Canadian society, with the Conservative Party trying to lower the influence of organized labour in the economy.
In a recent letter, the Conservative Party asked Elections Canada to investigate whether the NDP broke political financing laws during its spring convention.
The Tories say that signs were posted during the NDP's policy convention last June that indicated unions were sponsoring various events. The Canada Elections Act prohibits unions from making contributions of any kind in the Canadian political system.
Heather Wilson, the NDP's director of fundraising and membership, said that advertisements and sponsorships at “fair market value” are allowed by law.
“All rules and regulations have been followed by the NDP. And unlike the Conservatives, we stay within both the spirit and letter of the law,” she said.
Origin
Source: Gloge&Mail
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