Protest Decision to Rescind Thornhill NDP nomination
(traduction française ci-dessous)
(traduction française ci-dessous)
On Thursday, September 1, Barry Weisleder (seated at centre above), chairperson of the NDP Socialist Caucus, won the nomination to be the NDP candidate in Thornhill constituency, just north of Toronto.
Three days later the Ontario NDP provincial secretary 'rescinded' the democratic nomination, which occurred at the best-attended meeting of that NDP riding association in decades. Unfortunately, this attack on party democracy is not an isolated incident. It is being challenged. We invite you to join the Campaign to Restore Democracy in the Ontario NDP (CREDO NDP). There are many ways you can help.
How to respond to the attack on party democracy?
1. Vigorously oppose the multiple attacks on party democracy being waged by Ontario NDP officials. We urge all New Democrats to protest the removal of the democratically elected candidate in Thornhill, Ontario. NDP members, from far and wide, should send email messages, letters, faxes, and make telephone calls of protest to Darlene Lawson at 101 Richmond St. E., and to the Leader's office at Queen's Park.
Telephone: 416-591-5455, ext. 2245
E-mail: dlawson@on.ndp.ca
2. The NDP Socialist Caucus, joined by many friends and allies, is launching a common front, a Campaign to Restore Democracy in the Ontario NDP (CREDO NDP). The purpose of the Campaign is to put pressure on Ontario NDP officials to restore the democratically nominated NDP candidate in Thornhill, and to expose and reverse the attack on party democracy occurring on all levels. Prior to October 6, this effort will be carried out internal to the ONDP, attempting to reach as many New Democrats as possible through direct personal and internet contact.
The party bureaucracy's decision to rescind Barry Weisleder's nomination follows the ugly incident in Toronto's Etobicoke North constituency. There, on August 17, NDP officials did not allow Diana Andrews (a Black, lesbian elementary school teacher) to run for the NDP nomination, ostensibly because she is involved in a conflict with her union leadership.
The rescission of the Thornhill NDP nomination also follows the bureaucratic overturn of the elections held at the Ontario New Democratic Youth convention in Fall 2010 by party officials, and the cancellation of the constitutionally mandated ONDP convention that should have occurred in Spring 2011.
Before that, the Ontario party Leader ordered NDP MPP Michael Prue not to speak at an open hearing on the issue of public funding for Catholic schools. The hearing, attended by over one hundred New Democrats on March 12, 2010 at OISE U of Toronto, was organized by the NDP Socialist Caucus and was held when the party was openly reviewing its position on the question and seeking in-put from everyone.
3. CREDO invites New Democrats to join the effort, which it will publicize via email, phone calls, the SC web site, a Facebook page, and at an open meeting for New Democrats, at a central location, featuring a panel of activists who can speak to the incidents mentioned above.
4. Members are exercising the right to appeal the party heads' decision to rescind the nomination, and continue to seek accountability and justice in this matter up to, and beyond the next Ontario NDP Provincial Council meeting on November 19, 2011.
Three days later the Ontario NDP provincial secretary 'rescinded' the democratic nomination, which occurred at the best-attended meeting of that NDP riding association in decades. Unfortunately, this attack on party democracy is not an isolated incident. It is being challenged. We invite you to join the Campaign to Restore Democracy in the Ontario NDP (CREDO NDP). There are many ways you can help.
How to respond to the attack on party democracy?
1. Vigorously oppose the multiple attacks on party democracy being waged by Ontario NDP officials. We urge all New Democrats to protest the removal of the democratically elected candidate in Thornhill, Ontario. NDP members, from far and wide, should send email messages, letters, faxes, and make telephone calls of protest to Darlene Lawson at 101 Richmond St. E., and to the Leader's office at Queen's Park.
Telephone: 416-591-5455, ext. 2245
E-mail: dlawson@on.ndp.ca
2. The NDP Socialist Caucus, joined by many friends and allies, is launching a common front, a Campaign to Restore Democracy in the Ontario NDP (CREDO NDP). The purpose of the Campaign is to put pressure on Ontario NDP officials to restore the democratically nominated NDP candidate in Thornhill, and to expose and reverse the attack on party democracy occurring on all levels. Prior to October 6, this effort will be carried out internal to the ONDP, attempting to reach as many New Democrats as possible through direct personal and internet contact.
The party bureaucracy's decision to rescind Barry Weisleder's nomination follows the ugly incident in Toronto's Etobicoke North constituency. There, on August 17, NDP officials did not allow Diana Andrews (a Black, lesbian elementary school teacher) to run for the NDP nomination, ostensibly because she is involved in a conflict with her union leadership.
The rescission of the Thornhill NDP nomination also follows the bureaucratic overturn of the elections held at the Ontario New Democratic Youth convention in Fall 2010 by party officials, and the cancellation of the constitutionally mandated ONDP convention that should have occurred in Spring 2011.
Before that, the Ontario party Leader ordered NDP MPP Michael Prue not to speak at an open hearing on the issue of public funding for Catholic schools. The hearing, attended by over one hundred New Democrats on March 12, 2010 at OISE U of Toronto, was organized by the NDP Socialist Caucus and was held when the party was openly reviewing its position on the question and seeking in-put from everyone.
3. CREDO invites New Democrats to join the effort, which it will publicize via email, phone calls, the SC web site, a Facebook page, and at an open meeting for New Democrats, at a central location, featuring a panel of activists who can speak to the incidents mentioned above.
4. Members are exercising the right to appeal the party heads' decision to rescind the nomination, and continue to seek accountability and justice in this matter up to, and beyond the next Ontario NDP Provincial Council meeting on November 19, 2011.
Protestons contre la violation de la démocratie par la bureaucratie du NPD de l'Ontario
Jeudi le 1er septembre, Barry Weisleder, président du Caucus Socialiste du NPD, a remporté l'investiture pour être le candidat du NPD dans la circonscription de Thornhill, au nord de Toronto. Deux jours plus tard, Darlene Lawson, la secrétaire du NPD provincial de l'Ontario, a «annulé» l’investiture démocratique, qui s'est produite lors d’une des réunions les plus fréquentées de cette association de circonscription du NPD depuis des décennies.
Quel a été le prétexte pour l'action punitive? C'était un article de Weisleder modérément critique de la plateforme du parti et de la direction écrit des semaines avant qu'il chercha à obtenir l'investiture. Ce fût près d'un mois avant que Lawson ait donné le sceau d'approbation à sa demande pour être candidat lors d’une réunion tenue dans son bureau le 10 août. La seule chose qui ait changé entre le 10 août et le 3 septembre, c'est que Weisleder a remporté l'investiture de Thornhill.
Malheureusement, cette attaque contre la démocratie du parti n'est pas un incident isolé. Elle est contestée. A la tête de cet effort il y a la Campagne pour Restaurer la Démocratie dans le NPD de l'Ontario (CREDO NPD).Vous pouvez aider de plusieurs manières.
Comment répondre à l'attaque contre la démocratie du parti?
1. S'opposer vigoureusement aux attaques multiples contre la démocratie du parti menées par des responsables du NPD de l'Ontario. Exhorter tous les néo-démocrates à protester contre le retrait du candidat élu démocratiquement à Thornhill, en Ontario. Les membres du NPD et des syndicats, en fait toutes les personnes concernées par la démocratie dans le mouvement ouvrier, devraient envoyer des courriels, des lettres, des télécopies et des appels téléphoniques de protestation à Darlene Lawson à 101 Richmond St. E., et au bureau de la cheffe pour l’Ontario, Andrea Horwath, à Queen’s Park.
Téléphone: 416-591-5455, ext. 2245
Courriel: dlawson@on.ndp.ca
2. Appuyer et rejoindre la CREDO. Beaucoup de néo-démocrates se rassemblent pour lancer la Campagne pour Restaurer la Démocratie dans le NPD de l'Ontario (CREDO NPD) comme un large front commun. Le but de la campagne est de tenir les dirigeants du NPD de l’Ontario responsables de l'annulation de l'investiture démocratique du NPD à Thornhill, ainsi que de dévoiler et renverser l'attaque contre la démocratie du parti se produisant à tous les niveaux. Après l'élection ontarienne du 6 octobre, cet effort sera lancé publiquement. Il a déjà rejoint des centaines de néo-démocrates par des contacts personnels directs et par l’Internet.
La décision de la bureaucratie du parti d'annuler la candidature de Barry Weisleder fait suite à un incident disgracieux dans la circonscription Etobicoke-Nord à Toronto. Là, le 17 août, les responsables du NPD n'ont pas permis à Diana Andrews (une noire, lesbienne, enseignante dans une école primaire) de se présenter à l'investiture du NPD, apparemment parce qu'elle est impliquée dans un conflit avec ses dirigeants syndicaux.
Elle suit également le renversement bureaucratique des élections tenues lors du congrès des Jeunes néo-démocrates ontariens à l'automne 2010 par les responsables du parti, et l'annulation du congrès constitutionnellement mandaté du NPD de l’Ontario qui aurait du avoir lieu au printemps 2011.
Avant ça, le chef du parti en Ontario, le député du NPD provincial Michael Prue, a ordonné de ne pas parler à une audience publique sur la question du financement gouvernemental des écoles catholiques. L'audience, en présence de plus de cent néo-démocrates le 12 mars 2010 à l’OISE U de Toronto, a été organisée par le Caucus Socialiste du NPD et fût tenue quand le parti révisait ouvertement sa position sur la question et cherchait à faire un débat public.
Plus récemment, le préambule de la Constitution fédérale du NPD, qui inclut toujours le mot «socialiste», après une âpre lutte hautement médiatisée lors du congrès fédéral, a complètement disparu du site web du parti fédéral.
3. La CREDO invite les néo-démocrates à répandre l’information au sujet de cette campagne pour la responsabilité et la démocratie du parti par des courriels, des appels téléphoniques, sur des sites web, et via Facebook. Elle invite chacun à participer à une réunion publique ouverte, à une date et un lieu qui seront annoncés, avec un panel de militants qui vont parler des incidents mentionnés ci-dessus. Pour les dernières nouvelles, veuillez nous contacter à: info@ndpsocialists.ca
4. Les membres du NPD exerceront le droit de contester la décision de la bureaucratie du parti d’annuler la nomination de Thornhill, et de continuer à rechercher la responsabilité et la justice dans cette affaire à la prochaine réunion du Conseil provincial du NPD de l’Ontario le 19 novembre 2011 - et jusqu’au bout lors du congrès du NPD de l’Ontario du 12 au 15 avril 2012.
Jeudi le 1er septembre, Barry Weisleder, président du Caucus Socialiste du NPD, a remporté l'investiture pour être le candidat du NPD dans la circonscription de Thornhill, au nord de Toronto. Deux jours plus tard, Darlene Lawson, la secrétaire du NPD provincial de l'Ontario, a «annulé» l’investiture démocratique, qui s'est produite lors d’une des réunions les plus fréquentées de cette association de circonscription du NPD depuis des décennies.
Quel a été le prétexte pour l'action punitive? C'était un article de Weisleder modérément critique de la plateforme du parti et de la direction écrit des semaines avant qu'il chercha à obtenir l'investiture. Ce fût près d'un mois avant que Lawson ait donné le sceau d'approbation à sa demande pour être candidat lors d’une réunion tenue dans son bureau le 10 août. La seule chose qui ait changé entre le 10 août et le 3 septembre, c'est que Weisleder a remporté l'investiture de Thornhill.
Malheureusement, cette attaque contre la démocratie du parti n'est pas un incident isolé. Elle est contestée. A la tête de cet effort il y a la Campagne pour Restaurer la Démocratie dans le NPD de l'Ontario (CREDO NPD).Vous pouvez aider de plusieurs manières.
Comment répondre à l'attaque contre la démocratie du parti?
1. S'opposer vigoureusement aux attaques multiples contre la démocratie du parti menées par des responsables du NPD de l'Ontario. Exhorter tous les néo-démocrates à protester contre le retrait du candidat élu démocratiquement à Thornhill, en Ontario. Les membres du NPD et des syndicats, en fait toutes les personnes concernées par la démocratie dans le mouvement ouvrier, devraient envoyer des courriels, des lettres, des télécopies et des appels téléphoniques de protestation à Darlene Lawson à 101 Richmond St. E., et au bureau de la cheffe pour l’Ontario, Andrea Horwath, à Queen’s Park.
Téléphone: 416-591-5455, ext. 2245
Courriel: dlawson@on.ndp.ca
2. Appuyer et rejoindre la CREDO. Beaucoup de néo-démocrates se rassemblent pour lancer la Campagne pour Restaurer la Démocratie dans le NPD de l'Ontario (CREDO NPD) comme un large front commun. Le but de la campagne est de tenir les dirigeants du NPD de l’Ontario responsables de l'annulation de l'investiture démocratique du NPD à Thornhill, ainsi que de dévoiler et renverser l'attaque contre la démocratie du parti se produisant à tous les niveaux. Après l'élection ontarienne du 6 octobre, cet effort sera lancé publiquement. Il a déjà rejoint des centaines de néo-démocrates par des contacts personnels directs et par l’Internet.
La décision de la bureaucratie du parti d'annuler la candidature de Barry Weisleder fait suite à un incident disgracieux dans la circonscription Etobicoke-Nord à Toronto. Là, le 17 août, les responsables du NPD n'ont pas permis à Diana Andrews (une noire, lesbienne, enseignante dans une école primaire) de se présenter à l'investiture du NPD, apparemment parce qu'elle est impliquée dans un conflit avec ses dirigeants syndicaux.
Elle suit également le renversement bureaucratique des élections tenues lors du congrès des Jeunes néo-démocrates ontariens à l'automne 2010 par les responsables du parti, et l'annulation du congrès constitutionnellement mandaté du NPD de l’Ontario qui aurait du avoir lieu au printemps 2011.
Avant ça, le chef du parti en Ontario, le député du NPD provincial Michael Prue, a ordonné de ne pas parler à une audience publique sur la question du financement gouvernemental des écoles catholiques. L'audience, en présence de plus de cent néo-démocrates le 12 mars 2010 à l’OISE U de Toronto, a été organisée par le Caucus Socialiste du NPD et fût tenue quand le parti révisait ouvertement sa position sur la question et cherchait à faire un débat public.
Plus récemment, le préambule de la Constitution fédérale du NPD, qui inclut toujours le mot «socialiste», après une âpre lutte hautement médiatisée lors du congrès fédéral, a complètement disparu du site web du parti fédéral.
3. La CREDO invite les néo-démocrates à répandre l’information au sujet de cette campagne pour la responsabilité et la démocratie du parti par des courriels, des appels téléphoniques, sur des sites web, et via Facebook. Elle invite chacun à participer à une réunion publique ouverte, à une date et un lieu qui seront annoncés, avec un panel de militants qui vont parler des incidents mentionnés ci-dessus. Pour les dernières nouvelles, veuillez nous contacter à: info@ndpsocialists.ca
4. Les membres du NPD exerceront le droit de contester la décision de la bureaucratie du parti d’annuler la nomination de Thornhill, et de continuer à rechercher la responsabilité et la justice dans cette affaire à la prochaine réunion du Conseil provincial du NPD de l’Ontario le 19 novembre 2011 - et jusqu’au bout lors du congrès du NPD de l’Ontario du 12 au 15 avril 2012.
Public Meeting on November 19 at Ontario NDP Council. See Below.
NDP activists from over a dozen riding associations and youth clubs, from Windsor-West to Willowdale, from Thornhill to Oakville, gathered at the Bahen Centre, U of Toronto on October 29 for the official launch of the Campaign to Restore Democracy in the Ontario NDP.
After hearing from panelists Diana Andrews, Tristan Ridley and Barry Weisleder, and forum chair John Orrett, the meeting debated and adopted the statement of CREDO aims and objectives (below). It approved the motion (further below) to be presented to the Ontario NDP provincial council meeting on November 19. The CREDO steering committee expanded and a good collection provided funds to help publicize upcoming events. Thanks to Ross Ashley of St. Paul's NDP, his video/audio recording of the proceedings will be posted on YouTube.
The key task now is to rally as many New Democrats, youths and labour activists to the November 19 ONDP provincial council meeting for a debate, likely to begin shortly after 9 a.m. at 89 Chestnut St., where delegates will vote on principles of party democracy. If you are able to come early and assist with leaflet distribution, staffing an information display table, etc., please respond to this e-message and/or call: 416-535-8779 now.
Concerning a resolution/constitution amendment, aimed at reducing the power of NDP officials to interfere with the local candidate selection process, or to overturn convention-approved policies, the meeting struck a committee to work on that. It will recommend and circulate a motion everyone can take riding associations, youth clubs and unions for endorsement and submission to the April 2012 ONDP convention.
CREDO Aims and Objectives:
The aim of this campaign is to engage as many members of the Ontario NDP as possible who are seeking greater accountability, transparency and democracy in our party. We want to ensure that the party membership's power to decide party policy, tactics and strategy is respected and implemented by party officials and staff. In order to fulfill these aims this campaign sets out the following goals:
1. To establish that each NDP riding association is the paramount deciding body concerning the determination of the NDP candidate for its own riding, and
2. To establish that the Ontario NDP convention is the primary and final deciding body with regard to party policy, tactics, and strategy, and
3. To limit and clearly define the situations in which party officials and staff may override candidate nominations and convention-based policy, and
4. To require that changes in party policies, or any actions that contradict such policies, implemented by party officials be ratified by a 2/3 majority of the provincial council, within two weeks immediately following the change in policy or procedure. Should such a motion fail, the policy reverts to that which was established by the convention. The same requirement to have an imposed change ratified by members applies to a riding association affected by a decision by party officials to block or rescind a nomination.
The motion that we will present at the ONDP provincial council meeting on November 19 i the following:
"Be it resolved that ONDP Provincial Council express its disapproval of the decision to prevent Diana Andrews from seeking the NDP nomination in Etobicoke North and the decision to rescind the nomination of Barry Weisleder by Thornhill NDP, and hereby Provincial Council supports the appeals made by those members and Thornhill NDP."
NDP activists from over a dozen riding associations and youth clubs, from Windsor-West to Willowdale, from Thornhill to Oakville, gathered at the Bahen Centre, U of Toronto on October 29 for the official launch of the Campaign to Restore Democracy in the Ontario NDP.
After hearing from panelists Diana Andrews, Tristan Ridley and Barry Weisleder, and forum chair John Orrett, the meeting debated and adopted the statement of CREDO aims and objectives (below). It approved the motion (further below) to be presented to the Ontario NDP provincial council meeting on November 19. The CREDO steering committee expanded and a good collection provided funds to help publicize upcoming events. Thanks to Ross Ashley of St. Paul's NDP, his video/audio recording of the proceedings will be posted on YouTube.
The key task now is to rally as many New Democrats, youths and labour activists to the November 19 ONDP provincial council meeting for a debate, likely to begin shortly after 9 a.m. at 89 Chestnut St., where delegates will vote on principles of party democracy. If you are able to come early and assist with leaflet distribution, staffing an information display table, etc., please respond to this e-message and/or call: 416-535-8779 now.
Concerning a resolution/constitution amendment, aimed at reducing the power of NDP officials to interfere with the local candidate selection process, or to overturn convention-approved policies, the meeting struck a committee to work on that. It will recommend and circulate a motion everyone can take riding associations, youth clubs and unions for endorsement and submission to the April 2012 ONDP convention.
CREDO Aims and Objectives:
The aim of this campaign is to engage as many members of the Ontario NDP as possible who are seeking greater accountability, transparency and democracy in our party. We want to ensure that the party membership's power to decide party policy, tactics and strategy is respected and implemented by party officials and staff. In order to fulfill these aims this campaign sets out the following goals:
1. To establish that each NDP riding association is the paramount deciding body concerning the determination of the NDP candidate for its own riding, and
2. To establish that the Ontario NDP convention is the primary and final deciding body with regard to party policy, tactics, and strategy, and
3. To limit and clearly define the situations in which party officials and staff may override candidate nominations and convention-based policy, and
4. To require that changes in party policies, or any actions that contradict such policies, implemented by party officials be ratified by a 2/3 majority of the provincial council, within two weeks immediately following the change in policy or procedure. Should such a motion fail, the policy reverts to that which was established by the convention. The same requirement to have an imposed change ratified by members applies to a riding association affected by a decision by party officials to block or rescind a nomination.
The motion that we will present at the ONDP provincial council meeting on November 19 i the following:
"Be it resolved that ONDP Provincial Council express its disapproval of the decision to prevent Diana Andrews from seeking the NDP nomination in Etobicoke North and the decision to rescind the nomination of Barry Weisleder by Thornhill NDP, and hereby Provincial Council supports the appeals made by those members and Thornhill NDP."
CREDO PUBLIC FORUM
Taking place during the lunch break at the site of the Ontario NDP Provincial Council meeting
Speakers: to be announced
SATURDAY, November 19, 11:30 AM
89 Chestnut Street, U of T Student Residence (room to be announced), two blocks west of the Dundas subway station on the Yonge St. Line.
Come at 9 AM and join the effort to appeal the decisions of NDP officials to block and rescind NDP candidate nominations for the Ontario election. Visit the CREDO and NDP Socialist Caucus information display tables during the Provincial Council meeting. Everyone is welcome to the lunch time forum.
For more information, e-mail: info@ndpsocialists.ca,
or phone: 416.535.8779.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Taking place during the lunch break at the site of the Ontario NDP Provincial Council meeting
Speakers: to be announced
SATURDAY, November 19, 11:30 AM
89 Chestnut Street, U of T Student Residence (room to be announced), two blocks west of the Dundas subway station on the Yonge St. Line.
Come at 9 AM and join the effort to appeal the decisions of NDP officials to block and rescind NDP candidate nominations for the Ontario election. Visit the CREDO and NDP Socialist Caucus information display tables during the Provincial Council meeting. Everyone is welcome to the lunch time forum.
For more information, e-mail: info@ndpsocialists.ca,
or phone: 416.535.8779.
We look forward to seeing you there.
"Capitalism is just a stage we're going through."
NDP Socialist Caucus. Copyright 2012. All Rights Reserved. info@ndpsocialists.ca.
NDP Socialist Caucus. Copyright 2012. All Rights Reserved. info@ndpsocialists.ca.
