The Conservative Party is under pressure from its members to consider several contentious policy changes, such as introducing private health care, eliminating Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) policies, and revisiting the party’s stance on the abortion issue. These proposals will be discussed at the upcoming Conservative Party convention in Calgary, where delegates will vote on whether to adopt them as official party policies.
The range of proposals to be debated at the convention covers various topics, from abolishing the temporary foreign worker program to empowering the ethics commissioner and increasing oversight on judicial appointments. While policies approved at the convention reflect the views of grassroots Conservative members, the party leader, Pierre Poilievre, is not obligated to implement them.
One significant proposal related to healthcare suggests providing provinces with “private delivery options” within the public health care system, including insurance coverage choices for health services. Another proposal aims to restrict access to medical assistance in dying (MAID) by removing the requirement for healthcare professionals to refer patients seeking MAID to willing providers.
Regarding abortion, the party’s current policy book states a commitment not to support legislation regulating abortion. However, there is a proposal to remove this commitment from the policy book, citing inconsistencies with existing positions on conscience rights for doctors and sex-selective abortions. Additionally, there are proposals challenging the ban on conversion therapy, emphasizing parental rights to seek therapy for gender-confused children.
A policy named the “Jordan Peterson Policy” is proposed to protect individuals from professional consequences for expressing opinions or refusing compelled speech, particularly in the context of the transgender debate. The policy aims to prevent the revocation of professional accreditations based on personal beliefs.
Furthermore, there are proposals challenging the principles of Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) by advocating for merit-based career advancement and questioning the role of background or social status in determining success. Another proposal calls for defunding CBC/Radio-Canada and reducing government interference in media operations.
On the immigration front, there are proposals to end the temporary foreign worker program, emphasizing job opportunities for Canadian citizens and advocating for pathways for temporary foreign workers to become permanent residents. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has previously expressed support for discontinuing the temporary foreign worker program.