Letter to Constituency Presidents from the VP-Policy

As many of you are aware, the upcoming convention of the Alberta Liberal Party in Edmonton will be a policy convention. Members will be asked to debate and ratify policy positions of the party.

But, without your help, there will be nothing to debate. As a grassroots organization, policy is driven from the local associations and party commissions. To that end, I, and the rest of the ALP executive, are hoping that you can call a meeting of your association and submit up to two policy proposals to be considered at the convention. Your proposals may be submitted in the framework that has been attached and must be received before April 7th.

The process you choose is entirely up to your constituency association. It can be a meeting of the Board of Directors, an AGM, or a call to all members, asking them to attend a special meeting.

After the resolutions are received, they will be consolidated by the policy committee. This is a process that involves combining like resolutions and proofing them for format, etc., amending them rather than rejecting them where necessary and possible.

The complete package of policy proposals will then be sent out to your associations on or around April 21st. Your associations may want to meet again to discuss the full package of resolutions to be considered, ahead of the May convention.

Ultimately, these resolutions will be discussed in breakout sessions at the convention, where amendments may be proposed, before being presented to the Annual General Meeting.

At the General Meeting, resolutions will need a mover and a seconder on the convention floor, and the sponsoring Constituency Association will appoint a person to speak to the resolution.

The general assembly of the party will also be asked to consider a new policy framework, which I¹ve also attached for discussion.

Debbie Cavaliere, VP-Policy

31 December 2009

Statement from David Swann on recent loss of lives in Afghanistan

The news yesterday of Calgary Herald reporter Michelle Lang and four Canadian soldiers’ death in Afghanistan has hit particularly close to home.

I’ve had the good fortune to talk and work with Michelle many times as she covered health issues in Alberta and experience her determination to get at the facts of each and every story. She asked all the right questions, sifted through the information with a commitment to the truth in complex situations of controversy. It stands to reason that she would take that same journalistic integrity with her to Afghanistan and find herself in harm’s way to get at the truth. Michelle was a wonderful and courageous woman and I, and my Caucus colleagues, will miss her greatly, as will all citizens who value journalistic integrity.

My thoughts are with Michelle’s family and friends, and also with the families of the as yet unnamed Canadian soldiers who were also killed. I extend my personal, heartfelt wishes of hope and healing to all.

David Swann, MD

5 November 2009

Bloggers invited to attend Alberta Liberal Leader’s Dinner

Edmonton – Alberta Liberal Leader David Swann invites all bloggers to attend his Edmonton Leader’s Dinner and hear his full speech on November 23. This is a $250/plate fundraiser but will be available to bloggers who register with the party at a reduced rate of $100.

29 October 2009

Calgary Leader’s Dinner is building momentum

Organizers of the Calgary Leader’s Dinner on November 6 are promising an outstanding meal, some hilarious comedic commentary and an “up close and personal” speech from Leader Dr. David Swann.

17 October 2009

Swann congratulates Smith on Wildrose Alliance leadership victory

Calgary – Alberta Liberal Leader David Swann is offering his congratulations to new Wildrose Alliance Leader Danielle Smith for her win over rival candidate Mark Dyrholm.

Now that the Wildrose Alliance has chosen a leader, Swann encourages Albertans to take a closer look at the party’s policies and values.