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OTTAWA — New Democrats are set to debate up to 70 policy proposals at their convention in Winnipeg this weekend on a host of issues, including clean energy, electoral reform and the party’s own political strategy.
Each policy proposal has been ranked in terms of priority for debate, based on feedback from delegates attending the convention.
Debate on each set of resolutions is scheduled to last for just over an hour. That means some lower-priority resolutions likely won’t make it to the discussion stage.
The resolutions on energy include a broad proposal to overhaul the party’s energy policy and call for the elimination of fossil fuels for electricity generation.
To cover that gap, the resolution calls on the party to drop its opposition to expanding nuclear energy and calls for investments in low-emission electricity projects.
NDP strategist Melanie Richer said while protecting the environment is a core part of NDP policy, proposals to transition away from fossil fuels must be accompanied by detailed plans to mitigate the effects.
“Without showing people how you’re getting there, and giving folks the tools to have new jobs or how people are going to get their electricity, you’re not you’re not changing the hearts and minds of folks,” she said.
The carbon-free electricity proposal is ranked fourth on the priority list, so it’s likely to come up for debate at the convention.
Other environmental policy resolutions likely to come up for debate include a call for the party to oppose any increase in oil tanker traffic along B.C. coast, and a pitch to protect freshwater sources facing stress from mining projects and artificial intelligence data centres.
Party members also might have time to debate proposals on electoral reform and boosting voter turnout, including pitches to make election day a federal holiday and introduce mandatory voting.
Richer said that between time constraints and amendments, delegates at a party convention can get through seven proposals in a session if they’re “really lucky.”
One resolution which might come up for debate would call on the federal government to reverse recent public sector layoffs and look for cost savings instead in senior management and executive compensation.
After the party saw its worst-ever election outcome last year, many in the party have been pushing for year-round political organizing to improve campaign readiness.
That idea — and a proposal to provide more resources and training to regional political organizers and riding associations — will be debated at the convention.
“If we want to be a serious party and a serious contender, we absolutely need to do that. One of the things that we’ve dealt with in the past is that fundraising capability and the need to use a lot of those funds in election time,” Richer said.
“So if you’re able to do that in-between elections, and if candidates are responsible for their fundraising without necessarily needing help from the party, then absolutely that gives you a way bigger budget.”
Interim NDP leader Don Davies said in a December interview that his main piece of his advice for his successor is to listen to the concerns of voters when coming up with policy ideas.
With his time leading the party soon coming to an end, that advice hasn’t changed.
“Fundamentally, it’s ground our policies in the lives, experiences, the needs and the aspirations of the people of this country,” Davies said Wednesday when asked about advice for his successor.
“Not only will we be doing the right thing, not only will we be improving governance in this country, but we’re going to have good success at the ballot box.”
The party’s first policy convention since 2023 begins Friday, with the main event taking place Sunday morning when the new NDP leader is announced.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 26, 2026.
David Baxter, The Canadian Press
