Resolutions Book

8/3/2019 Resolutions Book

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Proposed Resolutions

Child Welfare2) A Proposal for a Series of Child Welfare Policy Resolutions

Proposed by party member Michele Farrugia, Peterborough OntarioDate: 25/06/2011For consideration for inclusion in the platform at the Policy Assembly.

FOSTER CARE

WHEREAS too many children end up in foster care when they could be placed with familymembers.

AND WHEREAS Grandparents are not automatically deemed parties to a child welfare proceeding or protection application.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Socialist Party of Ontario makes it their position toadvocate for changes to the appropriate legislation which would make grandparents automatic parties to child protection proceedings so a judge can decide if they are more appropriate than afoster placement

WHEREAS some agencies have developed a list of Rights for their local foster parents.

AND WHEREAS these documents differ greatly, leaving foster homes without the rightsafforded to other community sectors.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Socialist Party of Ontario advocate for a ProvincialFoster Care Bill of Rights.

WHEREAS Foster Parents have adopted 58% of all children available for adoption in Canada,if agencies had specific money designated for adoption subsidies, this money would enable agreater number of children and youth with challenges to be adopted.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Socialist Party of Ontario advocate that the Ministryof Children and Youth services direct funds for the purposes of adoption subsidy.

WHEREAS foster parents should not be expected to cover treatment costs for a seriously

injured child under their third party liability insurance due to a shortfall in the agency coverage.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Socialist Party of Ontario advocate that the Ministryof Child and Youth Services provide an insurance rider to agency insurance policies to cover contingencies or exceptions for foster children who are seriously injured.

WHEREAS the majority of youth in care find themselves turning 18, having not yet completedhigh school. This is due to trauma and some of the life experiences that foster children havefaced in contrast to the general population as well as when their birthday falls within a calendar



year. Lack of a high school diploma is the primary obstacle in the way of our children achievinga post secondary education.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Socialist Party of Ontario will extend the foster home per diem for our youth in high school and post secondary institutions.

WHEREAS deaths sometimes occur of children under the protection of Children’s Aidsocieties.

AND WHEREAS the public has no way now of learning even how many there are.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Socialist Party of Ontario will advocate for anindepenant body to investigate any deaths related to foster care.

Child and Family Services Act

WHEREAS subsection 15 (6) of the Child and Family Services Act (CFSA) states “No actionshall be instituted against an officer or employee of a society for an act done in good faith in theexecution or intended execution of the person’s duty or for an alleged neglect or default in theexecution in good faith of the person’s duty.”

AND WHEREAS this provision of the CFSA creates too high a bar as a barrier for thoseattempting to hold accountable the officers or society employees for their wrongdoing

AND WHEREAS it is commonly expressed by child welfare clients that society employeesoften, if not regularly put false or misleading information in court documents and affidavitswhich can be contradicted by audio recordings made of meetings with society employees

AND WHEREAS this provision has the effect of protecting officers and society employeesfrom liability once they have done wrong

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Socialist Party of Ontario will advocate for theremoval of subsection 15 (6) of the CFSA to eliminate the “Good Faith” immunity fromliability for officers and society employees

WHEREAS youth who are aged sixteen and seventeen who are not in the child welfare systemare not able to be protected by CAS’s because of their age

AND WHEREAS youth who are sixteen and seventeen years of age who are in care may wishto leave foster care before their 18th birthday

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Socialist Party of Ontario will advocate to increasethe age of protection to 18 with the provision to allow sixteen and seventeen year olds to leavefoster care if they so choose

WHEREAS life can be difficult for young people leaving the child welfare system.

AND WHEREAS youth sometimes realize they need assistance or support only after they haveleft foster care.



THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Socialist Party of Ontario will advocate for an OpenDoor Policy which would allow youth of any age who have left the child welfare system tocome back for services before their 25th birthday

WHEREAS often CAS employees do not provide full disclosure to those parties involved in

child protection proceedings.

AND WHEREAS foster families, foster children, natural families, adoptive families, andadopted children are often left in the dark as to what is in their records for medical or court purposes.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Socialist Party of Ontario will advocate to make allfoster care, medical, and other applicable records available to the relevant parties.

WHEREAS the CFSA does not currently define “Medical Treatment” in it’s definitions section

AND WHEREAS “Medical Treatment” is used in the act but its interpretation is unfairly left upto the individual society employees

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Socialist Party of Ontario will advocate for a clear definition of “Medical Treatment”Group Homes

WHEREAS clients are often told that the ministry is licensing the agency, to clean their roomsand be on their best behaviour,

AND WHEREAS agencies often do major last minute repairs in the homes.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Socialist Party of Ontario will advocate for Mandatory Licensing Schedule

WHEREAS agency managers are granted a license each year based on rapport and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Socialist Party of Ontario recreate the licensing process to put emphasis on what clients have to say.

WHEREAS youth in care, their families and community advocates could advocate for improvements to the group homes they live in if their policy and procedure manuals were publicly available.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Socialist Party of Ontario will advocate for making public an online database of group homes and their policy and procedure manuals

WHEREAS ministry licensees are over burdened, over worked and cannot license every homewithin the year.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Socialist Party of Ontario will advocate for hiring atleast 15 percent more group home licensing inspectors.



WHEREAS too often youth are physically restrained for improper reasons where harm is notimminent,

AND WHEREAS youth are often hurt and sometimes killed during physical restraints,

AND WHEREAS physical restraints do not encourage youth to learn to resolve problemswithout violence,

AND WHEREAS physical restraints are not permitted by natural family members as a form of discipline.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Socialist Party of Ontario will advocate for Ministrydirectives to group homes and foster homes to use “hands free” restraints or redirection and/or de-escalation techniques as opposed to physical restraints where ever possible.

MINISTRY

WHEREAS the ministry can make regulations behind closed doors and implement them whilegreat effect on clients.

THERFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Socialist Party of Ontario will make all regulations public and enforce a 30 day public comment period on proposed regulations.

WHEREAS youth are the future and filled with experiences from being impacted by the childwelfare system.

THERFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Socialist Party of Ontario advocate to the Ministry of Children and Youth, for a Youth Engagement Committee.

WHEREAS the public does not get enough notice for every CFSA five year review and oftenmisses the deadline for submissions.

THERFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Socialist Party of Ontario legislate that two monthsnotice be given for every CFSA Review.

WHERAS the Child and Family Services Review Board (CFSRB) has no enforcement powersdue to it being exempt from the Statutory Powers and Procedures Act

AND WHEREAS complaints about CAS staff and decisions should be heard by the courts

AND WHEREAS CAS staff will be more willing to resolve complaints earlier if knowing theywill be faced with court action for wrongdoing.

THERFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Socialist Party of Ontario will advocate to abolish theCFSRB as soon as possible in order to let judges decided complaints about child welfare.

WHERAS CASs are privately incorporated non-profit corporations



AND WHEREAS the Ministry of Children and Youth Services often responds to complaintsabout wrongdoing by CAS by stating that they only have a “monitoring role” over the agencies

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Socialist Party of Ontario will advocate to have thegovernment take over CAS as is the case is most other provinces in Canada.

FAMILY LAW

WHEREAS most courts dealing with criminal and civil matters are now open to public scrutiny,and family courts should be as well. This means that any person could walk in off the street andsit in the courtroom while a family court matter was being heard, and even more importantly,that anyone could examine the file full of documents that is where most of the legal action takes place. To be exact, any member of the public could read all of the documents presented to the judge.

WHEREAS the public has every right to scrutinize child protection proceedings.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Socialist Party of Ontario open all child welfare proceedings to the public.

WHEREAS unrepresented parents are silenced by court officers who make no statement onrecord, but menace parents with handcuffs when they try to speak.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Socialist Party of Ontario allow defence witnesses inchild welfare proceedings.

WHEREAS unrepresented parents in child protection proceedings have to get vital materialwithout specific application but this not the case in a criminal trial.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Socialist Party of Ontario provide an automatic rightfor parents to receive copies of case conference notes and all evidence used against them incourt.

WHEREAS Persons accused of a crime are presumed innocent, meaning that the prosecutionhas the burden of proving that the accused committed the crime.

WHEREAS There is no such presumption in family court.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Socialist Party of Ontario create a legal presumptionof innocence for accused parents.

WHEREAS When a family is examined by professionals, the family should select the professional.

WHEREAS Allowing the child protectors to choose the professional allows for collusion between the professional and the agency.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Socialist Party of Ontario end collusion betweenchild protectors and psychiatrists and similar expert witnesses.



Health-care1) Proposal for an Ontario Childhood Obesity Strategy

Proposed by party member Michele Farrugia, Peterborough OntarioDate: 25/06/2011

For consideration for inclusion in the platform at the pre-election Policy Assembly.

At School

Create an Ontario Obesity Curriculum for all elementary and secondary studentsEliminate foods with trans fats from school cafeteria’sEstablish fruit tuck shops in every school run by local farmersReplace pop with milk and juice in vending machinesUse healthy foods or non-food alternatives for school fundraising effortsProvide one hour per day of mandatory physical activity to elementary and high school studentsOpen all schools after school to community organizations

Create cooking programs in schools province wideHire health and wellness instructors for physical education classesIncrease funding for school nutrition programs

AwarenessEstablishing a Centre of Excellence on Child and Youth ObesityPut less focus on weight rather than a healthy bodyImplement an Obesity Prevention CampaignHire more dietitians and nutritionists

Incentives

Eliminate current provincial government claw-backs of the National Child BenefitCreate a Children’s Coaching Tax CreditCreate a Children’s Fitness Tax CreditEstablish a grant program for community food gardens.Create a Healthy Foods Tax Credit.

Disincentives

Restrict energy drinks to people 18 years or and under Ban junk food advertising to children 13 and under

Create a tax on junk food and sugary drinks

Outdoors

“Walk Across Ontario” Online Tracking ChallengeEstablish more cycling and biking paths and lanesCreate more skateboard parks and ice rinksConstruct more walking and hiking trails



Treatment

Establish an Obesity Mentorship ProgramCreate Obesity Treatment Centres covered by OHIP that focus on the community as a whole

5) A Proposal for Health Care

Proposed by Don Nicholls, OshawaDate: 12/09/2011 Revised: 18/10/11For consideration for inclusion in the platform at the Policy Assembly

WHEREAS the World Health organization has defined health as a “state of complete physical, mentaland social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”; and

WHEREAS this requires a system of health care, health promotion and protection, and healthinformation inspired by and built around the needs and choices of patients and their family caregivers.The goal of the health-care system should be to ensure that patients receive the right care in the right place at the right time; and

WHEREAS we are seeing a continuing process of:

• Privatization of health care

• A de-listing of services

• The continuance of long wait lists

• A reduction in the level of homecare, and home support

• The closure of public long-term and chronic-care facilities

• A greater for-profit involvement, and

• A movement away from the initial concept that health care is a fundamental right of everyCanadian.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED That the Socialist Party of Ontario

supports the following principles in order to shape the future directions of the health care system:

1. Stop the creeping privatization in our health care system by expanding and defending publichealth care;

2. Improve the health system’s co-ordination, integration and sharing of information;

3. Guarantee proper funding for home care and nursing homes so that patients have real choiceabout the kind of long-term care that meets their needs for safe, compassionate care promoting

the quality of life, which would include a range of supports for patients and family caregivers;Put private rsing homes under public ownership;

4. Adequately fund and rebuild, as necessary, a full range of institutional and community mentalhealth services;

5. Engage in democratic health planning to include all sectors of the health care system and beaccountable to all members of the community in which they serve;

6. Recognize the importance of every health care worker as a valued member of a multi-disciplined care giving team and ensure that decent wages, working conditions and training



opportunities are available;

7. Recognize that health care is a social right and a Health Bill of Rights is necessary to prove alegislated mechanism to ensure the health system delivers timely treatment, accountability,safety, confidentiality, service, and adherence to the principles of the Canada Health Act;

8. Improve the health of individuals and communities by recognizing the role of the social,economic, behavioural and environmental factors that have a powerful impact on health statuswhich include jobs, schools, child care, nutrition, income support, affordable housing and theenvironment;

9. Eliminate the cost of medication and promote the responsible use of medication;

10.Increase human resources and all resources including enhanced access for under-serviced areasin order to provide timely care;

11.Support efforts to increase the rate of organ and tissue donation by strong support of relevanthealth care service, public- education, research, legislation, living donor support and specificdonor programs;

12.The need to pressure the Federal Government to fully assume its responsibilities in respect to

health, particularly by restoring and increasing federal transfers to levels sufficient to secure theintegrity and enforcement of the Canada Health Act;

13.Ensure that all Ontarians have the right to a primary care physician or a nurse practitioner untilsuch time as a physician is available, in a timely manner either through a family physician or acommunity health centre;

14.That when the opportunity rises, we ensure that the Canada Health Act is enshrined into theCanadian Constitution thereby making health care a right for every Canadian Citizen.

28) A Resolution Concerning Finding the Causes of Diseases Whose Cause is Unknown

Proposed by Ken Ranney, Peterborough

Date: 10/11/2011For consideration for inclusion in the platform at the Policy Assembly

Whereas there are many diseases which have no identified cause and no cure. Cancer, asthma, autism,ADHD, MS, ALS, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, diabetes, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, andschizophrenia are just a few; and

Whereas, in capitalist society, research aimed at discovering the causes of such diseases is minuscule;

Therefore be it resolved that a Socialist Party of Ontario government will strongly encourage, includingfinancial support, organizations, such as universities, to perform research aimed at revealing the causesof serious diseases of unknown cause.

30) A Resolution Concerning the Creation of a Public Pharmaceutical Company

Proposed by Adam Fulsom, OttawaDate: 10/11/2011For consideration for inclusion in the platform at the Policy Assembly

Whereas the pharmaceutical industry is one of the largest global capitalist industries with nearlyguaranteed profits

And whereas investment and research conducted by them, as it is done primarily for the purpose of



profit making

And whereas the lives of millions of people depend on life-saving medications which are priced to profit from peoples’ illnesses

Be it resolved that a socialist government in Ontario would establish a public not-for-profit pharmaceutical corporation that would be able to provide low-cost drugs – including to those sufferingin poorer countries, invest in researching cures instead of treatments, and integrate with our public pharmaceutical plan to lower the cost of covering all prescription medications

Municipal Goverance4)A PROPOSAL FOR MUNICIPAL GOVERNANCE IN THE GTA

Proposed by Matt Fodor, TorontoDate: 26/06/2011For consideration for inclusion in the platform at the Policy Assembly

WHEREAS a metropolitan government is needed for the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) for area-wide

coordination and planning purposes;

and WHEREAS local democracy was disregarded by the Conservative government of Mike Harris bythe forced amalgamation of Metropolitan Toronto, and that a “one size fits all” approach is improper ina large and diverse metropolitan area;

BE IT THEREFORE BE RESOLVED that a two-tier structure of metropolitan government for theGTA, be created. The current City of Toronto and regional municipalities of Halton, Peel, York andDurham shall be abolished and replaced by an upper-tier GTA regional government and electedcouncil. The four community council areas shall be turned into municipalities, and along with other lower-tier municipalities, be responsible for local matters. The GTA government would be responsible

for such services as arterial roads, regional planning, public transportation, regional parks and housing.

23) A Resolution Concerning Urban PlanningProposed by Jason Baines & Guy Fogel, TorontoDate: 10/11/2011For consideration for inclusion in the platform at the Policy Assembly

Whereas urban planning in Ontario’s major cities has been implemented with a lack of foresight and perspective, with too much reliance on private transportation and

Whereas this has lead to a separation of work, education, community, retail and culture and

Whereas urban planning must change the current “urban sprawl” with cohesive and connectedcommunities that provide work, culture, housing and retail within a reasonable distance

Therefore be it resolved that the SPO is committed to reorganizing existing municipalities based on public transportation with proper educational facilities, health, welfare, retail, work, culture and thatthese municipalities be connected to a larger whole on an equitable basis.



Taxation3) A PROPOSAL FOR HIGHER TAXES ON THE WEALTHY

Proposed by Matt Fodor, TorontoDate: 26/06/2011

For consideration for inclusion in the platform at the Policy Assembly

WHEREAS the increase in incomes of the top 1% of income earners has been the main forcedriving income inequality in Canada and other advanced capitalist countries;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Socialist Party of Ontario strongly supportsincreases on the very highest income earners and the creation of new tax brackets. The SocialistParty of Ontario will ensure that the combined federal/provincial income tax rate for incomes between $250,000 and $500,000 shall be 60%, for incomes between $500,000 and $1 millionshall be 70%, and for incomes over $1 million shall be 90%;

and WHEREAS income from capital (such as dividends and capital gains) is taxed more lightlythan income from wages and salaries;

BE IT THEREFORE BE RESOLVED that the Socialist Party of Ontario supports taxingincome from capital at the same rate as wages and salaries, and will raise the provincial portionof taxes on capital to match the combined federal/provincial rates on wages and salaries.

32) A Resolution Concerning Raising the Tax Bar


Whereas we should create a common level of income for all people

And whereas those who earn just slightly more than the minimum tax cut-off should not be penalized

Be it resolved that we would exempt the first $16,000 of all resident’s income from provincial income-tax, taxing at the applicable rate only income earned after this amount.

Democracy8) A Resolution Regarding Participatory Democracy

Proposed by Ken Ranney, PeterboroughDate: 12/09/2011


Whereas the form of “democracy” in existence in Western society is unworthy of the term democracy.We mark an X on a ballot every four years or so, with no opportunity to control the actions of our governments in the interim. Western democracy has been aptly termed “Totalitarian Democracy”.

Whereas socialism by its nature is inherently democratic; and yet, due to long-standing propaganda bythe capitalist mass media, many voters think that socialism is authoritarian. A clear demonstration of participatory democracy could alleviate such fears.



Whereas a type of participatory democracy, “BASIC Democracy”, has been published in Ruth Cohen’s book “ALIEN INVASION: How the Harris Tories Mismanaged Ontario”.

Therefore be it resolved that the Socialist Party of Ontario develop a plan for democracy betweenelections. Participatory democracy could be instituted in each riding represented either by an elected or

unelected candidate of the SPO.24) A Resolution Concerning Mass DemocracyProposed by Jason Baines & Guy Fogel, TorontoDate: 10/11/2011For consideration for inclusion in the platform at the Policy Assembly

Whereas an SPO majority government is a means to an end and whereas the public is highly alienatedfrom the “democratic process”

Therefore be it resolved that new institutions of direct democracy be created such as mass popular

community councils that act as parallel organizations to elected municipal government and

Therefore be it resolved these organizations seek the active participation of the population over budgetary issues and in identifying crucial issues in a particular community with the perspective of seeking their full resolution

40) A Resolution Regarding Democratising the Bureaucracy


Whereas public servants are an important part of the government’s ability to function and carry out itsmandate

And whereas many public servants carry out irreplaceable work, including scientific research,enforcing health and safety standards, dealing with public revenue and so on

But whereas there is very little public oversight over how the public service is run and how it isorganized

Therefore, be it resolved that:

A. Government departments be democratised by allowing for the appointment and recall of supervisor and management level staff by the workforce in that department – executive level staff to be selected by the public

B. Open up departments for public examination, evaluation and improvements in order to stimulateinnovation and reduce waste

C. Cap salaries for all public servants at $250,000

42) A Resolution Concerning Electoral Recall




Whereas elected officials should be responsive to the will of the people at all times, not only duringelection periods

But whereas MPP’s often break their promises and governments operate as dictatorships betweenelections

Therefore, be it resolved that individual MPP’s, as well as the government as a whole, be recallable bythe electorate. A recall referendum for any MPP or provincial government can be initiated by collectingthe signatures of 20% of the corresponding electorate.

43) A Resolution Regarding MPP Salaries


Whereas elected officials should represent the majority of people in their communities, and be able todirectly relate to the problems facing them

And whereas people who strive for public office should do so because they wish to work for the betterment of the province, and not the betterment of their wallets


A. The base salary of MPP’s be reduced to $55,000 annually, to better reflect the people theyrepresent – cabinet ministers’ bonus to be reduced to $5,000, and Premier’s bonus to be reduced to$10,000 annually.

B. Create legislation that mandates any increase to salaries or bonuses be approved by a referendum.

Environment, Transit, Transportation

11) A Resolution Concerning Electric transportation to prevent cancer and ameliorate climatechange

Proposed by Ken Ranney, PeterboroughDate: 08/11/2011For consideration for inclusion in the platform at the Policy Assembly

Whereas several studies have shown that exhaust from cars and other vehicles with internal combustionengines causes cancer; and

Whereas such vehicles make a substantial contribution to greenhouse gas emissions;

Therefore be it resolved that a Socialist Party of Ontario government support the replacement of gasoline and diesel cars, buses, trains and trucks with electric vehicles. The process would include:

1. Encouraging the manufacture of electric cars and other vehicles, including subsidization.2. A publicly owned company which would rent electric cars at stations no more than 20 kmapart on major highways, (closer in cities) enabling travellers to replace cars, so that they do notrun of electricity. This company would maintain a fleet of trucks in constant communication withcomputers monitoring the condition of electric vehicles in transit, ready to assist.3. The development of creative forms of public transportation equal in overall convenience tothe family car.



4. Intensive development of solar and wind power, in locations which are not disturbing toresidents.

18) A Resolution Concerning Mopeds and Segways

Proposed by Michael Laxer, TorontoDate: 08/11/2011


Whereas it is in the obvious interests of the environment to encourage people to shift to moreecologically friendly modes of transportation;

and whereas there are many unnecessary restrictions on the use of vehicles like the Moped and Segwaythat are more ecologically friendly;

Therefore be it hereby resolved that a Socialist Government in Ontario would lift the requirement that alicence be required to drive a Moped (as already legally defined in Ontario) for all persons 18 years of age and older and that these vehicles would no longer require a licence plate (though they wouldcontinue to require insurance);

and be it further resolved that the Segway be approved for use on sidewalks and other pedestriandesignated locations, as well as on roads that have no sidewalks, obstructed sidewalks or sidewalkslacking curb cuts by all persons 16 years of age or older with no requirement for a licence or insuranceand that the maximum allowed speed of the Segway would be 12 km/h (7.5 mph), enforced byelectronic restriction put in place by the manufacturer.

21) A Resolution Concerning Transport Trucks

Proposed by Gerritt Olthof, CourticeDate: 10/11/2011For consideration for inclusion in the platform at the Policy Assembly

Whereas heavy transport trucks are the cause of pollution, extra congestion on roads and road damageon roads that were not designed for heavy transport on our crowded highways. Be it resolved thatunnecessary container and other heavy transport be taken off our roads and be moved by ship and train.

33) A Resolution to Stop Promoting Population Growth


Whereas the world population has just recently hit 7 billion

And whereas providing a decent living standard to all the people of the world in an environmentally

sustainable way will become increasingly difficult if the world population continues to rise indefinitelyBe it resolved that in order to encourage a sustainable population level we would restrict the Child TaxBenefit, popularly referred to as the Baby Bonus, to two children per family.

34) A Resolution to Use Profits for the Environment




Whereas resources such as natural gas and oil, through their burning, cause emissions that lead toclimate change

And whereas in order to shift away from our dependence on these fuels we need to make significantinvestments in the research and development of sustainable alternatives

Be it resolved that all profits from oil and gas be invested into the research and development of sustainable alternative energy sources that do no endanger the environment or human health.

35) A Resolution Concerning Public Ownership of Natural Resources

Whereas the natural resources of Ontario, having not been created by any person, should not belong toany one person

And whereas the environment as well as future generations depend on how we manage our limitednatural resources

But whereas the private ownership and exploitation of our resources, based only on the motive of profit, cannot manage them in a long-term, sustainable way that benefits the people of Ontario and theenvironment we live in

Be it resolved that:

A. The government of Ontario take all natural resources under public ownership and democraticmanagement – No leasing to private corporations for private exploitation.

B. All natural resources to be developed must do so first and foremost in a sustainable manner,considering the long-term effects to people and the environment before short-term profits.Development plans must be drawn up by credible scientists in the related field, reviewed by peers, andfinally adopted by the government and the board of the public corporation.

Sports Violence

12) A Resolution Concerning Violence in Sports

Proposed by Ken Ranney, PeterboroughDate: 08/11/2011 Amended: 10/11/2011For consideration for inclusion in the platform at the Policy Assembly

Be it resolved that a Socialist Party of Ontario government support the elimination of professional boxing & Mixed Martial Arts, and fighting and brutal attacks in sports such as hockey.

Education

13) A Resolution Concerning Defunding Catholic Schools

Proposed by Natalie Lochwin, TorontoDate: 08/11/2011For consideration for inclusion in the platform at the Policy Assembly

Be it hereby resolved that the platform of the SPO be altered to remove the call for a referendum over the issue of Catholic School Funding and to replace this call with the following:

“A Socialist Government in Ontario would cease all public funding of Catholic School Boards and



would further cease any public funding of any faith based education.”

14) A Resolution Concerning Arts Programmes in Public Education

Proposed by Natalie Lochwin, TorontoDate: 08/11/2011For consideration for inclusion in the platform at the Policy Assembly

Whereas the arts play an essential role in providing a well rounded and diverse education, in cognitivedevelopment, confidence building and imagination;

and whereas these programmes have been cut to the point that they are a shadow of their former selves;

Therefore be it hereby resolved that a Socialist Government in Ontario would expand the curriculum toensure and require that all students get a full arts education, including the visual, dramatic and musical,starting in elementary school.

17) A Resolution to Alter the Existing “A Socialist Education Platform” in the Programme of the SPOProposed by Anthony Oland, Wasaga BeachDate: 08/11/2011


Be it hereby resolved that in the last section titled “A Socialist Education Policy”, in the last sentence,will be amended from ‘they have sufficient funds to buy books’, to ‘they have sufficient funds to buyand/or rent books’.

Economy & Public Sector

15) A Resolution Concerning Public Auto Insurance

Proposed by Michael Laxer, Toronto


Be it hereby resolved that an SPO government would create a public, no-fault, auto insurance programme in the province of Ontario and that this programme would deliver insurance at rates that areset to cover costs only, with any surplus (profit) being used to lower rates and where rates only increaseto offset inflation or to cover programme deficits.

16) A Resolution Concerning Worker Ownership

Proposed by Robert Freeman, PeterboroughDate: 08/11/2011


Whereas a democracy can not be de fully realized until it can be combined with an economy.

Whereas working people provide the fundamental building blocks of wealth on which any economy iscreated.

Whereas in a capitalist political economy workers have very little control over their workplaces and thewealth that they create.

Whereas the majority of citizens in any community work for a wage and comprise the majority and



therefore would be the initiators of community based democracy,

Whereas corporations have the freedom to take there operations and jobs just about anywhere in theworld leaving workers at the mercy of corporate decisions and that working people need strategies todeal with job loss as a result of corporate decisions.

Failure of the SPO to adopt a policy of supporting workers the right to control their work places willrender the SPO just another social democratic party.

Be it resolved that the SPO will support worker democratically run enterprises financially and morallyand will take steps to assist workers in assuming ownership should their place of employment close or should they initiate new enterprises.

31) A Resolution Concerning Using Private Capital to Build the Public Sector


Whereas we socialists want to build a strong public sector that can form the core of the economy andreplace the irrational and undemocratic capitalist system

And whereas, especially as a provincial jurisdiction, our options for doing this are limited by our available public expenditure raised through taxes, and our ability to directly seize private property isopen to court challenges, making such manoeuvres difficult

But whereas it is possible to encourage investment in the public sector by private capital by providingcertain incentives, while giving no controlling shares to individuals


A. To encourage private investment in public ventures, a socialist government in Ontario exempt any

amount of money invested into public corporations from income-tax, as well as offer a stable return for long-term investments.

B. The government invest public sector workers’ pension funds into the public sector so that they notonly build the socialist sector of the economy, but also no longer support exploitative capitalistcorporations

37) A Resolution Regarding Fighting Back Against Part-Time Work

Proposed by Adam Fulsom, OttawaDate: 10/11/2011


Whereas part-time employment does not provide people with enough income to live decent lives andseldom provide benefits

And whereas companies are increasingly seeking part-time employees because they can pay them less,have more flexible staffing hours, and pay less in benefits

Be it resolved that the government create laws regarding the maximum percentage of part-timeemployees a company is allowed to employ based on its size and the type of company it is.



38) A Resolution to Connect People with Jobs


Whereas job placement agencies are predatory and increasingly pervasive

But whereas there is no effective mechanism to connect unemployed people with work Be it resolved that: The government establish a non-profit placement agency that connects peopledirectly to jobs in their communities and in their field of expertise or interest

39) A resolution to Prevent Factory ClosuresProposed by Adam Fulsom, OttawaDate: 10/11/2011For consideration for inclusion in the platform at the Policy Assembly

Whereas the workers of any factory are the ones who generate the wealth for the company

And whereas Ontario productivity has increased dramatically with almost no increase in worker’s pay

And whereas in Ontario there has been a strong trend for profitable corporations to move factoriesoversees in order to increase their rate of profits, despite the inefficiency, waste and harm to theenvironment that shipping products oversees creates

But whereas there is a need for a strong industrial base in order to carry out the environmental changeswe need as well as produce the goods required by all


A. All closed factories will be reviewed by an association of its former workers and the government.If viable, the factory will be requisitioned by the government, put into public ownership and democraticmanagement and retooled to meet the needs of the environment and the population. The former workforce will be rehired and, when necessary, retrained.

B. Profitable companies moving existing jobs out of Ontario but maintain a base in Ontario will face penalties, up to and including a public takeover of operations and assets

44) A Resolution Regarding Public Corporations


Whereas public corporations should be both democratic and work in the interest of the province,country and community

But whereas currently existing public corporations are run little differently than private enterprises,

complete with corporate elitism, enormous executive salaries and the profit motive as its guiding force


A. The Board of Directors of all public corporations be selected through a democratic, non-political

process, with 1/3rd of the seats allocated for election by the workers of the company, 1/3rd selected by

the public at large, and 1/3rd selected by the government

B. That democratic management processes be implemented that allows for employees to elect andremove supervisors and management level staff as well as allow greater input from employees



regarding all levels of work. These measures will increase satisfaction, safety and productivity.

C. Create a mandate that all public corporations must follow which places the betterment of the people and the environment before any consideration of profit.

D. The creation of an annual salary cap on any publically owned corporation executive, manager or worker, set at $250,000. Can only be increased though a public referendum.

Lotteries

22)A Resolution Concerning the Creation of a Provincial Bond Lottery

Proposed by Liz McLean & Michael Laxer, TorontoDate: 10/11/2011For consideration for inclusion in the platform at the Policy Assembly

Whereas the existing lotteries in Ontario offer very poor odds and due to their bi-weekly or instantnature draw people into an addictive and often dangerously expensive habit;

and whereas these lotteries, while offering the government funds for infrastrature do so in a sociallyirresponsible way;

and whereas the Premium Bond lottery satisfies both the need of the government to raise money andthe desire of people to play lotteries but does so at much better odds of winning and in a far moresocially responsible way;

Therefore be it hereby resolved that an SPO government would create a Premium Bond Lottery asexists in the United Kingdom as part of the UK government’s National Savings and Investmentsscheme. As in the UK the government would promise to buy back the bond, on request, for its original price.

Be it further resolved that the government would pay a competitive rate of interest on the bond butinstead of the interest being paid into individual accounts, it would be paid into a prize fund fromwhich a monthly lottery would distribute tax-free prizes, or premiums, to those bond-holders whosenumbers are selected randomly. The prizes would ranging from $25 to the top prize of $1,000,000, andthe number of prizes would vary according to interest rates. Citizens can purchase bonds at any timeand they would need to be held for a full calendar month after the month of purchase and that their bonds are eligible for the draw: their numbers are entered each month, with an equal chance of winningany prize, until the bond is cashed in.

Be it further resolved that Bonds would be purchased by the $1 after the first $100, with a value of $1

per bond and a minimum purchase of 100 bonds.Be it further resolved that this lottery would replace all other provincially run lotteries.

Food, Farming & Argiculture

25) A Resolution Concerning the Right to FoodProposed by Jason Baines & Guy Fogel, TorontoDate: 10/11/2011




Whereas access to healthy affordable food is bound to deteriorate on the basis of the economic andenvironmental crisis of capitalism and

Whereas access to decent, affordable food is a right/health issue and not a privilege for the few

Whereas the processing of food is a public matter and should be under public control and

Whereas the supermarket and retail conglomerates put profit over nutrition

Therefore be it resolved that the land belonging to big agri business be taken into democratic publicownership with compensation based on proven need and

Therefore be it resolved that food be organic, without pesticides, herbicides and fungicides with the

utmost attention paid to health and welfare, including the rights of animals moving away from monocrops

therefore be it resolved that big processors such as maple leaf be taken into public ownership and that astrict guideline is implemented to protect the health and welfare of animals and

therefore be it resolved that animals have access to the natural foods they have evolved with and thatgrowth hormones and anti-biotics are strictly regulated and curtailed and

Therefore be it resolved that the big food retailers, such as Loblaws be taken into public ownership toensure an equitable distribution of food

Housing

26) A Resolution Concerning Public HousingProposed by Jason Baines & Guy Fogel, TorontoDate: 10/11/2011For consideration for inclusion in the platform at the Policy Assembly

Whereas the housing crisis is actuate in Ontario and

Whereas housing isn’t affordable to the working and unemployed population as a whole

-therefore be it resolved that an SPO government transform slum landlord housing units into socialhousing with compensation on the basis on proven need. That these units be converted into decent,affordable housing with the implementation of Green technologies to reduce the costs of heating



-That the term “slum landlord” be properly defined by a committee representing tenants, socialmovements, unions and elected officials

27) A Resolution Concerning Tenant’s Rights

Proposed by Jason Baines & Guy Fogel, Toronto


Whereas the housing stock is in disrepair, tenants are alienated from the organization, upkeep andmanagement of pubic housing and

Whereas tenants like all people under capitalism are disconnected and need a genuine sense of community and collective action

Therefore be it resolved that a Socialist Party of Ontario government will:

-implement democratic control over all issues of repair, public safety, social, recreation, culturalfacilities and community gardens on the basis of tenant control with consultation from elected officialsand trade unions.

-that all tenants are obliged to attend a minimum amount of meetings per annum and sit on tenantcommittees to actively change and implement housing policy

Social Welfare

36) A Resolution Concerning Increasing Opportunities for Recipients of Ontario Works and Ontario

Disability Supports Program


Whereas people receiving Ontario Works or ODSP often have trouble finding work due to their socio-economic status and lack of experience

And whereas providing meaningful jobs or education to disadvantaged people increases their happiness, self-confidence and their living standards


A. The provincial government create local projects in every community such as agro-cooperatives andenvironmental projects, and extend these opportunities to recipients of Ontario Works and ODSP,matching them with positions and duties according to their ability. Participation in such work programswill be optional and will provide a salary, on sight counselling and on the job training.

B. Increase education opportunities to allow easier access to post-secondary education for recipients of Ontario Works or ODSP.

Resolutions Book

Documents

Transcript of Resolutions Book