Alberta NDP members voted on 76 motions at its convention at the Hyatt Regency Calgary, with many of them pertaining to social justice. .The Sunday event saw Alberta NDP members vote to lower the province’s voting age from 18 to 16 years old. .The motion was submitted by the New Democrat Youth of Alberta (NDYA). It said young Albertans are engaged in politics and capable of making political decisions. .The NDYA said academic research shows a voting age of 18 years old is “arbitrary and does not reflect human development.” It said people are more likely to vote once they have done it before and lowering the age gives them more opportunities to. .NDP MLA Janis Irwin praised the motion passing. .“Delegates at our @albertaNDP convention just voted overwhelmingly in favour of lowering the provincial voting age to 16!” said Irwin. .“The high school social studies teacher in me is just so darn excited!!”.Members passed a resolution to protect LGBT youth. .The motion was submitted by the Gender and Sexual Diversity Caucus. It requested the NDP support protecting the privacy of minors when it comes to sexual orientation and gender identity. .The Gender and Sexual Diversity Caucus went on to say the party will support legislation to prevent public sector employees from disclosing information about a minor’s sexual orientation or gender identity to anyone without his or her permission. It called information about sexual orientation and gender identity “very personal.” .Another motion which passed was about reducing class sizes. .The motion was tabled by the Calgary-Varsity NDP Constituency Association. It asked the party to support class size guidelines and recommendations from the 2003 Alberta Commission on Learning report. .The motion said class composition and supports influence student success. Classes with high complexity and minimal supports would be smaller. .NDP candidate Rosman Valencia said he was proud to support the motion. .“@albertaNDP will ensure class sizes will be small,” said Valencia. .“This is where equity in education begins.” .Members voted to expand abortion access across the province. .The motion was submitted by the Edmonton West Henday NDP Constituency Association and the NDYA. It will require the NDP to establish at least one reproductive healthcare provider in any population centre with more than 20,000 people. .Providers would be searchable through a database. It said abortion services are an important human right. .Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley said in her Saturday convention speech the large number of people joining the party will enable it to form government in the 2023 election. .READ MORE: Notley says Alberta NDP will provide better future if elected.“They can see the wrong direction the current government is heading in,” said Notley. .She acknowledged the Alberta United Conservative Party is holding its convention at the same time. While she never thought she would miss former Alberta premier Jason Kenney, she said she does now..The motions are not binding on the party.
Alberta NDP members voted on 76 motions at its convention at the Hyatt Regency Calgary, with many of them pertaining to social justice. .The Sunday event saw Alberta NDP members vote to lower the province’s voting age from 18 to 16 years old. .The motion was submitted by the New Democrat Youth of Alberta (NDYA). It said young Albertans are engaged in politics and capable of making political decisions. .The NDYA said academic research shows a voting age of 18 years old is “arbitrary and does not reflect human development.” It said people are more likely to vote once they have done it before and lowering the age gives them more opportunities to. .NDP MLA Janis Irwin praised the motion passing. .“Delegates at our @albertaNDP convention just voted overwhelmingly in favour of lowering the provincial voting age to 16!” said Irwin. .“The high school social studies teacher in me is just so darn excited!!”.Members passed a resolution to protect LGBT youth. .The motion was submitted by the Gender and Sexual Diversity Caucus. It requested the NDP support protecting the privacy of minors when it comes to sexual orientation and gender identity. .The Gender and Sexual Diversity Caucus went on to say the party will support legislation to prevent public sector employees from disclosing information about a minor’s sexual orientation or gender identity to anyone without his or her permission. It called information about sexual orientation and gender identity “very personal.” .Another motion which passed was about reducing class sizes. .The motion was tabled by the Calgary-Varsity NDP Constituency Association. It asked the party to support class size guidelines and recommendations from the 2003 Alberta Commission on Learning report. .The motion said class composition and supports influence student success. Classes with high complexity and minimal supports would be smaller. .NDP candidate Rosman Valencia said he was proud to support the motion. .“@albertaNDP will ensure class sizes will be small,” said Valencia. .“This is where equity in education begins.” .Members voted to expand abortion access across the province. .The motion was submitted by the Edmonton West Henday NDP Constituency Association and the NDYA. It will require the NDP to establish at least one reproductive healthcare provider in any population centre with more than 20,000 people. .Providers would be searchable through a database. It said abortion services are an important human right. .Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley said in her Saturday convention speech the large number of people joining the party will enable it to form government in the 2023 election. .READ MORE: Notley says Alberta NDP will provide better future if elected.“They can see the wrong direction the current government is heading in,” said Notley. .She acknowledged the Alberta United Conservative Party is holding its convention at the same time. While she never thought she would miss former Alberta premier Jason Kenney, she said she does now..The motions are not binding on the party.
