To bring increased clarity and definition to the political activities within the GPC and to formally document the scope and role of the proposed Political Hub. Existing Bylaw 6 language is in italics. Replace current Bylaw 6 Cabinet with:  

Bylaw 6 - Political Hub 

6.1 The Political Hub is responsible for the election platform, the policy development process, and member-approved policy. 

6.2 The Political Hub is a Unit of the Party, accountable to Federal Council, as specified in a Terms of Reference document. The Political Hub ‘Terms of Reference’ requires approval by Federal Council bi-annually and approval must be conditioned on its alignment with the strategic priorities established by Federal Council, or members at an Annual General Meeting, or through a Continuous Motion Development process. 

6.3 The Political Hub budget and the number and type of staffing positions is subject to approval and the oversight of Federal Council. 

6.3.1 The Political Hub Director may be required, as a condition of employment, to be present in Ottawa during parliament. 

6.3.2 The Political Hub Director must be recruited and hired through a competitive employment open to the public. 

6.3.3 The Political Hub Director position is a term position not exceeding one year, renewable only after a comprehensive review of Key Performance Indicators established in the Terms of Reference Document for the Political Hub. 

6.3.4 The Political Hub positions must require equal experiential requirements and vetting requirements whether filled by paid staff or volunteers.  

6.3.4.1 Political Hub staff report to and are directed by the Executive Director under the direction of Federal Council. 

6.3.4.2 Political Hub staff are required to maintain impartiality on GPC governance matters as a condition of employment. 

6.3.4.3 Real and perceived conflicts of interest must be proactively disclosed and recorded by the executive director and made available upon request to Federal Council. 

6.3.4.4 Real and perceived conflicts of interest, in the absence of a formal waiver from the Executive Director, may be grounds for removal from the Political Hub at the discretion of Federal Council for cause. 

6.3.4.5 Real and perceived conflict of interest waivers established by the Executive Director must not conflict with the Members Code of Conduct or Governance matters established by Federal Council by motion and are auditable by, and revocable by, Federal Council for cause. 

6.4 Reporting 

6.4.1 The Political Hub shall submit monthly written reports to Federal Council detailing the Political Hub’s planned, in-progress, and completed activities and must detail the Federal Council established strategic priorities that those activities support. 

6.5 The Political Hub consists of: 

6.5.1 The Leader’s Office 

6.5.1.1 An elected Leader or an elected Co-Leader may replace members of the Cabinet or Shadow Cabinet as they see fit. 

6.5.1.2 The elected Leader or elected co-leaders (2) may appoint two Deputy Leaders. 

6.5.1.3 Shadow Cabinet 

6.5.1.3.1 The Shadow Cabinet shall be responsible for the following: 

6.5.1.3.2 creating the election platform in keeping with membership-approved policies 

6.5.1.3.3 ensuring the members of the Party have the ability to influence the policies and platform of the party; 

6.5.1.3.4 establishing written procedures for a grassroots policy development process and publishing these procedures on the public website of the Party; 

6.5.1.3.5 maintaining an up to date compilation of the Party policies on the website of the Party. 

6.5.2 Caucus (Elected MP’s) 

6.5.2.1 Caucus must participate in the drafting and updating of the Political Hub Terms of Reference document. 

6.5.2.2 Caucus activities in the Political Hub are established in the Terms of Reference document. 

6.5.3 Volunteers 

6.5.3.1 Volunteers recruited by Federal Council or its delegates, may participate in the organization, coordination, and all activities of the Political Hub.

Submitter: Michael MacLean