A list of what policies Conservatives are considering at convention

VANCOUVER – Conservatives voted Saturday today on changes to their policy handbook and their constitution. Here’s a look at some of the measures they decided upon.

Policies:

— that a national referendum must be held prior to implementing any future electoral reform proposal. – PASSED

— adding a policy saying “the government should support and encourage the private development of the Energy East pipeline.” – PASSED.

— modifying existing policy on aboriginal affairs to say the party supports “the abolition of the Indian Act and proposes a new legislation which recognizes the fiduciary obligation of the Federal Crown while proposing a new deal with First Nations based on autonomy, taxation capacity, transparency, accountability and property rights.” – PASSED

— adding to existing section on firearms to say a Conservative government “recognizes that civilian firearms ownership is a Canadian heritage,” and that a Conservative government would order a review of firearms related laws to identify parts that have no public safety value. – PASSED

— adding a policy supporting maternal and newborn child health initiatives. – PASSED

— adding that the party supports “conscience rights for doctors, nurses, and others to refuse to participate in or refer their patients for abortion, assisted suicide, or euthanasia.” – PASSED

— deleting existing section that says: “We believe that Parliament, through a free vote, and not the courts should determine the definition of marriage. We support legislation defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman.” – PASSED

— adding a policy that the party will not endorse religious or cultural courts. – PASSED

Constitution:

— to add “a belief in the value and dignity of all human life” as one of the party’s principles. – PASSED

— to refresh the policy handbook after every fourth convention to take out all redundant and spent items – PASSED

— to extend free admission to convention to people who donate the maximum either nationally or locally, instead of just nationally. – FAILED.

— formalize that senators are allowed a vote in the process of selecting an interim leader. – PASSED.