Rebuilding the Liberal party

Steve Pinkus, Désirée Mcgraw and Rachel Bendayan, National Post, May 21, 2011

Getting involved:

Founders

Carolina Gallo La Flèche,
Westmount-Ville-Marie
Brett House,
Niagara West-Glanbrook
Kent Hovey-Smith,
Trinity-Spadina
Désirée McGraw,
Notre-Dame-De-Grâce-Lachine
Matthew Ramsden,
Ottawa Centre
Robert Valdmanis,
Westmount-Ville-Marie

Questionnaire for Liberal Party of Canada National Executive Candidates

Andrew Block, Vice President, Finance, Young Liberals of Canada

People. What concrete steps will you take as a member of the Party Executive to increase the inclusiveness of the Party and expand the diversity of its membership?

We will undertake a concerted recruitment strategy on campuses across Canada to build the Liberal Brand and engage young Canadians in the Liberal party
Our recruitment efforts should target social networking sites, non-political student organizations, and issue-based student groups who have like-minded ideas
Provide a clear avenue for young Canadians to voice their opinions to the party, utilizing online tools, and regular events catered to a student audience

Policy. What specific actions, policies and initiatives will you undertake or advocate as part of a concerted effort to ensure that the Party presents a strategic and compelling platform to the Canadian electorate that responds to Canada's most pressing needs?

Engage various issue-focused groups and Young Canadians in general about their most pressing issues that we can bring forward to the party for consideration and debate
Provide our campus and youth organizations with necessary resources to be able to convey our message easily and effectively to the wider student base

Party. What tangible priority efforts will you launch to increase the participation of Party members in every level of the Party's decisions, operations and structures to increase accountability and the democratic link between the central Party and the riding organizations?

We will create a long-term strategic fundraising plan that is youth-driven and meets our needs as an organization as well as the wider party
Re-focus the YLC budget to target a heavier, national recruitment strategy on campuses and amongst youth organizations
Provide a more responsive process for campus clubs to gain needed support from the YLC
Establish closer ties with like-minded groups to consider joint events and initiatives
Offer a wide array of opportunities for participation in the party through volunteer and networking opportunities

Candidate responses to questionnaire