Alberta Tories step into the present

Alberta’s Progressive Conservative party is rewriting its constitution for the first time in decades, and members will be asked to vote on significant changes at the party’s annual general meeting in the fall.

An interim report by the party’s constitutional review committee suggests the Tories could change rules about how the leadership vote is conducted, enshrine a statement of principles, and may create a president’s council.

The Conservatives will also change the language in the constitution to ensure all references to the leader are gender neutral; currently, the leader is referred to as a man. Premier Alison Redford is the first woman to lead the party, and the province.

“These proposed changes are intended to get the conversation started. These are the big points the committee has come up with. That doesn’t mean there won’t be more,” party president Bill Smith said Thursday.

Currently, three candidates move to the second ballot during a Tory leadership race and the party uses a preferential ballot. Under the proposed changes, two candidates will move on to the final ballot, and voters will select one.

The party will also consider the creation of a president’s council, which would “foster more ‘politically focused’ communication.”

Finally, the Conservatives will look at enshrining the party’s statement of principles in the constitution.

Party members and constituency associations have until Sept. 6 to submit their ideas. The amendments will be voted on during a plenary session that coincides with the party’s annual general meeting in Calgary on Nov. 9 and 10.