Constitution

1 ARTICLE 1 – NAME

1. The name of the Party shall be the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick.

ARTICLE 2 – DEFINITIONS

1. In this Constitution:

1.1 “CHIEF AGENT” means the Chief Agent of the Party registered under the New Brunswick Elections Act;

1.2 “CONSTITUTION” means the Constitution of the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick;

1.3 “DIRECTORS OF ORGANIZATION” means the Directors of Organization appointed under Article 10;

1.4 “EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: means the Executive Director appointed under Article 9;

1.5 “FEDERAL PARTY” means the Conservative Party of Canada;

1.6 “INTERIM LEADER” means the Interim Leader elected under Article 15;

1.7 “LEADER” means Leader or Interim Leader elected under Article 15;

1.8 “MEMBER” means the member of the Party according to the provisions of Article 4;

1.9 “OFFICAL REPRESENTATIVE” means the Official Representative of the Party registered under the New Brunswick Elections Act;

1.10 “PARTY” means the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick;

1.11 “PRESIDENT” means the President of the Party elected under Article 6;

1.12 “PROVINCIAL ELECTORAL DISTRICT” means as electoral district as defined in the New Brunswick Elections Act;

1.13 “RECOGNIZED” means
i) recognized by the Provincial Council in the case of a Registered District Association or other organization not mentioned in (ii) or (iii) below,
ii) recognized by the Women’s Association in the case of a women’s organization,
iii) recognized by the Youth Federation in the case of a youth or student organization;

1.14 “REGIONAL VICE-PRESIDENT” means a Regional Vice- President elected under Article 6.

1.15 “REGISTERED DISTRICT ASSOCIATION” means a Registered District Association affiliated with the Party and registered under the New Brunswick Elections Act;

1.16 “SECRETARY” means the Secretary of the Party elected under Article 6;

1.17 “TERM OF OFFICE” means the period of time from one Annual Meeting to the next Annual Meeting;

1.18 “PROVINCIAL VICE-PRESIDENT” means the Vice-President of the Party elected under Article 6;

1.19 “WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION” means the New Brunswick Progressive Conservative Women’s Association;

1.20 “YOUTH FEDERATION” means the New Brunswick Progressive Conservative Youth Federation.

2. Unless there is an inconsistency in the subject matter or context, in this Constitution words, which import the singular, shall include the plural and vice-versa and words, which import the masculine, shall include the feminine.

ARTICLE 3 – AIMS AND PRINCIPLES

As New Brunswick Progressive Conservatives we believe in:

1. The Will of People
We believe that government is an extension of the will of the people; therefore, we must answer to the people for the responsibilities, which we accept. We will consult New Brunswickers on public policy matters before implementing solutions.

2. New Brunswick and Canada
We strive to build and preserve a prosperous, united New Brunswick within a prosperous, united Canada.

3. Equality of the Two Linguistic Communities
We believe the diversity of our two linguistic communities is a unique strength of our province. We believe in official bilingualism, and that we must protect and promote the cultures and heritage, while treating each community with fairness and justice.

4. The Individual
We respect the rights of the individual, but are mindful of the responsibilities, which those rights demand. It is by accepting their responsibility and acting on their own initiatives that individuals will achieve their full potential.

5. Free Enterprise
The creation of prosperity can best be achieved by a free enterprise economy.

6. Living Within our Means
As managers of the public accounts, we must fulfill our fiscal and economic objectives; a diversified economy that will maximize employment in all regions and a fiscal plan that will protect essential programs while minimizing taxation.

7. Access to Education and Health Care
The strength of our province is derived from our ability to educate our citizens and to encourage a healthy lifestyle so that they may fulfill their potential and by our ability to provide care for New Brunswickers when they are in need.

8. Social Policies Which Promote Individual Responsibility
Our social programs should ensure dignified and meaningful lives for those who need assistance, but also recognize the importance of providing the support and resources necessary for an environment in which New Brunswickers can work together, be self-reliant and take responsibility for their own lives.

9. Protection of the Environment
We must ensure that economic growth and resource development take place in an environmentally sustainable manner that decisions taken reflect the shared role of government, business and individuals as stewards of the environment for the current and future generations.

10. An Open, Accessible Party
We are a Party for all New Brunswickers. We welcome their thoughts, their efforts and their support for the aims and principles of the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick.

ARTICLE 4 – MEMBERSHIP

1. The Membership exercises full authority and control over the activities of the Party.

2. Every person who:
a) is a citizen or permanent resident of Canada,
b) has attained the age of fourteen (14) years,
c) maintains a principal residence in the Province of New Brunswick or is enrolled in full time studies at an educational institution in the Province of New Brunswick,
d) actively supports the Aims and Principles of the Party, and
e) is in possession of a permanent membership card and/or whose name appears on the permanent membership list,
is eligible for membership in the Party and upon application, will be considered a Member in good standing of the Party.

2.1 Prospective members who are students enrolled in full-time studies may apply to the Party in writing to have the prescribed annual provincial membership fee waived.

3. Members of the Party are also members of the Registered District Association in the provincial electoral district in which the Member maintains a principal residence or is residing while enrolled in full time studies at an educational institution.

4. Members of the Party may also be members of the Women’s Association and/or the Youth Federation if they meet the requirements of the membership as determined by those organizations.

5. Every Member is entitled to:

5.1 Attend any provincial meeting of the Party upon payment of the prescribed registration fee;

5.2 Vote at any provincial meeting of the Party in accordance with the rules and procedures established for that meeting by the Provincial Council; and

5.3 Vote at any meeting of the Registered District Association of which they are a member, including a Nominating Convention.

6. Only Members are entitled to:

6.1 Stand for election as a member of the Provincial Council or a member of a Registered District Association executive;

6.2 Serve as a member of the Provincial Council and Provincial Executive;

6.3 Stand for election as a Candidate in a provincial electoral district; and

6.4 Stand for election as Leader.

7. The Party shall implement and maintain a Provincial Membership Program to:

7.1 Facilitate communication between Members and the provincial Council;

7.2 Establish and maintain uniform, provincial criteria for membership;

7.3 Respect the primary role of Registered District Associations for membership recruitment and activity;

7.4 Promote the Aims and Principles of the Party;

7.5 Provide services to Members on a provincial basis; and

7.6 Protect the confidentiality of information pertaining to Members and not permit its use by anybody other than the Party, its Registered District Associations, its candidates and the Federal Party.

8. The Provincial Council shall determine or revise a provincial membership fee.

9. Subject to approval of at least 80% of the members present and voting at a duly constituted meeting of the Provincial Council, a permanent membership may be revoked at the request of the President or Executive Director of the Party.

ARTICLE 5 – HONOURARY LIFE MEMBERS

1. The Provincial Council may confer upon any supporter of the Party an Honorary Life Membership recognizing an outstanding contribution to the growth and development of the Party.

2. Honorary Life Members of the Party are to be inducted as such at the first Annual Meeting following their appointment.

3. No more than one (1) individual or couple from each registered district association may be inducted as Honourary Life Members at any Annual Meeting.

4. Honorary Life Members shall be entitled to complimentary registration at provincial meetings of the Members.

ARTICLE 6 – PROVINCIAL COUNCIL

1. The Provincial Council shall have full authority to act for the Party between provincial meetings of the Members, subject to general direction from, accountability to and review by the Members at provincial meetings.

2. The Provincial Council of the Party shall be comprised of the following members:
a) The President;
b) The Immediate Past President;
c) The Provincial Vice-President;
d) The Secretary;
e) The Official Representative;
f) The Chief Agent;
g) The Leader;
h) The Regional Vice-President of each Registered District Association;
i) The President of each Registered District Association;
j) The President and the First Vice-President of the Women’s Association;
k) The President and a Vice-President of the Youth Federation to be appointed by the Executive of the Youth Federation;
l) The member of the National Council of the federal party representing New Brunswick;
m) The Co-Chairperson of the P.C. New Brunswick Fund;
n) The Directors of Organization;
o) Five Members of Caucus to be appointed by the Caucus; and
p) The Executive Director, who shall be a non-voting member.

3. The Provincial Council shall meet at least three times per calendar year at the call of the President.

3.1 In the event of the neglect or refusal of the President to call a meeting of the Provincial Council at least once every four months at the written request of ten or more members of Provincial Council, such a meeting may be called by the said ten members by giving the required notice of the meeting to all members of the Provincial Council.

3.2 Quorum for the conduct of business at a meeting of the Provincial Council shall be not less than thirty-three percent of those voting members eligible to attend said meeting.

3.3 Notice of a meeting of the Provincial Council shall be provided in writing to members of the Provincial Council at least fourteen days prior to the date of said meeting.

3.4 The Provincial Council may remove from office the President, the Provincial Vice-President, a Regional Vice-President, or t the Secretary if that individual has missed two consecutive meetings of the Provincial Council without just cause or reason.
3.5 The Provincial Council may require a Registered District Association to hold a general meeting for the purpose of electing a new District Association Executive if that Association has not been represented at two consecutive meetings of the Provincial Council without just cause or reason.

4. The Provincial Council, in addition to all other rights, powers and obligations provided for in this Constitution, has the following rights, powers and obligations that cannot be delegated:

4.1 Annually, to consider and ratify the Party’s budget;

4.2 On the recommendation of the Provincial Executive, to determine or revise the provincial membership fee;

4.3 To appoint committees to carry out specified functions and delegate to these committees such powers as it deems necessary for the successful execution of their respective mandates;

4.4 To appoint additional members, such as chairs of committees, to the Provincial Council, who shall be non-voting; and

4.5 To enact and amend by-laws consistent with this Constitution, which facilitate the activities of the Party. Written notice must be given to the membership of any by-law so enacted or amended.

5. The President, the Provincial Vice-President, and the Secretary shall be elected by the members present and voting at the Annual Meeting of the Party.

5.1 Each Regional Vice-President shall be elected by the members who reside in that region and who are present and voting at the Annual Meeting of the Party.

5.2 Following the Annual Meeting of the Party at which this section is
adopted, each Regional Vice-President shall be elected at the next meeting of the Provincial Council by the Presidents of the Registered District Associations whose electoral districts are within that region.
(transitional provision)

ARTICLE 7 – DUTIES OF MEMBERS OF THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL

1. The President
The President shall preside over all meetings of the Party and the Provincial Council, enforce the observance of the Constitution, decide all questions of order, announce the results of all votes conducted at meetings of the Party, cast the deciding vote in the event of a tie and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees appointed by the Provincial Council.
It shall be the duty of the President to call all meetings of the Provincial Council, and all Annual Meetings, Special Meetings and Provincial Leadership Conventions at the direction of the Provincial Council.

At an Annual Meeting where the President is seeking re-election, the meeting shall elect a Chairperson to preside while the election is in progress and such Chairperson shall cast the deciding vote in the event of a tie.

2. The Provincial Vice-President
The Vice-President shall act in the place and stead of the President whenever the President is absent, unable or incapable of acting, or on such other occasions as the President may request.

3. The Regional Vice-President

There shall be Regional Vice-Presidents, each of whom is responsible for
a specified group of electoral districts as outlined in Schedule “A”. Each
Regional Vice-President shall facilitate communications between the
Registered District Associations in his or her region, and between the
region and the Party. Each Regional Vice-President shall also work to
ensure that each Registered District Association in his or her region is
active and organized.
Schedule “A”

1. Capital Region 6. Westmorland-Albert
Fredericton-Fort Nashwaak Moncton Crescent
Fredericton-Lincoln Moncton East
Fredericton-Nashwaaksis Moncton North
Fredericton-Silverwood Moncton West
Oromocto Albert
Grand Lake-Gagetown Riverview
New Maryland-Sunbury West Petitcodiac

2. Upper River Valley 7. Westmorland-Kent
York Dieppe Centre-Lewisville
York North Memramcook-Lakeville-Dieppe
Woodstock Tantramar
Carleton Shediac-Cap Pelé
Victoria-Tobique Kent South
Kent

3. Madawaska-Victoria-Restigouche 8. Saint John-Charlotte
Grand Falls-Drummond-Saint-André Saint John East
Restigouche-la-Valleé Saint John Harbour
Edmundston Saint John Lancaster
Madawaska-les-Lacs Saint John Portland
Campbellton-Restigouche Centre Fundy-River Valley
Dalhousie-Restigouche East Charlotte-The Isles
Charlotte-Campobello

4. Peninsule-Chaleur 9. Saint John-Kings
Lameque-Shippagan-Miscou Saint John Fundy
Caraquet Rothesay
Centre-Peninsule Quispamsis
Tracadie-Sheila Hampton-Kings
Bathurst Kings East
Nepisiguit
Nigadoo-Chaleur
5. Miramichi
Miramichi Bay-Neguac
Miramichi-Bay du Vin
Miramichi Centre
Southwest Miramichi
Rogersville-Kouchibouguac

4. The Secretary

The Secretary shall keep a full and correct record of all meetings of the Party and the Provincial Council, communicate as may be necessary with any organization or individual, send out notices of meetings as required and perform such other duties as the Party or the Provincial Council may require from time to time.
5. The Official Representative
Subject to the Political Process Financing Act, the Official Representative shall receive all monies belonging to the Party, keep a record of it and pay all debts incurred.
At the request of the President, the Official Representative shall prepare a financial report for presentation to the Provincial Council.
The Official Representative shall carry out all the duties of an official representative prescribed by the Elections Act and the Political Process Financing Act.
The Leader of the Party may appoint one or more persons to a finance committee to be known as “The P.C. New Brunswick Fund” to advise and assist the Official Representative in carrying out the duties described above.

6. The Chief Agent
The Chief Agent shall carry out all the duties of a chief agent prescribed by the Elections Act and the Political Process Financing Act.

7. The President of Each Registered District Association
The President of each Registered District Association shall be responsible for maintaining active communications between the Provincial Council and his or her association.

ARTICLE 8 – PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE

1. The Provincial Executive shall have full authority to act for the Party between meetings of the Provincial Council, subject to general direction from, accountability to and review by the Provincial Council at meetings of the Provincial Council.

2. The Provincial Executive shall be comprised of the following members:
a) The President, who shall chair the Executive;
b) The Leader;
c) The Immediate Past President;
d) The Provincial Vice-President;
e) The Secretary;
f) The Regional Vice-Presidents;
g) The Official Representative;
h) The Chief Agent;
i) The Chair of the P.C. New Brunswick Fund;
j) The President of the New Brunswick Progressive Conservative Youth Federation;
k) The President of the New Brunswick Progressive Conservative Women’s Association; and
l) The Executive Director, who shall be a non-voting member.

3. The Provincial Executive shall meet at least quarterly in each calendar year at the call of the President or the Leader.

3.1 In the event of the neglect or refusal of the President or the Leader to call a meeting of the Provincial Executive at least once in each quarter of the calendar year at the written request of five or more members of the Provincial Executive, such a meeting may be called by the said five members by giving the required notice of the meeting to all members of the Provincial Executive.

3.2 Notice of a meeting of the Provincial Executive shall be provided to members of the Provincial Executive at least twenty-four hours prior to the time of said meeting, except in emergency situations provided that a majority of the members of the Provincial Executive agree to waive their right to notice.

3.3 The Provincial Executive may conduct its meetings by conference call provided that members of the Provincial Executive are notified at least twenty-four hours prior to the time of said conference call.

3.4 Quorum for the conduct of business at a meeting of the Provincial Executive shall be not less than fifty percent of those voting members eligible to attend said meeting.

4. The Provincial Executive, in addition to all other rights, powers and obligations provided for in this Constitution, had the following rights, powers and obligations which cannot be delegated:

4.1 To oversee the Provincial Membership Program and make recommendations to the Provincial Council on setting or revising the provincial membership fee.

4.2 To prepare and submit to the Provincial Council for its approval the annual budget of the Party; and

4.3 To make decisions with respect to the hiring, remuneration and benefits of the staff of the Party.

ARTICLE 9 – EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

1. The Party shall have an Executive Director to manage the day-to-day operations of the Party and to carry out such other tasks as the Provincial Council or the Leader of the Party may direct.

2. The Executive Director shall be appointed by the Provincial Council after consultation with the Leader.

ARTICLE 10 – DIRECTORS OF ORGANIZATION

1. The Leader may, after consultation with the Provincial Council, appoint a Director of Organization Anglophone and a Director of Organization Francophone to assist the Leader in coordinating and directing the political activities of the Party.

ARTICLE 11 - OFFICES

1. The Party shall maintain as its principal office a provincial headquarters located in the City of Fredericton.

2. The Provincial Council may locate a branch office of the Party in any location in the province.
ARTICLE 12 – RECOGNITION OF REGISTERED DISTRICT ASSOCIATIONS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS

1. There shall be maintained by the Party Headquarters a permanent list containing the names and addresses of the elected officers of each Registered District Association and other organizations recognized by the Party, which shall be submitted annually by such
Registered District Associations and other organizations which:

1.1 Actively and consistently support the Aims and Principles of the Party;

1.2 Admit all bona fide Members of the Party to their membership without regard to race, age, religion, language or gender;

1.3 Hold at least two (2) meetings of their Executive in each calendar year;

1.4 Hold at least one (1) general meeting of members in each calendar year for the election of officers and transaction of business and give adequate notice of such meetings;

1.5 Adopt a constitution, copies of which shall be available to a member on request and a copy of which shall be filed with the Secretary of the Party.

2. In the event that the provisions of a constitution referred to in section one (1) conflict with this Constitution, the provisions of this Constitution shall prevail.

3. A Registered District Association or other organization not recognized and wishing to be recognized shall apply in writing to the President of the Party for recognition by the Provincial Council.

4. The Provincial Council may revoke recognition of any Registered District Association or other organization, which fails to comply with sections one (1) and/or two (2) of this Article.

5. Any ten (10) Members of the Party resident in any Provincial Electoral District may protest in writing to the President of the Party that the requirements of section one (1) of this Article are not being met by the Executive of the Registered District Association in their Provincial Electoral District.

5.1 If a protest is received, the President shall immediately notify the Executive of the Registered District Association and all parties concerned. If it appears to the President, after conferring with the Progressive Conservative Member, if any, of the Legislative Assembly for the Provincial Electoral District, that there is substance to the complaint, the President shall attempt to persuade the Executive of the Registered District Association to comply with this Constitution. If such compliance is not obtained, then the President shall refer the matter to the Provincial Council which may revoke recognition of the Registered District Association. Such action shall only be taken after every other reasonable attempt to secure compliance with the Constitution has failed.

6. Any decision of the Provincial Council to revoke the recognition of any Registered District Association or other organization shall be final and not subject to appeal.

7. In a Registered District Association the maximum number of directors may not exceed the number of polls within a Provincial Electoral District.

ARTICLE 13 – ANNUAL MEETINGS

1. In each calendar year, the Provincial Council shall by resolution set the time and place for the holding of the Annual Meeting of the Party for that year.

1.1 Notwithstanding section 1, the Provincial Council may by resolution decide not to hold an Annual Meeting in any year in which a Provincial or Federal Election or a Provincial Leadership Convention is held and may cancel any Annual Meeting previously scheduled for that year, providing always that in no event shall twenty-four consecutive months pass without the holding of an Annual Meeting.

1.2 Notice of the Annual Meeting shall be given to all Registered District Associations, the Women’s Association and the Youth Federation at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of the Annual Meeting and shall be publicly advertised by the Provincial Council.

ARTICLE 14 – SPECIAL MEETINGS

1. The Provincial Council may at any time call a Special Meeting of the Party for any purpose it deems necessary.

1.1 Notice of a Special Meeting shall be given to all Registered District Associations, the Women’s Association and the Youth Federation at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of the Special Meeting and shall be publicly advertised by the Provincial Council.

ARTICLE 15 – INTERIM LEADERS, PROVINCIAL LEADERSHIP CONVENTIONS AND LEADERS REVIEWS

1. Upon the resignation or death of the Leader, a Provincial Leadership Convention to elect a new Leader shall be held at such time and place, as the Provincial Council shall decide.

2. Upon the resignation or death of the Leader, the Provincial Council shall meet within thirty (30) days for the purpose of electing an Interim Leader.

2.1 A simple majority of fifty (50) percent plus one of the votes cast at a meeting of the Provincial Council held under this section shall be required to elect an Interim Leader. In the event that no one candidate receives fifty (50) percent plus one of the votes cast, the candidate who received the fewest votes shall be dropped and another ballot shall be held. This process shall continue until and Interim Leader is elected.

3. A leadership review shall be held within two (2) years of the date if a provincial general election of the Party fails to form a government in said election.

4. A leadership review shall be conducted at an Annual Meeting or Special Meeting of the Party and shall be by secret ballot.

4.1 The question to be put to the Annual Meeting or Special Meeting of the Party on a leadership review shall be as follows; “Do you support (insert name of Leader) as Leader of the Party?”

4.2 In the event that a simple majority of fifty (50) percent plus one of the votes cast are in the negative, the Provincial Council shall
immediately arrange a Provincial Leadership Convention to be held no later than six months from the date of such vote.

5. A leadership review may be held at any time, including when the Party forms the Government of the Province, by following the procedures set out below.

5.1 In the event that fifty (50) or more Members of the Party, at least twenty (20) of whom are Presidents of Registered District Associations and no more that five (5) of whom reside in the same Provincial Electoral District, make a request in writing to the President at least twenty-one (21) days in advance of a meeting of the Provincial Council requesting that the Provincial Council be asked “Do you want an Annual Meeting or Special Meeting of the Party to be held within the next three (3) months for the purpose of holding a leadership review?”, that question shall be placed on the agenda of the next meeting of the Provincial Council; and

5.2 In the event that a vote in favor of holding a leadership review is passed by a two thirds majority of the members of the Provincial Council voting at said meeting:

5.3 The Provincial Council shall call an Annual Meeting or Special Meeting of the Party within three (3) months for the purpose of holding a leadership review; and

5.4 Such a leadership review shall be held in accordance with the procedures set out in section four (4) above.

6. The numerical results of any vote held under this Article shall be announced immediately by the chairperson of the meeting at which said vote is held.
ARTICLE 16 – ORDER OF BUSINESS AT ANNUAL MEETINGS
The order of business at an Annual Meeting shall be as follows, but may be varied with the consent of the meeting:
1. Call to Order and National Anthem
2. Reading of Minutes of the previous Annual Meeting
3. The President’s Address
4. Receipt of Communications
5. Presentation of Reports
6. Provincial Council Elections
7. Speeches
8. The Leader’s Address
9. General Business and Resolutions
10. Adjournment.

ARTICLE 17 – PROCEDURE AT ANNUAL MEETINGS, SPECIAL MEETING AND PROVINCIAL LEADERSHIP CONVENTIONS

1. The Provincial Council shall have the responsibility and authority for organizing Annual Meetings, Special Meetings and Provincial Leadership Conventions and for prescribing the manner in which such meetings shall be held and conducted. This may include prescribing rules, consistent with this Constitution, governing:

1.1 The implementation of the principle of “one member, one vote” by ensuring that all Members of the Party are free to exercise their right to vote;
1.2 The certification of a Member’s right to vote;
1.3 The procedure for nominating candidates; and
1.4 The method of conducting elections.

2. The Provincial Council may appoint a meeting Chairperson or Co-Chairpersons and may appoint a meeting committee, to administer rules pertaining to the manner in which a meeting is conducted. A nominating committee shall also be appointed for each annual meeting.

3. The Provincial Council shall appoint a Credentials Committee for each meeting or convention. The Credentials Committee shall be comprised of at least nine (9) members, two of whom shall be appointed by the President of the Youth Federation, two of whom shall be appointed by the President of the Women’s Association and the remainder of whom shall be appointed by the President of the Party.

3.1 The Credentials Committee shall be responsible for administering rules with respect to the validity of a Member’s right to vote.

3.2 Any decision of the Credentials Committee on a question of the validity of a Member’s right to vote shall be final and may not be appealed.

4. At an Annual Meeting where the President is seeking re-election, the meeting shall elect a Chairperson to preside while the election is in progress and such Chairperson shall cast the deciding vote in the event of a tie.

ARTICLE 18 – NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES

1. The nomination of a candidate to represent the Party in any provincial electoral district shall be conducted in accordance with the provision of this article.

2. The Executive of the Registered District Association shall set the date, time and location of the nominating convention in consultation with the Provincial President.

2.1 Notice of the nominating convention shall be given by publication in a local newspaper with circulation in the provincial electoral district at least fifteen (15) days in advance of the convention.

2.2 The Executive of the Registered District Association shall make every effort to provide each Member of their Association with direct notice of the nominating convention by mail, telephone or other means.

3. The Executive of the Registered District Association shall appoint a chairperson for the nominating convention.

4. All Members of the Party who maintain a principal residence located in the provincial electoral district, or who are residing in the provincial electoral district while enrolled in full time studies at an educational institution and who have paid the provincial membership fee for the year in which the nominating convention is being held, are eligible to vote.

4.1 The deadline for adding new Members for the purpose of voting at a nominating convention shall be seventy-two (72) hours prior to the commencement of the nominating convention.

4.2 Persons whose names appear on a list of inactive members of the Party for the provincial electoral district, or who produce an expired membership card and who otherwise meet the residency requirements of this section, will be eligible to vote if they pay the one-time membership fee at least 24 hours prior to the commencement of the nominating convention.

5. In order to stand for nomination, the potential candidate must meet the following requirements:

5.1 Be a Member of the Party;

5.2 Meet the qualifications for a candidate under the Elections Act;

5.3 Be nominated and seconded by Members of the Association; and

5.4 Any person who wishes to have his or her name stand for nomination shall advise in writing the President of the Registered District Association as well as the Executive Director of the PC Party of New Brunswick, no fewer than fourteen (14) days before the nomination meeting, of his or her intent to seek such nomination, witnessed by at least two members of the Association.

5.5 Any person who wishes to have his or her name stand for nomination shall fill an Application and be interviewed by the Leader of the Party or the Executive Director or a Member of the Legislative Assembly provided by the Party, of his or her intent to seek such nomination, witnessed by at least two members of the Association.

6. The procedures for conducting the nominating convention shall be as follows:

6.1 The Executive of the Registered District Association shall determine the speaking times for movers, seconders and nominees, provided, that each mover is allowed a minimum of five (5) minutes, each seconder a minimum of two (2) minutes and each nominee a minimum of seven (7) minutes.

6.2 The Chairperson of the nominating convention shall call for nominations. After each nomination has been moved and seconded, the Chairperson shall call three (3) times for further nominations. When all nominations have been received, the Chairperson shall declare the nominations to be closed and shall then invite the nominees to address the nominating convention.

6.3 Should only one person be nominated, the Chairperson shall declare that nominee to be elected.

6.4 Should only two persons be nominated, then the nominee receiving the majority of votes shall be declared elected.

6.5 Should three or more persons be nominated, the first nominee to gain a clear majority of the votes cast shall be declared elected. A nominee shall gain a clear majority where the number of votes cast on his or her behalf exceeds the total number of votes cast on behalf of all the other nominees combined on the same ballot.

6.6 In the event that no nominee gains a clear majority of votes cast on the first ballot, the Chairperson shall declare defeated, after
such ballot and after each subsequent ballot to be held, the nominee who received the least number of votes cast on the said ballot and shall cause as many ballots as are necessary to elect on of the nominees by a clear majority.

6.7 The Chairperson shall select from the floor of the nominating convention one (1) person to act as Returning Officer, whose duty it shall be to ensure the distribution of ballots, the collection of the votes cast, under the supervision of scrutineers appointed by each nominee to count the votes cast for each of the nominees, and to deliver to the Chairperson a report of each ballot showing the number of votes cast for each nominee. The Returning Officer and the scrutineers of each nominee shall sign the report.

6.8 In determining the number of votes needed to gain a clear majority, spoiled or rejected ballots as determined by the Returning Officer shall not be considered in the calculation.

7. The President of the Registered District Association shall select from among the Members of the Association persons to comprise a Credentials Committee.

7.1 Any question concerning the eligibility of any person to vote at a nominating convention shall be decided by the Credentials Committee, whose decision shall be final.

8. The Order of Business at a nominating convention shall follow the following form, but may be varied with the consent of the meeting:
a) Call to Order;
b) Reading of the Notice of the Nominating Convention;
c) Report of the Credentials Committee;
d) Instructions as to Nomination Procedures;
e) Address of Mover and Seconder for each Nominee;
f) Address by each Nominee;
g) Appoint Returning Officer;
h) Instructions to Members on Voting
i) Balloting
j) Guest Speaker (if any);
k) Report of the Returning Officer and Subsequent Ballots as required;
l) Declaration of Election of Candidate;
m) Acceptance of Nomination by Candidate;
n) General Business; and
o) Adjournment.

9. In the event that the President of the Registered District Association announces his or her intention to seek the nomination for the provincial electoral district, he or she must immediately resign his or her position as President and may not be re-appointed or re-elected to that position until such time as the nominating convention has been held.

ARTICLE 19 – POLICY DEVELOPMENT

1. The Provincial Council shall establish and oversee a Policy Advisory Committee.

1.1 The Provincial Council shall appoint a Chairperson or Co-Chairpersons of the Policy Advisory Committee on the recommendation of the Leader.

1.2 The Management Committee shall appoint members of the Policy Advisory Committee on the recommendation of the Leader.

1.3 The Management Committee shall provide the Policy Advisory Committee with adequate staff support.

2. The Provincial Council, through the Policy Advisory Committee, is responsible for the implementation and maintenance of the policy
development process within the Party and in particular, is responsible for:

2.1 Promoting and encouraging all Members, registered district associations, women’s associations, youth associations and other organizations to participate in the policy process;

2.2 Organizing and conducting policy conferences or forums at the riding, regional and/or provincial level;

2.3 Facilitating and promoting the communication of policy proposals or resolutions from registered district associations, women’s associations, youth associations and other organizations to the provincial level; and

2.4 Implementing a regular reporting system to Members, registered district associations, women’s association, youth associations and other organizations on the policy development process.

3. The Policy Advisory Committee shall:

3.1 Facilitate and support policy discussion within the Party and serve as a resource to the Party, the Leaser and the Legislative Caucus;

3.2 Provide effective and timely communication within the Party on policy issues;

3.3 Seek policy expertise from a variety of sources;

3.4 Provide and promote opportunities for Members to become involved in the policy development process;

3.5 Define policy issues for detailed study; and

3.6 Prepare and distribute policy discussion paper.

4. The Policy Advisory Committee shall submit a report to the Members on its activities at each Annual Meeting.

ARTICLE 20 – CAMPAIGN READINESS COMMITTEE

1. The Provincial Council shall establish and oversee a Campaign Readiness Committee.
1.1 The Provincial Council shall appoint a Chairperson or Co-Chairpersons of the Campaign Readiness Committee on the recommendation of the Leader.

1.2 The Management Committee shall appoint members of the Campaign Readiness Committee on the recommendation of the Leader.

2. It shall be the responsibility of the Campaign Readiness Committee to:

2.1 Maintain a state of election readiness within the Party at all times;

2.2 Encourage and assist the Registered District Association to maintain a state of election readiness within their Provincial Electoral Districts at all times;

2.3 Encourage and assist the Registered District Associations with candidate search activities;

2.4 Develop and provide campaign skills training to campaign managers, campaign workers and candidates; and

2.5 Undertake such other responsibilities as may be assigned to the Committee by the Leader and/or the provincial Council.

3. The Campaign Readiness Committee shall submit a report to the Members on its activities at each Annual Meeting.

ARTICLE 21 – RULES OF PROCEDURE

1. The rules of procedure contained in “Roberts Rules of Order” and “Procedures des Assemblées deliberantes” by Victor Morin shall govern business of the Party in all cases to which they are applicable and when they are not inconsistent with the Constitution.

1.1 In the event of a conflict between the provisions of “Roberts Rules of Order” and “Procedures des Assemblees deliberantes”, “Roberts Rules of Order” shall prevail.

ARTICLE 22 – AMENDMENTS

1. Amendments to this constitution can only be made at Annual Meetings or Special Meetings.

1.1 Notice of proposed amendments must be received by the Secretary at least thirty (30) days in advance of the Annual Meeting or Special Meeting at which it is proposed to present the amendment.

1.2 Any Member, Registered District Association, the Women’s Association or the Youth Federation may propose an amendment to this constitution.

1.3 The Secretary shall send a copy of all proposed amendments to each member of the Provincial Council at least twenty (20) days in advance of the Annual Meeting or Special Meeting at which it is proposed to present the amendment.

ARTICLE 23 – DISCIPLINE OF SITTING MEMBERS

1. Any Elected Member of the New Brunswick Legislature who was a member of the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick at the time of his or her election and who quits the party to sit as a member of another political party, shall withing 90 days return all monies paid out during the last election campaign on their behalf by the party or the official agent for that candidate.

2. The Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick will by whatever legal means at its disposal make every effort to see that these monies are returned to the local riding association as soon as possible.

3. All duly nominated candidates will sign an affidavit stating that they accept and understand this article before becoming the official candidate.

ARTICLE 24 – INTERPRETATION

1. The English and French language versions of the Constitution are equally authorative.

2. Should any question arise as to the interpretation of this Constitution, it shall be decided in the first instance by the President.

2.1 Any decision by the President on a question of interpretation may be appealed to the Provincial Council, whose decision on the appeal shall be final.

2.2 The President shall not attend that portion of any meeting of the Provincial Council where any appeal of a decision under this provision is being considered.

3. The Secretary shall make and preserve minutes of any decision made by the President or the Provincial Council on the interpretation of this Constitution.

4. Any time limit set in this Constitution may be modified or waived by the President of the Party if an election or by-election has been called, or if such call is reasonably perceived to be imminent.

	2009 PCNB Constitution Click here to download a copy of the PC Party's constitution. Download (204 kb)