This is an exciting time to be a Liberal. Senator Mobina Jaffer recently shared the story of how she got involved in the party for the first time. She remarked that when she got involved, like now, the party was on hard times, and not in power. It is the Senator’s belief – one which I share – that it is at times like these in the Party where the involvement of a single Liberal member can have the largest impact, and make the biggest difference.

There are many opportunities to make a positive impact on our party right now. Supporters are signing up all across BC, interested in getting involved in our party and helping to select our next leader. By engaging with these new supporters, and inviting them into the Liberal movement, you can have a direct and meaningful impact on our ability to win the next election.

One of the best ways to engage and welcome new members and supporters in the party is through sharing how they can make an impact by shaping the policies of the Liberal Party. This is why I am so very happy that my first communication as President is to announce our 2012 Policy Conference in Surrey BC this November. This event promises to be an exciting weekend of discussing how we, as Liberals, can affect positive change in BC and the Country. I invite you to join us for this event, but also ask that you invite our new members and supporters as well.

In accordance with Section 52 of the Liberal Party of Canada in B.C. (LPC-BC) Constitution, the Liberal Party of Canada in BC hereby provides Notice of the Biennial Policy Conference of the Party to be held in Surrey, BC on November 24-25 2012. The Conference will be held at the Sheraton Guildford Hotel, 15269 104 Ave, Surrey, BC. Under Section 49 (2) of the LPCBC Constitution and as approved by the LPC-BC Executive, the business of the policy conference is to;
review, debate, vote on and prioritize policy resolutions developed by party members across the province;
focus on the top priorities of British Columbians;
include a focus on priority BC resolutions that were approved at the 2012 LPC biennial convention regarding development of a national housing strategy and legalization of marijuana; and
include an opportunity for prospective LPC leadership candidates to answer questions from members and supporters.

A Conference Committee will be established in the coming weeks and you can expect to receive additional updates over the summer. The LPC-BC Standing Policy Committee will be supporting their work across the province over the coming months. In association with other LPC-BC outreach activities being planned this summer and fall, the Policy Committee will invite you to help plan and focus the Surrey Conference to help ensure the resolutions we present reflect the issues British Columbians care about most.

In the meantime, if you have any suggestions and ideas you may want to share about this opportunity, contact to Don McDonald (don.mcdonald@lpcbc.com) at the LPCBC Office.

I look forward to seeing you this summer at our outreach events, and I hope to see you in Surrey in November.

Best Regards,