Party Constitution

Contents

As amended at the 39th Convention Communist Party of Canada, May 17-20, 2019.

PRINCIPLES OF ORGANIZATION

The Communist Party of Canada is the Marxist-Leninist party of the working class dedicated to the cause of socialism. It is a voluntary organization of like-minded people which strives to unite in its ranks the most politically advanced and active members of the working class and of other sections of the people exploited by monopoly capitalism who are prepared to work for the achievement of working class state power and the building of a socialist Canada. The Communist Party of Canada has no interests separate and apart from those of the working class from which it springs. Support and work for the Party program is the basis of membership in the Party.

The organizational principles of the Communist Party are determined by its political aims. To guide the working class to the achievement of these aims, and to lead the people’s struggle, the Party must be founded on firm ideological, political and organizational unity, and on the continuous organized activity of its members in close contact with the working people, knowing their views and needs, and able to explain Party policy.

Democratic centralism is the organizational principle which ensures this.

Democratic centralism is binding on all Party members. It combines the maximum of democratic discussion and participation of the membership in Party life, with the self-imposed obligation to carry out majority decisions and execution of these decisions by an elected centralized leadership capable of leading the entire Party.

It includes full discussion by the entire membership of the policies necessary to advance the aims of the Party’s program. Decisions as to what these policies must be are made by majority vote which are then binding on all members. This enables the Party to act as a united whole in all conditions of the struggle. Unity derives from agreement on the socialist program of the Party and the recognition that while differences may arise as to how best to advance the aims of the program under changing circumstances, there must be unity of action in executing decisions once they are made by majority vote. Thus the Party is a united, militant organization in which factional or splitting activities are impermissible. All Party members must carry out Party decisions, the minority must abide by majority decisions, and lower organizations must carry out decisions of higher organizations.

The multi-national character of our country finds expression in the Communist Party, and is reflected in the Communist Party of Quebec which is a distinct entity, within the Communist Party of Canada, having complete control of its own policies and structures in Quebec.

Members of the Communist Party of Quebec, as members of the Communist Party of Canada, participate fully, on the basis of equality, in its life and activities, in its Conventions, Central Committee and leadership, take part in the collective formulation of policy and share in the common responsibility for action in the interests of the working class of Canada.

All leading Party committees are elected. Elected committees are bound by Party policies as decided by conventions. They have the right to make decisions on the basis of these policies, and all Party members and lower Party committees are obliged to carry them out. All Party committees must report regularly on their work to the Party organization which elected them and must abide by the principle of collective leadership coupled with individual responsibility.

The basic organization of the Communist Party is the Party club. It should educate, encourage and in all ways develop each Party member to become an active worker for the Party’s program and policies among their fellow workers.

Principled criticism and self-criticism is carried on in a comradely and objective manner to identify and correct errors or weaknesses. Any tendency to suppress or evade principled criticism is detrimental to the Party and must be constantly opposed.

In its consistent defence of the real interests of Canada, the Communist Party is guided by the world outlook of Marxism-Leninism. The Communist Party of Canada upholds the time-honoured and tested principle of working-class internationalism. It develops fraternal ties with Communist and Workers’ Parties of other countries for the victory of the common aims of the working class.

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ARTICLE 1 Name and Purpose

The name of the organization shall be the Communist Party of Canada. The aims and purposes of the Party are set forth in its Program.

ARTICLE 2 Party Emblem

The emblem of the Party shall be as produced below – a roundel comprised of half a gear, on the right side, and an ear of wheat, on the left side, forming a circle and symbolizing the unity of the workers and farmers of Canada. The official emblem shall be red in colour.

ARTICLE 3 Membership

Section One

Any resident of Canada, sixteen years of age or older, who subscribes to the provisions of Article 3 Section Two, shall be eligible for membership. Members of the Communist Party of Quebec are members of the Communist Party of Canada.

Section Two

A Party member is one who accepts and works to carry out the program and policies of the Party as determined by this constitution and by Convention, carries out Party decisions, belongs to a club, pays dues regularly and supports the Party financially. A Party member attends club meetings, reads, supports and spreads the Party’s press and literature and works to build the Party to the best of their ability.

Section Three

All prospective members shall receive the Program and Constitution before formally applying. Applications for membership that are made directly to the club shall be subject to discussion and decision by a majority vote of the club. Where there is more than one club in a particular area, the higher body shall determine, in consultation with the clubs, the most appropriate club to which that member should be assigned. Once accepted the member shall take the initiation pledge (see below), pay their initiation fee and their first month’s dues, and shall receive a membership card. All new recruits shall be reported by the club to the next higher body of the Party. Where an application is rejected, the club shall report such rejections to the next higher body which shall review the case. Where an application for membership is made directly to a higher level of the Party, that body shall determine the most appropriate club to which the application should be directed.

Section Four

In areas where no Party organization exists, membership at large can be granted only by the Provincial Executive Committee of the Party, or the Central Executive Committee where no Provincial Committee exists. Where deemed advisable this authority may be granted by the Provincial Executive Committee, or the Central Executive Committee, to a Regional Executive Committee. Only in exceptional circumstances may such membership be granted where Party organizations exist. Members at large shall pay the regular dues and assessments direct to the office to which they are attached.

In the case of applications from former Party members where the applicant was expelled from the Party or left because of basic disagreement with Party policy, the club or local Party committee shall submit such applications and their recommendations to their respective Provincial Committees and where circumstances warrant, to the Central Executive Committee for final decision. When a person applies to rejoin the Party, the club considering the application will request and give due consideration to the views of the applicant’s former club and any Party body to which the applicant had previously been elected.

Section Five

A Party member three (3) months in arrears in payment of dues shall cease to be in good standing (refer to Article 5, Section One) and shall be officially informed thereof; a member who is six (6) months in arrears shall be stricken from the rolls after all efforts have failed to bring such a member into good standing. This information should be forwarded by the club to the next higher body of the Party. If those whose membership terminated for these reasons apply for readmission within six (6) months they may, upon approval of the club, or higher committee or body in the case of a Member at large, be permitted to pay up back dues and maintain standing as old members.

Section Six

The issuance and acceptance of new cards each year is a reaffirmation of membership in the Party. The club Executive is therefore obligated to notify all members of the club in advance, that a special meeting shall take place to review members’ work prior to the exchange of cards, and that each member has the right and duty to be present and to participate in this review of work and exchange of cards. A club, after all efforts have failed, may upon majority decision, and in consultation with the next higher Party body, refuse to renew a membership in the event of failure to live up to the requirements of membership in the Party as described in Article 3 Section Two and Article 5 Sections Two, Four, Five and Six. A member disagreeing with such an action has the right to appeal under Article 5, Section Three.

ARTICLE 4 Transfer of Members

Central, Provincial, Regional or City Committees shall assign or reassign members to clubs. This shall be done in consultation with the member and clubs concerned.

It shall be the responsibility of club members to notify their club upon any change of personal circumstances which might require transfer to a more appropriate club. The next higher level of the Party shall make this determination in consultation with the current club and the proposed destination club.

Members wishing to transfer from one Party club to another in the same city, town or region shall apply to their club and on receiving approval shall obtain the club secretary’s signature to the transfer form in their Party card. The club shall notify the next higher Party committee of all proposed transfers. The higher body shall decide on the appropriateness of the transfer. No member shall be granted a transfer unless in good standing.

Where the member transfers to another Region or Province, they shall present their Party card signed in accordance with the above provision to the Party committee in the area to which they have been transferred. It shall be the responsibility of the club and the Party committee in the area from which the member is transferring to promptly forward though the Central office any information with respect to the work of the member which it is considered will be helpful to the Party in the area to which they are transferring.

These provisions for transfer shall also apply to members of the Communist Party of Quebec moving to other parts of Canada, and to members of the Communist Party of Canada moving from other areas to Quebec.

In all cases involving transfers the responsible committee shall promptly assign the member to a club in consultation with the member and the club.

ARTICLE 5 Rights and Duties of Members

Section One

Every member of the Communist Party in good standing has the right and duty to participate in formulating and carrying out the policies of the Party, including the right and duty to discuss any and all policies and tactics within the Party organization and in designated Party publications.

Every member of the Communist Party in good standing has the right to the following:

to reserve their opinion in the event of disagreement with a decision or submit it to a leading committee, at the same time unconditionally carrying it out;
to participate in electing the Party’s leading committees, either directly or through electing delegates to convention;
to criticize the work and composition of leading Party bodies, using the appropriate avenues within the Party;
to be nominated and elected to all committees as provided for by the Constitution;
to be fully informed and consulted whenever decisions are taken regarding their activity or conduct;
to address any question or statement to any Party body, including the Central Committee, and receive an appropriate response;
to prefer charges against any other member in accord with Article 11;
to appeal disciplinary action against them to the next higher body, up to the Convention.

Section Two

Party members should constantly endeavour to deepen their political knowledge and understanding through systematic study of Marxism-Leninism and work to build the Party. Party members work to implement the decisions of the Party, observe Party discipline and oppose everything detrimental to the working class and the Party. Party members should study and explain to potential members and supporters the program and policies of the Party in order to win them for these aims.

It is the duty of every Party member to refrain from activities in conflict with established Party policy as expressed through decisions arrived at in conventions and by higher Party committees. It is the duty of every Party member to defend and strengthen Party unity.

Section Three

A Party member, club or committee, disagreeing with a decision of a club, City Committee, Region or Province, has the right to appeal that decision to the next higher body and may carry the appeal to the highest body of the Party, its Central Committee and the Convention. While such an appeal is pending the individual member, club or committee appealing such a decision must abide by the decision already rendered. All appeals shall be heard by the respective committees within sixty (60) days.

Section Four

It shall be the obligation of every member to oppose all forms of national discrimination, oppression and all ideological influences and practices of racial intolerance and discrimination or special privileges based on nationality.

Section Five

It shall be the duty of every Party member to work for the complete social and economic equality of women and for the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women.

Party members shall set an example of gender equality in social and political life, in the home and in the workplace, and must oppose all forms of patriarchy and gender discrimination, homophobia, transphobia, and discrimination against intersex people.

Section Six

Party members shall belong to the respective trade union to which they are eligible, further its interests and fight consistently to uphold and promote trade union democracy. Where no trade union exists Party members shall work consistently for the promotion of trade union organization, principles and standards.

Party members eligible to do so shall join farm, cooperative, fraternal, professional and other peoples’ organizations which defend the interests of the working people.

ARTICLE 6 Election, Responsibility and Accountability of Leading Bodies

Section One

All leading committees of the Party, from the club executive member to the higher Party bodies shall be elected by secret ballot and majority vote either directly by the membership or through their elected delegates. Committees must report regularly on their activities to the body which elected them or the body to which they are responsible.

Section Two

Members of a club, by majority vote, have the right to recall any member of the club executive provided all members have been given written notice in good time as determined by the Constitution.

Section Three

Any Party member elected to a committee may be recalled at any time from their position by a majority vote of the body which elected them except as modified by Article 9, Section Nine. Vacancies shall be filled by the same body by a majority vote.

Section Four

In the election of Party committees and of delegates, a ballot shall be valid if it is marked for not more and not less than the number to be elected.

The election of alternate members to a committee shall in all cases be carried through by separate nominations and balloting.

Section Five

All elected Party bodies have the right to establish, where necessary, commissions to assist it in the guidance of work in particular fields. The function of such commissions shall include assistance in the implementation of policy and decisions of the respective responsible Party bodies, and to assist in developing the Party’s work in various fields of activity. Such commissions shall report regularly on their work.

All executive Party bodies will provide a financial report to the appropriate Regional, Provincial, or Central Committee. All leading Party bodies must submit their financial statements to the responsible Audit Committee, which will provide a financial report to the convention that elected them, as indicated in Article 9, Section Six of the Constitution.

Section Six

Special Conventions and leading Committee meetings

Special Conventions at the city, regional, provincial or central level may be called either by a majority vote of the related committee or upon the written request of clubs representing one-third of the membership in the area of the convention. In the event that the committee fails to call a convention to be held within 60 days of the request, or 90 days in the case of a Special Central Convention, clubs representing 51% of the membership in the area can convene a Special Convention.

A Special meeting of the City, Regional, Provincial or Central Committee shall be called at the request of one-third of its membership, or upon the written request of clubs representing one-third of the membership in the area concerned. If the committee is not called within 30 days of such a request, clubs representing 51% of the membership in the area can convene a Special Convention.

ARTICLE 7 Club, Regional and Provincial Structure

The Party Club

Section One

The basic organization of the Communist Party is the club.

Where there are three or more members in an area where no club exists, one may be established by the Central Executive Committee, upon recommendation by the Provincial Executive Committee where it exists.

Clubs are organized in communities (cities, towns, wards, constituencies, or neighbourhoods), and places of employment or on any other basis determined by the responsible Party committee in the area. Party members shall be organized in workplace clubs wherever possible. City, Regional and Provincial Committees have the right to reorganize clubs, in consultation with existing clubs, and with the approval of the CEC.

The club shall have the right to choose its own name, subject to confirmation by the Central Executive Committee.

Charters are issued to each club, and may be withdrawn by the CEC upon recommendation or consultation with the Provincial Executive Committees.

Section Two

Party clubs shall meet at least once a month or more often if decided by the club membership. The club shall elect an organizer and whatever officers are deemed necessary to conduct the business of the club. These officers shall constitute the executive. Such elections shall take place annually, through secret ballot with nominations taking place at least two weeks before election, for a term of one year unless a majority of the club membership desires to replace any one of them before the above time expires.

Clubs shall conduct an annual review of the political, ideological, financial and organizational work of the club and its executive, the results of which shall be forwarded to the next higher body of the Party. Regular elections shall take place upon the completion of this process.

The club treasurer shall submit a full financial report to the club at least every six months. Each club shall elect an auditing committee for the purpose of auditing the books. This committee may, when deemed advisable, avail itself of professional assistance. On the eve of elections of officers the yearly report on club finances must be audited and presented to the club membership.

Following club elections, the city, regional or provincial executive shall be informed of the personnel elected. The next higher body of the Party shall be kept informed of any changes in club personnel during the year.

Section Three

It shall be the aim and duty of the Party club to bring about the closest relationship between the Party and the working people in the area in which it works by joining in the struggle of the people for their political, economic and cultural needs; by conducting propaganda, agitational and organizational work among the working people in order to convince them to support the Party’s program and policy; by helping each member to become an active fighter for Party policy and a builder of the Party.

The Party club shall constantly strive to gain new members and organizes the political education of its members so as to make them more effective workers in their areas, communities and industries.

All decisions in club meetings shall be by majority vote of all members present, and all members shall abide by such decisions. The club executive is obligated to notify all members of regular or special meetings.

The Party club checks up regularly on the carrying out of its decisions and on the activities of its members and works to strengthen Party discipline and Party unity.

Section Four City or Regional Organization

In areas where two or more clubs exist, a city or regional organization may be formed by the decision of the clubs in consultation with the Provincial Executive or the CEC where no Provincial organization exists. In such cases, conventions composed of delegates from all clubs in the city or region or of Party membership meetings shall elect a City or Regional Committee responsible for the work in the given area. Such conventions shall take place at least once every two years. Clubs may submit names to the Convention for the election of the City or Regional Committee.

These committees shall assist the clubs to strengthen their public work, administer the affairs of the city or regional Party organization and elaborate at the local level the decisions of the Central and Provincial bodies of the Party.

To be eligible for election to the City or Regional Committee one shall have been a member of the Party in continuous good standing for at least one (1) year.

Section Five Provincial Organization

In provinces where two or more clubs exist, a Provincial Committee may be formed by decision of the clubs, in consultation with the CEC. The highest body in the provincial organization shall be the Provincial Convention which shall be convened at least once every three years. Provincial Conventions shall be composed of delegates elected by each club of the Party on a basis determined by the Provincial Committee of the Party.

The Provincial Convention shall by secret ballot and majority vote and with due regard for the need to ensure regional representation elect a Provincial Committee and alternate members in such numbers as the Convention may determine. The Provincial Committee shall meet between conventions at least two times a year.

Party clubs, City or Regional Conventions may submit nominations to the Provincial Convention for election of the Provincial Committee. To be eligible to the Provincial Committee one shall have been a member of the Party in good standing for at least two (2) years. This shall not apply where a new provincial organization is to be established.

The Provincial Committee shall, by secret ballot and majority vote, elect from its ranks the Provincial Executive Committee and the Provincial Secretary.

In matters of a provincial, regional or local nature, including all forms of electoral and other public activities, the Party organization concerned shall exercise full initiative in formulating policies and make decisions in conformity with the general policies of the Party and its Convention. Should a lower Party organization find that a decision made by a higher Party body does not, in its opinion, suit the actual conditions in its locality it should request the higher Party body to modify the decision. If the higher Party body still upholds its decision it must be carried out.

ARTICLE 8 Communist Party of Quebec

The Communist Party of Quebec is a distinct national entity within the Communist Party of Canada. The Communist Party of Quebec has complete control over its policies, structures and finances within Quebec, as enshrined in its constitution and as decided by the National Convention and the National Committee of the Communist Party of Quebec.

ARTICLE 9 Central Organization

Section One

The highest authority of the Communist Party is the Convention. It amends the Party program and constitution, elects the Central Committee of the Party and makes other political and organizational decisions which are binding upon the entire Party membership. Regular Conventions shall be held not more than three (3) years apart, with no option for the Central Committee to extend the period between conventions.

Section Two

The Convention shall be composed of delegates elected by secret ballot at Special Provincial Conventions called for this purpose, excepting that Provincial Committees may decide with the agreement of the Central Committee that delegates shall be elected by Regional Conventions or by club meetings called specially for this purpose. Clubs or cities or regions existing where Provincial bodies do not exist are entitled to elect Convention delegates from clubs or from City or Regional Conventions in consultation with the Central Committee. Those attaining the highest vote shall be declared elected delegates. Delegates shall be elected on the basis of proportional representation as determined by the Central Committee according to paid-up convention assessments and of initiation fees dating from the immediately preceding September 1st, and up to a cut-off date determined by the CC at the time the Convention is called.

To be eligible for election as a delegate to the Central Convention one shall have been a member of the Party in continuous good standing for at least one (1) year. This provision may be waived by the CEC where a new Party organization has been established.

Members of the outgoing Central Committee, unless elected as delegates, shall be seated with voice only.

Section Three

The convention shall be preceded by not less than three months discussion in all Party organizations of the draft political resolution and such other documents as are submitted by the Central Committee to the Convention. During the discussion period the Central Committee shall make available a Party publication within which to conduct the pre-convention discussion. During the discussion all Party organizations may propose amendments to the draft Convention resolution and the Constitution or other documents submitted by the Central Committee and submit any document for the consideration of the Convention. All resolutions for the Convention must reach the Central Executive no later than eleven (11) days before the opening of the Convention, and such resolutions shall be made available in suitable form to all delegates.

Section Four

The Central Executive Committee of the Party shall have the right, prior to the Convention, to establish Convention committees from among the accredited delegates, subject to later approval or change by the Convention and where necessary to call upon such committees to commence their work prior to the Convention.

Section Five

Clubs, elected committees, Regional or Provincial Conventions, the National Convention of the Communist Party of Quebec and delegates to the Central Convention may submit nominations for the election of the Central Committee to the Convention accompanied by the written consent of the nominees.

The Convention shall elect a Committee on Nominations which shall receive all nominations for election to the Central Committee. Its functions shall be to decide on the eligibility of all candidates nominated. To help all delegates be fully informed, the committee shall submit to the convention its recommendations on the general composition of the Central Committee in a form decided by the convention. It shall give due regard to leadership qualities; links with the working class and democratic forces; the multi-national character of Canada; area representation; balance of experienced comrades and the timely promotion of younger comrades, taking into account the systematic advancement of Indigenous people, women, people with disabilities, people from racialized communities, and two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people.

The Convention shall by secret ballot and majority vote elect a Central Committee, and by a subsequent secret ballot and majority vote elect alternate members who shall replace members unable to attend a meeting. The number of alternates shall be determined by the Convention.

Those receiving the most votes shall be declared elected provided that they obtain at least 50 percent plus one of the ballots cast. In case there are not sufficient elected in this way, there shall be a run-off vote until such time as the proper number has been elected with 50 percent plus one of the ballots cast.

To be eligible for election to the Central Committee one must have been a member of the Party in continuous good standing for at least two (2) years.

Section Six

Audit Committee

The Central Convention shall elect a Central Audit Committee of three (3) members whose task shall be to examine the financial state of the central organization and submit audited financial reports to the Convention covering the period between Conventions.

To be eligible for election to the Audit Committee, members shall be in good standing for not less than five (5) years, shall not be members of the Central Committee, or on the payroll of the Party, and shall be within easy commuting distance of the city in which the Central headquarters is located.

Provincial and Regional Audit Committees shall be elected by Provincial and Regional Conventions and shall submit audited financial reports to Provincial and Regional Conventions. Copies of such reports shall be forwarded to the Central Audit Committee.

The Central Audit Committee may make recommendations, as to financial policy and procedures in respect to the control of Party funds, to the appropriate Party committees.

Section Seven

Appeals Committee

The Central Convention shall elect a Central Appeals Committee of three members to consider and decide on appeals that are properly placed before it. The Central Appeals Committee shall report its findings to the Central Committee whose decisions shall be binding unless they are further appealed to the Convention whose decisions shall be final and binding.

Members of the Central Appeals Committee shall have voice but no vote, at all Central Committee meetings.

To be eligible for election to the Appeals Committee, members shall be in good standing for not less than five (5) years, and shall not be members of the Central Committee.

Section Eight

Central Committee

The Central Committee is the highest authority of the Party between Conventions. It is responsible for carrying out Convention policies and decisions and for upholding the Constitution. It is responsible for the Central treasury, and submits financial statements to the Central Audit Committee which will present financial reports to each Central Convention.

It shall have the authority to decide on new policy when events make that necessary. It shall initiate discussions throughout the Party prior to such decisions being taken, whenever possible.

It shall meet at least two times a year.

Alternate members shall have full voting rights when replacing a Central Committee member. An alternate becomes a full voting member of the Central Committee in the order determined by the Convention when a vacancy occurs.

Reports, summaries, decisions and other material adopted at Central Committee meetings shall be published and made available to all Provincial and Regional Committees, to the National Committee of the PCQ, and to the Party membership for study and discussion.

Questions raised with a higher Party committee as a result of disagreement with a majority decision, in addition to being considered by the committee to which the appeal is made, may be made the subject of special organized discussion for a specified period within the Party organization by a majority vote of the Central Committee or its Executive.

The Central Committee shall elect the editor of the central press.

Section Nine

Central Executive Committee

The Central Committee shall, by secret ballot and majority vote, elect from its ranks the Central Executive Committee and the Party leader.

The Central Executive is charged with carrying out the decisions of the Central Committee and giving prompt and effective leadership. It shall develop the public work of the Party, initiate campaigns and further advance Party policy in accord with the general line of the Party.

The CEC is responsible for all its decisions and actions to the Central Committee with whom it shall consult regularly on political and organizational questions. All members of the CEC shall be responsible to the Central Committee and may be removed, released or changed by a majority vote of the Central Committee. Vacancies may be filled, or the composition changed, by a majority vote of the CC.

The Central Committee by a two-thirds majority vote has the power to suspend any of its members for continuous absenteeism, for unauthorized lengthy or permanent departure from Canada, and replace them by an alternate member of the CC in the order established by the Convention.

ARTICLE 10 Parliamentary Elections

Section One

All Party members who are eligible to do so shall make certain they are on the voters lists and shall vote in accordance with the tactic adopted by the Party at each election and referendum.

Section Two

In the case of provincial elections, nominations of candidates are subject to approval by the Provincial Executive or as determined by the Communist Party of Quebec. In the case of federal elections, nominations of candidates are subject to approval by the Central Executive Committee.

Section Three

The parliamentary candidates including the leader and elected members shall be subject to the discipline of the Party as determined by the Central and Provincial Committees.

ARTICLE 11 Disciplinary Procedure

Section One

Conduct Subject to Discipline

Conduct or action by any member of the Party detrimental to the Party and the best interests of the working class, including failure to carry out Party decisions is subject to disciplinary action.

Disciplinary action may include:

Censure
Removal from all responsible posts
Expulsion from the Party

No member may form or participate in a faction – that is a group which advocates a political line different from or opposed to that decided by the Convention or the respective responsible Party committee, and which agrees formally or otherwise to an internal discipline standing above that of the Party.

The practice or advocacy of any form of discrimination or violence that is based on national, ethnic, or Indigenous origin, racialization, gender identity, language, age, physical appearance, disability, sexual orientation, the sex characteristics of intersex people, or religious belief shall be subject to disciplinary action including expulsion from membership.

Any member shall be expelled from the Party who is found to be a strikebreaker, provocateur or traitor to the working class. Any member shall be expelled from the Party who advocates conspiracy or terrorism.

In taking disciplinary decisions, all Party organizations must exercise the utmost care, thoroughly investigate and study the facts and material evidence of the case and listen carefully to the statement made in their defence by the Party member concerned.

Every member of the Communist Party in good standing, club, and elected body shall have the right to prefer charges against any other member or elected Party committee.

Section Two

Charges Against Individual Members

Charges against an individual member shall be made in writing and forwarded to the level at which the conduct relates – the individual’s club, the related provincial executive, or the central executive – who shall inform the individual charged and initiate an investigation into the charges.

Party bodies before whom a disciplinary matter has been placed may strike a committee from its members within its jurisdiction to investigate the matter and report back with recommendations within 60 days.

The club, provincial or central executive shall present the written charges to the individual charged. A club shall inform the next higher level of the Party, and a higher body shall communicate the charges to the individual’s club. Where a body fails to take action against an individual whose actions are detrimental to the Party, the next higher body, including the CEC, may initiate such action.

All parties concerned in any disciplinary action shall have the right to appear, bring witnesses and freely testify before the body initiating the disciplinary procedure or its designated investigating committee.

The club, provincial or central executive may suspend a member under investigation, for a period of not more than 60 days, for action detrimental to the Party. This suspension and the reasons for it shall be immediately communicated in writing to the member and to the next higher body, who may overturn the suspension. Such suspension shall only last while the member is under investigation, to a maximum of 60 days. During this time, the suspended member retains the rights to represent themself and appeal discipline.

Notice of motion must be given to all members of the club, provincial or central executive that a proposal concerning disciplinary action will be placed before the next meeting. The body before which a disciplinary matter has been placed shall have the right to decide by a vote of a majority of its members on any disciplinary measure up to and including expulsion from the Party, subject to Section Five.

All actions of discipline must be reported at once to the Provincial and thence the Central Executives of the Party which shall then take whatever appropriate measures may be necessary to inform the Party.

Section Three

Charges Against a Party Committee

Charges against any elected Party committee shall be made in writing to the committee being charged, to all members of the committee, and to the next higher body. Notice of motion must be given to all members of the committee being charged and the higher Party body that a proposal concerning disciplinary action will be placed before the next meeting.

The higher Party body may strike off a committee from its members within its jurisdiction to investigate the matter and report back with recommendations within 60 days.

Disciplinary action against an elected Party committee shall be effective when voted upon by a majority of those present at a meeting of the higher body.

Should the disciplinary action taken involve the removal of the said Party committee, the higher body shall convene a convention of the body which elected the removed committee within 60 days, which convention shall have the power to review the action taken, and either ratify or appeal it to the Convention of the next highest body.

Section Four

Expulsion

Expulsion from the Party is the most severe of all Party disciplinary measures.

Expulsions shall be effective when voted on by a majority of the members of the Party body before which the disciplinary case has been properly placed.

Except as noted in Article 11 Section Five, expulsions are subject to appeal as provided in Article 11 Section Six.

Section Five

Summary Expulsion

In the case of unmistakable evidence that a person holding Party membership is an undercover agent or provocateur, such a person may be summarily expelled by the Central Committee or by a Provincial Committee. Such actions shall be reported on to the next higher body which has the power to review such decisions. Such expulsions are not subject to appeal.

Section Six

Appeals

Either side involved in a disciplinary action shall have the right to appeal the decision to the next higher body, up to and including the Convention of the Party, whose decisions shall be final. Pending the appeal such disciplinary measures shall be binding.

Party committees shall deal with such appeals within 30 days, failing which the member shall have the right to appeal to the next higher body. Party bodies, before whom an appeal has been placed, may strike off a committee from its members within its jurisdiction to hear the appeal and report back with recommendations within 60 days.

ARTICLE 12 Initiation Fees, Dues and Assessments

Section One

Initiation fees, dues and convention assessments shall be paid according to rates fixed by the Central Convention. The income from dues shall be credited to the Provincial Committees, Regions and clubs of the Party as follows:

Party club – 10%
Region/City – 20%
Provincial Ctte – 20%
Central Party – 50%.

Section Two

No obligatory assessment, other than the Convention Assessment, shall be levied upon the membership, except by special decision of the Central Committee of the Party.

Section Three

Initiation Fee and Schedule of Dues

Upon acceptance into the Party subject to Article 3, Section Three, new members shall pay an initiation fee of $1.00. All members of the Party shall pay monthly dues and an annual Convention Assessment on the following basis:

Net Monthly Income:

Under $ 600 Monthly dues: $ 1.00 Convention Assessment: $ 1.00

$ 601 – 1,000 Monthly dues: $ 4.00 Convention Assessment: $ 4.00

$ 1,001 – 1,500 Monthly dues: $ 8.00 Convention Assessment: $ 8.00

$ 1,501 – 2,000 Monthly dues: $ 12.00 Convention Assessment: $12.00

$ 2,001 – 2,500 Monthly dues: $ 16.00 Convention Assessment: $16.00

$ 2,501 – 3,000 Monthly dues: $ 20.00 Convention Assessment: $20.00

$ 3,001 – 3,500 Monthly dues: $ 24.00 Convention Assessment: $24.00

$ 3,501 – 4,000 Monthly dues: $ 28.00 Convention Assessment: $28.00

$ 4,001 – 4,500 Monthly dues: $ 34.00 Convention Assessment: $34.00

Over $4,500 Monthly dues: $ 40.00 Convention Assessment: $40.00

Convention assessments shall be collected from the first of September to the end of the current year from any member in good standing. A new membership card shall not be issued until all monthly dues and the Convention Assessment have been collected. All members of the Party who join prior to September 1 must pay the Convention Assessment for the current year.

Monthly dues and Convention Assessments are based on members’ net aggregate monthly income.

Club treasurers shall show that a member’s dues have been paid by initialling the card in the square showing the month for which dues have been paid. Payment of the annual Convention Assessment and Initiation shall be shown in the same way.

ARTICLE 13 Documents and Publications

The Communist Party of Canada is not responsible for any political document, policy, book, or article or any other expression of political opinion except such as are issued by authority or sanction of its Convention, Central Committee or Central Executive Committee.

ARTICLE 14 Amending and Interpreting the Constitution

The Constitution of the Communist Party may be amended by decision of a majority of voting delegates present at any regular or special Convention.

The CEC shall have the authority to interpret the Constitution and lay down procedures in all matters not specifically covered by it. Such interpretations shall be submitted to the next Central Committee meeting for its approval.

Initiation Pledge

The new member on being initiated into the club will repeat after the presiding officer the following pledge:

I, _____________, accept as my own the aim of the Communist Party to work unceasingly for the establishment of a socialist society in Canada, in which the principal means of producing and distributing wealth will be the common property of society as a whole, and where exploitation, want, poverty and insecurity will be ended forever.

In furtherance of this noble aim I accept and will work to the best of my ability to carry out the program and policies of the Communist Party of Canada as determined by the constitution and Convention.

I will be active in my club, pay my dues regularly and support the Party financially.

I will read, support and spread the Party’s press and literature and work at all times to build the Party.