Separating political leadership and governance leadership
Preamble
WHEREAS the Executive was formed to assist in addressing urgent concerns;
WHEREAS the Executive must be able to meet as and when needed in order to bring to Council urgent concerns or to advise as an Executive body;
WHEREAS it is difficult for the Leader to respond to Executive schedules in view of the many demands on a Leader, especially if s/he is an MP;
Operative
BE IT RESOLVED that Bylaw 2.6.1 of the Constitution be modified to remove the Leader from the Executive Council and will therefore state:
“The Executive Council shall consist of the President, the Vice President English, the Vice President French, and the Fund Representative as voting members and the Executive Director as a non-voting member.”
Background
Since Council is a governing body and the Executive is a subcommittee of Council, there is no need to have the Leader present at Executive meetings. Since the leader is already a member of Federal Council s/he is party to all decisions taken on behalf of the party. There is no need to burden the leader further as a member of the executive.
The Executive may seek advice from the Leader or any other functionaries, such as committee Chairs, as required.