On behalf of your National Board of Directors, I am pleased to submit “A Roadmap to Renewal” for the review and consideration of all Liberals. It sets out some suggested ‘renewal and rebuilding’ resolutions, inspired and informed by grassroots input, for final consideration at our upcoming Ottawa 2012 – Liberal Biennial Convention (January 13-15).

Our report is intended not only to facilitate further discussion, comment and criticism but also to stimulate alternative ideas, and inspire different and better approaches, all of which are welcomed.   The resolutions we have proposed, if enacted, would result in sweeping constitutional change and radical operational modernization of the Party’s affairs.  We are inviting – indeed, hoping to provoke – the sort of feedback from Liberals everywhere that will make this process truly meaningful.

Today, the Board is posting the discussion piece: “A Roadmap to Renewal” to the Liberal Party of Canada’s website so that all Liberals, and indeed all Canadians, can fully participate in the consultation process.  But this is only the beginning, we want to hear from you:

• Share your comments and ideas by commenting on this blog post below, by joining the discussion on our Member’s Community Page, using #renewal,  or by emailing the National Party Office at Ottawa2012@liberal.ca (prior to December 1, 2011)
•  Consultation teams consisting of elected MPs, Senators and Party officers will hold online and in-person consultations with Liberal Members across Canada between now and December 9, 2011
• Riding Presidents and Provincial and Territorial Executives will be sharing the feedback they collect in their ridings and regions with the National Board during  informal regional consultations, culminating in a formal meeting of the Council of Presidents on December 7, 2011

We believe that any successful renewal and rebuilding process must be staged and orderly, with a clear roadmap that is widely understood and supported by a broad consensus of Liberals. We have identified 6 major phases for the Party’s effort that take us from today to the next federal general election. These 6 major phases are outlined in the discussion paper.

The challenge of achieving profound organizational change is an inherently difficult one, but we believe that Liberals recognize what is at stake and are ready, even eager, for the sort of change that is proposed; reforms for which Members everywhere have advocated.

The decisions we take at the Ottawa 2012 – Liberal Biennial Convention are a critical first step in the rebuilding and renewal of our Party. Make sure you are signed up to participate as a delegate.

We look forward to the feedback of Liberals everywhere.

It is time again for Liberals to dream and plan for a better Canada.

Alfred  Apps

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UDPATE: “Building a Modern Liberal Party” has been prepared by me as background to the document “A Roadmap to Renewal” published by the National Board of the Liberal Party of Canada (“LPC”). It does not represent an ‘official’ perspective of LPC or the National Board on the matters it addresses but is provided as a personal perspective solely to stimulate discussion and debate among, and input from, LPC members and supporters. Copies of this paper are also available in French.