We believe that we have important business to accomplish in 2020. This includes filling party board vacancies, along with governance and policy development. Pushing our AGM to 2021 means less grassroots engagement and feedback for our party for a longer period of time than our party leadership is comfortable with.

We believe we can run a virtual AGM that provides excellent value for registrants and will give members a significant opportunity to provide input.

As anyone who has participated in Zoom meetings can attest, trying to squish together important business through a day long, or two-day long session, with limited engagement opportunities, can be draining. Our goal with the Virtual AGM is to not only maximize input from members, but provide good entertainment value with exclusive content that can be absorbed over three days within one week.

That’s why we have policy and governance resolution virtual debates over the first weekend (Oct. 16 – Policy Debate, Oct. 17 – Governance Debate). The second part of the virtual AGM program to take place on Saturday Oct. 24th, will include a presentation of the party’s financials, Board election results, and presentations from our Leader Jason Kenney, and other inspiring speakers. We will also present an opportunity for members to question government members through a Government Bear-Pit Session, a popular addition to our 2019 AGM in Calgary.

We are currently in Stage 2 of the Relaunch Strategy, where gatherings of more than 50 inside, or more than 100 seated inside, and more than 200 outside are not permitted. The size of larger gatherings is to be determined and will not be permitted until Stage 3. Gatherings still require physical distancing restrictions of two metres or six feet to be maintained. There is currently no timeline for Stage 3 and will require certain public health indicators to be met. With the uncertainty for what large-scale events could look like in Fall 2020, we believe planning for an in-person gathering puts greater financial liability for the party and for individuals who would have to book travel and hotel rooms.

Online voting on policy, governance and board candidates will be open from Oct. 16-17. Members will be able to vote through receiving a unique PIN after the purchase of their AGM registration and verification of their identity and membership. Two-factor authentication will be used to ensure voting is completely secure. The party is focused on ensuring all reasonable means will be taken to protect the integrity of the vote.

To be able to vote, members are required to have a membership 21 days prior to the first day of AGM.

You will be required to have a useable microphone on your computer or attached to your computer so your question can be heard by other members. No video will be required.