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Canadian Future Party
Parti Avenir Canadien
AbbreviationCFP (English)
PAC (French)
CF (Unofficial)
LeaderDominic Cardy (interim)
PresidentTara McPhail (interim)
Executive DirectorJulie Smith
FoundersDominic Cardy
FoundedSeptember 20, 2023; 13 months ago (2023-09-20) (announced)
RegisteredAugust 8, 2024; 3 months ago (2024-08-08)
Split fromConservative Party of Canada[1]
Headquarters301-158 Hanwell Road
Fredericton NB
E3B 9K7
Membership (2024)250[2]
Ideology
Political positionCentre
Colours  Yellow
Senate
0 / 105
House of
Commons
0 / 338
Website
thecanadianfutureparty.ca

The Canadian Future Party (CFP; Quebec French: Parti avenir canadien, PAC) is a minor federal political party in Canada that was officially launched in 2024. It describes itself as being politically centrist, campaigning on a fiscally conservative and socially liberal platform.[4][5] The party's interim leader is Dominic Cardy, a former Progressive Conservative cabinet minister in New Brunswick.[6]

History

[edit]

The Canadian Future Party emerged from the Centre Ice Conservatives who were co-founded by former Conservative leadership candidate Rick Peterson in April 2022 as a pressure group within the Conservative Party of Canada in the lead up to the 2022 Conservative Party of Canada leadership election.[7] Their aim was to moderate the rightward shift the party was on. Centre Ice Conservatives initially included figures such as former BC Liberal premier Christy Clark, former Conservative minister Peter Kent and National Post columnist Tasha Kheiriddin as supporters.[8] The group left the party as a result of the election of Pierre Poilievre as leader and changed its name to Centre Ice Canadians in an attempt to appeal to disaffected Liberals as well as Conservatives.[1]

On September 20, 2023, it was announced that, after months of discussion, the group would be forming a political party to contest elections. Former New Brunswick cabinet minister Dominic Cardy became interim leader of the party.[9] On February 6, 2024, it was announced that Denis Blanchette had joined their national council. He is a former New Democratic Party MP and was the first president of the New Democratic Party of Quebec.[10] The party announced the formation of an internal youth council on February 21, 2024.[11]

The party applied to be registered by Elections Canada and was recognized by the agency as an "eligible party" on July 22, 2024, and became officially registered on August 8, 2024.[12] The party was officially launched at an August 14, 2024 press conference.[3]

In July 2024, interim leader Dominic Cardy was arrested at a pro-Palestinian protest in Toronto for disturbing the peace after chanting "Free Palestine from Hamas".[13]

On July 29, 2024, the party announced its intention to run candidates in the federal by-elections in LaSalle—Émard—Verdun and Elmwood-Transcona scheduled for September 16, 2024.[14][15][16] On August 14, 2024, Mark Khoury was announced as the party's candidate for the LaSalle—Émard—Verdun by-election.[17] Zbig Strycharz was later announced as its standard-bearer in Elmwood-Transcona.[18][19]

The party plans to elect a president, national council, and leader at its founding convention in November 2024. Policy resolutions will also be prioritized by voting members.[20] Cardy has stated that he intends to run for the party leadership.[17]

Political positions

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The party's early stances involved positioning themselves as political centrists while trying to differentiate themselves from the Liberal and Conservative Parties.[21][8][22] The party's 'interim policy framework' lists five areas of concern: Personal Freedoms, Open Government, Responsible Spending, Stronger Together (At Home), and Stronger Together (Abroad).[23] In February 2024 interim leader Dominic Cardy held a virtual discussion hosted by CPAC on the topic of Canadian support for Ukraine during which he noted the need for Canada to rebuild Canada's military and foreign relations and criticizing both the Liberal and Conservative Parties.[24]

Interim policy framework

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Freedoms

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  • Remaining uninvolved in anything considered a private matter for adult citizens[23]

Governance

[edit]
  • Electoral reform resulting in mixed-member proportional representation[23]
  • Increased public participation in policymaking as part of the legislative process[23]
  • Greater transparency by ensuring all public government documents are easily available online[23]
  • Improving the timeliness of responses to the public from government offices[23]
  • A national internet strategy to protect privacy rights[23]
  • The creation of an independent office combatting disinformation[23]
  • Combatting abuses of artificial intelligence[23]

Fiscal policy

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  • Reform of the civil service to refocus government efforts to where the most impact can be made[23][25]
  • Allowing the private sector to take a larger role in society with government oversight[23]
  • Simplifying the tax code to close loopholes in cooperation with the provinces and territories[23][25]
  • Ending corporate subsidies and supply management where a return on investment cannot be delivered[23][25]
  • Improving government procurement based on private sector best practices[23]
  • Lowering the national debt[23]

Domestic policy

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  • Combatting climate change with carbon capture, nuclear, renewables, and democratically sourced fossil fuels[23][25]
  • Imposing the costs of emissions on large emitters rather than directly on citizens[23]
  • Respecting areas of provincial authority and ensuring data is shared on how federal money is used[23][25]
  • Negotiate self-government and resource sharing agreements with First Nations[23]
  • Forming a national civil defence corps to handle national disasters and provide opportunities to youth[23]
  • Restructuring the RCMP into a domestic intelligence service and leaving policing to the provinces and territories[23]
  • Working with the provinces and territories to build housing and direct immigrants to areas they are needed[23][25]
  • Ensuring provinces and territories share data on healthcare spending[23]
  • Allowing immigrants qualified in healthcare to be assessed for work within six months[23]
  • Investing in scientific research and development to attract Canadian youth and immigrants to tech roles[23]

Foreign policy

[edit]

Russo-Ukrainian War

[edit]

The Canadian Future Party supports the aid granted by the Government of Canada to Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion of the country began in February 2022. It has also been critical of the Conservative Party for voting against the Canada–Ukraine Free Trade Agreement over the language on carbon pricing, claiming they sacrificed Ukrainian interests to appease pro-Russian and climate change denying influencers on social media. The Future Party calls for more monetary, diplomatic, and material aid to be given to Ukraine. It also would like to see greater spending on the Canadian Forces to support NATO and other democracies globally, and has expressed discontent with cuts to defence spending by the Liberal Party.[26]

Housing

[edit]

Citing forecasts by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation that five million new housing units will be needed by 2030 to meet current needs, the Canadian Future Party has proposed directly involving the federal government in new developments. It proposes first engaging in areas under federal responsibility, such as housing for military bases and government employees, which can take pressure off of local supply. This housing would also prioritize the use of new technologies to minimize their environmental impact. Housing for indigenous communities is also something the party would look into, building off-reserve stock to address their needs.[27]

Furthermore, the party aims to encourage remote work. Ultimatums requiring employees to return to the office are seen as a negative factor in dense urban centres. Flexible workforces are seen as a possible solution to maximizing existing housing stock. The party also sees it as a way to revitalize smaller communities across the country in the process of alleviating large cities.[27]

Foreign interference

[edit]

The Canadian Future Party expressed concerns regarding allegations of the Liberal nomination of Han Dong in Don Valley North having been subject to foreign interference. Referring to a report by the Foreign Interference Commission, which stated that nomination contests can be gateways for foreign states wishing to interfere in democratic processes, the following four recommendations were put forward for the party's own operations:[28]

  • Only Canadian citizens can become voting members of the Canadian Future Party
  • Permanent residents can be engaged but will be given observer status
  • Voting members will have to join the party in advance of a nomination to participate
  • The disclosure of any candidate's relationship to a foreign power will be required

Bill C-70 has been described by the party as containing many positive elements they have called for. These include the foreign agent registry, new powers for CSIS, and new criminal offences aimed at protecting Canadian institutions. An additional recommendation was made to amend the Elections Act to strengthen oversight over party nominations. Due to the possibility that Bill C-70 may not be in force in time for a future election, it was suggested that Elections Canada create voluntary guidelines for all federal parties to update their nomination processes beforehand.[28]

Party leadership

[edit]

Leaders

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Leader Term start Term end Constituency Notes
— Dominic Cardy
(b. July 25, 1970)		 20 September 2023 Incumbent none Interim leader.

Party presidents

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  • Tara McPhail (2023–present; interim)

Election results

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By-election results

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Date Candidate Constituency Province Votes % ±% Placement Win/loss
September 16, 2024 Mark Khoury LaSalle—Émard—Verdun Quebec 103 0.3% — 8/91 Loss
September 16, 2024 Zbig Strycharz Elmwood—Transcona Manitoba 132 0.5% — 6/6 Loss

References

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  1. ^ a b Huras, Adam (September 20, 2023). "New federal party aims to find centrist approach to federal politics". National Post. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  2. ^ "Join us in making history as we get set to launch the CFP". 4 July 2024.
  3. ^ a b Macdonald, Brennan (August 14, 2024). "Dominic Cardy officially launches new federal political party". CTV News. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  4. ^ "New federal party stakes the middle ground". The Winnipeg Free Press. 21 August 2024. Archived from the original on 22 August 2024. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
  5. ^ Cardy, Dominic (18 September 2024). "It's time for a very reasonable revolution: Dominic Cardy". The Hill Times. Archived from the original on 19 September 2024. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  6. ^ Ross, Deveryn (17 August 2024). "Canadian Future Party presents centrist option". The Brandon Sun. Archived from the original on 17 August 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  7. ^ Major, Darren (May 20, 2023). "Group led by former Conservative leadership candidate considering forming a new federal party". CBC News. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  8. ^ a b Taube, Michael (September 23, 2023). "Michael Taube: Canadian Future, a party for losers". National Post. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  9. ^ "From Centre Ice Conservatives to Canadian Future, a new federal party takes shape". CTV News. September 20, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  10. ^ McPhail, Tara (6 February 2024). "Former MP joins CFP national council". Our Canadian Future. Archived from the original on 24 February 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  11. ^ "Calling all youth". Our Canadian Future. 21 February 2024. Archived from the original on 16 April 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  12. ^ "Registered Political Parties and Parties Eligible for Registration". Elections Canada. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  13. ^ "New Brunswick politician arrested at an anti-Israel rally in Toronto". CJAD 800. Elias Makos. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  14. ^ "Let's Do This!". Our Canadian Future. Canadian Future Party. 29 July 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  15. ^ "Registered Political Parties and Parties Eligible for Registration". Elections Canada. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  16. ^ "A former Progressive Conservative who calls Pierre Poilievre 'terrifying' is launching a new political party". The Star. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  17. ^ a b "Canadian Future Party launches, will field candidates in upcoming byelections". CBCNews.ca. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  18. ^ "Zbig Strycharz Elmwood—Transcona". Canadian Future Party. Canadian Future Party. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  19. ^ Kives, Bartley (20 August 2024). "New federal centrist party has Zbig news for Elmwood-Transcona byelection". CBC News. Archived from the original on 21 August 2024. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  20. ^ "A New Vision for Canada". convention-cfppac.ca. Archived from the original on 1 October 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  21. ^ "New party pitches itself as centrist option for voters unhappy with Liberals, Conservatives". CBC News. September 20, 2023. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  22. ^ Bailey, Ian (September 20, 2023). "Politics Briefing: Canada getting a national political party aimed at disaffected members of other parties". Globe and Mail.
  23. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab "Interim Policy Framework". Our Canadian Future. Canadian Future Party. Archived from the original on 29 July 2024. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  24. ^ "Rick Hillier in Conversation with Dominic Cardy on Ukraine Support". CPAC. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  25. ^ a b c d e f g Cardy, Dominic (19 April 2024). "An underwhelming response when boldness is required: Budget 2024". Our Canadian Future. Archived from the original on 19 May 2024. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  26. ^ Cardy, Dominic (25 November 2023). "Why Ukraine matters to Canada". Our Canadian Future. Archived from the original on 23 February 2024. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  27. ^ a b Cardy, Dominic (15 January 2024). "Let's talk housing". Our Canadian Future. Archived from the original on 19 May 2024. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  28. ^ a b "Foreign interference is real. Parties should act now". Our Canadian Future. 9 May 2024. Archived from the original on 19 May 2024. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
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