Constitution of the Canadian Peace Congress

 

Preamble

The Canadian Peace Congress stands for: peace, disarmament and genuine global security; integrity and sovereignty of states; economic development and social justice; human rights and cultural heritage; ecological preservation and environmental justice. With concerted and active leadership, we believe that solidarity, enlarging popular movements and raising the level of public awareness can secure global peaceful coexistence.

Since its inception in 1949, the Canadian Peace Congress has been guided by the words of the founding President of the World Peace Council, Frederic Joliot-Curie: “Peace is Everybody’s Business”.

Article 1 – Name

1.1 The official name of the organization shall be “Canadian Peace Congress”. The acronym “CPCon” may be used in correspondence, social media and materials published by the Congress.

Article 2 – Structure

2.1 The Canadian Peace Congress is an open, democratic, independent and self-governing organization. The principles, values and mandate of the Canadian Peace Congress are set out below:

Article 3 – Principles

3.1 The Canadian Peace Congress is dedicated to making peace a material force and determining factor in Canadian and international affairs. It is inspired by the United Nations Charter, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the principles of the Non-Aligned Movement, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the covenants of international law.

3.2 The Canadian Peace Congress and its members adhere to the vision, mission and goals of the World Peace Council and conduct affairs according to the following principles:

Peaceful Co-existence Among States

• Prohibition of all weapons of mass destruction including nuclear, biological and conventional weapons.
• Ending of arms races and militarization of economies.
• Prohibition of weapons in outer space.
• Total and universal disarmament under effective international control.
• Abolition of foreign military bases.
• Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, and oppose unjust unilateral economic warfare waged against any state.
• Negotiations and non-use of force in the settlement of disputes.
• Trade and cultural relations based upon respect, mutual benefit and friendship.

Freedom of People

• End all forms of colonialism, neocolonialism, and imperialist domination; elimination of racism, sexism and other forms of discrimination.
• Right of states to choose their path of development.
• Respect for the full rights and self-determination of all nations and peoples.
• Right of the people to the benefits of economic and social development.
• Preservation of the environment and ecological integrity.
• Solidarity, cooperation and unity among those supporting peace, social justice and environmental/ecological preservation.

Article 4 –Values

4.1 The Canadian Peace Congress and its members conduct affairs according to the following values:

The Canadian Peace Congress will:

a. Integrity – be honest, fair, respectful and trustworthy in our activities and relationships.
b. Open Communication – communicate and consult internally and externally in an open, direct, respectful and collegial manner.
c. Team Work – work in a collective fashion in conducting its affairs, collaborate with others, and encourage “Associate” (individual) and “Affiliate” (national organization) members of the Canadian Peace Congress to be active in local Peace Councils. Work collaboratively with non-member groups that promote the goals of peace and disarmament, economic, social and environmental justice.
d. Accountability – be accountable for our actions, decisions and performance to affiliated groups and each other.
e. Transparency – organize its affairs so as to be open to review by members and affiliate groups on an ongoing basis.
f. Fiscal Responsibility – conduct its affairs in a fiscally responsible manner.
g. Learning and Development – provide opportunities for each other to be informed, to learn new skills and engage in affairs of the Canadian Peace Congress.
h. Diversity – The Canadian Peace Congress is committed to promoting, developing, and nurturing a diverse environment where we value and respect people of every race, ethnic background, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, health status, disability, and age.

Article 5 – Mandate

5.1 The Canadian Peace Congress is mandated to:

a. develop, articulate and popularize a “Peace Program for Canada”.
b. obtain and maintain membership in the World Peace Council.
c. build, promote and support Community Peace Councils throughout English-speaking Canada and work in close cooperation and unity with the anti-imperialist peace movement in Quebec.
d. promote campaigns and initiatives to promote solidarity, cooperation and unity among everyone supporting peace, social justice, environmental/ecological preservation and sustainability.

Article 6 – Membership

Definitions:

“Community Peace Council” members are local chapters of the Canadian Peace Congress, composed of at least three people in a local area, and support the aims and objectives of the Canadian Peace Congress.

“Associate” members are individual members-at-large who support the aims and objectives of the Canadian Peace Congress.

“Affiliate” members are organizations that may be Canada-wide, national or regional in scope and support the aims and objectives of the Canadian Peace Congress.

6.1 Membership is voluntary and open to all residents of Canada other than in Québec who support the Constitution and Principles of the Canadian Peace Congress.

6.2 Membership in the Canadian Peace Congress consists of either “Community Peace Councils”, “Associate” or “Affiliate” members.

6.3 Honorary membership may be granted by the Canadian Peace Congress Convention or the Executive Committee to a friend of the Canadian Peace Congress who has done exemplary work in support of world peace. Honorary members are exempt from membership dues.

6.4 Members of the Canadian Peace Congress as defined in 6.1 and 6.2 pay dues in accordance with Article 11 and participate in the organization, activities and campaigns of the Canadian Peace Congress.

Article 7 – Qualifications for Office

7.1 Only members in good standing shall be able to hold office, vote, be a member of the Executive Committee, or be a member of a committee.

7.2 Only representatives of Peace Councils and/or Affiliate members shall hold positions on the Executive Committee of the Canadian Peace Congress.

Article 8 –Conventions

8.1 Conventions of the Canadian Peace Congress shall be held every three years. Conventions shall elect a President and members to the Executive Committee, discuss the “Peace Program for Canada” and review the affairs of the Canadian Peace Congress. The Convention is the highest body of the Canadian Peace Congress.

8.2 A special Convention shall be called on the request of:

a. A majority of Community Peace Councils through submitted resolutions; or
b. By resolution of the Executive Committee.

8.3 A delegate to a Convention shall have a designated status of either a “Community Peace Council” member, an “Associate” member, or an “Affiliate” member. Community Peace Councils and Affiliate delegates will have both voice and vote at Conventions. Associate delegates will have voice but no vote.

8.4 Credentials and status of delegates to a Convention shall be determined by records of the Canadian Peace Congress and accepted by the Convention. Each Peace Council shall inform the Executive Committee of their delegate(s) and alternate(s) at least 10 days prior to the forthcoming Convention.

8.5 Members of the outgoing Executive Committee shall be ex-officio delegates to a Convention with voice but no vote. Outgoing Executive Committee members may be delegates with voting privileges if elected from their local Community Peace Council or Affiliate organization.

8.6 Changes to the Constitution and Principles of the Canadian Peace Congress must be approved by at least two-thirds (2/3) of voting delegates to the Convention.

8.7 Proposed amendments to the Constitution and Principles of the Canadian Peace Congress shall be submitted in writing to the Executive Committee at least thirty (30) days prior to a Convention and be circulated to members.

8.8 The Rules of Order and the Agenda for a Convention shall be established by simple majority of delegates attending the Convention. The Executive Committee shall prepare and circulate prior to any Convention the recommended Rules of Order and the proposed Agenda for the forthcoming Convention.

Article 9 – Executive Committee

9.1 The Executive Committee (or Executive) shall be elected at Convention with due regard to Gender and geographic balance. The Executive is composed of:

1. Officers elected at Convention; and
2. One representative from each Community Peace Council (full members).

These latter representatives (#2 above) shall be elected at the local level.

The Executive Committee shall be the governing body of the Canadian Peace Congress between Conventions.

9.2 The Executive Committee is responsible for fulfilling the mandate of the Canadian Peace Congress, administering the Congress’s funds and records, carrying out the day-to-day work of the Canadian Peace Congress.

9.3 The Officers of the Executive Council shall be elected at Conventions. The Officers shall consist of a President, two Vice Presidents (West and East), and a Secretary Treasurer. The Past President of the Congress shall also serve on the Executive. In the event that there is a vacancy among the “Officers”, The Executive Committee is empowered to fill that Officer position from within the ranks of the Executive by majority vote.

9.4 The Executive Committee shall establish and maintain a mailing address for the Canadian Peace Congress.

9.5 In the case of resignation or removal of an Officer, the Executive Committee is empowered to select a replacement Officer from within the ranks of the Executive. In the case of default or resignation of an Executive member, the Community Peace Council on whose behalf the former Executive member served will be asked to designate a new representative to serve on the Executive.

9.6 An Officer or other Executive member can be declared in default for:

a. Missing three (3) consecutive meetings without cause.
b. Publicly making statements contrary to the positions of the Canadian Peace Congress.

Article 10 – Responsibilities of the Executive Committee

10.1 The President will:

a. Represent the voice of the Congress.
b. Be the Canadian Peace Congress representative to the World Peace Council.
c. Report on the affairs and activities of the Canadian Peace Congress and the World Peace Council.

10.2 The Vice-Presidents will:

a. Assist the President in his/her duties.
b. Assume the responsibilities of the President in his/her absence.

10.3 The Secretary Treasurer will:

a. Maintain the financial records of the Canadian Peace Congress, help coordinate fundraising efforts, and submit periodic reports on finances to the Executive Committee and to Conventions.
b. Record and circulate the minutes of the meetings of the Executive Committee.
c. Record the minutes of the Convention.
d. Take responsibility for other correspondence as delegated by the Executive.

10.4 Other members of the Executive Committee will fulfill duties and responsibilities as decided by the Executive Committee.

10.5 Members of the Executive Committee shall report on the activities of the Peace Council or Affiliates they represent.

10.6 The Indigenous representative on the Executive Committee:

a. Belongs to a recognized Indigenous organization.
b. Is a member of a Peace Council in good standing.
c. Represent the interests of Indigenous Peoples to the Canadian Peace Congress, advises and brings forward Indigenous concerns to the Peace Congress and represents the Peace Congress to Indigenous Peoples.

Article 11 – Finances

11.1 The fiscal year of the Canadian Peace Congress shall be January 1 to December 31.

11.2 The Canadian Peace Congress may raise and spend money to further its mandate.

11.3 The Executive Committee shall prepare and sanction a budget for the Canadian Peace Congress prior to each fiscal year.

11.4 All monies received by the Canadian Peace Congress shall be deposited to a single account in a chartered bank or credit union in the name of the Canadian Peace Congress and brought to the attention of the Financial Secretary. The Executive Committee shall determine the signing authorities for the account.

11.5 All revenues and expenditures of the Canadian Peace Congress shall be brought to the attention of the Executive Committee. All expenditures shall be approved by the Executive Committee.

11.6 Financial statements of the Canadian Peace Congress shall be produced at least semi-annually in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

11.7 The Canadian Peace Congress shall establish an annual membership fee for each of the “Community Peace Councils”, “Associate” and “Affiliate” categories of membership. Membership fees shall be determined by Convention resolution and may be modified by decision of the Executive Committee annually thereafter until the next Convention.

11.8 Membership fees are due by January 31 of each year for renewals and upon signing of the membership card for new members.

Article 12 – Committees

12.1 From time to time, the Executive Committee by resolution may create and subsequently dissolve any committee of the Canadian Peace Congress it considers necessary to fulfill the mandate of the Canadian Peace Congress.

12.2 With the exception of passing bylaws and appointing committees, the Executive Committee by resolution may delegate any of its duties and responsibilities to an appointed committee of the Canadian Peace Congress that it considers necessary for the effective conduct of its affairs.

12.3 Members of the Canadian Peace Congress may sit on committees of the Canadian Peace Congress.

12.4 A Convention of the Canadian Peace Congress by resolution may dissolve any committee of the Canadian Peace Congress.

Article 13 – Bylaws

13.1 The Executive Committee may establish bylaws of the Canadian Peace Congress.

13.2 Bylaws are deemed to bind the Canadian Peace Congress, the Executive Committee, committees of the Canadian Peace Congress and members of the Canadian Peace Congress to the same extent as the Constitution and Principles of the Canadian Peace Congress.

13.3 Bylaws shall be consistent with the Constitution and Principles of the Canadian Peace Congress.

Article 14 – Dissolution

14.1 Dissolution of the Canadian Peace Congress shall be authorized by resolution passed at a duly constituted Convention of the Canadian Peace Congress.

14.2 The Executive Committee shall send notice to each and every member of the Canadian Peace Congress in good standing of the intent to dissolve the Canadian Peace Congress. Such notice shall be circulated to members 90 days prior to the date of the Convention.

14.3 Upon dissolution of the Canadian Peace Congress any outstanding surplus shall be allocated by the Convention.

 

Adopted at the 2023 Convention of the Canadian Peace Congress