Convention Date: August 22, 23, 24, 2008

Convention Location: Carleton University Tour and Conference Center 1125 Colonel By Drive Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6

MEMBER INFORMATION - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE CONVENTION!

All members, upon paying the convention registration fee, shall be entitled to attend, speak, and vote. To have voting privileges at the convention your membership must be up to date by June 22, 2008. Send your ten dollar membership fee now to Head office. If you do not know if your membership is still valid, send $10.00. We have no easy way to let each of you know and we have no staff to field numerous calls to check each membership individually.

It is very important that members familiarize themselves with the constitution. To see the CAP constitution in its entirety, please go to the CAP website: www.canadianactionparty.ca

The CAP constitution provides that the National Convention of the CAP shall be a meeting of the valid members and that the National Convention shall be the supreme governing body of CAP, subject only to the authority of the CAP Constitution and the membership as a whole.

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE:

Each National Convention shall elect a National Executive comprised as follows:

" the president

" four vice-presidents who will be representative of the party and of whom one will be English - speaking and one will be French-speaking

" the secretary

" the treasurer

and the chairs of the following standing committees:

" Policy;

" Organization;

" Constitution and Legal Affairs;

" Communications and Publicity;

" Finance, and

" Native and Aboriginal Peoples Affairs.

These individuals constitute the Executive Committee responsible, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, for the affairs of the CAP. Each individual holds office until re-elected or replaced at the next National Convention except that in the case of death, incapacity or resignation in writing the remaining members of the National Executive shall appoint a new member to hold office for the unexpired term of the person being replaced.

The current National Executive is comprised as follows:

Canadian Action Party National Executive 2008

President Marc Bombois BC

Secretary Jim Brown ON

Treasurer Angela Funk MB

Vice President Mike St. Onge QC

Vice President Paul Kemp NS

Vice President Ken Fernandez QC

Vice President Mike Richard (pending) AB

Chair, Finance Committee Jerry Ackerman ON / NS

Chair, Policy Vacant Chair, Communications Vacant

Chair, Aboriginal Affairs Vacant

Chair, Organization Terry Le Blanc (Pending) AB

Chair, Legal and Constitutional Affairs Vacant

The Executive is currently seeking people to fill the vacant positions on an interim basis as is required by our constitution. The National Executive is responsible for the operation of the party. CAP needs members in these positions who have the time to meet by telephone conference call about once a month or as needed.

Please submit to Braja Levine, CAP Executive Assistant, your name along with a résumé if you are interested in any of the executive positions either in the interim or after the August convention. The information you send will be circulated at the convention to assist the CAP members to select their new executive. You will have the opportunity to speak at the convention to present yourself as a candidate for the executive position you seek.

CAP POLICIES:

The Leader and the Caucus (candidates) are bound by the Principles and Policies as determined by the members of CAP. All Policies may be adopted or amended by referendum or at a National Convention. Between National Convention, Interim Policies of CAP shall be determined by the Caucus in consultation with National Executive or the Leader in consultation with the Caucus and National Executive provided that such Interim Policies shall be consistent with those established in accordance with this Constitution.

Final approval of Interim Policies shall occur at the next National Convention. CAPs existing policies are stated on our website. Our constitution provides that these shall be reviewed prior to each National Convention through the Policy Development Process. Paul Kemp, Vice President, leads CAPs policy development process.

As soon as a new interim chair person is appointed to join the executive as chair of the policy committee, that person will work equally with Paul Kemp and any other persons that the executive appoints to the policy development committee. If you wish to be appointed to this committee, send to Paul Kemp and head office a statement of what you can contribute to the process of policy development.

If you want a policy to be debated at our convention, you do not have to be on this committee. Simply submit your resolution to Paul Kemp, Vice President, and to Braja Levine, CAP Executive Assistant, by August 1, 2008.

All resolutions must be sent by August 1, 2008 to Paul Kemp who will coordinate their presentation at the convention. For all resolutions, mail one copy to Paul Kemp at 600 Back Rd. RR#3 Scotsburn, N.S B0K 1R0 and one copy to head office, Attention: Braja Levine P.O. Box 385-916 West Broadway Vancouver, BC V5Z1K7.
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MESSAGE FROM CONNIE FOGAL, LEADER, CANADIAN ACTION PARTY

On May 6th 2008 by e-mail broadcast I gave notice that I am stepping down as Leader effective the date of our convention this August 2008. This means that the convention will include speeches from candidates hoping to become the new Leader. It is time for new blood at the helm. I have accomplished the task necessary when I became Leader in 2004, which was to re-establish the party.

Under the courageous Leadership of our founding Leader, Paul Hellyer, every effort was made to unite a number of parties to present one unified front to the voters. That was a correct political effort then, but the valiant efforts were to no avail, and resulted in a weakened CAP organization.

Despite that fact, the members at the 2004 convention voted to keep CAP functioning. I was put into the Leadership and given that job. Head office moved from Toronto to Vancouver. Everything had to be reorganized- from bank accounts, to office space, to bookkeepers, to satisfying new Elections Canada requirements to prove that enough of our members wanted CAP to continue to exist. Funding rules had changed eliminating benefactors and at the same time not allowing the small parties to be paid out of taxpayer dollar. There was no money to pay any staff or to fund anything. All the reorganization was done voluntarily. There was no money to assist the Leader or the executive to do its work.

With the determination of the membership, the party has survived all odds. It is the few generous ones who contribute the maximum allowed, and the many absolutely crucial small contributions that sustain us. The legal challenge to the financial discrimination that deprives the small parties from receiving the $1.75 per vote was lost. We and the other small parties are stuck fighting our way alone. The Supreme Court of Canada refused to hear our appeal. The most important success over the last four years has been our development of a top notch system of operations functioning such that our computer systems, our website, our entire communication systems are highly secure and effective.

This did not come easily. Indeed, it was with great difficulty, frustration, agony, and effort. Some or our former executive members had great difficulty grasping the complexity of our system or accepting the need for its complexity. Some of them unilaterally tried to set up an insecure CAP system of operation elsewhere separate and independent from CAP central. I ran a tight ship and did not allow it as to do so was contrary to our Constitution and contrary to the interests of CAP as a national party.

Our communication system now brings in funds regularly but with no certainty. It permits us to hire one full time staff person and some part timers to do the growing work without whom we could not function nor survive. It is only in the last year and a half that our operations became sophisticated enough and developed enough to permit me as Leader to get out and about to function more fully as the Leader rather than as the chief cook and bottle washer. My presence on the internet, on U- tube, on many radio programs, and especially those of the USA has escalated the profile of CAP policies.

I believe the road is now well paved for whomever takes over as Leader provided the operations remain intact, secure and indivisible. This small brave party is very special and requires very careful steering. There is no room for overweaning egos or power trips. There is no money to coddle the Leader or the executive. Whoever takes over will be a special person. You will be pleased to learn that we have acquired very many very capable special persons well able to lead this very special party. CAP has always been way out in front leading in the dissemination of ideas and information that no one else will touch. We have many brave souls capable of carrying that torch. By this letter I am asking those stalwart leaders to come forward to stand for Leader of CAP and let the membership choose from among you.

I leave with mixed feelings. As we follow events unfolding in the world and especially in North America, we know that those in the shadow government who are in control are escalating their selfish, evil agenda. My guts will churn as I learn of each new outrage. I will be conflicted in no longer having the authority to speak out for CAP in defense of the public good or to expose the lies and deceit.

On the other hand I will not miss working into the wee hours of the morning to meet deadlines and to keep up with the load. I would not leave now if I did not know that CAP has many members with powerful, clear thinking very sound minds who do understand the concept of the public good and do want to protect the public interest. Some are young and inexperienced in politics. I do not see that as a barrier for candidacy for leader because they are wise.

It is your job as members, not mine alone, nor that of the executive alone to encourage them to stand forward to lead. They are among you. Find them. It is your job to select from among the best of them. Many of you have asked what you can do. Selecting the new leader for CAP is an important something you must do. I have been honoured to serve you. I feel comfortable that my time has been well spent. Onward and forward now.

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT REPLACEMENT OF THE LEADER

Our constitution provides that upon the public announcement of the Leaders intention to resign, National Executive shall, within six (6) months, call for a Leadership election. My announcement was made public on May 6th 2008 by e-mail broadcast.

The date of voting in a Leadership election shall occur at the earliest possible convenient date but not earlier than three (3) months and not later than six (6) months after my May 6th broadcast of my intention to step down as Leader. This means the election of a new Leader must occur by November 6th 2008.

Our constitution further provides that a Leadership election shall respect the principle that each eligible member of CAP shall have the right to one vote in the election of the Leader. Only those members who have been members for at least sixty (60) days immediately prior to the effective date of voting in a Leadership election are eligible to vote. Please send in $10.00 to help us out financially and to ensure your membership is up to date in time.

The National Executive shall make rules and regulations for the Leadership election, and shall appoint: five (5) members to act as the Leadership Election Organization Committee, and a Chief Election Officer. Jim Brown our secretary heads this Leadership election organization committee and will be enlisting others to be ratified by the executive.

Those of you interested in seeking the Leadership, please take note of the following constitutional rules.

1. Each candidate for Leader must be nominated and seconded in writing by members and, in addition, each nomination must be endorsed in writing by a minimum of fifty (50) members who are eligible to participate in the Leadership Vote. Such members shall come from no fewer than five (5) provinces and territories.

2. The election of Leader shall be conducted by secret ballot.

3. There exists a requirement of a refundable nomination fee of $10,000.00 to be provided to CAP as either a certified cheque or a bond.

4. The fee must accompany the Leadership Candidates nomination form.

5. The fee shall be returned to all Leadership Candidates who receive more than five (5) % of the votes cast on the first ballot.

6. The National Executive shall determine reasonable spending limits for a Leadership contest and shall require that any donation of two hundred (200) dollars or more shall be publicly disclosed.

7. If you intend to run for Leader, please submit your name, your résumé, and a Leadership Statement to head office prior to August 1st 2008 for distribution to the membership.

8. Our constitution provides as follows respecting the Leadership selection: There shall be two alternate methods of voting and the National Executive shall have full authority to decide which one is the more appropriate to the circumstances existing at the time.

Alternative A

A ballot listing the names of all candidates shall be sent to all members of CAP together with two envelopes - a plain white envelope in which the marked ballot will be put and on outer envelope identifying the member. The ballot will be preferential with the member marking his or her first choice as 1, second choice or 2, etc.

The completed ballot will be placed in the plain unmarked envelope and mailed in the second authentication envelope to the Auditor for the Canadian Action Party. The Auditor will check the outer envelope against CAP's membership roll, remove and discard it, and put the inner envelope in a drum or other safe container until counting day. The Auditor will, at the appointed time, open the envelopes and tally the votes by preference.

If no one obtains a clear majority at the outset, the candidate obtaining the least votes will be eliminated and the next preference added in until one candidate has obtained fifty (50) percent plus one, or more, at which time he or she will be declared the winner. On request, scrutineers for the candidates may join the Chief Election Officer to observe the counting of the ballots. (The Chief Election Officer will be appointed by the CAP Executive)

Alternative B

This alternative would be the same as Alternative A except that it would be combined with a National Convention. Any member unable to attend the convention would vote by mail. Any member wishing to attend the convention would present their ballot at the convention and mark their first preference only. New ballots would be provided for each additional round of voting as required. The mail-in votes would be counted at the convention and the result of each round announced together with the votes cast at the convention. Balloting would continue until a winner was declared.

The CAP Executive has chosen alternative A.

The August 22, 23, 24 2008 Convention will profile candidates for the Leadership of CAP who will address you formally at that time. The convention agenda provides time for this. The numbers of leadership contenders who make addresses at the convention do NOT preclude other contenders from coming forward later.

The National Executive will choose a cut-off date for acceptance of applications for the leadership of CAP. The Executive will choose a voting date which must be on or before November 6th, 2008

If you are willing to put your name forward to stand as Leader, please submit your name and contact information and a biography by e-mail, to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or, by regular mail to Cap Admin at: #385-916 West Broadway, Vancouver, and B.C. V5Z1K7, or via fax to 604 872 1504.