FAQ

The Communist Party of Canada is the Marxist-Leninist party of the working class dedicated to the cause of socialism. It is guided by the world outlook of Marxism-Leninism and principles of working-class internationalism.

The party is a voluntary organization of like-minded people which strive to unite the most politically advanced and active members of the working class and other sections of people exploited by monopoly capitalism.

The party is founded on firm ideological, political, and organizational unity, and on continuous organized activity of its members in close contact with the working people, knowing their views and needs, and able to explain Party policy.

Democratic centralism is the organizational principal of the party.

It is the organizational principle of the party that ensures the Party remains founded on firm ideological, political, and organizational unity and on the continuous organized activity of its members in close contact with the working people, knowing their views and needs, and able to explain Party policy.

Democratic centralism enables full discussion by the entire membership of the policies necessary to advance aims of Party’s program and when decisions are made to what these policies are by majority vote, these are then binding on all members. This allows Party to be untied as a whole in all actions. 

Though disagreements may exist, the goal of democratic centralism is to ensure unity in action and push the goals of the Party program, Constitution and policies. All members must carry out Party decisions and minority must abide by majority decision with factionalism and splitting activities being impermissible. 

With democratic centralism we will generally put forward some sort of motion (new policy, amendment to policy, a new goal, a plan of action, or any kind of political question). There will be a period of debate in which all members can have a say in the discussion. After debate a vote is taken and based on the results of the vote, all members are required to follow through on the decision and not further debate the topic. 

Any resident of Canada, 16 years of age or older, who accepts and works to carry out the program and policies the Party as determined by our Constitution and by Convention, can be eligible for membership.

Rights of Members – every member in good standing has the right to the following:

• to reserve their opinion in the event of disagreement with a decision or submit it to a leading committee, at the same time unconditionally carrying it out;
• to participate in electing the Party’s leading committees, either directly or through electing delegates to the convention;
• to criticize the work and composition of leading Party bodies, using the appropriate avenues within the Party;
• to be nominated and elected to all committees as provided for by the Constitution;
• to be fully informed and consulted whenever decisions are taken regarding their activity or conduct;
• to address any question or statement to any Party body, including the Central Committee, and receive an appropriate response;
• to prefer charges against any other member in accordance with Article 11;
• to appeal disciplinary action against them to the next higher body, up to the Convention.

Duty of Members:

• Deepen political knowledge and understanding through systematic study of Marxism-Leninism and work to build the Party. 
• Study and understand the Party program and policies and explain this to potential members and supporters. 
• Refrain from activities in conflict with established Party policy. 
• Defend and strengthen Party unity.
• Oppose all forms of national discrimination, oppression, and all ideological influences and practices of racial intolerance and discrimination. 
• Work for complete social and economic equality of women and for the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women. 
• Work within respective trade unions when eligible and further their interest; where no trade union exists, work consistently for its promotion, principles, and standards. 

• All leading committees from the Party (from club exec to higher Party body) shall be elected by secret ballot and majority vote either directly by membership or through elected delegates. 
• Recalls of elected members is possible by majority vote.

• The basic organization of the Party is the club. 
• • Clubs are organized in communities (cities, towns, wards, constituencies, or neighbourhoods), and places of employment or on any other basis determined by Party committee in the area. 
• Provincial Convention is highest body of provincial organization and the Provincial Committee is the highest authority of the Party in a province between Provincial Conventions. 
• Highest authority of Communist Party is the Convention which amends Party program and constitution, elects Central Committee of the Party, and makes other political and organizational decision which are binding upon the entire party. Conventions should be held not more than 3 years apart. 
• • Central Committee is highest authority of Party between Conventions. It is responsible for carrying out Convention policies and decision and upholding the Constitution. Also responsible for central treasury and submitting financial statements to Central Audit Committee. 
  • • Central Executive Committee and Party Leader is elected by the Central Committee and they are charged with carrying out decision of the Central Committee, giving prompt and effective leadership, develop public work of Party, initiate campaigns and further advance Party policy in accordance with Party line. 
• Additional Committees 
• • Committee on Nominations: Elected at Central Convention this committee is responsible for overseeing nominations submitted by clubs, elected committees, Regional/Provincial Conventions, National Convention of Community Party of Quebec, and Delegates to Central Convention; the nominations (candidates) are vetted by this committee for eligibility to be in Central Committee based on various factors. These nominations are then voted on by secret ballot at the Convention. 
  • Central Audit Committee: Elected at Central Convention and consist of 3 members that are responsible for examining financial state of central organization and submit audited financial reports to Convention covering period between Conventions. 
  • Central Appeals Committee: Elected at Central Convention and consist of 3 members that consider and decide on appeals that are placed before them. 

All Party members who are eligible should be on voter list and vote according to tactic adopted by Party. For Provincial elections nominations must be vetted and approved by Provincial Executive Committee and in case of federal election, by Central Executive Committee.