NDP Leader Thomas MulcairCHRIS WATTIE/Reuters
Do federal New Democrats support northern food security, or an independent CBC, or children's rights as stated in the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child?
The answers to those questions may seem self-evident. But those are the sorts of policy issues that will be put to the party's convention next week in Montreal.
The NDP has published on its website the list of policy resolutions submitted by riding associations from across the country. And, of those that are most likely to be put to a vote, there is little to prompt much dissent.
In fact, the most controversial item on the convention's agenda is likely to be a rewriting of the preamble to the NDP constitution to remove overtly socialist dogma.
A resolution from Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca in British Columbia on marijuana decriminalization might spark debate. Some New Democrats could argue for full legalization while others may be reluctant to change the current law.
But in general, the list of resolutions contains little that is unexpected - from fighting attacks on trade unions, to demanding improvements to pipeline safety, to a push for electoral reform to include proportional representation.
Three ridings have collaborated to draft a massive resolution related to veterans rights that includes a call for an apology to gay and lesbian veterans who were forced out of the military.
The riding of Hull-Aylmer wants a study on declining bee populations.
And the ridings of London-Fanshaw and London West want gender parity on the boards of directors at Crown corporations.
The policies will help party officials as they draft a platform to take the party into the 2015 election.