Constitution of the YCL-LJC

As amended in the 29th convention – October 2023

ARTICLE 1: Name, Purpose and aims of organization

  1. The name of the organization is the Young Communist League of Canada – Ligue de la jeunesse communiste du Canada. Its aims and purposes are stated in its Program

ARTICLE 2: Principles of organization

  1. The Young Communist League is  Communist Youth Organisation that aspires to be a Marxist-Leninist force in the youth and student movement, and in the struggle for socialism.
  2. The YCL-LJC is a voluntary organization of young workers, students and classes and strata of the population which are exploited and oppressed by Canada’s monopoly capitalist system. It struggles for working-class state power and has no interests separate from those of the working class.
  3. Democratic centralism is the organizational principle by which the YCL-LJC operates. This system combines the maximum democracy with recognition of the responsibility of leading bodies to lead. It also guarantees that the YCL-LJC will move into action united in a single policy supported by and fought for by all of its members. When a decision is made by the majority of members or elected bodies representing the members that decision is binding on all members. This ensures unity of action and removes the threat of factionalism or splitting.

ARTICLE 3: Emblem and motto

  1. The emblem of the YCL-LJC is a red flag being held by a light brown fist, surrounded by a circle.
  2. The motto of the YCL-LJC is “The Youth are the Future, the Future is Socialism!”. “Les jeunes sont l’avenir, l’avenir est au socialisme!”

ARTICLE 4: Membership

  1. Any resident of Canada under 30 who subscribes to the provisions of Article 4, Section 2, is eligible to apply for membership. Once a member is over 30 years of age, their transition out of the League will be discussed based on the ability of the YCL- LJC to transition their assignments to other members and committees.
  2. A YCL-LJC member is one who accepts the constitution and Declaration of Unity and Resistance, who reads and supports the League’s press and literature, who participates in YCL-LJC activities and meetings and supports and fights for the policies of the YCL-LJC. Members work to build the League in terms of general membership, ideology and organization.
  3. Except as provided for in Article 4, Section 5, applicants for membership shall be admitted by majority vote of the Club to which they apply. In areas where there are no clubs, applicants may apply to the Provincial Executive and may be admitted as members in correspondence until a club can be formed. Applicants may apply to the Central Executive in areas where no Provincial Executive exists.
  4. New members of the YCL-LJC must be reported to the next highest body and/or the authority responsible for keeping membership records.
  5. New applications for members who have formerly been members of the YCL-LJC must be submitted to the Provincial Executive or next highest body where provincial executive does not exist. If a Provincial Executive does not exist in the region, the application will be forwarded to the Central Executive. Such applications will be investigated and decided on a case-by-case basis.
  6. The members of the la Ligue de la jeunesse communiste du Québec (LJC-Q), as members of the YCL-LJC of Canada, participate fully in its life and activities, in its convention, Central Committee and leadership, have the same rights and duties as the members of YCL-LJC of Canada, take part in the collective formulation of the YCL-LJC of Canada’s policy, and share in the common responsibility for action in the interests of the youth of Canada.

ARTICLE 5: Rights and Duties of Members

  1. Every member of the YCL-LJC has the right and duty to take part in the formulation of YCL-LJC policy. This includes the right to discuss and debate policies, actions and tactics of the League within the structures of the League while at the same time unconditionally carrying them out in line with democratic centralism. Criticisms of policies, actions, tactics, publications and so forth can be sent to the body of the YCL-LJC in question.
  2. Members of the YCL-LJC constantly struggle for unity within the League. The forming of factions, (levels of discipline above that of the YCL-LJC), within the YCL-LJC is unquestionably forbidden and punishable by disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.
  3. All members of the YCL-LJC in good standing have the right to elect the officers and leadership of the League at all levels from Club to Central Committee. Any officer within the club shall be elected by the proper body as stated in this constitution by secret ballot. Any officer may be recalled by majority vote of the body which elected them. Vacancies shall be filled by the same body by majority vote.
  4. All members of the YCL-LJC should constantly endeavour to deepen their understanding, political knowledge and analysis through systematic study of Marxism-Leninism, YCL-LJC educationals and practical work within the YCL-LJC
  5. It is the duty of members of the YCL-LJC to practice democratic centralism and discipline in YCL-LJC work. Members should oppose and refrain from all things detrimental to the League and the working-class as a whole. Members should refrain from activities that come in conflict with the policies of the YCL-LJC.
  6. It shall be the duty of all Members of the YCL-LJC to oppose and combat any attempt to injure the rights of or cause division of the working class. Young Communists struggle for the rights of workers as well as all oppressed and exploited strata of the population and against the ruling capitalist class and reactionary forces which support it.
  7. Every member of the YCL-LJC shall oppose all forms of national discrimination, racial intolerance or ethnic hatred both in their political work and in their everyday life.
  8. It shall be the duty of all YCL-­LJC members to work for the complete social, political, and economic equality of women and for the elimination of chauvinism, male dominance, patriarchy, sexism, transphobia, and all other forms of discrimination based on gender.
  9. All YCL­LJC members shall oppose all forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation, cis­centric views, heterosexism and homophobia and transphobia. Members of the YCL­LJC shall struggle for the complete social, political and economic equality of members of the LGBTI* community.
  10. Members of the YCL-LJC shall be active members of their trade union, student organization or other people’s organizations where applicable, and work to establish such organizations where they do not exist.

ARTICLE 6: La Ligue de la jeunesse communiste du Québec

  1. La Ligue de la jeunesse communiste du Québec (LJC-Q) is a distinct entity within the YCL-LJC of Canada. The LJC-Q has complete control over its policies and structures within Quebec as decided by the convention and committee of LJC-Q.

ARTICLE 7: Structure

  1. Within the scope of duties and powers assigned them either by the constitution or by the authorization of the constitution, the following shall be the levels of authority in the YCL-LJC: Central Convention, Central Committee, Central Executive, the Convention of the LJC-Q and Provincial Conventions; the National Committee of the LJC-Q and Provincial Committees, Provincial Executives, Clubs.

ARTICLE 8: Clubs

  1. The basic unit of organization is the YCL-LJC club. Clubs may be established when there are three or more members of the YCL-LJC in one city, town or region, workplace, industry or campus. Each club shall elect an organizer and whatever officers it deems necessary based on the size of the club and its needs. These officers constitute the club executive which carries out the day-to-day leadership of the club and delegates tasks. Such elections shall take place annually unless two thirds of members support a call for elections before one year has passed. Elections shall be by secret ballot. Results of all elections shall be reported to the next highest body.
  2. Every member of the YCL-LJC shall belong to a club except members in correspondence when so designated by the Provincial Executive. Transfer of a member from one area or club to another shall be reported to the next highest body. In case of a member transferring from one province to another province the Central Executive shall be informed.
  3. Clubs shall hold general meetings at least once a month and strive to hold educationals regularly. Club meetings shall be action oriented and include planning for club activities and assigning tasks.
  4. All decisions made in any meeting of a YCL-LJC club shall be made by majority vote of members present and adhered to by all members of the club. The club organizer is obligated to notify all members of the club of all club meetings.
  5. The club shall be the body of the YCL-LJC which carries out the political work of the YCL-LJC at the ground level. Clubs are charged with the duty of bringing about the closest possible relationship between the League and the rest of the working, exploited and oppressed people. It is the clubs duty to conduct agitational and organizational work within the masses and to bring them closer to the League and to acceptance of the policies of the YCL-LJC. YCL-LJC clubs join in the struggles of the people for economic, political and cultural needs and rights. Young Communists shall be active within the labour and/or student movements whenever possible with the aid of their club.
  6. YCL-LJC clubs shall attempt to build the League by bringing new members in through their everyday work.
  7. YCL-LJC clubs shall check up regularly to see that the decisions of the club are being carried out to the fullest extent in an attempt to strengthen discipline.
  8. Where clubs take on a size of 20-30 members or more it may be sensible to divide the group into more than one club based on region, workplace, industry, campus etc. Large clubs may find it more difficult to work efficiently and may find it more useful to create new clubs which may work on organizing in a more specific area. This shall be left to the discretion of the club in coordination with the Provincial Committee and shall be decided by majority vote of the clubs members.
  9. Clubs may choose to name themselves by the collective decision of its members. Clubs could be named after prominent local working class and revolutionary figures as a means of honoring and remembering their contributions to the class struggle and educating young workers of their revolutionary history. Alternatively, clubs could be given other names that help add to the appeal of the YCL-LJC Club.

ARTICLE 9: Regional Organizations

  1. In areas where two or more clubs exist in a city or regional organization may be formed by decision of the Provincial Committee of the Central Executive where no Provincial Committee exists. A convention shall then be held composed of elected delegates from all clubs involved. This convention shall elect a Regional Organization. Such conventions shall be held at least every two years or sooner if called for by two-thirds of the members of the clubs under the Regional Organization. Clubs may submit nominations for elections to the Regional Organization.
  2. The Regional Organization will assist clubs in strengthening their public work and help facilitate co-ordination and co-operation between the clubs under it. It shall administer the affairs of the city or Regional Organization and elaborate the decisions of the higher bodies at a local level.

ARTICLE 10: Provincial Committees

  1. Where sufficient clubs exist in one province, the Central Executive shall convene a Provincial Convention. This convention shall elect a Provincial Committee.
  2. The Provincial Committee shall elect a Provincial Secretary, Organizer and Treasurer.
  3. The Provincial Committee shall elect from its ranks a Provincial Executive the size of which will be determined by the committee. This Executive will direct the work of the YCL-LJC in that province between Provincial Committee meetings.
  4. The Provincial Executive will transmit decisions of the Provincial or Central Committees to the clubs.
  5. The Provincial Committee shall meet at least quarterly. The Provincial Executive shall meet at least bi-monthly.

ARTICLE 11: Provincial Convention

  1. The Provincial Committee shall call conventions at least every three years, or when two-thirds of the members call for such.
  2. The Provincial Convention shall establish policies which will govern the activities of the YCL-LJC within the province in question within the over-all scope of the policy and structure set out by the Central Convention. It shall also elect the Provincial Committee.
  3. Election of delegates to the Provincial Convention shall be in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Provincial Committee. These guidelines must ensure that all clubs elect delegates by secret ballot and on a proportional basis.

ARTICLE 12: Central Committee

  1. The Central Committee and alternates shall be elected in such numbers and in such a manner as decided by the Central Convention, giving due regard to the need for leadership qualities; links to the working class and social movements; representation that reflects the multi-national character of Canada; area representation; and taking into account the systematic advancement of women, persons with disabilities, Indigenous and racialized peoples, trans and lesbian, gay and bisexual peoples.
  2. The Central Committee shall elect from its ranks a General Secretary, Organizer and Treasurer.
  3. The Central Committee shall meet at least once a year between conventions. The Central Executive shall meet at least once every three months.
  4. The Central Committee shall elect from it’s ranks a Central Executive in a number decided by the committee, to direct the work of the YCL-LJC between Central Committee meetings.
  5. In order to be eligible for election to the Central Committee, those nominated must have been a member of the League for at least twelve (12) months, and a member in good standing of the league for at least three (3) months preceding the date of the election.

ARTICLE 13: Central Convention

  1. A Central Convention shall be held at least every three years upon the call of the Central Committee, or when two thirds of the members call for such.
  2. Election of delegates to the Central Convention shall be in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Central Committee. These guidelines must ensure that all clubs elect delegates by secret ballot and on a proportional basis.
  3. The Central Convention shall decide on the policies of the organization, elect the incoming Central Committee and is empowered to amend the constitution.
  4. All members of the outgoing Central Committee shall be delegates to the Central Convention.

ARTICLE 14: Disciplinary Action

  1. Criticism and self-criticism are essential but must always be carried out in a comradely and objective manner. Such criticisms strengthen the YCL-LJC by pointing out weaknesses and setting the stage for work towards rectifying such weaknesses. Any tendency towards evading or suppressing criticisms must be opposed resolutely. Serious criticisms can lead to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the YCL-LJC especially in cases where the comrade in question refuses to accept criticism and work towards correcting mistakes or tendencies.
  2. Conduct or action by any member of the YCL-LJC that is detrimental or divisive to the YCL-LJC and the best interests of the working class may be dealt with by censure, removal from all responsible positions, suspension pending investigation and/or expulsion from the YCL-LJC.
  3. Written charges against any member leading to disciplinary action may be made by any other member, any club or any committee of the YCL-LJC.
  4. Any YCL-LJC club or committee shall have the right to decide by the vote of the majority of its members on any disciplinary action involving its members under its jurisdiction up to and including expulsion. Such decisions may be appealed to the next highest body up to and including the Central Convention.
  5. All disciplinary action at any level of the YCL-LJC shall be reported immediately to the next highest body. All concerned in any disciplinary action shall have the right to appear, bring witnesses and freely testify before the given body of the YCL-LJC.
  6. Advocacy or practice of racial, sexual, gender, national or ethnic discrimination are causes for disciplinary action including expulsion from the YCL-LJC.
  7. In the case of unmistakable evidence that a member is an undercover agent or provocateur, or exhibits an openly hostile attitude towards the YCL-LJC, that member shall be summarily expelled.
  8. Any member of the YCL-LJC who is found to be a strikebreaker, scab and/or traitor to the working class shall be subject to expulsion.
  9. Any disciplinary action may be appealed to the next highest body of the YCL-LJC up to and including the Central Convention. Any disciplinary action is binding during an appeal until the appeal is settled at which point the decision of the body to which the appeal was levied becomes binding.
  10. Members under disciplinary action will be considered members not in good standing. Members not in good standing may not be allowed to hold or be elected to positions of authority within the YCL-LJC or attend conventions.

ARTICLE 15: Recall of Officers

  1. Any officer at any level of authority may be relieved of her or his duties at any time by a majority vote of the body that elected that person.

ARTICLE 16: Rules of Procedure

  1. Immediately after a meeting of the YCL-LJC is called to order, the meeting will acknowledge the traditional Indigenous territory on which the meeting is being held.
  2. The rules contained in Roberts Rules of Order or in Les procédures des assemblées délibérantes (le Code Morin) shall govern the proceedings of the YCL-LJC at all levels and in which they are not inconsistent with the constitution and accepted procedures within the YCL-LJC. The Constitution shall always over-ride Roberts Rules if contradictions between the two arise.
  3. Meetings of the YCL-LJC will adopt a gender alternating speakers’ list that puts first time speakers ahead of second time speakers

ARTICLE 17: Amending and Interpreting the Constitution

  1. This constitution may be amended by a simple majority vote of the Central Convention.
  2. The Central Committee shall have the right to interpret the constitution and all procedures in any or all matters not covered by the constitution.

ARTICLE 18: Election Procedures

  1. Ballots for any election to any body of the YCL-LJC which are marked a number of times more or less than the number of officers to be elected shall be considered a spoiled ballot. Spoiled ballots shall not be counted.
  2. All YCL-LJC officers in any body shall be elected by secret ballot and majority vote either directly by the membership or by their elected delegates.

ARTICLE 19: By-laws

  1. By-laws may be adopted by any body of the YCL-LJC for the purpose of establishing rules of order and procedure.
  2. By-laws shall be based on and within the constitutional framework of the YCL-LJC.
  3. By-laws may be adopted, amended, or repealed by a simple majority of the Central Convention.
  4. Any or all By-laws may be repealed at any time by the Central Committee in the event that regular functioning of the organization be interrupted by state persecution, imperialist invasion, or armed struggle.

ARTICLE 20: Financial Reports and Audits

  1. The financial accounts of each of the bodies listed in Article 6 shall be open to inspection for any members of that body at any reasonable time. The central and provincial treasurers shall report at least twice a year to their respective committees or conventions. The club treasurers shall report to their club on finances at club meetings regularly.
  2. The Central Executive has and may delegate the authority to examine the financial accounts of any lower body at any reasonable time.
  3. Each of the bodies listed in Article 5 shall annually appoint non-members of the Central Executive to audit its financial accounts and shall submit the audited statements to the Central and Provincial conventions and club membership respectively.

ARTICLE 21: Dues

  1. Upon acceptance into the YCL-LJC new members will pay a $2 initiation fee. All members shall pay monthly dues and an annual convention assessment according to the following guidelines:
  2. Members shall pay $5 for unemployed and low income and $10 for working members every month. The Convention Assessment will be considered as a ‘13th’ month. Accommodations are available for active members if they are unable to pay dues.
  3. Proof of payment shall be provided in the form of stamps or initials from the club treasurer on the member’s membership card at the time of payment.
  4. Dues will be divided between the Provincial and Central Committees. 100% will be sent to the Provincial Treasurer who will then send 50% to the Central Committee.
  5. Members in arrears of their dues will be notified by their club treasurer. Members that have missed the majority of club meetings in the preceding 6 months, and are also more than 6 months in arrears shall be temporarily suspended from membership. Members a year or more in arrears of dues shall be stricken from membership.

ARTICLE 22: Initiation Pledge

  1. The Initiation Pledge of the YCL-LJC shall be as follows:

I ________________, accept as my own, the aims of the Young Communist League to work to the best of my ability for the establishment of a socialist society in Canada.

I will work to the best of my ability to carry out the Declaration of Unity and Resistance and policies of the League as determined by the constitution and convention.

I will be active in my club and, when possible, support the league financially.

I will read, support, and spread the YCL­LJC literature and work at all times to build the League.