Ontario Young Liberals

Ontario Young Liberals
Abbreviation	OYL
Location	Ontario
Parent organization	Ontario Liberal Party Liberal Party of Canada
Website	www.oyl.org

The Ontario Young Liberals (OYL) is the official youth wing of the Ontario Liberal Party, and the Ontario wing of the Young Liberals of Canada. All members of the Ontario Liberal Party, or the Liberal Party of Canada (Ontario), who are aged 25 and under are members of the OYL. The OYL is the largest provincial young liberal organization Canada.

History

OYL logo, 2003-2009

OYL was known as the Ontario New Liberals until the mid 1980s.

OYL (and its predecessor) has proven to be a training ground for budding politicians and political organizers. Many elected officials played a prominent role in the party’s youth wing. They include:

• Michael Ignatieff, Former federal leader
• Dwight Duncan, current provincial minister
• Rob Oliphant, Former federal MP
• Bonnie Crombie, Former federal MP
• Ruby Dhalla, Former federal MP

OYL logo, 2000-2003

Since the Liberal Party allocates specific number of delegate spots for campus liberal associations at its national convention, key players of the OYL wielded unique influence in the party’s leadership selection as its has the largest number of campus associations under its jurisdiction. OYL had been a fierce battleground during federal leadership races from the early 80s to 2006.^[1][2][3][4] The Paul Martin leadership campaign was particularly notorious for hostile take over of campus liberal associations leading up to the 1990 and 2003 contests.

Structure

The OYL executive is made up of 16 OYL members elected to one-year terms by the membership at the OYL Annual General Meeting. The structure of the Executive consists of a President, Executive Vice-President, Vice-President of Federal Affairs, Vice-President of Provincial Affairs, Treasurer, Riding Director, Student Director, Policy Director, Communications Director, Recruitment Director and 6 Regional Coordinators.

Affiliated clubs

The OYL is composed of riding and student clubs. Riding clubs are based in each federal or provincial electoral district. Student clubs are located at universities and colleges in Ontario.

Each club has a constitution that follows the constitutional requirements of the Liberal Party of Canada, the Ontario Liberal party and the OYL. Each club has executive, members and conducts activities such as social events, policy meeting and assists in campaigns during federal or provincial elections.

OYL Summer Fling

In the summer of 2002, the OYL created a new signature event in Summer Fling, which was held at Wilfrid Laurier University the inaugural year. OYL Summer Fling includes a volunteer appreciation dinner, the annual policy conference and many guest speakers.

Summer Fling locations

Year	Location	Region
2002	Wilfrid Laurier University	South Western Region
2003	University of Ottawa	Eastern Region
2004	McMaster University	South Central Region
2005	University of Western Ontario	South Western Region
2006	Trent University	Central Region
2007	Nipissing University	Northern Region
2008	University of Guelph	South Western Region
2009	Brock University	South Central Region
2010	Queens University	Eastern Region
2011	Laurentian University	Northern Region

References

1. ^ Martin, Paul (2008). Hell Or High Water: My Life in and Out of Politics. McClelland & Stewart, 2008. pp. 86. ISBN 0771056923, 9780771056925. 
2. ^ "No single candidate getting Young Libs' support". CTV Globe Media. 2006-03-26. http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060326/young_liberals_060326?s_name=&no_ads=. 
3. ^ "Adult supervision required". Public Eye Mediaworks. 2006-03-09. http://www.publiceyeonline.com/archives/001323.html. 
4. ^ "ACampus Liberals split on leadership race, Youth campaigns picking up speed". The Queen's Journal. 2006-09-12. http://www.queensjournal.ca/story/2006-09-12/news/campus-liberals-split-leadership-race/. 

External links

• Ontario Young Liberals