As a grassroots initiative, the debate on structure was obviously aimed at making the NDP more democratic and more accessible to its general membership. Four corners of change On the topic of labour, the decoupling would mark the end of the formal relationship that was forged when the CCF and labour came together to form the NDP in 1961. The realities that need to be faced, however, are that fewer and fewer union members vote NDP while formal links maintain the image that the NDP is an advocate for organized labour. The proliferation of other organizations of so-called 'civil society' including environmentalists, women's groups, and others means labour is but one of the many constituencies of the NDP and the case for favouring it over others becomes increasingly difficult to make. Apart from the debate on formal links, there is widespread agreement that individual members of unions should be encouraged and mobilized on a more individual basis on the party's behalf.
Party financing is part of a larger debate centred on national campaign finance reform.
Again, there is general agreement that such reform is needed given the influence of corporations and special interest organizations gained through party donations. More contentious is the idea of 'unilateral disarmament,' where the NDP would, on its own, forego donations from institutions, including organized labour. For now, it appears that the status quo will prevail until comprehensive party finance reform can be achieved. As a movement dedicated to bringing greater democracy to the inner workings of the NDP, the introduction of a one member-one vote system has obvious appeal to many NDP members. More than anything, the debate centered around the 'OMOV' issue is circumscribing its application.