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Trudeau announced the proposed changes in Halifax in April. His focus then was on how the Liberals were doing away with the traditional idea of membership by letting anyone sign up as a “registered Liberal” without paying a fee.

If they’re willing to do that to their own members, then I don’t think that bodes well for governing.

That proposal expands a change adopted by Liberals in 2012, when they agreed to let anyone sign up for free as a Liberal supporter to vote in leadership contests. The new constitution would let registered Liberals do everything members can do now, which includes debating policy and voting for local candidates.

“We need to be courageous and we need to show, once again, that the Liberal party is not afraid to challenge the status quo, even if it means breaking with our own traditions,” Trudeau said. “Canadians are counting on us to keep building, modernizing and opening up our movement. We can’t let them down.”

But opening up the membership is only one part of the proposed changes. In fact, Trudeau and his team are undertaking a wholesale reorganization of the party that would take many powers away from local riding associations, and give it to the leadership team.

Liberal party spokesman Braeden Caley said the changes are necessary to transform what has traditionally been a splintered organization into a modern, agile political movement for the 21st century. He also said the proposals have been discussed for years, while recent surveys have shown members want change.

“That is a major focus of this: modernizing the party’s operations and simplifying the processes by which a Canadian who shares Liberal values can get involved in a political movement that shares Liberal values,” Caley said.