Hundreds of NDP members from across Canada are meeting in downtown Ottawa this weekend for a national convention at the Shaw Conference Centre.

On Friday, they briefly discussed new anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policies, and voted in favour of enshrining environmental laws, including protecting whistleblowers and ensuring "consideration of vulnerable populations in environmental risk assessment." They also resolved to "make big polluters pay for the pollution they emit."

Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh was expected to address delegates on Saturday. Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath also addressed the crowd as the provincial election race heats up.

Alex Tétreault captured images from the first day of the conference.

First Nations activist and University of Ottawa law professor Claudette Commanda welcomes NDP delegates in Ottawa on Feb. 16, 2018. Photo by Alex Tétreault

First Nations activist and University of Ottawa law professor Claudette Commanda welcomes NDP delegates in Ottawa on Feb. 16, 2018.

Jagmeet Singh talks to delegates at the NDP's national convention in Ottawa on Feb. 16, 2018. Photo by Alex Tétreault

Jagmeet Singh talks to delegates.

Churchill—Keewatinook Aski MP and former leadership contender Niki Ashton holds one of her twins at the NDP's national convention in Ottawa on Feb. 16, 2018. Photo by Alex Tétreault

Churchill—Keewatinook Aski MP and former leadership contender Niki Ashton holds one of her twins on-stage at the NDP's national convention.

Delegates respond to resolutions at the NDP's national convention on Feb. 16, 2018. Photo by Alex Tétreault

Delegates speak to resolutions at the NDP's national convention.

Canadian Labour Congress president Hassan Yussuff speaks to delegates at the NDP's national convention in Ottawa on Feb. 16, 2018. Photo by Alex Tétreault

Canadian Labour Congress president Hassan Yussuff speaks to delegates.

Toronto city councillor Mike Layton addresses delegates at the NDP's national convention in Ottawa on Feb. 16, 2018. Photo by Alex Tétreault

Toronto city councillor Mike Layton.

Women's March on Washington co-organizer Tamika Mallory was a keynote speaker during the NDP's national convention on Feb. 16, 2018. Photo by Alex Tétreault
Women's March on Washington co-organizer Tamika Mallory was a keynote speaker Friday.

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I hope that NDP votes for sanctions against Israel and support for the BDS movement. It's the right thing to do.

I also hope that the federal NDP will officially opposed the construction of the Kinder Morgan TransMountain expansion and the Keystone XL.