G21-P022 Transition Canada to a Consensual Multiparty Form of Government

Submitter Name

William (Bill) A. Johnston

This proposal was discussed in the workshop during Phase 2 of the VGM. However, there was not enough time for this proposal to be voted on in plenary by the members during Phase 2. Therefore, this proposal will not be included in the ratification vote.  

Proposal

Canada will develop mechanisms for transitioning to a consensual form of government, based on a proportional representation electoral system, with multi-party Governments.

Objective

Canada will transition to a consensual form of democracy with a multi-party Cabinet supported by a proportionally representative electoral system, so that other parties can participate in policy formulation, program design and decision-making.

Benefit

A multi-party Cabinet can move more assertively on major issues like climate change and indigenous affairs. Consensual democracy brings more diverse perspectives to the policy development and decision-making processes. Decisions on complex matters have broader support. Less partisanship; less focus on immediate electoral advantage.

Supporting Comments from Submitter

Consensual governance is being used successfully in several jurisdictions.

In Canada, the Government of the Northwest Territories is multi-party consensual and the Government of Nunavut is consensual without political parties.

In Europe, Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Sweden and Italy have some form of consensual government. The EU Parliament is consensual.

Green Value(s)

Participatory Democracy

Relation to Existing Policy

Add to current GPC policy.