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G21-E015 Updating the GPC nominee vetting rules | Version amended at VGM-2

Avatar: Official proposal Official proposal

Result of VGM vote

91% of members present RECOMMENDED the adoption of the proposal.

Ratification Vote Results: Adopted


Proposal

Federal Council will ensure that all individuals seeking a Green Party of Canada nomination will: (i) be notified, within 60 days of completing the application procedure, of the GPC’s decision with respect to their eligibility to seek the nomination; (ii) will be notified, if not allowed to seek the nomination, of the reasons for disallowance; and Federal Council will establish an appeal process that includes a provision that disallowed nomination contestants can correct any misinformation used in making a disallowance decision.

Objective

To ensure that all individuals seeking a Green Party nomination are treated fairly and equitably and in adherence to their rights under section 3 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Benefit

The GPC seeks to attract and select the best possible candidates to represent the Party, and in doing so to respect key aspects of social justice: equity, diversity and inclusion. This proposal will reduce potential barriers to prospective candidates.

Supporting Comments from Submitter

This directive very clearly aligns with two Green Party core principles: participatory democracy and social justice.

Participatory democracy, including but not limited to the following:

  • Individual empowerment through access to all the relevant information required for any decision, and access to education to enable all to participate.

  • Building grassroots institutions that enable decisions to be made directly at the appropriate level by those affected, based on systems which encourage civic vitality, voluntary action and community responsibility.

  • That all elected representatives are committed to the principles of transparency, truthfulness, and accountability in governance.

  • That all electoral systems are transparent and democratic, and that this is enforced by law.

Social justice, in particular, these requirements:

  • A new vision of citizenship built on equal rights for all individuals regardless of gender, race, age, religion, class, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, disability, wealth or health.

  • Bylaw 5 of the Constitution and Bylaws of the Green Party of Canada specifies as follows: “Candidates shall be selected by the Party as follows:

5.1.1

Where there is an EDA, the electoral district shall select the candidate in accordance with the association's Bylaws.”

This requires that Federal Council ensures that EDAs are reasonably unfettered in the democratic process of nominating a candidate.

  • The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms specifies the following: “Every citizen of Canada has the right to vote in an election of members of the House of Commons or of a legislative assembly and to be qualified for membership therein.” (emphasis added)


Evidence

We have been unable to find evidence from other jurisdictions or parties with respect tothe effectiveness of this proposed policy.

Consultation

This directive policy proposal is based on direction (motion) provided by the Kootenay-Columbia Electoral District Association at our Annual General Meeting, June19th, 2021. The meeting was attended by 17 GPC members from the Kootenay-Columbia electoral district.

“Whereas denying prospective nominees the right to become a candidate without stating the reasons why prevents EDA members from democratically electing a candidate of their choice;

and whereas denying a prospective nominee the right to become a candidate without stating the reasons why is a violation of their section 3 "Canadian Charter Rights";

Be It resolved that the Kootenay-Columbia Green Party EDA will move at the Green Party of Canada GM that no prospective nominee for the Green Party shall be denied the right to run as a candidate without the Party stating why.” (NB: This motion was first brought to the attention of the acting Executive Director and the President of Federal Council on June 20th, 2021)

Jurisdiction

This directive policy proposal is entirely within the jurisdiction of the Green Party of Canada.

Support

See above re motion passed at our Kootenay-Columbia Green Party EDA AGM. This specific policy proposal has been reviewed and approved by the Kootenay-Columbia Green Party EDA executive.

Green Values

Participatory Democracy, Social Justice

Relation to existing policy

The Green Book does not appear to include previously adopted directive motions for transparency in the nominee vetting procedures.

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