Ask-The-Contestants!

As you will see on my full platform, sarahgabriellebaron.ca, which has been available to members since the first week of the race, I take my cue on democratic reform directly from the members, as we should in a Green organization committed to the Key Value of Participatory Democracy.

Since 2014 our Member-made policy says clearly that, “the GPC Executive develop, as soon as possible, a preferred model of proportional representation, including a high degree of proportionality.” (GPC Policy Book, page 19)

The excuse “Proportional Representation is too confusing, Canadians aren’t ready” no longer washes with the Greens.

In my platform and in my Six Month Plan I propose weekly Policy Table Talks where members will pick one form of proportional representation. We will have this motion in front of the membership at our next policy conference, hopefully by June 2023 or sooner. Once we have chosen one form of PR, I will ensure every candidate and spokesperson is well-versed in the same talking points, so we have cohesive political messaging as we sell this PR version to the nation.

Fundamentally, we need to exemplify fair democratic reform in a rules-based system from within. Our constitution used to require timed leadership races every 4 years. In 2010 Elizabeth May argued during our Biannual General meeting to kill that rule. I was the last Green at the microphone begging members to not disown our commitment to Participatory Democracy. But, with stars in our eyes, we followed Elizabeth’s lead, because, I quote, she said she would be “too busy” and her aide argued, “this is the way the other parties do it.”

If our leader isn’t a champion of Participatory Democracy from within, how can we pretend our organization is a champion on the national stage?

Who among your leadership race options exemplifies a heritage of devotion to Participatory Democracy? Here is my resume:

Perhaps most shockingly, we have four leaders in this race who circumvent our member-led constitutional amendment process, and promote the idea of dual-leader as if it already exists. How hypocritical is it, to pretend this race is rules-based and democratically fair, when you get to vote for Elizabeth’s vision twice, for Chad and Anna’s vision twice, but for my vision for the party only once?

If we can not be true to our own constitution, we have no business asking Canadians to put their faith in us.

A shift to Proportional Representation, towards a democratic system where citizens feel in control of the decisions that affect their lives, can only be led by Greens if we start from within.

If members are ready to elect a leader that puts the collective first at every turn, then they will find my promise the fastest route to getting PR in Canada: choose one form of proportional representation in the next few months, and then be election-ready to sell this PR form to Canadians by a likely summer 2023 election.