2024 Special General Meeting
Meeting on Co-Leadership
Proposed Co-Leadership Amendment Text
Created by the 2024 Co-Leadership SGM Oversight Committee
Current Constitution and Bylaws for reference
Overview
At the SGM, we will be answering a series of questions that will enable us to assemble a constitutional and bylaw amendment that would move the GPC to a co-leadership model. The questions are:
- Is Co-Leadership mandatory or optional, and how are Co-Leaders elected?
- How will Co-Leader vacancies be filled, and under what circumstances will a (Co-)Leadership Contest be triggered?
- Are there language requirements for Co-Leadership contestants?
- Are there gender requirements for Co-Leadership contestants?
- How many nominators are required to run for the position of (Co-)Leader?
- How many Deputy Leaders can Co-Leaders have?
- How will we decide who is filed as “Party Leader” officially with Elections Canada?
The answer to Question A will guide us down one of three paths for answering the rest of the questions, and must be answered first. Once we’ve answered Question A, the rest of the questions are reduced to two or three options.
Once an option is selected for each of the questions, the corresponding text from this document will be pasted into one unified amendment motion, which will read:
Motion: To amend the Constitution and Bylaws as follows: [text from options]
If the amendment motion is approved, we will then need to address the matter of transitional provisions (the options for which are listed at the end of this document).
Question A - Mandatory/Optional/Election
Option A1
The term "Leader" is replaced with "Co-Leaders" in Bylaw 2.1.3.2, Bylaw 2.1.5.2, Bylaw 2.1.5.8.1, Bylaw 2.1.5.8.2, Bylaw 2.1.5.8.3, Bylaw 2.1.5.8.4.3, Bylaw 2.1.6.1, Bylaw 2.1.6.2, Bylaw 2.6.1, Bylaw 2.6.3, Bylaw 2.6.3.1, and Bylaw 6.1. Any corresponding grammatical edits to those bylaws are made.
If option A1 is selected, Article 7.1.2 must be amended according to option G1 or option G2.
Article 9.1.2 is amended to read: "Two Co-Leaders (or one Interim Leader)."
Bylaw 2.1.3 is retitled “Co-Leaders” and the following text is added to it:
“2.1.3.3 Co-Leadership contestants shall run in pairs.”
If option A1 is selected, Bylaw 2.1.3.1 must be amended according to option E1 or E2.
The phrase “, such as the case of Leader,” is deleted from Bylaw 2.1.5.1.2.
The following text is added to Bylaw 2.1.5.1.2 “Pairs of Co-Leadership contestants are treated as one contestant for the purposes of this bylaw.”
Bylaw 2.1.5.5 is amended to read: “Within six months of a Federal General Election, unless one of our Co-Leaders becomes prime minister, a Co-Leadership Review, where all Members in good standing may vote, shall be held. The date of the Co-Leadership Review vote will be set by Federal Council and may coincide with a General Meeting. The Co-Leaders’ term shall end if Members in good standing do not pass a resolution endorsing the Co-Leaders by at least sixty percent (60%).”
If option A1 is selected, Bylaw 2.1.8 must be amended according to option B1, B2, B3.
The following text is added to Bylaw 2.4.5 "The Co-Leaders share one vote on Federal Council and the Executive Council."
If option A1 is selected, Bylaw 6.3 must be amended according to option F1 or F2.
Option A2
The term "Leader" is replaced with "Co-Leaders" in Bylaw 2.1.3.2, Bylaw 2.1.5.2, Bylaw 2.1.5.8.1, Bylaw 2.1.5.8.2, Bylaw 2.1.5.8.3, Bylaw 2.1.5.8.4.3, Bylaw 2.1.6.1, Bylaw 2.1.6.2, Bylaw 2.6.1, Bylaw 2.6.3, Bylaw 2.6.3.1, and Bylaw 6.1. Any corresponding grammatical edits to those bylaws are made.
If option A2 is selected, Article 7.1.2 must be amended according to option G1 or option G2.
Article 9.1.2 is amended to read: "Two Co-Leaders (or one Interim Leader)."
Bylaw 2.1.3 is retitled “The Co-Leaders” and the following text is added to it:
“2.1.3.3 Co-Leader contestants will run separately. Subject to any language or gender requirements in the Bylaws, the top two finishers will be elected.”
If option A2 is selected, Bylaw 2.1.3.1 must be amended according to option E3 or E4.
The phrase “, such as the case of Leader,” is deleted from Bylaw 2.1.5.1.2.
Bylaw 2.1.5.5 is amended to read: “Within six months of a Federal General Election, a Co-Leadership Review, where all Members in good standing may vote, shall be held. The date of the Co-Leadership Review vote will be set by Federal Council and may coincide with a General Meeting. A Co-Leader’s term shall end if Members in good standing do not pass a resolution endorsing that Co-Leader by at least sixty percent (60%). A Co-Leader who becomes Prime Minister shall not be subject to a Co-Leadership Review.”
If option A2 is selected, Bylaw 2.1.8 must be amended according to option B4 or B5.
The following text is added to Bylaw 2.4.5 "The Co-Leaders share one vote on Federal Council and the Executive Council."
If option A2 is selected, Bylaw 6.3 must be amended according to option F1 or F2.
Option A3
The term "Leader" is replaced with "Leader or Co-Leaders" in Bylaw 2.1.3.2, Bylaw 2.1.5.2, Bylaw 2.1.5.8.1, Bylaw 2.1.5.8.2, Bylaw 2.1.5.8.3, Bylaw 2.1.5.8.4.3, Bylaw 2.1.6.1, Bylaw 2.1.6.2, Bylaw 2.6.1, Bylaw 2.6.3, Bylaw 2.6.3.1, and Bylaw 6.1. Any corresponding grammatical edits to those bylaws are made.
If option A3 is selected, Article 7.1.2 must be amended according to option G1 or option G2.
Article 9.1.2 is amended to read: "One (1) Leader or two (2) Co-Leaders."
Bylaw 2.1.3 is retitled “The Leader or the Co-Leaders” and the following text is added to it: “2.1.3.3 A Leadership Contest will elect either one Leader (running individually) or two Co-Leaders (running as a pair).”
If option A3 is selected, Bylaw 2.1.3.1 must be amended according to option E5, E6, or E7.
The phrase “, such as the case of Leader,” is deleted from Bylaw 2.1.5.1.2.
The following text is added to Bylaw 2.1.5.1.2 “Pairs of Co-Leadership contestants are treated as one contestant for the purposes of this bylaw.”
Bylaw 2.1.5.5 is amended to read: “Within six months of a Federal General Election, unless our Leader or one of our Co-Leaders becomes prime minister, a Leadership or Co-Leadership Review, where all Members in good standing may vote, shall be held. The date of the Leadership or Co-Leadership Review vote will be set by Federal Council and may coincide with a General Meeting. The Leader’s or Co-Leaders’ term shall end if Members in good standing do not pass a resolution endorsing the Leader or Co-Leaders by at least sixty percent (60%).”
If option A3 is selected, Bylaw 2.1.8 must be amended according to option B6, B7, B8, B9.
The following text is added to Bylaw 2.4.5 "The Co-Leaders share one vote on Federal Council and the Executive Council."
If option A3 is selected, Bylaw 6.3 must be amended according to option F3 or F4.
Question B - How to Fill Vacancies
Option B1
Bylaw 2.1.8 is replaced with the following text:
“2.1.8 Vacancy in the Office of Co-Leader
2.1.8.1 Where there is a vacancy in both Co-Leader positions, Federal Council shall forthwith appoint an interim Leader until a Co-Leadership Contest is held and new Co-Leaders are elected.
2.1.8.2 Where there is a vacancy in only one Co-Leader position, it shall be considered that both positions are vacant.
2.1.8.3 A Co-Leadership Contest must be started within 6 months of the appointment of an interim Leader and concluded within 24 months of said appointment.”
Option B2
Bylaw 2.1.8 is replaced with the following text:
“2.1.8 Vacancy in the Office of Co-Leader
2.1.8.1 Where there is a vacancy in both Co-Leader positions, Federal Council shall forthwith appoint an interim Leader until a Co-Leadership Contest is held and new Co-Leaders are elected.
2.1.8.2 Where there is a vacancy in only one Co-Leader position, Federal Council shall forthwith appoint an interim Co-Leader, who shall serve until the end of the remaining elected Co-Leader’s term.
2.1.8.3 Where an interim Leader is replacing a pair of Co-Leaders, a Co-Leadership contest must be started within 6 months of the interim Leader’s appointment and concluded within 24 months of said appointment.”
Option B3
Bylaw 2.1.8 is replaced with the following text:
“2.1.8 Vacancy in the Office of Co-Leader
2.1.8.1 Where there is a vacancy in both Co-Leader positions, Federal Council shall forthwith appoint an interim Leader until a Co-Leadership Contest is held and new Co-Leaders are elected.
2.1.8.2 Where there is a vacancy in only one Co-Leader position, Federal Council shall forthwith appoint an interim Co-Leader, who shall serve until a Co-Leadership Contest is held and new Co-Leaders are elected.
2.1.8.3 A Co-Leadership contest must be started within 6 months of the appointment of an interim Leader or Co-Leader and concluded within 24 months of said appointment.”
Option B4
Bylaw 2.1.8 is replaced with the following text:
“2.1.8 Vacancy in the Office of Co-Leader
2.1.8.1 Where there is a vacancy in both Co-Leader positions, Federal Council shall forthwith appoint an interim Leader until a Co-Leadership Contest is held and new Co-Leaders are elected.
2.1.8.1.1 A Co-Leadership Contest must be started within 6 months of the appointment of an interim Leader and concluded within 24 months of said appointment.
2.1.8.2 Where there is a vacancy in only one Co-Leader position, the remaining elected Co-Leader shall serve alone until the vacant Co-Leader position is filled through a Co-Leadership Contest.
2.1.8.2.1 A Co-Leadership Contest must be started within 6 months of a vacancy in one Co-Leader position and concluded within 24 months of said vacancy.”
Option B5
Bylaw 2.1.8 is replaced with the following text:
“2.1.8 Vacancy in the Office of Co-Leader
2.1.8.1 Where there is a vacancy in both Co-Leader positions, Federal Council shall forthwith appoint an interim Leader until a Co-Leadership Contest is held and new Co-Leaders are elected.
2.1.8.1.1 A Co-Leadership Contest must be started within 6 months of the appointment of an interim Leader and concluded within 24 months of said appointment.
2.1.8.2 Where there is a vacancy in only one Co-Leader position, Federal Council shall forthwith appoint an interim Co-Leader until the position is filled through a Co-Leadership Contest.
2.1.8.2.1 A Co-Leadership Contest must be started within 6 months of the appointment of an interim Co-Leader and concluded within 24 months of said appointment.”
Option B6
Bylaw 2.1.8 is replaced with the following text:
“2.1.8 Vacancy in the Office of Leader or Co-Leader
2.1.8.1 Where a single Leader has been elected and there is a vacancy in their position, Federal Council shall forthwith appoint an interim Leader until the election of a new Leader or new Co-Leaders in a Leadership Contest.
2.1.8.2 Where a pair of Co-Leaders has been elected, and there is a vacancy in both Co-Leader positions, Federal Council shall forthwith appoint an interim Leader until the election of a new Leader or new Co-Leaders in a Leadership Contest.
2.1.8.2.1 Where a pair of Co-Leaders has been elected, and there is a vacancy in only one Co-Leader position, it shall be considered that both positions are vacant.
2.1.8.4 A Leadership Contest must be started within 6 months of the appointment of an interim Leader and concluded within 24 months of said appointment.”
Option B7
Bylaw 2.1.8 is replaced with the following text:
“2.1.8 Vacancy in the Office of Leader or Co-Leader
2.1.8.1 Where a single Leader has been elected and there is a vacancy in their position, Federal Council shall forthwith appoint an interim Leader until the election of a new Leader or new Co-Leaders in a Leadership Contest.
2.1.8.2 Where a pair of Co-Leaders has been elected, and there is a vacancy in both Co-Leader positions, Federal Council shall forthwith appoint an interim Leader until the election of a new Leader or new Co-Leaders in a Leadership Contest.
2.1.8.3 Where a pair of Co-Leaders has been elected, and there is a vacancy in only one Co-Leader position, the remaining elected Co-Leader may serve the remainder of their term as a single Leader provided that they meet any language requirements for the position (if applicable).
2.1.8.4 A Leadership Contest must be started within 6 months of the appointment of an interim Leader and concluded within 24 months of said appointment.”
Option B8
Bylaw 2.1.8 is replaced with the following text:
“2.1.8 Vacancy in the Office of Leader or Co-Leader
2.1.8.1 Where a single Leader has been elected and there is a vacancy in their position, Federal Council shall forthwith appoint an interim Leader until the election of a new Leader or new Co-Leaders in a Leadership Contest.
2.1.8.2 Where a pair of Co-Leaders has been elected, and there is a vacancy in both Co-Leader positions, Federal Council shall forthwith appoint an interim Leader until the election of a new Leader or new Co-Leaders in a Leadership Contest.
2.1.8.3 Where a pair of Co-Leaders has been elected, and there is a vacancy in only one Co-Leader position, Federal Council shall forthwith appoint an interim Co-Leader, who shall serve until the end of the remaining elected Co-Leader’s term.
2.1.8.4 Where an interim leader is replacing a pair of Co-Leaders or a single elected Leader, a Co-Leadership contest must be started within 6 months of the interim Leader’s appointment and concluded within 24 months of said appointment.”
Option B9
Bylaw 2.1.8 is replaced with the following text:
“2.1.8 Vacancy in the Office of Leader or Co-Leader
2.1.8.1 Where a single Leader has been elected and there is a vacancy their position, Federal Council shall forthwith appoint an interim Leader until the election of a new Leader or new Co-Leaders in a Leadership Contest.
2.1.8.2 Where a pair of Co-Leaders has been elected and there is a vacancy in both Co-Leader positions, Federal Council shall forthwith appoint an interim Leader until the election of a new Leader or new Co-Leaders in a Leadership Contest.
2.1.8.3 Where a pair of Co-Leaders has been elected and there is a vacancy in only one Co-Leader position, Federal Council shall forthwith appoint an interim Co-Leader, who shall serve until a Co-Leadership Contest is held and new Co-Leaders are elected.
2.1.8.4 A Co-Leadership contest must be started within 6 months of the appointment of an interim Leader or Co-Leader and concluded within 24 months of said appointment.”
Question C - Language Requirements
Option C1
Selecting this option leads to no amendment text.
Option C2
The following text is added to Bylaw 2.1.3:
“2.1.3.X Co-Leader contestants must meet a certain level of proficiency in both French and English, as defined in the Leadership Contest Rules. Indigenous contestants are exempt from this requirement.”
Option C3
The following text is added to Bylaw 2.1.3:
“2.1.3.X In a pair of Co-Leadership contestants, at least one must meet a certain level of proficiency in each of French and English, as defined in the Leadership Contest Rules. Any pair of contestants that includes at least one Indigenous person is exempt from this requirement.”
Option C4
Selecting this option leads to no amendment text.
Option C5
The following text is added to Bylaw 2.1.3:
“2.1.3.X Co-Leader contestants must meet a certain level of proficiency in both French and English, as defined in the Leadership Contest Rules. Indigenous contestants are exempt from this requirement.”
Option C6
The following text is added to Bylaw 2.1.3:
“2.1.3.X At least one Co-Leader must meet a certain level of proficiency in both French and English, as defined in the Leadership Contest Rules. The two highest-placed contestants who collectively meet this requirement will be elected. If one of the two highest-placed contestants is Indigenous, this rule does not apply.”
Option C7
Selecting this option leads to no amendment text.
Option C8
The following text is added to Bylaw 2.1.3:
“2.1.3.X Leader or Co-Leader contestants must meet a certain level of proficiency in both French and English, as defined in the Leadership Contest Rules. Indigenous contestants are exempt from this requirement.”
Option C9
The following text is added to Bylaw 2.1.3:
“2.1.3.X A single-Leader contestant must meet a certain level of proficiency in both French and English, as defined in the Leadership Contest Rules. Indigenous contestants are exempt from this requirement.
2.1.3.X In a pair of Co-Leadership contestants, at least one must meet a certain level of proficiency in each of French and English, as defined in the Leadership Contest Rules. Any pair of contestants that includes at least one Indigenous person is exempt from this requirement.”
Question D - Gender Requirements
Option D1
Selecting this option leads to no amendment text.
Option D2
The following text is added to bylaw 2.1.3:
“2.1.3.X In a pair of Co-Leadership contestants, at least one contestant must be a woman.’’
Option D3
Selecting this option leads to no amendment text.
Option D4
The following text is added to Bylaw 2.1.3:
“2.1.3.X At least one elected Co-Leader must be a woman. The contestant who places first will be elected regardless of gender identity, and if that person is not a woman, the highest-placed woman will be elected to the second Co-Leader position.”
Option D5
Selecting this option leads to no amendment text.
This option is selected automatically if option A3 is selected.
Question E - Nominators
Option E1
Bylaw 2.1.3.1 is amended to read: “One hundred (100) Members of the Party in good standing shall be required to nominate a pair of Co-Leadership contestants.”
Option E2
Bylaw 2.1.3.1 is amended to read: “Two hundred (200) Members of the Party in good standing shall be required to nominate a pair of Co-Leadership contestants.”
Option E3
Bylaw 2.1.3.1 is amended to read: “One hundred (100) Members of the Party in good standing shall be required to nominate a Co-Leadership contestant.”
Option E4
Bylaw 2.1.3.1 is amended to read: “Two hundred (200) Members of the Party in good standing shall be required to nominate a Co-Leadership contestant.”
Option E5
Bylaw 2.1.3.1 is amended to read: “One hundred (100) Members of the Party in good standing shall be required to nominate a single Leader contestant or a pair of Co-Leadership contestants.”
Option E6
Bylaw 2.1.3.1 is amended to read: “One hundred (100) Members of the Party in good standing shall be required to nominate a single Leader contestant. Two hundred (200) Members of the Party in good standing shall be required to nominate a pair of Co-Leadership contestants.”
Option E7
Bylaw 2.1.3.1 is amended to read: “Two hundred (200) Members of the Party in good standing shall be required to nominate a single Leader contestant or a pair of Co-Leadership contestants.”
Question F - Deputy Leader(s)
Option F1
Bylaw 6.3 is amended to read: “The Co-Leaders may appoint one Deputy Leader.”
Option F2
Bylaw 6.3 is amended to read: “The Co-Leaders may appoint up to two Deputy Leaders.”
Option F3
Bylaw 6.3 is amended to read: “If there is a single Leader, the Leader may appoint up to two Deputy Leaders. If there are Co-Leaders, the Co-Leaders may appoint one Deputy Leader.”
Option F4
Bylaw 6.3 is amended to read: “The Leader or Co-Leaders may appoint up to two Deputy Leaders.”
Question G - “Leader” for Elections Act Purposes
Option G1
Article 7.1.2 is replaced with the following text:
“7.1.2 Leader: The chief spokesperson of the Party, and the individual filed as Leader pursuant to the Canada Elections Act.
7.1.3 Co-Leaders: The chief spokespeople of the Party. The Co-Leaders decide between themselves which of the two is filed as Leader pursuant to the Canada Elections Act.”
Option G2
Article 7.1.2 is replaced with the following text:
“7.1.2 Leader: The chief spokesperson of the Party, and the individual filed as Leader pursuant to the Canada Elections Act.
7.1.3 Co-Leaders: The chief spokespeople of the Party. Federal Council and the Co-Leaders decide which of the two Co-Leaders is filed as Leader pursuant to the Canada Elections Act.”
Transitional Provisions (not amendment text)
THESE ARE NOT PART OF THE AMENDMENT.
If the final amendment motion is approved, we will need to pass ONE of these motions.
Motion T1
Motion: On the condition that the co-leadership amendment is ratified by the full membership, to consider Elizabeth May to be an elected Co-Leader and to fill the vacancy in the other Co-Leader position according to the updated Bylaw 2.1.8.
Motion T2
Motion: On the condition that the co-leadership amendment is ratified by the full membership, to hold a Co-Leadership Contest that will start no later than 6 months after the ratification of the amendment and conclude within 24 months of said ratification.
Motion T3
Motion: On the condition that the co-leadership amendment is ratified by the full membership, to retain Elizabeth May as single Leader through the next federal general election and to hold a Co-Leadership Contest that will start no later than 6 months after the conclusion of said election and conclude within 24 months.
Motion T4
Motion: On the condition that the co-leadership amendment is ratified by the full membership, to retain Elizabeth May as single Leader until a vacancy occurs in her position, at which point an interim leader will be appointed and a (Co-)Leadership Contest started pursuant to the updated Bylaw 2.1.8. A leadership review will be held after the next federal general election, as per the current Bylaw 2.1.5.5.
What to do if the amendment is rejected
If the final amendment text is rejected, we will consider this motion, with the possible outcomes being that it is approved or that it is not. If it is not, no further action will be taken (by FC).
Motion R1
Motion: To direct Federal Council to create a committee to investigate Co-Leadership further and return to the membership with a revised amendment proposal at a future General Meeting.
Please use the following link to access the amendment text
https://wedecide.green.ca/link?external_url=https%3A%2F%2Fdocs.google.com%2Fdocument%2Fd%2F1KbJdLT218Pj_aJUuj7bwMSAwAXTZESYxOitGNfH_edE%2Fedit%3Fusp%3Dsharing
