19th General Meeting

Note from Proposal Shepherds: This proposal is 1 of 4 Constitutional amendment proposals and 1 Directive proposal on Co-Leadership. The Policy Development Process Committee recommends reviewing the comments posted by Green Party of Canada members, and the Proposal Shepherds, under each Co-Leadership proposal in the WeDecide Workshop: D001 , C001 , C002 , C003 , C004

Article 9 - Co-Spokespersons 

9.1 Members shall elect two primary spokespersons for the Green Party of Canada. They shall be known as Co-Spokespersons. 

9.2. Purpose 

9.2.1 The Co-spokespersons will follow the principles of “servant Leadership". They shall be the primary public faces of the party and be responsible for fulfilling the duties described in their Job Descriptions developed by Federal Council. 

9.2.3 The Co-spokespersons must run in federal elections. 

9.2.4 The Co-spokespersons will jointly determine which co-spokesperson will be the member filed as Leader pursuant to the Canada Elections Act. 

9.3 Duties and Powers 

9.3.1 The Co-Spokespersons shall: 

9.3.1.1 Act in accordance with the Constitution, Bylaws and Principles of the Green Party of Canada; 

9.3.1.2 Speak for the Party concerning political issues and be guided in so doing by the Party’s member-made policies. 

9.3.1.3 Share one vote on Federal Council and the Executive Committee; 

9.3.1.4 Chair the Caucus and Shadow Cabinet; 

9.3.1.5 Appoint or remove members of the Shadow Cabinet; 

9.3.1.6 Be an integral part of discussions, and have voice and vote in any decisions about the Party’s Electoral Strategy. 

9.3.1.7 Report to the Party membership at every General Meeting. 

9.3.1.8 Report to Federal Council in the period between General Meetings. 

9.4 Election of Co-spokespersons; 

9.4.1 Upon ratification of this amendment. Federal Council will launch an election for two co-spokespersons. 

9.4.2 Should one of the Co-Spokespersons resign, or become incapacitated, Federal Council, in consultation with the remaining spokesperson, will appoint an interim co-spokesperson and hold an election for the vacant position within 6 months of the date of resignation or incapacitation. Federal Council may decide to extend the interim appointment of a co-spokesperson until after the next federal election or byelection if the timelines conflict.

9.4.3 Should both of the elected Co-spokespersons resign, one interim spokesperson will be appointed by Federal Council, and a new election for two co-spokespersons shall begin within six (6) months. 

9.4.4 The Party Co-spokesperson positions are elected in accordance with the Party’s Electoral Bylaws and shall always include: 

9.4.5 At least one woman; and one person of any gender; 

9.4.6 Co-spokesperson candidates must have been Members of the Party in good standing at least 3 months prior to an election; 

9.4.7 Two hundred (200) Members of the Party in good standing shall be required to nominate a Co-spokesperson candidate. 

9.4.8 Voting shall be exercised using a form of the single transferable vote (STV) requiring a majority of votes cast for election. 

9.6 Accountability and Co-Spokesperson Review 

9.6.1 Co-spokespersons are accountable to the Members in General Meetings and to Federal Council in the period in between General Meetings. 

9.6.2 A Co-Spokesperson Review shall take place: 

9.6.2.1 Within six months of a Federal General Election, unless the party forms government or is a part of the Government, a Co-Spokesperson’s Review, shall be held.

9.6.2.2 Should at least 50% of the Membership petition Federal Council to hold a Co-Spokesperson Review; 

9.6.2.3 Should a resolution approved by at least two-thirds (2/3) of Federal Council call for a Co-Spokesperson Review. 

9.6.3 The date of the Co-spokesperson Review vote will be set by Federal Council and may coincide with a General Meeting.

 9.6.4 The Co-spokesperson’s terms shall end if Members in good standing do not pass a resolution endorsing each of them by at least sixty percent (60%). 

9.7 Consistency 

9.7.1 This Constitution and Bylaws, as well as all other existing internal and external literature will be amended to reflect Article 9 and refer to Co-Spokespersons instead of Leader.

Submitter: Lorraine Rekmans

Sponsors: Gerry Rekmans, Lorraine Rekmans, Stephen Gabell, Samuel Moisan-Domm, Johan Hamels, James Mihaychuk, Jean-Charles Pelland, John Carley, Lenore Morris, Colin Creasey, Adrian Smits, Corrina Serda, Maria Rodriguez, Kim N I Bell, Charles Eyton-Jones, Anne Lavender, Mr. Bruce Weaver, Jason Baines, Evelyn Tanaka, Roger Samson, John Willson

Note from staff: This proposal is for consideration at the 19th Annual General Meeting. A second copy, with additional background information, has been posted in the Workshop to allow you to collaborate on amendments. You can access the workshop version of this proposal here, which the submitter is still able to edit.