2020- 2022 Policy Process | Green Party of Canada
Where GPC membership collaborates to develop our policies
G21-B011 Regional Associations of EDAs
Submitter Name
Érica Poirier
Ratification Vote Results: Adopted
Proposal
Amend Bylaw 8.3 from “Provincial Divisions remaining be disbanded” to read:
“Provincial Divisions remaining will be replaced by associations corresponding to the regions outlined in Bylaw 3.”
These associations will be based on the AQPVC model and will include a board of directors as well as regional spokespersons that bring together adjacent EDAs. Please see
https://quebec-partivertducanada.com/aile-qubcoise.
Objective
Put in place regional groups or associations of EDAs or candidates, similar to the one that exists in Quebec (AQPVC - Quebec wing), based on the division of Canada into 6 regions, i.e. one association per region.
Benefit
Enables different provincial ridings to come together and support each other, in order to have a greater impact on provincial and local issues. Increased sense of belonging in the party by allowing for access to decentralized resources.
Supporting Comments from Submitter
Working closely on a project with people who think differently allows us to explore all possibilities, and to ensure a complete understanding of the project.
https://www.genie-inc.com/5-raisons-de-travailler-prochain-projet-equipe/
In addition to advancing the project through the experiences of each person, teamwork is ideal for the development of the skills of less experienced collaborators.
https://www.agilytae.com/4-avantages-travail-equipe/
Finally, because decisions are made in accordance with the different points of view brought to the table, they tend to be more thorough and thoughtful than when the decision-making process is the responsibility of only one person.
https://fr.aleteia.org/2018/08/30/les-avantages-insoupconnes-du-travail-dequipe/
Team projects encourage employees to feel proud of their contributions. Tackling obstacles and creating notable work together makes team members feel fulfilled. Working toward achieving company goals allows employees to feel connected to the company. This builds loyalty, leading to a higher level of job satisfaction among employees.
https://www.sandler.com/blog/6-benefits-of-teamwork-in-the-workplace/
A group can sometimes deal with complicated, difficult, deep, and involved problems more effectively than individuals can. That's because the wider, more diverse range of skill sets and experience can tackle larger and more difficult problems.
https://toughnickel.com/business/15-Advantages-of-teamwork-in-the-workplace
Green Value(s)
Participatory Democracy, Social Justice, Respect for Diversity, Non-violence
Relation to existing policy
This proposal would rescind and replace Bylaw 8.3.
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I love this proposal because of the thrust of it, which is to decentralize our Party in line with Value Three, participatory democracy:
"... so that power and responsibility are concentrated in local and regional communities, and devolved only where essential to higher tiers of governance."
As Dave Meslin argued in his 2019 book 'Teardown: Rebuilding Democracy from the Ground Up', all three levels of government discourage participation by citizens. So engaging citizens calls for the incentives Ms Poirier outlines in Supporting Comments.
Logically, the most attractive level of engagement for non-engaged citizens (including non-voters) is the most local—just like Value Three says. Giving voice to provincial regions as outlined in this proposal is thus philosophically and practically the way to go!
I have these reservations, though:
1. The most local and still formal unit—and thus most appealing to people who are 'anti-politics'—is the EDA.
2. Changing (reversing, actually) bylaw 8.3 leaves open the important matter of re-writing the whole bylaw to nail down how a provincial regional association would function; in other words, it calls for process to be written into the Constitution—likely "based on the AQPVC model".
Participating in democracy is not only virtuous in itself, it encourages more participation. Making it easier is thus our duty.
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