2020- 2022 Policy Process | Green Party of Canada

Result of VGM vote

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

Ratification Vote Results: Adopted

Proposal

Whereas the previous leadership race rules, developed in secret by Federal Council, led to problems which caused embarrassment for the Party and contributed to later crises:

Be it resolved that: “Federal Council will put the proposed rules of the next leadership contest to an online vote of the general members, with a voting period of one week, and that the proposed rules must pass by a 60% margin before the contest may be instated. If any proposed set of rules fails, Federal Council will amend the proposal with input from members and seek approval again.” 

Objective

This directive instructs Federal Council to not develop the next leadership race rules in secret, but rather with participation of the members. It is not intended to bind Federal Council on the content of the rules or timing of the process.

Benefit

Members will have the opportunity to review, discuss and ultimately approve the method for making this important internal decision. It will avoid internal disputes and build trust in the process. Hopefully it will ensure we learn from past mistakes.

Supporting Comments from Submitter

There were known controversial aspects of the previous race rules at the time they were being formed, such as the lack of a job description for the leader’s position, and the strikingly high entry fees which many members subsequently objected to.

Consultation: this directive makes consultation a requirement.

Jurisdiction: the leadership race rules are the prerogative of Federal Council. 

Support: problems with the leadership race rules were extensively discussed by members at the time.

Green Values

Participatory Democracy, Social Justice, Respect for Diversity, Sustainability

Relation to existing policy

There is no current directive on how the next leadership race rules are to be created.