Collaborative Proposal Creation
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Proposal text
To reform the way that the Federal Council and the Fund are constituted, to include the recruitment of individuals with professional experience including experienced campaign managers, communications specialists, accountants, lawyers, political analysts, human resources and experts in governance and the operation of non-profit organizations. To vet elected candidates for the Federal Council and the Fund including social media checks, reference checks, verified resumes and criminal record checks before a newly elected member can take their seat. To ensure that all members of the Federal Council and the Fund receive comprehensive governance, finance, political and communications training if they do not already have relevant experience or credentials.
Background:
While candidates aspiring to become Green Party of Canada (GPC) Members of Parliament undergo a rigorous vetting process (see attached candidate application form), ensuring their suitability to represent the party in federal elections, the same level of scrutiny does not extend to candidates for the Federal Council. This discrepancy raises concerns about the potential for inexperienced individuals to assume key governance roles, particularly in provinces or territories with limited party membership.
The absence of proper vetting procedures for Council and Fund members also creates a gap that may allow candidates with falsified qualifications to be elected. Mere claims of expertise, such as those found on resumes or business cards, lack substantive verification. To mitigate this risk, the party must establish a comprehensive vetting process that encompasses social media assessments, reference checks, verified resumes, and criminal record evaluations. Only through such a stringent vetting process can the party be assured that an individual’s skills and experience align with their asserted qualifications.
In addition to robust vetting, comprehensive training is paramount to equip Federal Council and Fund members with the skills and knowledge required for their responsibilities. Proficiency in governance, finance, politics, and communications ensures that all members understand their roles in the party's governance and operations, as well as their fiduciary responsibilities.
Many dedicated Green Party candidates and organizers have devoted significant personal and professional resources to advance the party's agenda. Their hard work, including substantial fundraising, volunteer mobilization, and effective campaign leadership, can be undermined by the unprofessional behavior of Federal Council or Fund members.
My personal experiences underscore the urgency for reform. As a former Green Party Member of Parliament, who played a crucial role in building the party's profile in Nanaimo-Ladysmith, I witnessed unprofessional conduct within the Federal Council and the Fund. Unprofessional behavior permeated these bodies, impacting both public and private discussions. Such unprofessionalism directly affected election campaigns and contributed to the party’s electoral losses, including my own.
The Green Party of Canada's journey towards greater success hinges on the professionalization of its governance. Council and Fund members must possess the expertise and skills necessary to guide the party effectively. While regional representatives can be trained to meet the party's professional standards, whenever possible it is imperative to recruit experienced professionals into key governance positions to provide sound advice and guidance to the Federal Council and the Fund.
Suggested Revisions to Bylaw 2:
Add New Section "Expertise and Recruitment of Federal Council and Fund Members"
The Federal Council and the Fund will actively seek individuals with diverse professional backgrounds, including experienced campaign managers, communications specialists, accountants, lawyers, political analysts, human resources experts, and governance professionals. This involves transparent communication with the membership, including the circulation of a “skills matrix” that demonstrates which skills are currently well represented on the Federal Council and Fund Board and which are needed. Applicants should be expected to provide details of their relevant skills during the application process.
Candidates seeking election to the Federal Council and the Fund shall undergo a comprehensive vetting process. This process shall include social media checks, reference checks, verification of resumes, and criminal record checks. Only candidates who successfully complete this vetting process shall be eligible to take their seats upon election.
To ensure effective governance, all members of the Federal Council and the Fund who do not possess relevant experience or credentials shall receive comprehensive training in areas such as governance, finance, politics, and communications.
Modify "2.1.5 Election to Federal Council and Term of Office" to include:
The election process for any office of the Federal Council shall incorporate the provisions outlined in Section [TBD - Expertise and Recruitment of Federal Council and Fund Members] of this bylaw.
Additionally, elected members shall undergo the training specified in Section [TBD - Expertise and Recruitment of Federal Council and Fund Members] of this bylaw if they do not already possess relevant experience or credentials.
Modify "2.1.5.8 The following people are ineligible to run for Federal Council, serve or continue serving as Federal Councillors:" to include:
2.1.5.8.5
Any candidate who has not successfully completed the vetting process outlined in Section [TBD - Expertise and Recruitment of Federal Council and Fund Members] of this bylaw.
Add New Section:
2.8
Training of Federal Council and Fund Members
2.8.1
All elected members of the Federal Council and the Fund who do not possess relevant experience or credentials shall receive comprehensive training in governance, finance, politics, and communications, as specified in Section 2.0.3 of this bylaw.
Type of Proposal
A constitutional amendment to change the constitution or bylaws
Objective / Benefit
This proposal aims to enhance the Green Party of Canada's governance by ensuring qualified and experienced individuals shape its leadership. Rigorous vetting, professional training, and expertise inclusion elevate the party's standards, fostering effective decision-making and safeguarding against unprofessional behavior, ultimately strengthening its influence and electoral success.
If your proposal replaces an existing policy or policies, which one does it replace?
My proposal would add to, but not replace, Bylaw 2 Federal Council.
List any supporting evidence for your proposal
I could write a book about the reasons this is necessary.
Does this proposal affect any particular group and what efforts have been made to consult with the group or groups?
N/A
Jurisdiction: Is this proposal under federal jurisdiction?
Unsure or Not applicable (e.g. directives and constitutional changes)
Please indicate the language the proposal is being submitted in.
English
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Conversation with Gerry Schreiber
"Enemy" Paul? That is counter to the professionalism discussed in this amendment. I agree with the frustration caused by Annamie's ability to take over the Party as she did. I was always appalled that Federal Council allowed this to happen since I was under the impression that indeed, that is what a good portion of what they were there to protect against. I guess I wasn't paying enough attention. If this hasn't been in place before, then it is truly high time to implement it.
Of course Paul was the GPC's enemy to favour Israel. That is why she banned all candidates in Newfoundland and Labrador. That is why she put a cabinet member in place who had called green MP's terrorist supporters on social media. That is why she let stand her openly Zionist Zatsman's accusations of antisemitism against GPC MP's stand - in order to help defeat Palestine supporter Paul Manly, who lost a close contest amid the GPC mahem caused by Paul as members left by the thousands and funding dried up. That is why Paul demanded four times the leader salary of Elizabeth May. It had less to do do with Annamies ability to take over by getting cronies on council who banned her opponents from running for council, than it did with the rest of council operating out of fear of being called antisemitic if they did anything to reign in her atrocities. Reigning in such as refusing to pay a quarter milliion in leader's salary for the honour of getting the party mangled. Reigning in meaning refusing a known international advocate/lobbiest for the Israel aparthied military, police and security apparatus to be an "independent" arbitor of the GPC dispute between
council and Enemy Paul. And reigning in meaning refusing to allow Elizabeth May to campaign for the Paul leadership bid with five fundraising events and a glowing letter of praise, to the muted horror of all leadership candidates. Those governance decisions were not about proffessionalism, but about spine.
Thank you Constantine for that info regarding Annamie Paul. Trying to piece together bits of info from news articles, primarily from CBC, wherein Paul's views dominated, but were contrary to a few bits spoken by other Green insiders, left me suspecting things like you described above. To this day that is the most relevant factual info I've seen about what happened re Paul's bad-mouthing of some Greens, and her disservice to the GPC generally. As you say, honesty and spine are more crucial qualifiers to be on the Fed. Council, or any influential Green position. Steps to confirm that someone genuinely respects Green values and will act accordingly need to be taken.
Perhaps a legally binding signed agreement from all applicants for influential positions, that they accept and will abide by the current Constitution and Bylaws of the GPC - and Policies that have been approved by the general membership - should be the 1st step in their even being considered. I think this is especially important in these times when the credibility of the traditional parties, and their most influential candidates, is so distrusted by a growing segment of the general public, because of their obvious support of neoliberal systems. It is just being realistic, not paranoid, to think that neoliberal interests will be trying to worm their way into positions of influence within the Green Parties around the world. Those neoliberal interests have no problem funding/hiring individuals who have excellent credentials in all fields you are concerned with - but with their neoliberal values and intentions, they can be a far greater threat to the GPC than sincere Green-minded candidates with less glossy resumes. The agreement I referred to above should also include wording that requires GPC employees and reps with significant influence to inform (rat, if you will) on any insider they know is violating, or planning to violate, any of the Green values they have claimed to respect. It seems Enemie Paul did the exact opposite, and if there is still nothing on the GPC website that adequately clarifies what went on, its long overdue.
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