.png){kind=logo}
2020- 2022 Policy Process | Green Party of Canada
Where GPC membership collaborates to develop our policies
G21-D001 Establish a Constitution Renewal Commission
Submitter Name
Colin Griffiths
Ratification Vote Results: Adopted
Proposal
Direct Federal Council to establish a participatory Constitutional Renewal Commission led by professionals experienced in drafting constitutions, and, based on best practices, draft a new Constitution that is well structured, easy to understand, and capable of serving the party well into the future, for adoption by members at a Special General Meeting within 18 months.
Objective
The GPC has functioned for the last 30 years with a constitution prepared before there were elected Green representatives. The Constitution reflects the historical progress of the party, with incremental changes over the years. It is proposed to revise the Constitution to better meet the needs of this century.
Benefit
A renewed Constitution will enable the party to face its democratic challenges. Improved, more transparent and accountable internal management with strengthened liaison with local associations and members will better integrate our grassroots into the operation of the party, which is more consistent with the values and principles of the GPC.
Supporting Comments from Submitter
The Constitution is the basic law under which the party operates. The performance of the party, internally and electorally, shows serious issues with how we are organized. Substantive revisions to the Constitution are required to reverse this performance. A change in leadership is not enough; we need a change in how we manage ourselves. There are no specific constitutional changes proposed by this motion, save a general improvement in the clarity of the document; removal of redundancies and anachronisms, and renewal of its democratic nature.
Green Value(s)
Participatory Democracy
Report inappropriate content
Is this content inappropriate?
3 comments
I love this idea. We need a new constitution! I wish that the proposal incoroporated wording to ensure Member participation in the Constitutional Renewal Commission. There are a lot of 'experts' out there who have no idea what Green political philosophy is about. The means create the end, and I would hope such a commission would be Member-led...with expert-led workshops and lessons and guidance embedded throughout.
Long overdue. I have enough experience writing bad constitutions to know that it is a good idea to hire a lawyer or two to help with the language.
I took a run at the current constitution (and bylaws) and eventually gave up. There are plenty of ideas worth keeping, but the text really does need to be rewritten from scratch.
I feel very strongly that there should be a bylaw that allows for decisions to be made with a machine-mediated continuous resolution process. This website is such a good start! In-person meetings/conferences are yesterday's lettuce: Acceptable, but not ideal.
I am not sure the Carver model of governance is working for us, but I do not know what would be better. I am sure a committee under guidance of experts would help sort us out. But hiring experts is not in our budget now, so appealing for member-expert volunteers to make suggestions (or accept the expertise of the people who created the analysis of the GPC's 2019 election performance) would move this party forward.
Add your comment
Sign in with your account or sign up to add your comment.
Loading comments ...