government is turning a blind eye to thisinjustice.

The Green Party of Canada urges thePeruvian government to improve its functionin maintaining the safety of its citizens anddemocratic processes. It is impossible tohave legitimate laws and governing systems,when key political actors are threatened withviolence and when essential conservationlaws are constantly violated.

The dangerous situation faced byGreen politicians in South America was fur-ther revealed following the attempted assassi-nation of Flor de Maria Hurtado Valdez - lea-der of the Peruvian Green Alternative Party-On Febrary 18th 2005. The attempt on Ms.Hurtado's life was likely a result of herefforts to protect Peruvian Amazon forestsand indigenous communities from illegal log-gers whose reckless practices are provingdetrimental to this critical region.The party is calling out to Green Partiesthroughout the Americas and around theworld to support efforts to ensure the protec-tion of activists, politicians and citizensopposed to illegal logging. The problem iscompounded by the fact that the Peruvian

The protection of natural habitats in a sustai-nable and socially just manner is a matter ofglobal thinking, cooperation, and action. Thestate of the environment is a concern to citi-zens in every corner of the world - its healthand fair treatment is everyone's responsibili-ty as a global citizen and parent to futuregenerations. The Green Party of Canada sup-ports green movements around the worldpromoting the sustainable and just manage-ment of habitats and life sources.

Elio Di Iorio International Secretary For more information visit:http://www.greenparty.ca/index.php

Solidarity in the Americas

The party is calling out toGreen Parties throughout

the Americas. . .

Green Canada VertBâtissons une démocratie

écologique ensemble.Let’s get connected. Let’s build a Green democracy.

Thank You!The Green Party of Canada would like tothank Raphaël Thierrin for his very hardwork and involvement as managing editor ofthe Green Party’s official newsletter, GreenCanada Vert. It is a very difficult task tomanage points of view and edit other peo-ple’s work and still be so well liked. It isunfortunate that Raphaël is officially leavinghis post as chief editor but his continueddedication and interest in the magazine andthe party are greatly valued.

Merci!Le Parti Vert du Canada aimerait remercierRaphaël Thierrin pour son travail dévoué etsa participation en tant que rédacteur du bul-letin de nouvelles officiel du Parti Vert.C’est tout un défi de rassembler et de rédigerdes textes d’une multitude d’auteurs tout engardant le respect de ceux-ci. Nous disonsau revoir à Raphaël qui quitte son poste entant que rédacteur en chef et nous le remer-cions pour son intérêt et son dévouement auparti.

Direct and Protect“Direct and Protect!” These words resonated through the North YorkCity Hall Council Chambers, Toronto in early March as Green Partyof Canada (GPC) staff, guests and Federal Council shared a one-daytraining session, ‘On Board for Leadership’, designed to maximizethe effectiveness of people and the Party through leadership.

Seated in an oval arrangement of desks with individual micro-phones, we noted such factors as our political legitimacy and theresounding message that provides a strong basis for the Party.

We also acknowledged issues that frustrate efforts and undermineprogress. The necessary task, for example, of unifying ideologicaldifferences of our members is both complex and time-consuming. It is also draining on staff and volunteers.

Furthermore, we reconfirmed that Council’s historical role as a wor-king group that made decisions and implemented them is not appli-cable to the demands of a Party ready to be the Opposition orGovernment.

In another activity, key success factors for an effective Council werepresented through the use of the word GOVERNANCE:G = Group size that allows for diverse perspectives and efficientdecision makingO = Owner driven Council to direct and protect the interests of themembersV = Voice of Council is singular outside of the Council MeetingsE = End-results focusedR = Refine policy rather than prescribing action (Council stays outof operations)N = Note operational limits to empower staffA = Accountability of the Executive Director is to the entire CouncilN = New Council members meet predetermined qualificationsC = Committees of Council only gather information versus makingrecommendationsE = Explicit lines of communication, authority, accountability, andservices.

From this, we created a vision of a Governance Council. Councilmakes all decisions on such aspects as values, mission, visions, out-comes, success indicators and key result areas. While there is obli-gatory communication with the membership, Council sets the agen-da and makes these decisions between Annual Meetings. The

See ‘Direct’ on page 2

Diriger et Protéger«Diriger et protéger!» Ces mots résonnent dans la Chambre de conseilà la mairie de North York à Toronto lors de la formation «On Boardfor Leadership» des employés et du Conseil fédéral du Parti Vert, uneformation conçue pour maximiser l’efficacité des gens et du parti à tra-vers le leadership.

Assis dans une forme ovale constituée de bureaux avec des micro-phones individuels, nous avons reconnu que notre légitimité politiqueainsi que notre puissant message unificateur donnaient au parti unefondation en béton.

Nous avons également reconnu certaines tâches qui semblent se trans-former en obstacles au progrès et qui frustrent les acteurs au sein duParti Vert. Par exemple, la tâche d’unifier les différences idéologiquesde nos membres est complexe et elle consomme beaucoup de temps etd’énergie des employés et des bénévoles.

Qui plus est, nous avons encore une fois confirmé que le rôle tradition-nel du Conseil en tant que groupe de travail qui engendre des décisionset en fait l’application ne correspondait pas au rôle traditionnel d’unparti qui se sent prêt à former l’opposition ou un gouvernement.

Les facteurs-clés du succès pour un Conseil efficace ont été présentéslors d’une activité qui détaillait le mots, en anglais, GOVERNANCE:G = La taille d’un Groupe qui permet d’avoir des perspectives diversesainsi que des prises de décisions efficaces.O = Owner (Propriétaire). Un Conseil qui est dirigé par les intérêts deses membres et protège ceux-ci.V = La Voix du Conseil est singulière à l’extérieur des réunions duConseil.E = End (Fin). Le Conseil doit se concentrer sur les résultats finaux.R = Raffiner les politiques plutôt que de distribuer des tâches (leConseil se doit de ne pas intervenir dans le opérations quotidiennes).N = Prendre Note des limites opérationnelles pour responsabiliser lesemployés.A = Accountability (Imputabilité). Le Directeur exécutif est imputableau Conseil.N = les Nouveaux membres du Conseil doivent être à la hauteur d’exi-gences prédéterminées.C = les Comités du Conseil ne font que rassembler de l’information aulieu de faire des recommendations.E = des lignes Explicites de communication, d’autorité, d’imputabilitéet de services.

Voyez ‘Diriger’ sur page 2

Quelques mots de Vertsdu Maroc pour partageravec nous…Democratie participativeLors de notre premier congrès de Mohammedia, du 2 Septembre 1992, placé sous le thèmeDémocratie et développement durable pour tous les citoyens (nes), nous avons tracé lesgrandes lignes de nos convictions qui tendent à briser les inégalités du savoir, des richesses etde pouvoir qui entravent l’émergence de la démocratie participative et les prises de décisionsdes jeunes des personnes âgées, et de l’ensemble homme et femmes qui doivent exprimer danstoute la transparence leurs votes qui reflètent et respectent leurs choix politiques, lors de touteles élections qui ne doivent exclure aucune formation politique. Les Verts oeuvrent pour lespolitiques multiculturelles basées sur la diversité culturelle, l’éducation adéquate en dialectespour promouvoir par l’innovation l’écologie politique telle décrite dans la charte globale desVerts, quant l’élaboration de laquelle les Verts du Maroc ont participé à Canberra 2001.

Green Canada VertThe official newsletter of the Green Party of Canada /

Le bulletin de nouvelles officiel du Parti Vert du Canada

Managing Editor/Redactrice en chefTania Briceno

tania.briceno@greenparty.ca

Designer/GraphistePeter Lenardon

Green Party of CanadaParti Vert Du Canada

Spring 2005Printemps 2005

ISSN 1490-0777

end of this year. This is ambi-tious, but we can do it and ourvalues deserve the boost thiswill bring. More members willlead to stronger candidates,stronger teams backing our can-didates, policies which are morecomprehensive and polished,

more credibility with the mediaand a stronger financial base.About 80% of the results ofmost elections is determined inthe work done before an elec-tion is called. The work that isgoing on now is critical. If youaren’t involved locally, considerdoing so.

Although we now have about$1,050,000 of annual govern-ment funding as a result of the582,247 people who voted forus, we are at a big disadvantagecompared to the other parties. Itis difficult to compete with poli-tical parties that have many

times more resources, but weare doing precisely this!In the last election, for example,we were outspent 24 times toone by the NDP at the centralparty level, but this helped themget only 3.7 times the votes ourcandidates achieved. The NDPspent $12 million which worked

Governance in theGreen Party of Canada

The Economics of FutureElectoral Success

10% By-Election Showing isGPO’s 2nd Best Ever

The purpose of a political partyis to obtain and wield power toachieve a stated aim -sustainabili-ty in our case. To earn the respectof voters as a potential govern-ment of Canada, the Green Partyshould govern itself in a respon-sible and effective manner that isconsistent with our stated prin-ciples and values.The appropriate governancestructure will recognize and defi-ne who has power and how itshould be used. Clearly definedexecutive and administrativemandates will avoid the misallo-cation or abuse of power, andenable the organization torespond quickly and effectivelywhen decisions need to be made.

The GPC currently operates witha working council as it sets poli-cy and then executes decisionseither directly or through wor-king committees. A workingcouncil holds the strategic powerof governance and the executivepower to execute its own deci-sions. Council members are elec-

ted to specific functional portfo-lios such as administration, com-munications, and membership.Councillors participate directlyon working committees and thelines are blurred between policydecisions and operations.

A working council is typical of asmall young organization. Thekey volunteers build the organi-zation, make the decisions and domost of the work. But as an orga-nization grows in size, scope, andcomplexity, the working councilno longer matches the needs ofthe organization.Almost all organizations inclu-ding NGOs, community groups,political parties, and businessesstruggle with governance and theburnout of leading members. Astheir group grows, they invaria-bly move from a working boardof directors to a governanceboard.

A governance council sets themedium to long term priorities,monitors performance, creates

and amends the organizationalstructure, hires only the executivedirector, approves budgets,ensures that bylaws and direc-tives are upheld. The governancecouncil does NO OPERATIO-NAL WORK! The strategic plan-ning and monitoring are enoughwork already. A governancecouncil directs the organization’swork by approving organizationalpolicy and monitoring its pro-gress. But it avoids makingmanagement and operationaldecisions.

The executive staff wields anddelegates administrative power(e.g. allocating the approved bud-get, implementing directives),hires and fires paid and volunteerstaff, and makes operational deci-

sions. The executive director orgeneral manager is hired, notelected, and is accountable to thecouncil on behalf of the paid andvolunteer staff for administrationand operations. Departments andcommittees are responsible forthe tactical implementation ofactivities in their mandate. Theyreport to and are accountable tothe executive director.

The Green Party of Canada iscurrently reviewing its governan-ce structures to make the changesdescribed above. The basicconcepts are being implementednow, but there remain manyissues to resolve. Members of theParty can contribute by visitingwww.lp.greenparty.ca/tiki-index.php?page=gpc+governan-ce+project, or contacting myselfat 613-984-0489, or writing tome at PO Box 39, Berwick OntK0C 1G0.

Tom Manley,Deputy Leader

Direct continued. . .

Executive Director and Staff manage the day-to-day duties.

We agreed that Council’s role is to direct and protect the interests ofmembers. To achieve this, we noted the need for a defined structurewith clear lines of direction, authority, accountability and communi-cation roles.

To end the Session, we each offered personal action plans and pos-sible Council activities. Improved communication was a commontheme. In addition, we proposed defined timelines, job descriptionsand task completion requirements.

As we left the Chambers, there was a greater appreciation of gover-nance. We had more clarity about the differences between staff andCouncil duties and most importantly, we each had a clear understan-ding of the role of Federal Council.

Bruce Abel, Chair GPC Federal Council

Diriger continue. . .

Nous pouvons dès lors construire un Conseil selon les principes deGOVERNANCE. Le Conseil décide des principes, de la mission, dela vision, des objectifs, des indicateurs de réussite et des résultatsclés du parti. Tandis qu’il y a une communication nécessaire avecles membres, c’est le Conseil qui détermine l’agenda et prend lesdécisions entre les réunions annuelles. Le Directeur exécutif et lesemployés gèrent le parti au quotidien.

Nous avons conclué que le rôle du Conseil est de diriger et de proté-ger les intérêts des membres. Pour y arriver, nous avons discuté dubesoin d’avoir une structure définie avec des lignes précises dedirection, d’autorité, d’imputabilité et de communication.

Pour terminer la session, chacun de nous a offert un plan d’actionpersonnel et des activités potentielles pour le Conseil. Un thèmecommun était une meilleure communication. De plus, nous avonsproposé un échéancier défini, des descriptions de tâches ainsi quedes exigences pour compléter chaque tâche.

Lorsque nous sommes partis de la Chambre nous avons eu une plusgrande appréciation des difficultés de gouverner. Nous avons reçudes précisions sur la différence entre les tâches des employés etcelles du Conseil et nous avons maintenant une plus grande compré-hension du rôle du Conseil fédéral.

Bruce Abel, Président du Conseil fédéral PVC.

With the instability of theminority Liberal government,our primary focus has been tomake sure we are prepared for apossible spring election with theemphasis on again fielding 308candidates. We have also beenforming new Electoral DistrictAssociations (EDAs), which arethe main vehicle for local mem-ber involvement.

EDAs play a critical role inrecruiting candidates and put-ting together election teamsincluding campaign managers,financial agents, and poll cap-tains as well as outreaching tovoters and recruiting new mem-bers.

We are working towards increa-sing our membership from thecurrent 4,000 to 10,000 by the

out to $5.65 for each vote theyreceived while the Green Partyof Canada spent nearly $0.5million which worked out tojust 86¢ per vote. It can be saidthat our message was a mucheasier sell than theirs (and thoseof the other parties) since foreach vote the NDP achievedthey had to spend 6.6 times asmuch as we did.

The efficiency of the GreenParty can be seen in the figuresbelow. How well would wehave done if we had had asmuch money as the other partiesand as much media coverage asthey had!?

Wayne Crookes, Campaign Manager

In the second best showing ever in anOntario election, Green Party leader Frankde Jong won 10 per cent of the vote in theMarch 17, 2005 in the Dufferin PeelWellington Gray (DPWG by-election). TheNDP won 14 per cent, the Liberals, runninga local environmentalist, won 16.7 per centand Progressive Conservative leader JohnTory won 56.3 per cent.

The Green Party continues to steeply climbin popularity. In the October 2003 Ontarioelection the GPO ran a virtual full slate(102 of 103 ridings) winning 2.7 per cent ofthe vote across the province. In the June2004 federal election the GPC ran in all 106Ontario ridings winning 4.5 per cent of thevote. And Ipsos Reid poll put the GPO at 9per cent across Ontario. So in the course of

just 18 months the party’s support has morethan tripled in Ontario!

“We won by stealth,” said Richard Procter aGreen Party member and former candidatefor the riding, “because at all candidatesdebates the other parties were presentingGreen Party ideas.”

Thanks to a long record of fantastic candi-dates, ideas, and results in the area, the politi-cal bases are so strong as to expect morebreakthroughs in the next election.

Jim Harris, Leader

LiberalsConservativesNDPBloc Que.Green

33.334.724.1N/A1.0

$3.33$4.30$5.65$2.68$0.86

26%20%15%32%100%

$16,604,528$17,284,257$12,018,931$ 4,507,531$ 498,179

OutspentRatio

Cost perVote

EfficiencyRatio

CentralExpenditures

About 80% of the results of most elec-tions is determined in the work done

before an election is called.

Une ACc’est quoi?

What is anEDA for?I suggest that a Green PartyElectoral District Association,(EDA), has 3 primary roles;develop membership, fundraise,and outreach.

Membership: As a grassrootsorganisation, with direct contactwith the local community, EDAsare in an ideal position to reachpotential new members on adaily basis. Increasing memberswill build capacity for the Partyinternally, and adds credibilityand political weight to the Greengoals of sustainability forCanadians.

Fundraising: I believe EDAsneed to be the fundraisingengines of the Party, especiallywith Bill C-24 in effect whichlimits individual donations to amaximum of $5000. All politicalparties will now have to developfundraising programs that willdepend upon many small dona-tions. The Green EDA, againwith the grassroots connection, isin an ideal position to reach outand attract many small donations,and ultimately share the successwith the whole Party. Note also,that only EDAs can solicit dona-tions from business and Unions,up to a limit of $1000 per organi-sation.

Outreach: This is where Greenscan think globally, and act local-ly. EDAs can be a voice for localissues that the whole Party can-not reach. My experience is thatmany people may understand thebroad principles of the GreenParty, but do not understand whatwe would actually do inGovernment. By relating Greens

to local issues, people developthat understanding and trustrequired in successful politics.

Taking a Green and holistic view,the 3 roles can be viewed as

equally vital, serving each otherto further the aim of both theEDA and the whole Green Party;promoting public policy that sup-ports ecological sustainability,community economics, socialjustice and participatory demo-cracy.

The EDA is a new organizingcreature for all political parties tograsp, with the legal and finan-cial powers of the whole Party. Itis important for Greens tounderstand their potential if weare to succeed. Creating andmaintaining EDAs is the bestway for members to become

involved and build the Party. TheEDA is the grassroots of theParty with the ability to maintainthe most direct contact withmembers and the local communi-ty, raising awareness and respon-ding to local issues, while buil-ding effective election capacity.

For more information visitwww.greenpartysgi.ca

Andrew LewisDeputy Leader GPCSaanich Gulf-Islands candidate, 2004Email: alewis@island.net

Je suggère qu’une associationde circonscription (AC) du PartiVert doit avoir trois rôles princi-paux: 1) agrandir l’effectif; 2)lever des fonds; 3) diffuser l’in-formation.

Effectif: en tant qu’organismecommunautaire avec un contactprivilégié avec les gens de la

communauté, les AC se retrou-vent dans une position idéalepour recruter des nouveauxmembres à chaque jour. Un plusgrand nombre de membres confé-rera un pouvoir d’action plusélevé à l’interne du parti et ajou-tera une crédibilité ainsi qu’unpoids politique à son objectif deviabilité auprès des Canadiennes.

Levée de fonds: avec la nouvelleloi 24 qui limite les dons indivi-duels à un plafond de 5,000$, jecrois que les AC doivent assumerle rôle principal de levée defonds au sein du parti. Tous lespartis développent maintenantdes stratégies de levée de fondsbasées sur des dons individuels.Un AC vert, avec ses liens com-munautaires, est dans une posi-tion idéale pour solliciter despetits dons et de partager lesfonds amassés avec le parti àl’échelle fédérale. N’oubliez pasque seul les AC peuvent deman-der des dons auprès des entre-prises et des syndicats, et ce, jus-qu’à 1,000$ par organisation.

Diffusion: les verts peuvent pen-sez globalement et agir locale-ment en ce qui concerne la diffu-sion de l’information. Les ACpeuvent prendre position sur desenjeux locaux qui seraient horsde la portée de l’organisationfédérale du Parti Vert. Selon mesinteractions avec les gens, la plu-part comprennent les principes debase du Parti Vert mais ont de ladifficulté à cerner qu’est-ce quele parti fait exactement au niveaufédéral. En associant les verts àdes enjeux locaux les gens pour-ront mieux comprendre le rôle duParti Vert et établir une relationde confiance avec le parti; unélément essentiel pour atteindrede meilleurs résultats politiques.

Dans une perspective «verte» etholistique, les trois rôles de l’ACsont tous essentiels au bon fonc-tionnement et à l’avancement desobjectifs de l’AC et du Parti Vert.Nous comptons parmi les objec-tifs du Parti Vert: la promotion depolitiques publiques qui appuientla viabilité, une économie socia-le, la justice sociale et la démo-cratie paricipative.

L’AC est une nouvelle formed’organisation que tous les partispolitiques doivent apprivoiser etqui détient tous les pouvoirs juri-diques et fiscaux du parti auniveau fédéral. Il est primordialque le verts comprennent lepotentiel des AC si nous voulonsréussir. La création et le maintiendes AC est la meilleure méthodede s’impliquer et de bâtir le parti.L’AC est l’outil communautairedu parti offrant: l’opportunitéd’une communication directeavec ses membres et les commu-nautés locales, la possibilité deconscientiser l’électorat et derépondre rapidement aux enjeuxlocaux ainsi que l’occasion debâtir une organisation électoraleefficace.

Pour plus d’information, veuillezconsulter le lien www.greenpartysgi.ca

Andrew LewisDéputé Chef PVCCandidat de Saanich Gulf-Islands, 2004Courriel: alewis@island.net

By relating Greens to local issues, people develop that understanding and trust required in successful politics.

En associant les verts à des enjeux locaux les gens pourront mieux comprendre le rôle du Parti Vert et établir une relation deconfiance avec le parti; un élément essentiel pour atteindre de meilleurs résultats politiques.

Paying Attention:Canada’s Well-Being

Greens in SaskatchewanThe place from which we’ve come

Membership May

In April of 1983, a group ofpeace and environmental activistsfounded the now long defunctSaskatchewan Ecology Party, thesecond Green Party to be registe-red in North America, after theB.C. Greens. In the followingmonths, Green groups began mee-ting in Saskatoon and Regina. Iattended my first Green Partymeeting in Saskatoon in lateNovember, 1983. The Saskatoongroup met somewhat sporadicallyuntil the summer of 1984, whenwe came together with new ener-gy and ran two candidates in the1984 federal election. Over thenext three years, the SaskatoonGreens met regularly and involvedthemselves in a variety of peace,social justice and ecologicalissues, until numbers dwindledand the group faded out in late1987.

In those three years, those of uswho had not been politicallyinvolved before came to learnabout a variety of issues, as wellas interesting ideas: issues arounduranium mining, chemicalspraying of forests, chemical agri-culture and the organic alternative,and ideas like bioregionalism,LETS systems and steady-stateeconomics. Most of all, perhaps,we learned that Green Politics isnot about a set of head-heavyideas being imposed from above,but about the issues and concernsthat are burning at the grass roots.

For the ten years following 1987,there was no organized GreenParty activity in Saskatchewan.Many of us who had been invol-ved in the first wave of Greensbecame active in various issuesand struggles as they unfolded:

the fight against free trade in1988, solidarity with the Mohawkduring the Oka stand-off in 1990,opposition to the first Gulf War in1991, support for a seventeenmonth anti-clear-cutting blockadein northern Saskatchewan in1992-93, and a decade-long fightagainst various faces of thenuclear industry, stopping the pro-posed construction of nuclearreactors and nuclear waste dumpsin Saskatchewan and opposing thefurther expansion of uraniummining.

By 1998, when the new provincialparty, the New Green Alliance,was formed, those of us who hadlived through the previous four-teen years were ready for a newGreen Party in Saskatchewan,with a stronger awareness ofissues of power and oppression in

society, a stronger criticism ofcapitalism and economic imperia-lism, and an awareness that some-times green leaves must turn redin the fall.

So today we stand, inSaskatchewan, whether we callourselves left Greens, progressiveGreens or social Greens. We bringto the GPC table our own perspec-tive, which combines ecologywith a deep commitment to socialjustice and the empowerment ofoppressed peoples.

Peace and Justice EverywhereDave Greenfield, SaskatchewanRepresentative

Participate in Membership May, the Green Party of Canada’s firstnational membership drive, and help increase our membership!Increasing our membership is key to a Greener political climate inCanada and improves our chances for continued electoral success.

Details:

• The top 10 EDAs will be refunded all membership contributions• The top 3 will receive and additional $10 per membership• The EDA with the largest percentage membership growth will berefunded all membership contributions and receive an additional$10 per membership

What is Membership May?Oneof the goals for the Green Partyof Canada is to double our mem-bership by 2006. In order toaccomplish this, the nationaloffice is taking steps to empowerlocal EDAs to recruit new mem-bers and strengthen the grass-roots level of the party. For themonth of May the national officewill be conducting a membership

drive alongside EDAs. Forsigning up new members throu-ghout May, EDAs can qualify toreceive transferred funds. Theten EDAs who sign up the mostmembers will be refunded allnew membership contributionsbrought in. The top three EDAswill receive an extra $10 per newmembership brought in throu-ghout May. The EDA that

increases its membership by thelargest percentage will be refun-ded all membership contributionsas well as receive an extra $10per membership.This is an inter-nal version of a Green Tax shiftwhere we reward the best perfor-mers while encouraging overallimprovements. There are incen-tives to perform and in the end,an increase in members benefitsus all. Running a full-slate ofcandidates brought us to nationalattention, now let’s keep thatattention by increasing our baseof support. The best message wecan send to voters, and the otherpolitical parties, is that we havea lot of Canadians who are stan-ding up to be counted as GreenParty members. We have astrong message and concernedaudiences, so it is up to us toamplify ourselves to be heardacross the country.In mid-Aprilthe national office will be distri-buting new membership andcontribution forms for all GreenParty of Canada EDAs. Thesewill look similar to a receipt

booklet in that there will be mul-tiple carbon-copies and eachform is individually numberedfor easier tracking and recordkeeping. The multiple copiesmean there is an instant receiptfor the contributor or new mem-ber, a record for the EDA and acopy for the national office.Depending on the success of thismembership drive it may deve-lop into an annual event. Formore details as well as the rulesand regulations for the Maymembership drive, please go towww.greenparty.ca and click onthe Membership May link orcontact the national office of theGreen Party of Canada at (toll-free) 1-866-868-3447 or office@greenparty.ca

Jonathan Cormier, National Organizer

When Canadians ask what experience ourParty has with governing, our one legislativesuccess speaks volumes.

The Canada Well-Being Measurement Act(CWBMA) emerged from an All CandidatesMeeting in Leeds-Grenville during the 1997election. Green Candidate, Peter Bevan-Baker, explained our policy to institute aGenuine Progress Index (GPI). Joe Jordan,the Liberal who won that seat, was inspiredby Peter’s remarks about the need to measuresocial and environmental aspects of well-being, along with traditional economic indi-cators. He saw that it is misleading to tallythe costs of environmental deterioration andsocial distress and then to add them onto theGDP and call it progress!

To effectively steer our country through thetimes ahead, we need to know how circum-stances, policies and actions are affecting,our health, education, community bonds,food security, economic security, the oppor-tunities of future generations, the balancebetween paid work, unpaid work and leisuretime and the quality of our air, water, forests,oceans and soils.Under Mr. Jordan’s sponsorship, well-being

measurement pioneers from across the coun-try pooled their talents to draft the CWBMA.The Act received first reading in the Houseof Commons and became the focus of apublic education and lobbying campaign.Green Party members and other concernedcitizens from coast to coast raised the issuelocally and encouraged their MPs to supportthe Act.

On June 2, 2003, after five years of promo-tion, the introductory paragraph of theCWBMA came up for discussion as MotionM-385

“That, in the opinion of this House, thegovernment should develop and reportannually on a set of social, environmentaland economic indicators of the health andwell-being of people, communities and eco-systems in Canada.”

The next day the first vote ever to be takenin the House of Commons on a Green Partypolicy passed overwhelmingly, 185 to 46.Neither Jean Chretian nor Paul Martin havemoved to accept the recommendation fromthe House. Nevertheless, the issue is far fromdead. The Atkinson Charitable Foundation

has picked up the ball and has engaged manyof those who drafted the Act. Stay tuned fordetails regarding the Canadian Index ofWellbeing (CIW), to be announced sometime before we reach the second anniversaryof the House of Commons vote. There ispolitical hay to be made from this motionoriginating from the Green Party.“Indicators are powerful.” says Ron Colman,co-chair of the Atkinson project. “What wecount and measure reflects our values as asociety and literally determines what makesit onto the policy agenda of governments. Aswe enter the new millennium, these indica-tors tell us whether we are making progress,whether we are leaving the world a betterplace for our children, and what we need tochange.”

Mike Nickerson

More details at:http://www.SustainWellBeing.net/well-being.shtml2799 McDonald’s Corners Rd.RR #3 Lanark, OntarioK0G 1K0sustain@web.ca