Green Party Policies

[JasminJasmin]

Defense/Military Greens want to promote international peace and improve
human rights abroad
. We stand against unilateral involvement in Iraq, but we support UN
involvement
. Abstain from participating in the creation and use of space-based
weapons, inc. Star Wars.
. Push for the further development of the Intl. Criminal Court, and support
the UN.
. Create Rapid Response and Deployment Force to provide disaster relief and
humanitarian aid.
. Charge DFAIT to actively prevent situations that require the intervention
of peace keepers
. Work to establish a standing international peacekeeping force under UN
control.

Internationally Improve human rights abroad and support multilateralism.
. Renegotiate trade agreements to impose tariffs on nations who fail to
protect human rights.
. Provide minimum standards of democracy and accountability for future
loans to countries.

Health Care Focus on preventative medicine to lessen long-term cost and
improve quality of life.
. Work to decrease pollution.
. Protect Canadian consumers with stricter labelling requirements on
packaged foods .
. Promote health research and health services responsive to women's needs .
. Establish the Canadian National Health Council recommended by the Romanow
Commission.
. Increase public funding for medical research .
. Tackle barriers to active living such as unhealthy urban planning .
. Renegotiate international trade agreements to protect healthcare.

Human Rights -
. Gay marriage Support gay marriage, but we will not force churches to wed
gays.
. Abortion Support abortion rights, but wish to lessen need for abortions
through sex ed., etc.
. (Not official) Renegotiate trade agreements to impose tariffs on nations
who fail to protect human rights.

Family, childcare, and youth
. Ensure that all communities have access to non-profit family planning and
day care .
. Create tax-incentives for businesses to implement flexible schedules and
on-site childcare.
. Hold a referendum on creating a national public daycare program.
. Increase funding programs for early childhood education.

Arts Promote the arts through investment and quotas.
. Establish a target for Canadian television content to achieve 10% viewing
share.
. Expand arts funding mechanisms to include smaller, community based,
participatory arts programs.

Environment Change taxation to support environmentally responsible
choices..(Carrot, not stick)
. Establish five year tax break on energy efficient retrofits in commercial
& residential buildings.
. Fund processing centres for composting .
. Reduce reliance on polluting road transportation through decentralization
of production, and increased funding of rail infrastructure.

Education
. Reduce student debt by 40% by providing grants to ensure access
post-secondary education.
. Increase core funding to universities.

Cities Give cities greater control of their funding and policy making.
. Define the rights and responsibilities of cities within the provincial
and federal laws.
. Give municipalities a fixed share of federal tax revenues.

Transportation Support clean and cheap transportation..
. Cancel federal subsidies for highways and traffic systems ($150 million
per year).
. Fund municipal light rail and subways (guaranteed for ten years).

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
. Prohibit human cloning.
. Make unlicensed release of GMO species (whose DNA can easily cross with
other species) into the environment a criminal offense.
. The Green Party will not grant patents on genetic material or life forms
of any kind.

Gun Control
. Disallow individuals with a criminal record to purchase guns.
. Legislate mandatory jail time for any crimes perpetrated with any firearm.
. Call a public inquiry to investigate how the gun registry expenditures
were allowed to balloon.

Immigration Policy
. Increase federal funding for integration and education of immigrants.
. Improve access to language instruction and the education system.
. Reduce barriers to reinstating professional credentials.

Corruption and Accountability Greater accountability for MPs through
grass-roots democracy.
. Improve accountability through proportional representation: the
percentage of seats won will equal the party's percentage of the popular vote.

Economy Encourage activities that help society, discourage activities that
harm it
. Lower taxes on income, profit & investment, to promote increased
productivity & job creation.
. Raise taxes on harmful activities such as pollution, waste and inefficiency.
. Use tariffs to discourage unsustainable industries and human rights
violations.
. Increase grants for post-secondary education.
. Reduce taxes on corporations that act responsibly (ie. lessen
environmental footprint, improve employee satisfaction, improve corporate
governance).

 

[JasminJasmin]

common .....lets discuss.

So why aren't they more popular? I think that if they were just given a chance to actually be taken seriously, this would change !!Anyone have any comments? I love political conversations !!

 

[tompeepin]

Re: common .....lets discuss.

So why aren't they more popular? I think that if they were just given a chance to actually be taken seriously, this would change !!Anyone have any comments? I love political conversations !!

Then were have you been when we were having them? Ask OTB what he thinks. hehehe

The first step is to get proportional representation implemented in Canada. Otherwise the Green party will be less relevant than the NDP and we know how relevant they are. And while you are at it get senate reform enacted. Where we the citizens get to vote for our senators as oppose to their being patronage appointments.

If I had it my way the seats would be split in two. Half for geographic representation and the other half assigned based on population. The geographic representation would be independents voting for their constituents and the other (population based) half would belong to parties and be voting along party lines.

 

[JasminJasmin]

I've been wandering over to GTAC..... shhh.......

OBT..... what ya think?

 

[tompeepin]

I've been wandering over to GTAC..... shhh.......

OBT..... what ya think?

Yeah the last bastion of though!

 

[gala]

If the greens would just stick to being greens I'd vote for them. What does the Iraq war have to do with being green? What do space based weapons, unless they present an ecological threat? What on earth does an international criminal court have to do with the environment?

Renegotiate trade agreements to impose tarriffs on nations who fail to protect human rights... I'd have figured the Green position would be to impose tarrifs on those who fail to ratify Kyoto and such! Abortion and gay marriage is now an ecology question? National daycare? Canadian television market share? Student debt? Gun control? Come on, stay on message, what do any of those have to do with the environment.

Urban planning, better labelling, etc., sound like fine green policies to me. More public transit of course. The environment taxes and incentives sound excellent. But given all the above you have excluded a lot of people who might like to vote Green but who are not on the left wing of the political spectrum.

I think the Green party should embrace right wing as well as left wing environmentalists, and by posting all these progressive/liberal/left social policies they're limiting their ability to make a difference on their true issue--which is protecting and improving our living environment.

Who do you vote for if you are a Western capitalist right-wing free trade kind of guy who wants to protect the environment? Why can't it be the Greens? They need to eliminate all the cruft from their platform and stay on message.

 

[tompeepin]

Re: Re: Green Party Policies

If the greens would just stick to being greens I'd vote for them. What does the Iraq war have to do with being green? ... But given all the above you have excluded a lot of people who might like to vote Green but who are not on the left wing of the political spectrum.

You get stuck on the word "green", gala. They are just as much focused on humanitarianism as on environmentalism, from what I know. The green party has its origins with the left. Environmental issues were first brought to the fore by the left. Now that it is obvious to all that we are fucking up the planet not all on the right are dismissing these concerns as "conspiracy theories" by left wing tree hugging nuts. Even though some die hards on the right still do; and they don't give a fuck about anything other that $ in their own pockets.

Like it or not the Green party is a left wing party. A nice balance on the left to offset the union based NDP.

 

[gala]

Well then the Greens are doomed and nobody should ever take them seriously, becuase they don't take themselves seriously. We really don't need two NDP's.

 

[tompeepin]

Well then the Greens are doomed and nobody should ever take them seriously, becuase they don't take themselves seriously. We really don't need two NDP's.

Right, maybe like the Reform and Progressive Conservative parties. And maybe one day the Green party will gobble up the NDP! hahaha

The only way that they will ever be taken with any level of seriousness in our life time is if this country ever gets preportional representation. In a way we had it when there was the Bloc, Reform, PC, NDP and Liberals in Parliament. BUT because of our two party political structure (goverment and opposition) it had no meaning. A two party system is a great breeding ground for patronage and corruption, as witnessed in both the PC and Liberal goverements.

The Green party is for preportional representation.

http://www.greenparty.ca/platform2004/en/policies.php?p=41

 

[gala]

Proportional representation is a bad idea for a lot of reasons. It's only ever advocated by loser parties who are regularly unable to get aanyone elected in a particular riding but who have some low level of support everywhere.

Reason #1-- it concentrates even more power in the Prime Minister's office. Don't vote the way you should? Then the PM will push your name further down the list come election time. The PM would become a practical dictator under a proportional system.

Reason #2-- it encourages people to splinter off new parties rather than force them to work out their differences. with first past the post the NDP and the Greens have a strong incentive to unite and form a single platform; with prop. they will splinter and splinter until we have a million tiny parties and no coherent overall policy.

If you want to fix our voting system don't go anywhere near dumb things like proportional representation. Instead do something like Austrlia where you can rank your choices and have an automatic runoff. So you could select Green as your #1 choice, NDP as #2, and then once Green got eliminated your vote would count for NDP.

But even that's not great as it still encourages splintering.. but at least it doesn't make the PM a dictator.

 

[pussylicker]

What A Great Wish List

Sounds like they want to be something for everybody. How are they going to pay for all their promises?
We need to take care of the people at home first, before wasting money in third world contries.

Canada's healthcare problem (North American problem) could have been avoided if they had taken steps in the early sixties to promote a healthier society.

Health Canada dropped the daily intake requirement of protein to a level which is half of what the Japanese eat. Allowing the mass consumption of processed food(read white bread etc) which is no longer rich in natural fibre or nutrients(fortified with means added later), and an increase in modified fats which can cause cancer.

Not pushing Canadians to be physically active, has led to a generation of people being overweight. If you look at other countries, you'll find that most don't have to spend as much per capita on healthcare because they have promoted a healthier lifestyle through physical activity and healthy diets. I know the Green Party won't be able to correct our trend here in Canada.

Public transportation is a great idea, but the farther you get away from Toronto, is it cost effective? I don't think Barrie's Transit System is running at a very efficient rate, and I know that Orillia's isn't even close. Canada has alot of it's population spread out to sparsely in rural Canada to have any form of effient mass transit. As far as LRT and Subways, this should have been done years ago, when costs would have been alot cheaper.

Rail is limited in it only works for moving goods to major hubs. You still need trucks to move product to smaller centres. And perishable goods shouldn't be moved by rail. Decentralizing of production of goods, will increase cost of product because of decrease in effiency. If you move production, then you now have to ship raw materials to new production site. Lumber is a good example.

 

[Berlin]

Green

Interesting thread.

Thanks for the links on the other thread, Jasmin.

 

[JasminJasmin]

Actually, the Green Party do not refer themselves as either left or right, but as a "front" party !! And those other "issues are important..... if they were to just preach about the environment and nothing else, no one would take then seriously !! They are different then the NDP.
Both the Greens and NDP are socially progressive, but are very
different fiscally. Voting Green supports fiscal conservatism, Green
economics, and support for worker's rights abroad.
The NDP supports the status quo. Greens will shift taxes away from income and onto unsustainable practices. Greens support strong decentralization, and community decision making.

This is why its important that you sign that petition to allow Jim Harris (GP leader) in the televised debate. The Green Parties popularity has been growing each year and represents 6% of the Canadian population !! We have a right to hear what he has to say !!

 

[tompeepin]

Proportional representation is a bad idea for a lot of reasons.

Reason #1-- it concentrates even more power in the Prime Minister's office. ... The PM would become a practical dictator under a proportional system.

Reason #2-- it encourages people to splinter off new parties rather than force them to work out their differences. ...

But even that's not great as it still encourages splintering.. but at least it doesn't make the PM a dictator.

Yeah the PM or leader of

Germany Sweden Switzerland Belgium Denmark Holland Greece Spain Austria Australia Mexico Portugal Japan Russia Italy Ireland Israel Poland Hungary New Zealand Iceland Brazil Norway and Finland

are all "practical" dictators and Jean Chretien was not???

As for #2 it makes them work out the differences of their constituents in Parliament instead of the constituents being dictated to by a leader voted for by far less than half of the national population. How many citizens over age 18 voted for Jean Chretien? How many "citizens" got bank loans from the BDB or lucrative ad contracts?

 

[onthebottom]

Well, since TP used his “hehehe” I’ll respond (and it’s OTB).

Defense/Military Greens want to promote international peace and improve
human rights abroad

Along with everyone else.

. We stand against unilateral involvement in Iraq, but we support UN
involvement

Would Canada have another option?

. Abstain from participating in the creation and use of space-based
weapons, inc. Star Wars.

Did I miss a space based weapons program by Canada? You guys can’t even get your troops to a theater much less base weapons in space. Concentrate on buying planes and helicopters – good idea.

. Push for the further development of the Intl. Criminal Court, and support
the UN. .

I thought Canada was on board with this?

. Create Rapid Response and Deployment Force to provide disaster relief and
humanitarian aid. .

I would agree with this. We have one down here, it’s call a military.

. Charge DFAIT to actively prevent situations that require the intervention
of peace keepers

You lost me on this one but if you clarify I’d be happy to provide a view.

. Work to establish a standing international peacekeeping force under UN
control.

Good idea. Do let us know when we can bring our 45k guys home from South Korea will ya, we have other things for them to do.

Internationally Improve human rights abroad and support multilateralism.
. Renegotiate trade agreements to impose tariffs on nations who fail to
protect human rights. .

I don’t think China will like this one but I’m all for it.

. Provide minimum standards of democracy and accountability for future
loans to countries. .

Works for me, perhaps not Vietnam…. But it works for me.

Health Care Focus on preventative medicine to lessen long-term cost and
improve quality of life. .

Good idea – the how would be really interesting. This is a bit motherhood and apple pie – or is that too much a Yankee saying?

. Work to decrease pollution. .

WHAT, I love pollution.

. Protect Canadian consumers with stricter labelling requirements on
packaged foods .

Those labels can be dangerous – but seriously folks, our food labels are good – now we’re fat and lazy but the labels are good.

. Promote health research and health services responsive to women's needs .

Guys are out of luck?

. Establish the Canadian National Health Council recommended by the Romanow
Commission.
. Increase public funding for medical research .
. Tackle barriers to active living such as unhealthy urban planning .

Health is good.

. Renegotiate international trade agreements to protect healthcare.

What?


That’s all I have time for this afternoon.

OTB

I've been wandering over to GTAC..... shhh.......

OBT..... what ya think?

See above

 

[JasminJasmin]

How are they going to pay for it all? I dunno..... same way the other parties do..... through taxes !! Oh wait..... the other parties steal our tax money and use it for their own personal pleasure !! The Green Party has a clean slate, a clean record with voters....... they are a pro-active party not reactive !! Do you think that putting more money into health care and education will change the waiting in emergency, or the poor grades and low academic performances of Canadian youth? I personally believe that before ANY party pumps or promises to pump anymore of our TAX dollars into health care and education they should do a complete overhaul of the way hospitals and schools are run. They are run very inificently and are huge money wasters.

Just my opinion

 

[The Shake]

It's only ever advocated by loser parties who are regularly unable to get aanyone elected in a particular riding but who have some low level of support everywhere.

That's a rather unfair statement. While I share your concerns regarding fringe and one-issue parties, many mainstream parties in other countries have advocated for (and implemented) PR.

While I suspect that you were being deliberately provocative, I think that the term "loser" diminishes the level of debate and, indeed, feeds the level of arrogance and disrespect for democracy that is so evident amongst politicians in the mainstream parties.

Reason #1-- it concentrates even more power in the Prime Minister's office. Don't vote the way you should? Then the PM will push your name further down the list come election time. The PM would become a practical dictator under a proportional system.

Given how Trudeau/Mulroney/Chretien perverted our system to concentrate power in the PMO, I think that this is a very valid concern for Canadians.

Reason #2-- it encourages people to splinter off new parties rather than force them to work out their differences. with first past the post the NDP and the Greens have a strong incentive to unite and form a single platform; with prop. they will splinter and splinter until we have a million tiny parties and no coherent overall policy.

This rings true, however I'm not sure that the status quo is particularly worth saving. As it stands, we have governments that try to be all things to all people, and wind up accomplishing little. Sometimes boldness is preferable to endless consultation and consensus building.

If you want to fix our voting system don't go anywhere near dumb things like proportional representation. Instead do something like Austrlia where you can rank your choices and have an automatic runoff.So you could select Green as your #1 choice, NDP as #2, and then once Green got eliminated your vote would count for NDP.

I completely agree with the preferential ballot system although I don't know if that means we should rule out PR entirely. The only downside of the preferential ballot is that it tends to force everything to the middle, meaning that we'd be stuck with more of the same.

 

[tompeepin]

Actually, the Green Party do not refer themselves as either left or right, but as a "front" party !!

Front party? Good "political" speak. What does it mean? hahaha

There is only left, center and right and authoritarian, center and libertarian. http://www.politicalcompass.org/

So WTF is being out "front"?

Voting Green supports fiscal conservatism, Green
economics, and support for worker's rights abroad.

Fiscal conservativism sounds excellent. I am liking the Green party more and more. My only problem is that I would have to see how all the proposed social programs would be implemented and paid for. 1 + 1 must always add up to 2. Anyone can make promises as we know only too well.

Greens will shift taxes away from income and onto unsustainable practices.

What does that mean?

Greens support strong decentralization, and community decision making.

Libertarianism leaning, and a fiscal conservative social libertarianism at that. God I am starting to get all wet. But I am worried that you won't kiss me after you fuck me. Ah the grand illusion.

I will probably vote Green as my vote does not count anyway in this "great" country of ours, at least the Greens come the closest to my dreams.

Are you regretting asking for a political discussion? hahaha

 

[plunker]

What is their position on the legalisation of prostitution and marijuana?

 

[JasminJasmin]

What is their position on the legalisation of prostitution and marijuana?

Prostitution is already legal........and they are for equality for. Im sure that would include prostitutes. Unfortunately, such topics are always a cautious area for politicans. Im not 100% sure on where they stand on marijuana issues. Why don't you ask you local Green Party electee.

I will probably vote Green as my vote does not count anyway in this "great" country of ours, at least the Greens come the closest to my dreams.

First of all you vote DOES count !! That is your power, your voice.... to say your vote does not matter is saying that you don't matter !! Do you know that the Party you vote for gets money for each vote they receive.