GPS Convention 2000  Approved Policies 

 

2000.1 - Proportional Representation 

RESOLVED that the Green Party of Saskatchewan will work for the adoption of legislation that will discard the "first past the gatepost" electoral system, and replace it with a more democratically representative electoral system based on "proportional representation". 

2000.2 - Crown Corporations 

RESOLVED that the Green Party of Saskatchewan will work for the adoption of legislation that will allow the sale of a crown corporation only after such a decision has been approved by Saskatchewan residents through a provincial referendum. 

2000.3 - Sustainable Agriculture 

RESOLVED that the Green Party of Saskatchewan will work with other interested groups in pressuring the federal and provincial governments to develop programs that through education and tax incentives will encourage farmers to adopt organic farming practices. 

2000.4- Unemployment 

RESOLVED that the Green Party of Saskatchewan will work with other organizations to pressure governments at all levels to divert funds presently used to subsidize private business and commit those funds to: 

  1. improve and increase the level of government services to the public 
  2. educate those interested in learning cooperative philosophy and administration 
  3. subsidize start-up costs for groups (that have demonstrated the necessary skills) interested in organizing nonprofit worker cooperatives.

2000.5 - Labour History 

RESOLVED that the Green Party of Saskatchewan will work to pressure the provincial government to amend the education curriculum at both the elementary and secondary levels to include courses about the history of cooperative and labour movements. 

Presented by member, Richard Zwolinski, 1812 Grant Drive, Regina, Sask. S4S 4V4 

2000.6 - Media Ownership 

RESOLVED that the Green Party of Saskatchewan will work and support other organizations whose goal it is to have at least fifty per cent of media outlets owned and controlled by the popular class. This may take the form of worker/member media cooperatives, publicly owned or controlled broadcast services. 

2000.7 - Pension Review 

RESOLVED that the Green Party of Saskatchewan will work with other interested organizations to pressure the federal government to change the Canada Pension Plan so that any Canadian citizen over the age of twenty-one could elect to receive two years of Canada Pension Plan benefits in advance. To recompense the Canada Pension Plan for the early use of these benefits, a person who choose to take advantage of this arrangement would have to wait an additional two years before qualifying for Canada Pension Plan benefits in their later years. 

2000.8 - Climate Change 

RESOLVED that the Green Party of Saskatchewan work with other organizations to take immediate actions in Saskatchewan and Canada to set up structures that will support the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in this province. These actions should be centred around energy conservation, alternative and bioenergy supply, low emission transportation systems, demand side management and support for employment transition programs. 

2000.9 - Northern Employment Strategy 

RESOLVED that the Green Party of Saskatchewan work to move Saskatchewan towards supporting self-reliance of northern residents through ecotourism, housing and low technology sustainable resource use. 

2000.10 - Affordable Housing 

RESOLVED that the Green Party of Saskatchewan support the establishment and development of Saskatchewan housing cooperatives, alternative housing initiatives, community organizations, community-based businesses, local food supply and life-long education centres.

2000.11 - Stop Export of Bulk Water

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Green Party of Saskatchewan legislate no new interbasin transfers of water or the bulk purchase of water for the purpose of export outside Saskatchewan. 

2000.12 - Environmental Monitoring & Compliance 

RESOLVED that the Green Party of Saskatchewan place this higher on its priorities and that more money, people and energy be put into making sure all data is collected, regulations are complied with and that efforts are made to clean up current environmental liabilities. 

2000.13 - Increase in Social Assistance

RESOLVED that the Green Party of Saskatchewan support and work with other organizations to put more resources and money into the social infrastructure of this province. 

2000.14 - Support for Endangered Spaces Program 

RESOLVED that the Green Party of Saskatchewan would support and work with other organizations for the designation and legislative protection for these lands, and 
that the Dore-Smoothstone Area be one of those first designated protected areas. 

2000.15 - Halt to Bear Baiting 

RESOLVED that the Green Party of Saskatchewan support a ban on bear baiting in the province. 

2000.16 - Political Alliances in Municipal Elections 

RESOLVED that the Green Party of Saskatchewan set the following principles when setting up local municipal alliances or working with local organizations on municipal elections: 

  1. Where the Green Party of Saskatchewan as a party involves itself in local municipal elections, it should run on a platform that is consistent with the party principles. The platform should emphasize green issues and social justice positions. 
  2. Where the Green Party of Saskatchewan engages in the formation of political alliances, it should be with progressive political forces. Such alliances should be firm and made in advance of an election, specifying who will be candidates, the alliance platform and priorities given to key issues. The Green Party of Saskatchewan and its members should be prepared to withdraw from an alliance if these agreements are violated. 
  3. If individual members of the Green Party of Saskatchewan run for office as individuals, it is expected that they will advocate policies that are consistent with the principles of the Green Party of Saskatchewan. 

2000.17 - Assessment of Land and Built on Property 

RESOLVED that the Green Party of Saskatchewan supports the principle of market value assessment of land and built on property. 

2000.18 - Property Tax Through an Ad Valorem System 

RESOLVED that the Green Party of Saskatchewan supports property taxation through an ad valorem system. 

2000.19 - Re-introduction of a Business Tax 

RESOLVED that the Green Party of Saskatchewan support the re-introduction of a business tax at the municipal level and would require such a tax in all municipalities. 

2000.20 - Maximum wage

RESOLVED that the Green Party of Saskatchewan supports the idea of implementing a provincial/national maximum wage of $1 million.

2000.21 - Guaranteed Annual Income

RESOLVED that the Green Party of Saskatchewan supports the idea of implementing a livable guaranteed annual income.

2000.22 - Rural Amalgamation

RESOLVED that the Green Party of Saskatchewan opposes forced amalgamation of rural muncipalities; That the Green Party of Saskatchewan communicate this position to affected parties, and
That the Green Party of Saskatchewan support negotiation with, rather than legislation against the affected rural municipalities.