Currently, there’s 10 policy revisions being debated online. Any proposal which receives 20 sponsors (who must Green Party members in good standing) will be addressed at the 2010 Green Party convention in Toronto, August 20th to 22nd.

Policy motions passed at a General Meeting are sent out to Members for a final vote. If more than 50% of the votes cast in a Members’ vote approve of the motion, then it becomes official Party policy.

The Green Party strives for a democracy in which all citizens have the right to express their views, and are able to directly participate in the political decisions which affect their lives. We place great value on the input of our members into all aspects of our Party, including policy development.

Our policy process brings individual members of the party together to consider the needs of their community and their country. The new and innovative ideas of these members are then used to draft policy motions which then make up our party’s official policy. The party’s policy allows the membership to determine the direction of the party because it is the policy which forms the foundation for the platforms we will run on in coming elections.

The fact that these consultations are being held is a small victory for those wishing to move forward on copyright reform. One of the most leveled criticisms of Ottawa’s earlier attempt at a copyright bill, Bill C-61, was that there was a lack of stakeholder input. -Elizabeth May

Canadians can respond to specific questions on copyright reform:

1. How do Canada’s copyright laws affect you? How should existing laws be modernized?
2. Based on Canadian values and interests, how should copyright changes be made in order to withstand the test of time?
3. What sorts of copyright changes do you believe would best foster innovation and creativity in Canada?
4. What sorts of copyright changes do you believe would best foster competition and investment in Canada?
5. What kinds of changes would best position Canada as a leader in the global, digital economy?

Online town halls are being held, and podcasts of earlier round tables are posted for review.

Many Canadian Green Party members are technically savvy, as we know it is innovation in technology and market based incentives which will spur Canada’s economic growth. Key to economic prosperity is a copyright policy which fosters innovation with a balance between financial incentives (the temporary monopoly granted to copyright holders), and access to public resources (when a copyright expires, and fair-use rights).

A thriving information commons is one that yields sustainable artistic innovation. User rights must be defined and extended through a flexible fair-dealing mechanism. Current laws on Crown copyright and public domain must be reformed to build a healthy information commons. Protection and compensation for creators must be ensured through a statutory-damages provision based on reasonably demonstrated loss. -Elizabeth May

What can you do to help ensure Canada avoids another C-61 fiasco?

Participate in Canada’s copyright consultations.

Volunteer your time to help elect Green Members of Parliament. (Oh you might have seen that one coming!) Green MPs such as Calgary Centre’s Natalie Odd will join NDP’s Charlie Angus in protecting Canadians from the danger of one-sided, innovation stifling, lobbyist driven copyright “reform” bills.

The entertainment industry is adjusting to online distribution models, and the sudden ability to meet the demands of niche markets. Defending the status quo on copyright, or worse, allowing lobbyists for outgoing distribution models to use copyright to stifle innovation, will result in fewer of the emerging businesses being profitable Canadian ones. Smart copyright legislation will put us ahead of the pack.