Dec 14 GPC funding broadcast to members | EDA freedom

[Jamie Ker]

Hi Dr. Hancock

I've been a regular donor to the GPC for a few years now. Not much, but since 2014, when I was acclaimed president of the GPO Constituency Association here in Davenport (Toronto), I've been a steadfast volunteer.

Like the Party, my Green journey also began in '83, when I moved to T.O. to start a career in recording engineering and attended the first local meeting, at 519 Church Street.

Now that I'm retired (not from the music business, but from being an IT process analyst) I've got time to continue applying myself toward making the world safe for my children and for theirs.

In 2020 I supported Dr. Kuttner's bid for GPC's leadership until she cried in one of the late debates. In the 2021 campaign I went door to door for Annamie, which gave me a front row seat to the Party's betrayal of her. In parallel, I was a member of the Policy Development and Planning Committee and helped the Party meet the need for an online AGM, which led to making friends with several wonderful, dedicated volunteers both on the PDPC team and in FC and the Fund.

One proposal at our last AGM—the 2021 VGM, so long ago—set me on a crusade for which I wrote the attached, Distributed Governance, A Model for Green Politics in Canada.

It's very ironic that your plea for donations points the finger for Parliament's failure at "parties of all stripes". Elizabeth is justifiably praised for her parliamentary skills, but as a leader they're a liability. She and most of the FC who support her in ostracizing and demoralizing many fine volunteers who challenge the centrist status quo are without doubt betraying the Party in suppressing that challenge, which is rooted in our value of participatory democracy.

You must be aware of the plight of the FC. EDA freedom is not only our constitutional duty, it is a bold departure from 'business as usual' that offers hope for the country. Not coincidentally, it is in line with Indigenous aspirations for sovereignty (watch the recent webinar produced jointly by Royal Roads U and Indigenous Climate Action).

Elizabeth is flogging a dead horse. We can do better.

Meanwhile, here in Davenport, I'm back in the saddle as FA, at least until we can find a replacement. Our new CEO (an amazing fundraiser, as is my wife) is finding his feet and I hope to persuade him and the other two EDA members to follow the EDA freedom line. Irony again: the other two are Adrian Currie, until recently the Ontario rep on FC, and Karen Brill, one of the architects of the failed attempt to rally the Party's left in 2021 (via Greens Left, with Dimitri Lascaris).

Participatory democracy is our only hope. I dk how we'll pull it off—that's up to our membership—but your influence has just become more important either way.

Regards

jme

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