NDP pushes for Internet petitions that trigger debate in Parliament

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      The NDP wants to give Canadians the power to influence the business of the House of Commons through online petitions. Burnaby-Douglas MP Kennedy Stewart tabled a motion this week calling for a system by which MPs could sponsor electronic petitions on Parliament's website.

      E-petitions would be posted for an "active submissions period" of six months. If a petition hit 50,000 signatures, it would trigger one hour of debate on the petition in the Commons, "unless there are grounds to dismiss the debate", according to the motion.

      The federal government would also have to post a response online to an e-petition reaching 25 signatures.

      Stewart spoke to this proposal today (February 17) in the House:

      Meanwhile, the Liberals are hosting an online petition titled "Don’t let Stephen Harper creep your emails". The party is asking the public to support its amendments to the Conservative government's controversial online surveillance bill.

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      Comments

      8 Comments

      Jake Daynes

      Feb 17, 2012 at 12:53pm

      Considering Digital Signatures have been valid in Canada since 2004, there is no excuse that e-petitions should not be considered legal and valid.

      Cheena Eagle Graham

      Feb 17, 2012 at 1:48pm

      Very good idea! a very small beginning to direct democracy - it could/should open the door just a bit..

      LostMyGlasses

      Feb 17, 2012 at 10:11pm

      As an NDP'r, I think this could be the stupidest thing I've ever heard.

      A few years back some NHL hockey fans started a "Vote for Rory" campaign to get Rory Fitzpatrick voted onto the All Star Team. By the end of the voting period, he had by far the most votes, the NHL in embarrassment had to admittedly alter the results of the vote.

      It literally takes nothing for a reasonably well organized group to get embarrassing and wasteful things signed by massive amounts of people.

      Mamakel

      Feb 18, 2012 at 9:22pm

      Excellent way to engage the youth of Canada into the Canadian Political scene.

      Barb Sweeney

      Feb 20, 2012 at 5:57pm

      How about making the unaccourtables courtable for there actions. Like the Mush.

      ChrisHunt

      Feb 21, 2012 at 7:20am

      well i hope it gose threw maybe one way or another the CAS & CCAS,will stop taking good kids from good familys and stop bulling people like me and many others.

      glen p robbins

      Feb 29, 2012 at 4:20pm

      All that effort -- from the insect people so the giant people will 'debate' it for one hour. How about four weeks off for MP's and a minimum 200 full days in the House of Commons and every 2 years - with voting On-Line.

      Stop procrastinating