Convention 2012

EVENTS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONIES

LOCATION:
Bodine Hall, Mary Winspear Center
2243 Beacon Avenue, Sidney BC V8L 1W9
TIME: 6:30 – 9:00pm Friday 17 August, 2012 [doors open at 6:00 pm]
$20.00 donation at the door [included in delegate package]

This exciting and important evening begins at 6:30 (doors open at 6:00) Friday 17 August. The program includes displays, a cash bar, and the official Green Party Convention opening with welcomes from First Nations and local Mayors. Elizabeth May will give her “Welcome to My Riding” address. The feature of the evening is a discussion by Ronald Wright on his best-seller, A Short History of Progress.

Wright’s book also inspired the film Surviving Progress, and we have him! This is a very exciting opportunity. Mr. Wright will share insights from the book, and the new film by Mathieu Roy and Harold Crooks, executive-produced by Martin Scorsese. Most importantly, Elizabeth May will join the discussion with Mr. Wright before opening the floor to Greens for a thought-provoking discussion. It is our hope that the challenge of Surviving Progress will shape our thinking as we go forward.

We hope you can join us for this exciting presentation

KEYNOTE ADDRESS

Bruce Hyer, MP
Stéphane Dion MP

LOCATION:
Bodine Hall, Mary Winspear Center
2243 Beacon Avenue, Sidney BC V8L 1W9
TIME: 9 – 9:45, 11 – 11:30 Saturday 18 August, 2012
By donation at the door. Open to the public [included in delegate package]

Democracy thrives when the public is informed and committed to the general good. Come early to visit the numerous displays before attending this important address.

The Green Party platform on electoral reform asserts that we must reform our voting system; hold a national discussion on the health of our democracy; address the growing and undemocratic power of the Prime Minister’s Office; and explore the options for a more meaningful electoral system. It is important that we consider the risks of “first past the post” and vote on whether it should be replaced by considering proportional representation. True democracy means making every vote count. More than votes, it means engaging and debating respectfully. It means working together to find a cooperative and positive way forward.

WILD SALMON BBQ AND GUMBOOT GALA

LOCATION:
Bodine Hall, Mary Winspear Center
2243 Beacon Avenue, Sidney BC V8L 1W9
TIME: 5pm to 11pm, Saturday 18 August, 2012
FEE: $50.00 open to public. Tickets available from the Mary Winspear Box Office or at 250-656-0275 or https://tickets.marywinspear.ca [Tickets must be purchased before 14 August.]

Join us on Saturday, August 18, for a West Coast style reception to celebrate the election of our first MP! Come out and enjoy a great evening of local wine, food, and great music, while helping us raise money for the 2015 Campaign Fund.

This extravagant evening begins at 5pm PDT. Mix and mingle with conventioneers from across the country and with local constituents of Saanich-Gulf Islands (SGI). There will be local wine and a cash bar while you enjoy lots of great chat. Following the mingle-time the evening will feature host Ken Wu of Majority for A Sustainable Society (http://www.massmovement.ca/), humorist and story-teller Arthur Black, and feature a keynote — KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF — speech by ELIZABETH MAY. All this, and the award-winning talents of guitarist Brad Prevedoros.

You will then want to join in the buffet style wild salmon BBQ dinner and entertainment. The folks from SGI have put together an exciting evening of entertainment and music by exciting young singers Keito & Kaia Bryce, and fiddler/singer Ivonne Hernandez! Then dance to the Indie-folk/rock sound of The Archers! This Wild Salmon bake and Gumboot Jamboree promises to be a fun filled highlight of the Green Party Convention of 2012. Everyone is invited to decorate, and wear their favorite gumboots [rainboots to you young-uns!] with their festive apparel! Who knows…. we may even find a way to reward the more fashionable participants…. ;-)