Chapter 6 Video: E-Petitions and Democracy

This clip outlines former NDP MP and current Vancouver mayor Kennedy Stewart’s proposal to introduce e-petitions to the workings of the House of Commons.

Highlighted Segment

• 0:06–6:42: Rosemary Barton’s interview with NDP MP Kennedy Stewart.

Suggested In-Class Discussion Questions

1. Should e-petitions be incorporated into the legislative process? (https://petitions.ourcommons.ca/Documents/poster-e.pdf)
2. Is the 500 signature benchmark too high or low? Should there be a scale that requires different responses from government depending on the number of signatures a petition has obtained?
3. Kennedy Stewart refers to the e-petition as a “gateway drug” to increased political participation. Do you agree with him? Why? In what ways may political participation be increased?
4. What influence do you think e-petitions has on the government and opposition parties in the House of Commons? Does it matter how many signatures an e-petition received?
5. Should e-petitions be extended to enhance the instruments of democracy such as voting, recall, referendums, and citizen initiative?

Suggested Assignment Questions

1. Review the e-petitions which are currently “Open for Signature” and identify those you would support. Open petitions may be found at: https://petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/Petition/Search.
2. Write your own petition concerning an issue about which you are passionate. You will need to determine which level of government has responsibility for the issue area and if that province accepts e-petitions.