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1. Submit your Proposal

*PLEASE NOTE: The policy submission deadline for the 2026 Policy Process has now passed. But members can still participate in the policy process by offering feedback to this year’s policy authors and sponsoring proposed policy statements. See below for more details.

To submit a policy statement proposal, you will need to fill out this form and complete all required fields.

But first, have a look at the GPO’s Policy Book Overview to see which section(s) are most applicable to your policy idea.

Once you’ve identified the relevant section(s), please email [email protected] with the section name and number. Review the existing policies in the requested section(s) to ensure that your idea is not already covered. If you find something similar, you may propose an amendment to an existing policy.

Don’t forget to familiarize yourself with the definition of a policy statement! For more information regarding the policy development process, please review this step-by-step guideline.

You can also:

Watch the recording of our Policy Process Zoom Webinar (Passcode: sA8+^yP%) from Monday, February 2nd, which explains the ins and outs of developing and submitting a successful policy proposal. A link to the webinar recording is available here.

Join the GPO Members & Volunteers Slack to discuss policy ideas with members of the GPO community, get feedback and find sponsors for your proposal.

SUBMIT

Deadline: March 27th, 2026 5pm EDT.

Please note:
– Members are limited to submitting one policy each;
– To participate in the policy submission process, you must be a member in good standing (meaning your membership has been active for at least 2 weeks);
– The deadline to become a member and participate in the policy submission process was Friday, March 13th!

To check your GPO membership status, please email us at [email protected] or call us at 1-888-647-3366. For any other questions relating to the 2026 GPO Policy Process, email [email protected].

2. Committee Review and Feedback

The Policy Committee will check each proposal to ensure it satisfies the submission requirements. Each author will receive notice and be informed of the status of their proposal. 

Please ensure that you have consulted the relevant section(s) of the current Policy Book and that your proposal is a Policy Statement.** And please follow the directions on the submission form to ensure your submission is successful.

In cases where a proposal does not satisfy the submission criteria, this is normally because the Policy Statement already exists or that the proposal doesn’t satisfy the definition of a Policy Statement.

Deadline: The review period will be completed by April 2nd, 2026.

3. Comment and Sponsorship Period

From April 10th-April 20th, members are encouraged to review and provide feedback on draft Policy Statements. During this comment period, you can:

  • Sponsor draft Policy Statements that you would like to see move on to the ranking phase
  • Ask questions about the draft Policy Statements
  • Provide your feedback (What are the pros and cons? Do you strongly support or oppose a statement? Are there risks to any of the statements?)
  • Suggest possible amendments

All Policy Statements must be authored by a member in good standing and be sponsored by:

  • Fifteen (15) additional members in good standing, as well as
  • One (1) Policy Committee member, OR one (1) Shadow Cabinet member OR 5 additional members in good standing

Another way to provide feedback is to join one or both of our Policy Statement Workshops on Zoom.

Register here for one or both Policy Statement Zoom Workshops:

Wednesday, April 15th at 7:30PM EDT

Thursday, April 16th at 7:30PM EDT

This year’s policy submissions are now available for comment online:

2026 Policy Submissions

The final submission deadline for your Policy Statement including all sponsors is 5pm EDT on April 24, 2026. All Policy Proposals need to be finalized and include all the required sponsors in order to continue through the process.

Note: at any time the Committee may suggest edits to your Policy Proposal for clarity and ease of understanding.

4. Member Ranking

Starting on May 8th, 2026, GPO members in good standing will have a chance to rank their top 10 draft Policy Proposals to determine which will be considered at the Convention.

As there is limited time for the consideration of resolutions at the Convention, resolutions will be considered in order of ranking.

To make sure that there is robust participation and broad representation of Policy Proposals at the AGM, please encourage members that you know to participate in the ranking!

2026 Policy Submissions

Deadline: May 29th at 5pm EDT

5. Voting at Convention

If your Policy Statement is ranked in the top 10, it will be on the list to be presented at the Convention.

As the author, you will be asked to briefly introduce your Policy Statement. It will then be discussed and voted on. Read more about the debate and voting process at Convention.

2026 Policy Submissions

6. Celebrate!

If your Policy Statement passes at Convention – congratulations! It will now become a part of the GPO Policy Book and inform direction for our MPPs and candidates.

If your Policy Statement doesn’t pass at Convention, take heart. You’ve done a lot of work to get this far and you can either incorporate feedback you have heard and try again another year; or decide that you’ve added to the strength of the GPO by facilitating good discussion.

In either case, thank you for all your efforts.

References

Ways to Participate in Policy Statement Development

Help the Committee by offering assistance

If you have an area of expertise or interest and would like to offer assistance to the Committee please email [email protected].

We are particularly excited to engage with volunteers willing to review sections of the Policy Book and recommend items for “sunsetting”.

Help the authors by giving feedback

Engage with policy authors on various policy Slack channels and help them refine their ideas.

Have a look online at the submitted Draft Policy Statements from April 10th-20th and give feedback to the authors.

If you like a draft Policy Statement, you can help it get to Convention by adding your support as a sponsor.

Help choose which Policy Statements matter most

Rank the top 10 Policy Statements that you think are most important to discuss at the 2026 Convention via an online ballot sent out May 8th, 2026. Make sure you participate by the May 29th, 2026 deadline.

Discuss, learn and vote at the 2026 GPO Convention

Join us June 12th-14th, 2026 in at the Hamilton Convention Centre!

You’ll hear updates from our Green Caucus, including Leader, Mike Schreiner, and Deputy Leader, Aislinn Clancy, and vote on Policy Statements.

Policy Process Changes From 2020

In 2019, members voted to make this process even easier for you to get involved.

Objectives

  • Improve ease, efficacy, and inclusiveness of the process
  • Improve the quality of the output
  • Empower all members to participate
  • Encourage diversity and member collaboration
  • Encourage Policy Statements that are inclusive and represent all Ontarians

Major Changes

Each Submitter will develop their Policy Proposal

The Policy Process will no longer have an option for members to submit ideas for the Committee to develop. Instead there will be opportunities throughout the year, via workshops, zoom meetings and/or Slack conversations for members to share and discuss ideas. This facilitates a greater opportunity for collaboration, proposal development and increased member participation.

Policy Committee may select an additional 5 Proposals

In addition to the ten proposals selected during the Member Ranking Period, the Policy Committee may select up to five additional proposals. This is done to ensure the Policy Book is comprehensive and contains Policy Statements addressing all issues affecting our province and its people. A maximum of 15 Policy Proposals will be presented at the Convention.

Reminder: Members develop Policy Statements

**A Policy Statement “is defined as a principle-based statement which does not contain any specific strategy or tactical statement, but provides direction to the Leader, Issue Advocates and MPPs.”

FAQ

How do I submit a Policy Statement?

The GPO has an established process where any current member can submit a Policy Statement Proposal.

Please take a look through the current Policy Book to check if your proposal is already an existing policy. If not, would it be best dealt with by making an amendment to an existing policy? or would it be a new Policy? What section of The Policy Book would your proposal fall under?

You must submit your Policy Proposal using our webform or by emailing [email protected] before 5PM EDT on March 27th, 2026.

We strongly suggest you use our webform to ensure your Policy Proposal is submitted correctly. You may contact [email protected] if you have any further questions.

Where do I find the Policy Book?

Have a look at the GPO’s Policy Book Overview. To access the full policies for a given section, please email [email protected] a request with the section name and number.

What is a Policy Statement?

A “Policy Statement” is defined as a principle-based statement which does not contain any specific strategy or tactical statement, but provides direction to the Leader, Issue Advocates and Party Members of Provincial Parliament.

A Policy Statement differs from both a “Constitutional Amendment,” which changes a piece of the Constitution (i.e. the document that governs all party activities) and a “Directive Resolution,” which requires a particular short-term action by the party’s staff.

The GPO Policy Committee is only able to assist with the development of Policy Statements. However, if a member wishes to bring forward a different type of motion, the Policy Committee may advise them as to the appropriate channel by which to propose it.

What are the required components of a Policy Statement submission?

All required fields need to be populated using the webform on the GPO website. Members are strongly encouraged to connect with the Policy Committee prior to submission if you have any questions. If you require assistance, you can email [email protected].

Do I need to gather sponsors and develop policy myself?

You can seek help and feedback by contacting our Policy Committee. Or, the Committee will contact you if you submit your Policy Statement using the form.

The Committee is responsible for leading the review of policy resolutions prior to submission, and will provide, at the member’s request, reasonable support and guidance to facilitate a member completing a Policy Statement.

The Committee may also develop the Policy Statement Proposals that best meet the current and emerging needs of the Party.

The Committee’s resources include direct access to Shadow Cabinet and members who have expressed interest in reviewing policy. Members are encouraged to take advantage of these resources as they increase the likelihood that your Policy Statement will receive enough sponsors and pass at the convention.

What are the deadlines?

Submission deadline for proposals*

March 27th, 2026 at 5pm (the deadline to become a member and participate in the policy submission process is Friday, March 13th)

Submit your proposal

Committee gives feedback to idea authors

April 2nd, 2026

Draft statements published, ready for comment and deadline to become a member and sponsor a Policy Statement

April 10th, 2026

Comment period open (10 days)

April 10th-20th, 2026

Finalized Policy Statement and sponsorship deadline

April 24th, 2026

Ballot for Policy Statement Ranking

May 8th-29th, 2026

Convention

June 12th-14th, 2026

*Note you are not required to have sponsors by March 27th at 5pm, but you must submit your draft proposal by this date.

Following a review and comment period, final resolutions that include required sponsors must be received by April 24th at 5 pm EDT.

It is advised that you start the development process early to ensure that you have enough time to make revisions and gather sponsors.

Is my Policy Statement approved as long as I submit it?

Submission of your Policy Statement Proposal on time, with sufficient sponsors, and with the Committee’s approval, will ensure that the Policy Statement is on the ranking ballot that will go to all members.

The top 10 member ranked Policy Statements will be considered at the Convention.

How can I help ensure my policy is passed?

A policy resolution that is highly relevant, well researched, and consistent with our values, will likely receive enough sponsors and rank highly on the resolution ranked ballot.

Sharing your policy among members in advance and attending the convention will also be helpful.

The submitter, or a designant, should be prepared to answer questions about the resolution at the convention. A compelling introduction to the floor, and due diligence in advance of the convention, increase your chances of success considerably.

Policy Statement Proposal 2026

Name(Required)







Postal Code(Required)



Checklist for GPO Policy Submissions
Before you complete this form, please ensure that you have reviewed the items below. Doing so will help ensure the success of your submission. If you have questions about any of the following, or would like to be invited to the GPO Policy Slack group, please reach out to us at [email protected].








Type of motion(Required)
The GPO Policy Committee is only empowered to review proposed Policy Statements. However, sometimes the proposals we receive fall under different categories and must be referred elsewhere for review.

Before proceeding, please ensure that your proposal fits the definition of a “Policy Statement,” as opposed to a “Constitutional Amendment” or “Directive Resolution.”




How would this Policy Statement affect the Constitution, Bylaws, or Policy?(Required)
(please specify all that are or may be affected)





Policy Statement Information

Please indicate the section of the Policy Book to which your proposal belongs. (If more than one section seems relevant to your proposal, please indicate the one you feel is most appropriate. This can be adjusted later, if need be.)

If you are proposing the replacement, amendment or repeal of an existing policy statement, please indicate the number and title of the relevant statement as it appears in the Policy Book.

Please choose a title that accurately describes the content of your policy proposal and that members will
easily understand. Be sure to make the title short, interesting and relevant.

(E.g., for a policy statement concerned with reducing carbon emissions to fight climate change, a descriptive title might be: “Environment & Climate Change: Reducing carbon emissions” or for an amendment to an existing policy statement: “Amendment to [Title of Statement/By-Law].”) Note that titles may be altered by the committee for clarity.

Please provide a brief plain-language summary of your policy proposal. Why does this policy matter? Please keep
your remarks to max. 50 words.

The preamble clauses briefly summarize the context and intent of your motion. Each clause of the preamble
begins with the word “Whereas”. Please do not exceed four clauses of at most 50 words
each. Very long introductions tend to confuse rather than inform the reader. (E.g., “WHEREAS the
Values of the Green Party of Ontario include Ecological Wisdom and Sustainability, and WHEREAS
protections for air quality and urban forests reflect these Values.”)

The operative clauses contain the substance of the motion you wish to present to the GPO membership. Each
clause should begin, “Be it resolved that…”.
Each operative clause should contain one clear action or commitment. If multiple actions are proposed, separate them into distinct clauses.
Please do not exceed four clauses of at most 50 words each.
Very long motions normally need to be divided into separate motions and often these are not successful. Remember: clarity is key.
Sponsors
These people support the proposed policy statement as presented. Enter each sponsorʼs name on a new line, and state
their riding, if known. e.g. “Mike Schreiner, Guelph.” You are not required to have all sponsors when
submitting your policy. There will be opportunities to gather sponsors during the feedback period.
Name
Riding
 
Values
With which of the GPO’s Values does your policy proposal align? Please select any that apply.






Please describe which individuals, groups or institutions will be most directly affected by your policy proposal. (E.g., school-aged children, renters, nurses, universities, provincial government, etc.)

Who stands to benefit from this policy? Who would be likely to support it?

Please limit your comments to max. 50 words.

Can you think of any individuals, groups or institutions likely to oppose this policy? Is there anyone who might be harmed by or concerned about it? Are there any ways in which this policy might risk damage to the reputation of the GPO?

If so, why? Please share your own opinion, as well as any feedback you received in consultation with others.
Please limit your comments to max. 50 words.

What individuals, groups or organizations did you consult in the development of this policy? Are those you consulted representative of the potential supporters or opponents of your policy noted above? Please summarize the
feedback that you received. Please limit your comments to max. 100 words.

What sources did you consult in the development of this policy? You are encouraged to include links to articles or supporting
documents such as: news items, scholarly articles, policy briefs from non-governmental
organizations, laws and regulations, etc.