Fire Robert Miller, Newfoundland & Labrador Representative 2011

The Issue

Barely four months after taking his position, Robert Miller calls seal hunt activists "douche bags" in the following online exchange:

FriendsForSealsOrg
Seal hunt brings: Lost trade deals,taxpayer subsidies,lost safety council seat, poor world reputation, lost tourism,animal suffering#cdnpoli

Robert Miller
@FriendsForSeals "No, you douche bags did that with a fantastic smear campaign."

Miller's response to criticism and petition...

"Thank you! Anti #sealhunt dishonesty. They ran w/ insult only. Now smearing me / petition to remove me. Ha #nl"

____________________________________

Miller's callous comments not only affect seal-hunt activist or animal activist but considering it was a direct response to a comment that identified other very important issues to all Canadians and even anyone generally concerned with:

* Lost trade deals with Canada

* Taxpayer money subsidizing failing industry

* International reputation

* Tourism industry losses

* Animal cruelty

* Political doublespeak and dishonestry

* Responsible behavior by politicians

_______________________________________

By the way Robert; don't bother with a public apology. It won't help your cause now.

_______________________________________

More About Robert Miller here:

http://greenparty.ca/en/node/19126
http://greenparty.ca/campaign/10006

Green Party of Canada's Seal Hunt Position
http://greenparty.ca/vision-green/p3.8

The GAWDSPetition Starter

Media inquiries

This petition had 757 supporters

The Issue

Barely four months after taking his position, Robert Miller calls seal hunt activists "douche bags" in the following online exchange:

FriendsForSealsOrg
Seal hunt brings: Lost trade deals,taxpayer subsidies,lost safety council seat, poor world reputation, lost tourism,animal suffering#cdnpoli

Robert Miller
@FriendsForSeals "No, you douche bags did that with a fantastic smear campaign."

Miller's response to criticism and petition...

"Thank you! Anti #sealhunt dishonesty. They ran w/ insult only. Now smearing me / petition to remove me. Ha #nl"

____________________________________

* Lost trade deals with Canada

* Taxpayer money subsidizing failing industry

* International reputation

* Tourism industry losses

* Animal cruelty

* Political doublespeak and dishonestry

* Responsible behavior by politicians

_______________________________________

By the way Robert; don't bother with a public apology. It won't help your cause now.

_______________________________________

More About Robert Miller here:

http://greenparty.ca/en/node/19126
http://greenparty.ca/campaign/10006

Green Party of Canada's Seal Hunt Position
http://greenparty.ca/vision-green/p3.8

The GAWDSPetition Starter

Media inquiries

Petition Closed

This petition had 757 supporters

The Decision Makers

John Streicker,

GPC President

Responded

“Hi, my name is John Streicker, President of the Green Party of Canada. Thank you for your letters regarding Robert Miller, the Newfoundland and Labrador representative on the Federal Council which I chair. On 11-Feb it came to our attention that Robert had posted a tweet using language which was disrespectful and not appropriate for someone in his position. That day we spoke to Robert and he issued an apology directly to the person and to the public (see below). We appreciate your concern. It is our job to ensure that all members of our Council respect the legitimate democratic interests of all, and not use offensive language or behaviour. To that end, I have spoken with Robert and we have addressed the issue. Thank you again for taking the time to write to us and to raise this issue with us. Sincerely, John Streicker President, Green Party of Canada Below is a statement we issued from the Green Party of Canada in response to the incident: Green Party Representative Apologies for Language The Green Party of Canada accepts the apology of Robert Miller, Newfoundland and Labrador federal council representative, for his poor choice of language in a twitter post last week. The Green Party is a party that truly works from the grassroots and is willing to accept diversity in opinions on policy; however, the party does not condone offensive language. Rather, we encourage constructive respectful discussion. Green Party policy does not support a commercial seal hunt in Canada. Greens have proposed that it is time to offer sealers a buy-out and help them transition to a diversified economy. "Within the Green Party, there is room for discussion on policy. The tone of Robert’s comments, however, was offensive. He has since apologized for the use of harsh language and I hope this will lead to a more respectful exchange on both sides of the issue,” said May. For Green’s full policy on the commercial seal hunt, please visit: http://greenparty.ca/node/13342 As well, I include for you here Robert's apology: I would like to reaffirm my commitment to the Green values which set a high standard for our conduct. It is in accordance with these principles—including a participatory democracy—that I advocate for quality and wholesomeness of our local foods and products. Unfortunately my comment—directed toward an individual—did not meet those ideals. I equally support all forms of sustainable harvests without the use of pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, growth hormones, non-therapeutic antibiotics, and insecticides. Furthermore, I expect those harvests to allow animals to live without undue stress and in conditions where they are able to exercise normal behaviours. Although my use of slang terminology was intended to underscore those beliefs, it was offensive and disrespectful to that person. As such, I wish to restate my prior apology, offered to that individual on February 12th, and retract that statement. Respectfully yours, Robert Miller”

John Streicker

GPC President

Responded

Elizabeth May,

Leader, Green Party of Canada / Chef, Parti Vert du Canada

Elizabeth May

Leader, Green Party of Canada / Chef, Parti Vert du Canada

GPC Ombuds and Appeals Committee,

Green Party of Canada

GPC Ombuds and Appeals Committee

Green Party of Canada

Adriane Carr,

GPC Deputy Leader

Adriane Carr

GPC Deputy Leader

Georges Laraque,

GPC Deputy Leader

Georges Laraque

GPC Deputy Leader

Petition Updates

Share this petition

Petition created on February 11, 2012