By Stephanie Froese

Group looks to change politics with social media

Mar 10, 2011 | 10:24 AM

A new group of Canadians, from places all over the country, are using social media to try to influence political platforms.

LEADNOW, an organization not affiliated with any political party, launched a week ago with a three point plan in an effort to guide public policy and Canada’s Future.

On their website LEADNOW describes itself as “building an independent community that works together to help set the political agenda, take effective action on important issues, and shift elections.”

Part one of organization’s plan consists of gathering opinions and ideas from various meetings around the country. The event called re-generation is taking place in multiple locations in every province.

Rick Sawa is the organizing the Prince Albert meeting. The movement is formed by young people, which Sawa said is very exciting.

Business and Economy

Investment and development firm that bought Cornerstone acquires South Hill Mall

A few minutes ago

education

Auditor finds non-compliance with international trip, credit card and expense claims at Northlands College

4h ago

Court proceedings

Drugs and weapons bust in Stanley Mission, results in two year sentence

23h ago

“Most of the activists that I know are getting up in age and it’s the young people that are going to have to live in this society down the road so that’s refreshing to know that the people behind it are quite youthful,” Sawa said.

At each meeting three questions are asked that pertain to what someone would like to see in Canada’s future. All the groups are linked by email and the LEADNOW website.

“The questions will be asked, everybody will get a chance to contribute what they think, minutes will be taken. These will all be sent to the central body.”

The next step would have the information from the re-generation events turned into a Declaration for Change. In this step, online voting would shape what issues are of the highest importance to Canadians.

The declaration is a challenge to politicians to shape their platforms around what issues are being discussed through the website and social media.

LEADNOW will then encourage people to vote for the politicians that rise to the challenge.

Whether or not the group will influence politicians in a major way “remains to be seen,” according to Sawa, but he added he does think it will have some impact.

“The one thing we do know, if we don’t do anything, nothing will happen. (Someone once) said if you don’t shoot you’ll never score.”

Sawa said the hope is to get this to be a very strong movement with lots of people who are disenchanted with the political scene the way it is right now.

The group is a youth founded organization, but extends an invitation to any Canadian who would like to contribute.

A Prince Albert meeting is today, at 7 p.m. in the Natural Resources block in the Technical Centre at SIAST.

sfroese@panow.com