Signing a Petition? Go or No Go?

[dh101]

Well there is a petition that I want to sign and I really believe in the reasoning behind it. My main question is, am I barred from signing a petition as a current member of the CF, from what I remember from basic, I can't be a member of a political party, but would signing a petition get me in trouble. I'm not asking if you think I should or should not sign it, I'm asking if I'm legally allowed.

Cheers

 

[mba2011]

There are many others then more experience than I, so all I can offer is my own experience.

As a ROTP OCdt at a Civi university, even things like topics such as term papers can potentially be a problem. I spoke with the Base PSO and what he said was "If it passes the National Post Test, go ahead". Basically what he said is that if it would reflect poorly, or less than favorably, on the CF whilst on the front page of a paper, don't do it.

In my case, I stick to keeping a low public profile (in terms of political activism) and generally abstain from commenting on things that could come back on the CF in anyway, good or bad. I watch the topics and even the sources I use on papers.

Again, just my experience and opinion!

 

[shreenan]

I'am searching the Queen's Regulations and Orders for the Canadian Forces (QR&Os), http://www.admfincs-smafinsm.forces.gc.ca/qro-orf/index-eng.asp.

The answer should be in the QR&Os.

 

[Smirnoff123]

Perhaps you could let us know what the petition is for?

 

[dh101]

The petition is in regards to the Chief Firearms Officers in Canada, under the Firearms Act

 

[Shamrock]

As a ROTP OCdt at a Civi university, even things like topics such as term papers can potentially be a problem.

...what?

The petition is in regards to the Chief Firearms Officers in Canada, under the Firearms Act

19.10 - COMBINATIONS FORBIDDEN

No officer or non-commissioned member shall without authority:

combine with other members for the purpose of bringing about alterations in existing regulations for the Canadian Forces;
sign with other members memorials, petitions or applications relating to the Canadian Forces; or
obtain or solicit signatures for memorials, petitions or applications relating to the Canadian Forces.

 

[brihard]

Personally, so long as it doesn't fall within the scope of 'matters affecting the CF', I'd say go for it. Signing a petition as a private citizen without invoking your military status or identity is something I firmly believe would be protected expression. We retain our rights under the Charter while in uniform, there are simply a few more variables involved in reckoning 'such reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society'.

 

[jwtg]

There are many others then more experience than I, so all I can offer is my own experience.

As a ROTP OCdt at a Civi university, even things like topics such as term papers can potentially be a problem. I spoke with the Base PSO and what he said was "If it passes the National Post Test, go ahead". Basically what he said is that if it would reflect poorly, or less than favorably, on the CF whilst on the front page of a paper, don't do it.

In my case, I stick to keeping a low public profile (in terms of political activism) and generally abstain from commenting on things that could come back on the CF in anyway, good or bad. I watch the topics and even the sources I use on papers.

Again, just my experience and opinion!

So what do you do when you write papers (if you do; hypothetically if you don't) for political science (especially Canadian politics) or international relations courses?  Spout party lines?

Just curious. 

 

[dh101]

Personally, so long as it doesn't fall within the scope of 'matters affecting the CF', I'd say go for it. Signing a petition as a private citizen without invoking your military status or identity is something I firmly believe would be protected expression. We retain our rights under the Charter while in uniform, there are simply a few more variables involved in reckoning 'such reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society'.

Alright, cheers, I figured the same, I'll just have to use a little common sense