I don't know how fair it is to say that Great Councils require us to "burn it all down and start over". I know that the Charter uses a particular language when it comes to Great Councils, but I don't think any of us could say for certain how much of a rewrite could reasonably qualify. I mean, surely it's reasonable not to completely rewrite the Criminal Code if it remains fit for purpose, and there are probably similar provisions that also deserve to remain on the books.

I think what would characterise a true Great Council is the intent with which we go into it. In the past there were some Great Councils that were called to address specific policy proposals and I would agree that this is the wrong idea; we have the normal amendment process for that. Instead a Great Council should be an event where we all go with the mindset that everything can be reconsidered and that this is a time to question what makes up the region and how we can make it work better.

I think that we are indeed at a time when we should be thinking about that. Glen is right that current legislators deserve to have an opportunity where they can rebuild the region in a way that works for them -for us, because we are all part of this region-. Yes, that can be done via the normal amendment process, but I can tell you that there is a certain mindset that comes with a Great Council that you cannot otherwise replicate. Ideas can be bolder because we all realise that this is a unique time to go go bold. There are only so many times that we can tweak the same laws over and over again, play with the same government structure over and over again, and I worry that we are reaching a breaking point of dullness.