Dumping Harper is May’s main objective
Green leader says she would recommend coalition if Tory leader gets minority
Green Leader Elizabeth May wants to change the political climate in Ottawa to spark action on climate change.
In a meeting Thursday with the Toronto Star editorial board, May said she believes her party can win up to 12 seats in the Oct. 19 election.
And in the increasingly likely event of a hung parliament, she vowed to work with both NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair and Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau to send Harper packing.
“The most important thing is that Harper not be prime minister,” the Green leader said.
“Harper’s record is what Canadians need to know about,” added May, referring to the Conservatives’ failure to do anything to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.
“Mulcair and Trudeau are going to be better than Harper no matter what on climate,” she said.
“Neither of them really grasps the issue yet. Doesn’t mean they can’t pick it up if I help them.”
May said that if Canadians opt for a minority parliament she would work with both Mulcair and Trudeau to ensure there is a “progressive” government in Ottawa.
“The first thing I would do is to encourage both of them to consider a coalition,” she said.
“Canadians want them to, I want them to. A minority parliament could be great for Canada — and if not a full coalition, a co-operation agreement.”
Such an accord could be similar to the one forged by former Ontario Liberal premier David Peterson and then provincial NDP leader Bob Rae in 1985. That two-year non-aggression pact deposed Progressive Conservative premier Frank Miller’s government. But May said Green MPs would not be part of any coalition government.
“I’d prefer to stay in opposition. My colleagues in Green parties around the world have had mixed experiences in coalitions,” she said.
“If we can exact real progress . . . and achieve that through either Trudeau or Mulcair or both of them together then I think our role in sitting in opposition is better.”
The Green chief, whose party currently holds two seats, also spoke passionately about Harper’s “offensive” proposal to ban the niqab from being worn by federal public servants.
“As a feminist, I respect the right of a woman to wear whatever she wants to wear,” said May, noting the Tories “know what they’re doing” by using the issue to exploit prejudice against Muslims.
“They’re manipulative and they’re skilled,” she said, lamenting the fact that some voters may buy the Conservative line.
“It’s appeal to the worst elements of the best people to xenophobia and fear.”