May paints the map green
Green Party of Canada sets up district associations in P.E.I. ridings
The leader of the Green Party of Canada is hoping Islanders will carry the energy of having a Green MLA in P.E.I.’s legislature onto the federal level. Elizabeth May, who is also MP for Saanich-Gulf Islands, spoke with Island supporters during a provincial party fundraiser Saturday evening at the P.E.I. Farm Centre in Charlottetown. Before the event, May attended a meeting for the party’s Malpeque Electoral District Association (EDA).
The meeting also saw the formation of EDAs in P.E.I.’s other three federal ridings of Charlottetown, Egmont and Cardigan in anticipation of a 2019 election.
“We’re clearly looking at a run to elect federal MPs in Prince Edward Island,” said May, adding that she plans on returning to the province during the next two years to support the party at both provincial and federal levels.
“The (federal and provincial) parties are separate, we have no legal connection, but we share common values and we tend to like working together.” May’s presence alone seemed to bring a boost to the provincial party, with an approximate $10,000 raised by supporters during Saturday’s event. Party president Anna Keenan put the number into perspective when pointing out the party spent about $26,128 during the 2015 election campaign that saw MLA Peter BevanBaker elected.
“We’re also the only party on the Island where our sole source of donations comes from individual citizens,” said Keenan.
Jordan Bober, fundraising chair and event organizer, said Saturday exceeded expectations and noted a number of new members who attended the event.
“It’s a great example of how the party is growing,” said Bober. “The last couple years has been an exciting time but there is still a lot happening even now.”
While the federal party created the EDAs Saturday, party members on the provincial level are now establishing district associations.
Keenan said the process of creating the district associations will move gradually over the next year.
“It doesn’t happen overnight,” said Keenan, who noted the party continues to grow. “We’re trying to maintain a positive trajectory so Islanders feel they can trust us in the next election.”