First Ontario Green party MPP sworn into office

TORONTO — Ontario’s first Green party legislator has been sworn in at Queen’s Park, promising to help change the culture of politics in the province.

Green party Leader Mike Schreiner, 49, made history when he handily won his Guelph riding in the June election.

He took the brief oath of office at Queen’s Park on Thursday in front of dozens of supporters and vowed to bring a different tone and approach to his work in the legislature.

“I’m going to do politics differently,” he said.

“I campaigned on a promise to create jobs, put people and planet first. I’m going to keep fighting for that.”

Schreiner, who has led the provincial Greens since 2009, won the riding with 45 per cent of the vote, vaulting from a thirdplace finish in the 2014 election.

He acknowledged it’s been a fight to get his party into the legislature, but credited his team of supporters and candidates across the province for helping lead him to victory.

Even as the single party member elected, Schreiner said he believes he can help shift policy and make an impact.

“Elected Greens across the country have proven that one Green MLA, MPP or MP can make a huge difference,” he said.

Born and raised on a farm in Kansas, Schreiner came to Canada in 1994 when his wife became a professor at the University of Toronto. He moved to Guelph a few years ago after working in the southwestern Ontario city for years.

Ontario’s legislature is expected to sit for a brief summer session beginning July 11.