GREEN PARTY OF CANADA

LEADER ELIZABETH MAY FOUNDED 1983 SITTING MPS 2

Eli lizabeth b thM May is i the th longest l t serving i of f the th national ti l party t leaders, having led the Greens since 2006. At age 65, she’s also the oldest, which perhaps explains why one poll found that she’s seen as the most ethical federal party leader. As leader, May has been steadily building national support for her party. (According to the Green Party of Canada, membership has risen 15 per cent since December.)

While many think that Green support is comprised of wide-eyed young environmental enthusiasts, according to Valerie Powell, the party’s

seniors critic, their rallies and conventions draw a huge contingent of 50-somethings. “These people realize that they have to do something in order to protect the environment and give a better world to our children and grandchildren,” she says.

A May poll suggested that the Green Party had the support of 12 per cent of decided or leaning voters, the highest number it’s ever recorded and certainly a cause for optimism heading into the election. While 12 per cent is admirable for this party, it’s still well behind the Conservatives and Liberals and may only reflect the current disenchantment voters have toward the status quo parties.

There has been talk of a merger between the Greens and the (like-minded) NDP, but it hasn’t risen beyond social media speculation. Until that unlikely alliance happens, May’s best-case scenario is to hold the balance of power in a minority government.

THE ECONOMY

May has often said that we have to live within our means ecologically and economically. She is promising to kill pipelines and end Canada’s economic dependence on the fossil fuel sector, which won’t win her many votes in the oil patch.

While balancing the budget is a goal of the party, May says, “We’re not an austerity party. We’re the opposite. We need to have adequate revenues to cover the needs of Canadians.” These needs include pharmacare, a basic income for all and free tuition.