Great news from across the border - last night Elizabeth May, the Party Leader of the Green Party of Canada, finished an impressive second among the four major parties, in a special election for Canada's House of Commons.
May was elected Party Leader at a national Green Party convention in late August in Ottawa. As her own blog indicates, since then she's been shifting the focus of Canadian political debate around issues of around environment and economy. With Stephen Harper's minority Tory government abandoning Canada's committment to the Kyoto Protocol, May has been constantly in the news, demonstrating to political friend and foe alike that she knows her issues and is capable of governing (for some reason you have to reload that last link twice to see it.)
Then came an open seat and a special election in London, Ontario with the resignation of the sitting Liberal Party MP there. The election was called for November 27th (the Canadians call these 'by-elections'.) Elizabeth dove right into the fray, without a worry that a poor finish would undercut the momentum her election as Party Leader created.
In Canada's January Federal election, the Canadian Greens received 4.5% nationally. Now polls have them at 10%, in no small part to Elizabeth's impact -- and may I add, the impact of the GPC's convention being broadcast live over three days by CPAC, the Canadian C-SPAN. Kudos to Jim Harris, national Party Leader from 2002-2006, whose acumen and foresight helped the party leap forward in the 2002 and 2004 Federal Elections, to position themselves for this moment.
Elizabeth is gifted with ability to express herself brillianty, and with the savvy to swim among sharks when necessary. It was a bold move to run in this race, the kind of move a winner makes.
In a classic quote after her impressive result, Elizabeth said "Mark this down and mark it well: when someone in a future election says that we will split the vote so the worst party (whichever) can get in, point out we are not vote splitters. We are vote unifiers under a new banner."
In comparing her result with the party's numbers in same district in January Federal Election, the Green increase came from across the political spectrum - 6% from the Liberals, 6% from the Conservatives and 9% from the NDP - the latter especially significant with the potential to help the Greens pass the NDP.
"May Oui" was the chant of Elizabeth's supporters at the August Green convention, playing upon the double entendre in this English and often French-speaking country. One can just imagine what she and the Canadian Greens can accomplish with the platform of seats in the House of Commons. Here is an example of her Green Economic Development Strategy for London from her campaign.
Post-election coverage has been very positive, including
- "Green Party's showing in London's by-election hints at something big",
- "Green Party confidence grows",
- "Green machine: In light of the by-election in London, is it time to start taking the Green Party seriously?",
- "Green party 'has arrived' after finishing 2nd in byelection",
- "May won many hearts, but not enough minds",
- "Greens claim moral victory",
- "Election Results Bouy May"
- "Green Party Growing" and this pre-election piece
- "Tall Poppy Interview" in the Torontoist
For insightful post-election analysis, see Jim Harris' blog "Greens Come of Age: London Result shows we'll win seats. Liberal Strategy: Pretend to be Green."
May was elected Party Leader at a national Green Party convention in late August in Ottawa. As her own blog indicates, since then she's been shifting the focus of Canadian political debate around issues of around environment and economy. With Stephen Harper's minority Tory government abandoning Canada's committment to the Kyoto Protocol, May has been constantly in the news, demonstrating to political friend and foe alike that she knows her issues and is capable of governing (for some reason you have to reload that last link twice to see it.)
Then came an open seat and a special election in London, Ontario with the resignation of the sitting Liberal Party MP there. The election was called for November 27th (the Canadians call these 'by-elections'.) Elizabeth dove right into the fray, without a worry that a poor finish would undercut the momentum her election as Party Leader created.In Canada's January Federal election, the Canadian Greens received 4.5% nationally. Now polls have them at 10%, in no small part to Elizabeth's impact -- and may I add, the impact of the GPC's convention being broadcast live over three days by CPAC, the Canadian C-SPAN. Kudos to Jim Harris, national Party Leader from 2002-2006, whose acumen and foresight helped the party leap forward in the 2002 and 2004 Federal Elections, to position themselves for this moment.
Elizabeth is gifted with ability to express herself brillianty, and with the savvy to swim among sharks when necessary. It was a bold move to run in this race, the kind of move a winner makes.
In a classic quote after her impressive result, Elizabeth said "Mark this down and mark it well: when someone in a future election says that we will split the vote so the worst party (whichever) can get in, point out we are not vote splitters. We are vote unifiers under a new banner."
In comparing her result with the party's numbers in same district in January Federal Election, the Green increase came from across the political spectrum - 6% from the Liberals, 6% from the Conservatives and 9% from the NDP - the latter especially significant with the potential to help the Greens pass the NDP.
"May Oui" was the chant of Elizabeth's supporters at the August Green convention, playing upon the double entendre in this English and often French-speaking country. One can just imagine what she and the Canadian Greens can accomplish with the platform of seats in the House of Commons. Here is an example of her Green Economic Development Strategy for London from her campaign.
Post-election coverage has been very positive, including
- "Green Party's showing in London's by-election hints at something big",
- "Green Party confidence grows",
- "Green machine: In light of the by-election in London, is it time to start taking the Green Party seriously?",
- "Green party 'has arrived' after finishing 2nd in byelection",
- "May won many hearts, but not enough minds",
- "Greens claim moral victory",
- "Election Results Bouy May"
- "Green Party Growing" and this pre-election piece
- "Tall Poppy Interview" in the Torontoist
For insightful post-election analysis, see Jim Harris' blog "Greens Come of Age: London Result shows we'll win seats. Liberal Strategy: Pretend to be Green."
