Throughout the weeks of the leadership contest, we hope that you enjoy these weekly insights provided by our six fantastic contestants, most of whom will contribute each week. We are also including those articles in French when provided by the contestants. The order of appearance is randomized weekly. We hope you enjoy and benefit from the content.
Leadership campaign update: Federal Council has decided to have one round of voting instead of two, concluding as planned on November 19, 2022. This will allow all 6 contestants to run their campaigns until the voting period ends in November.
Here are this week’s messages from the six candidates, in alphabetical order by first name. (Le texte français suit le texte anglais).
Anna Keenan
Good morning, SGI!
Chad and I have had the immense pleasure of travelling in your part of the country this past week – today is the last day of our 8-day cross-country tour: we’ll make a last stop in Burnaby this evening (Saturday), after joining this afternoon’s all-candidate debate (3:30pm Pacific time, hosted by Chris Brown – tune in to see us in action!).
Chad and I have met groups of green organizers this week in Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, and yesterday, Saanich itself! It was a real pleasure to meet many Green Sunday Morning subscribers in person.
This was my first time visiting the west coast of Canada. It was a privilege to breathe in the beauty of this place, and connect with the land and water, and the very different climate and ecology than my home on the east coast! These are gifts we must protect.
On the ferry between Vancouver and Victoria, entering the pass between Galiano and Mayne Islands was just breathtaking, and a memory that will not be forgotten quickly! Should Chad and I be elected to party leadership, we will look forward to many more visits with you, and with this place.
The events we’ve been hosting on our tour have included a lot of honest conversation (#realtalk!) about where the party is at. Members are asking hard questions and are appreciating the honesty and clarity of our answers.
We have successfully married our vision for Canada with a solid, achievable plan for how we can resolve the governance tensions that have plagued the party these last few years, and start building the party up to its next level of electoral success.
We are offering a new direction and are aiming for a level of ambition that the party has never dared to imagine before.
After our tour events, members share with us how our leadership campaign makes them feel. What I’m hearing from members is a combination of relief, grounded hope, and determination.
Folks are relieved to know that there is an offering in this leadership race that has a feasible real plan to stabilise the party. They are daring to hope, seeing that our plan is not only about stabilisation, but also ambitious growth that can lead to political breakthroughs at the next election.
This isn’t just about “recovery” to get us back to where the party was before, it’s about renewal, and beginning a new chapter in the party’s history.
And members are determined, willing to contribute their efforts, time and dollars to support the work.
We look forward to touring Ontario next week, and the Maritimes in the final weeks before voting opens on November 12.
With only 27 days to go, our team welcomes all volunteers, to help us get over the line. Even 2 hours per week will add up to make a big difference. Please join us!
Anna Keenan
Epekwitk/Prince Edward Island, Mi’kma’ki/Atlantic Canada
(She/elle/they)
Chad Walcott
Good Sunday Morning everyone,
Anna and I are currently in the last days of our cross-country tour which has brought us to beautiful British Columbia. It has been an amazing tour so far as it has allowed us to meet and hear directly from members about the work that needs to be done to get our Party back on its feet. What we are hearing most is that members want us to stop the infighting and get back to speaking about policies that Greens lead on.
Members want to know that the next leaders of the Party have a solid understanding of what has led to the unrest we are seeing in the party and that they have a solid plan to address the sources of conflict head-on in order to bring our affairs in order. Anna and I have a clear vision and solid plan for the Party, as well as the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver the plan we have proposed.
We have been communicating our plan for renewal to members throughout this eight-day tour, and our message and vision for the Party has been extremely well received by members. From Montreal to Saanich members have expressed feeling inspired and uplifted by our vision for the party based on renewal, responsibility and results. We have also been able to show them the deep benefits that co-leadership can bring.
The message from members throughout this tour has been clear; they are ready for a fresh start for the Green Party of Canada. We also know that in order to rebuild credibility within the Canadian electorate, we need to demonstrate that the Party is moving forward. For Greens to begin the work of rebuilding our credibility in the eyes of the Canadian electorate, the headline on November 19th has to be one of new and dynamic leadership for the Party.
Anna and I know that there will be a lot of work to do to achieve the ambitious goal we have set, but we are confident in our abilities and ready to roll up our sleeves to do the work. We look forward to meeting and gathering input from more Greens in the final days of our tour.
We know it will take efforts from all members to rebuild after two years of conflict, and we look forward to doing the work alongside members to build a stronger, more democratic foundation for our Party.
There are 27 days left for us before we choose the next leader of the Green Party of Canada, in these remaining days Anna and I will be participating in a number of debates where we look forward to making the case as to why we are the people the Party needs at this moment.
If you share our vision of renewal you can support us through volunteering, making an endorsement or donating to our campaign at keenanwalcott.ca
Elizabeth May
Good Sunday Morning!
As I work wearing several different hats – as an MP, as a climate activist and as a leadership candidate – life goes on. Amidst much joy in my life through blessings of family and friends, I have been experiencing recent loss. Two dear friends, likely known to many of you, died this month.
On October 4th, we lost one of the kindest and most generous women ever. Dona MacKie was the loving and much-loved wife of Bob MacKie. Bob has served in many capacities in the GPC – as President, as British Columbia rep on Council, as dedicated volunteer in SGI and key to getting this newsletter sent out for years. Keep Bob in your thoughts as he goes through the tough days of recent bereavement.
This last Wednesday another dear friend and stalwart Montreal Green volunteer died. Michel Sigouin passed from this life after a brief and aggressive cancer diagnosis. Michel was a mainstay of every strong federal Green campaign in Quebec. When any candidate needed help, Michel was there. I spoke with him the day before his death. He was so calm, so brave. And he had faith. His strongest wish was for us to keep fighting. Sending much love to his wife and family and to all those who loved him. It is a long list.
Reflections on love and loss also touched my work in the House as we paid tribute to the late Bill Blaikie. Bill was an MP for thirty years and then became part of the Manitoba NDP government. Wednesday, I was honoured to be among the six parliamentary speakers. I first met Bill Blaikie in 1987. We shared many adventures over that long friendship. I loved him and will miss him.
To my surprise, CBC As it Happens ran a clip that night at the 34:40 mark: https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-2-as-it-happens/clip/15943440-plea-de-coeur
This YouTube links to my whole speech (including our marching together, and getting tear-gassed together, at the Seattle WTO). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyIG7GVRCXk
Greens were also active this week pressing for action on water – and climate – stressing the link between the two:
Elizabeth May: Canada needs an independent Water Agency – YouTube
As well, Mike Morrice was recognized by the people who mean the most to him. He has been waging a crusade to eliminate poverty among the disabled. We have worked together, of course, but Mike was thanked as “family” by the champions in Disability without Poverty. C-22, the act to create the Disability Benefit, moved through second reading with unanimous support! We will keep working to strengthen it!
Yesterday, I had a grand time in Calgary with Jonathan Pedneault, local friends and supporters. We experienced our first snow on the ground! Later today, Calgary podcaster, Chris Brown, will be hosting all leadership candidates (6:30 pm ET, 3:30 BC) You can watch here: https://youtu.be/c5VLJPpF_aU.
All for now,
Elizabeth
Jonathan Pedneault
Good Sunday Morning,
I write from Calgary; it’s snowing, but my blood is boiling.
I missed a large part of the Ottawa anti-vaxxer “freedom-loving” convoy events. At the time, I was recovering from spinal surgery, analyzing dozens of videos of abusive policemen killing peaceful protesters in Kazakhstan. And then I was in Ukraine, documenting “needle-less”, real-life abuses.
Now, I’m arriving in Calgary from BC to find anti-vaxxers and thin-skinned “Don’t Tread on Me” people waving their yellow snake flags and Trudeau-hating signs on Memorial Drive. It’s quite a contrast with BC which has been choking on wildfire smoke while experiencing water shortages. Yes. Water shortages. In rainforest BC.
‘Funny’ that of all the places to spew their hatred, these happy-go-lucky individuals chose Memorial Drive. When I bumped into them, I had just gotten myself a poppy, precisely to remember those who died protecting us from fascism. But here was a man waving a poster with a noose, signaling he’d like our politicians hanged, while a ‘grown up’ woman was walking up to a young black girl shoving a “Blood Clot” sign in her face. Another woman driving past us was honking in support.
To be clear, this is not an Alberta problem. A few days ago, in Edmonton, I saw graffiti with clear instructions: “Life is short. Punch a Nazi.” I’ve seen and experienced too much violence in my life to condone it, but the image did come to mind walking by Memorial Drive, a poppy on my chest.
No, it’s not an Alberta-wide problem. Most Albertans are good, caring and sensible people. Our Alberta Green friends are first among them. So what sort of a problem is it?
It is most definitely a pan-Canadian one.
And one that has been, and will continue to be, empowered by Canada’s incel-courting Official Opposition Leader.
Sometimes, we just have to call a spade a spade and a hypocrite a hypocrite. Greens have been playing too nice for too long. Instead of focusing our reasonable anger, and disappointment, at today’s politics towards those who acquire power spreading lies and disinformation, draping themselves in Canadian flags and shouting “freedom” like tantrum-possessed toddlers, we progressives have turned the anger unto ourselves. We must stop this and have one another’s back.
It needs to be said loud and clear that we have lots of freedom in this country. And it is in large part thanks to those who died fighting fascism.
Yet, these “Don’t Tread on Me” snowflakes are on the rise. They now feel empowered to come out of their basements, whether in the streets or in Parliament. We must face them, and their hate, wherever and whenever they show up.
Our best chance to do that is to start loving one another more, have one another’s back, and focus our anger where it is warranted. Not inwardly, but outwardly, against those deepening inequalities with the intent to sow hatred.
My blood is boiling but I am filled with resolve. I hope you are too.”
Jonathan
Sarah Gabrielle Baron
There is an ongoing tension, a paradox if you will, in all Green parties. You can read about it in Die Grünen, a book that chronicles the beginning of the Green political movement. This paradox is embedded in our GPC constitution. This tension is why I’ve watched far too many dedicated grassroots Greens leave in tears and frustration over the past seventeen years. It is a tension we must honour and resolve if we are to attain the governorship of Canadian society. The tension is between our passion for Participatory Democracy – a decentralized power structure – and the need to get elected, to play the game by the game’s rules: hierarchical, money-centric, election-centric, celebrity-based politics. The tension is between our commitment to Ecological Wisdom – a fundamental belief that any actions that hurt nature should be avoided – and the realist awareness that pretty much anything humans do is harmful to nature.
The classic Green conundrum, Fundi vs Realto, can only be healed when it becomes Fundi and Realto. When we succeed and grow, then centrists will control the Party – but they must honour Green fundamentalist voices. Greens push the envelope on possible. Greens stretch the Canadian consciousness. But only when our fundamentals are honoured.
My leadership proposes a decentralized power structure where our focus is not on the tallest trees getting the most attention, but on myriad ecosystems of gardens tended by dedicated volunteers. The connecting tissue between our EDAs, regional cooperatives, and Campus Greens, is well-tailored delivery of our political messaging. Information must flow from the membership to the leader’s office, be crystallized, then provided back to those Greens who affect our media lifeblood – EDA media reps, Social Media warriors, and candidates.
These flows must be constant.
If Greens choose a leader experienced in grassroots efforts like our policy process since 2005, EDA Revitalization 2021, EDA Empowerment 2022, Energy Policy Circle, Green Listening Circles, Action Teams, Motion Mondays, Constitutional Working Group, our amazing Virtual General Meetings, and our new interactive website, then we are on our way to honoring our fundamentals.
Please support me, and contact me at sgb@greenparty.ca. I want to hear your stories!
Simon Gnocchini-Messier
Good Sunday Morning!
I would like to speak to you today about empowering youth.
On September 23, I joined one thousand young people to cross the bridge from Gatineau to Parliament Hill to demand urgent Climate Change. This March for the Climate was the most inspiring moment I have had in the last three years. I listened carefully as speakers from high schools, community colleges (CEGEPs) and universities spoke about the need to force governments to take action on Climate Change now. That is the good news. The bad news? Only one of those young demonstrators was a member of the Green Party of Canada. So where have we gone wrong? Why aren’t we connecting with the youth of Canada?
In our 2021 Election Platform, we spoke about youth 62 times, reaching out to them in very concrete ways. We offered, if elected as a government, to enact legislation on green jobs training programs, such as the creation of a youth climate corps to restore our ecosystems. We recognized the dire circumstances faced by between 35,000 – 40,000 youth experiencing homelessness in Canada and offered targeted shelter and housing affordability programming. We also recognize the mental health impact of a failed capitalist system on youth, resulting in Canada’s youth suicide rate being the third highest in the industrialized world. Moreover, we promised to create a political culture that gives young people the tools, with which they can succeed. And yet, when potential candidates sought the twenty signatures of Young Greens needed for their nomination papers, many struggled to find those Young Greens. Let’s look around us, and be honest with ourselves, the past leadership of the Green Party of Canada has failed to attract youth to our ranks.
I have three sons. Both my older sons are members of the Green Party of Canada. One is contemplating running as a GPC candidate. What inspires them is that within the Green Party of Canada they feel treated as equals and have a voice. But they tell me when they try to recruit other young people to join our party, they are told that the GPC first has to get its act together. And those young people are right! They want a political party that demonstrates professionalism and offers the potential to win elections. They are neither interested in their “grandmother’s Green Party” nor in the “wokeism” of campus politics. The dual crisis of climate degradation and dystopian capitalism has landed on their doorstep and they fully understand that wishful thinking won’t cut it.
In my 180-day plan, I have outlined my plan to visit sixty of the most active EDAs. During these visits, I will engage with members on the urgent need to treat young members as absolute equals in the fight against climate change and the attainment of Green Social Democracy. And more importantly, I intend to empower Young Greens with real responsibilities within the party, particularly in the shadow cabinet.
Thank you, Merci, Meegwech, HÍ SW KE
Simon Gnocchini-Messier
__________
Bon dimanche matin !
Aujourd’hui, j’aimerais vous parler de la responsabilisation des jeunes.
Le 23 septembre, je me suis joint à un millier de jeunes pour traverser un pont de Gatineau jusqu’à la colline du Parlement afin de réclamer des actions pour répondre aux changements climatiques. Cette Marche pour le climat a été le moment le plus inspirant que j’ai vécu au cours des trois dernières années. J’ai écouté attentivement les conférenciers des écoles secondaires, des collèges communautaires (CEGEP) et des universités parler de la nécessité de forcer les gouvernements à prendre des mesures sur les changements climatiques, et ce, dès maintenant. Ça, c’est la bonne nouvelle. La mauvaise nouvelle ? Une seule de ces jeunes manifestant(e)s était membre du Parti vert du Canada. Alors, où avons-nous fait fausse route ? Pourquoi ne parvenons-nous pas à rejoindre les jeunes du Canada ?
Dans notre programme électoral de 2021, nous avons parlé des jeunes 62 fois, leur tendant la main de manière très concrète. Nous avons proposé de, si nous étions élus comme gouvernement, promulguer une loi sur les programmes de formation aux emplois verts, comme la création d’un corps de jeunes spécialistes du climat pour restaurer nos écosystèmes. Nous avons reconnu les circonstances désastreuses auxquelles font face entre 35 000 et 40 000 jeunes sans-abri au Canada et nous avons offert des programmes ciblés en matière d’hébergement et d’accessibilité au logement. Nous reconnaissons également l’impact d’un système capitaliste défaillant sur la santé mentale des jeunes. Ce qui fait que le taux de suicide chez les jeunes au Canada est le troisième plus élevé du monde industrialisé. De plus, nous avons promis de créer une culture politique qui donne aux jeunes les outils avec lesquels ils peuvent réussir. Et pourtant, lorsque les candidats potentiels dans la course à la chefferie ont dû recueillir vingt signatures de Jeunes Verts, nécessaires pour leur déclaration de candidature, beaucoup ont eu du mal à trouver ces Jeunes Verts. Regardons autour de nous, et soyons honnêtes avec nous-mêmes, l’ancienne direction du Parti Vert du Canada n’a pas réussi à attirer les jeunes dans nos rangs.
J’ai trois fils. Mes deux fils aînés sont membres du Parti Vert du Canada. L’un d’eux envisage de se présenter comme candidat du PVC. Ce qui les inspire, c’est qu’au sein du Parti Vert du Canada, ils se sentent traités comme des égaux et ont une voix. Mais ils me disent que lorsqu’ils essaient de recruter d’autres jeunes pour se joindre à notre parti, on leur répond que le PVC doit d’abord se ressaisir. Et ces jeunes ont raison ! Ils veulent un parti politique qui fait preuve de professionnalisme et offre la possibilité de remporter des élections. Ils ne sont ni intéressés par le “parti vert de leur grand-mère” ni par le “wokisme” de la politique universitaire. Ils ont hérité de la double crise de la dégradation du climat et du capitalisme dystopique et ils comprennent parfaitement que les vœux pieux ne suffiront pas.
Dans mon plan de 180 jours, j’ai exposé mon intention de visiter les soixante ACE les plus actives. Au cours de ces visites, je discuterai avec les membres de l’urgente nécessité de traiter les jeunes membres comme des égaux absolus dans la lutte contre le changement climatique et la réalisation de la démocratie sociale verte. Et plus important encore, j’ai l’intention de donner aux Jeunes Verts de réelles responsabilités au sein du parti, notamment dans le cabinet fantôme.
Merci, Meegwech et HÍ SW KE
Simon Gnocchini-Messier