(OTTAWA) - Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada and MP (Saanich – Gulf Islands), is pleased to announce the appointment of Gord Miller, Green Party candidate (Guelph), as the Party’s new Infrastructure, Communities, and Intergovernmental Affairs Critic.
“Gord Miller has been a dedicated Officer of the Ontario Legislature for years,” said Ms. May. “As our new Infrastructure, Communities, and Intergovernmental Affairs Critic, Gord will be ideally suited to implementing the Green Party's agenda – We will create long-term and sustainable jobs, tackle the infrastructure deficit in our communities, and bring different branches of government together to tackle major issues affecting Canada. I look forward to working with Gord in the next Parliament.”
Gord Miller continued:
“Climate change is the greatest threat to not only Canadian communities, but the planet itself. The only way to truly tackle that threat is to engage all levels of government in solutions that not only mitigate the threat but also ensure we are prepared for the short- and long-term effects.
“For too long this federal government has had its head in the sand with regard to the threat of climate change. Add to that an inability to work with all of the provinces and territories and we are left in our current situation where severe climactic events have crippled communities across this great country.
“One of the ways we can adapt to our changing climate is to invest in resilient infrastructure that protects our communities for the long-term. We must replace our aging infrastructure with modern technologies that factor in the changing climate and its effects on our day-to-day lives.
“The Green Party of Canada is committed to investing in infrastructure that will help protect Canadians and provide and protect jobs for future generations. I will ensure this issue is front and centre if elected this fall.”
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For additional information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Gerald Kennedy
Campaign Manager for Gord Miller
Gerald.kennedy@gmail.com
647-294-6981
or
Julian Morelli
Director of Communications
Green Party of Canada
cell: (613) 614 4916
office: (613) 562 4916 (224)
julian.morelli@greenparty.ca
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Background: Gord Miller
Gord Miller is a scientist and environmental expert. He has had a long career in public service, including working as a senior advisor with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, followed by fifteen years as the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario. This has inspired him to run for the Green Party of Canada in Guelph, to help ensure our country takes the serious actions needed to curb climate change, and build a stable, diverse and sustainable economy.
A University of Guelph alumnus, Gord holds both a Bachelor of Science in Biology, and a Master of Science in Plant Ecology, from the U of G. After graduating, Gord started his family and his career in Guelph, doing environmental assessment and planning work with Biosystems Inc, before moving on to a career with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment.
Gord held multiple positions with the Ministry of the Environment including working as a senior environmental officer, district manager, and senior manager responsible for training and development. His responsibilities included overseeing the response, containment and cleanup of major spills of hazardous substances. During this period, Gord also worked as an instructor at a variety of institutions, including time teaching at Nipissing University, the University of Toronto and the Chengdu Management Training Centre in China.
For the last fifteen years, Gord has served as Ontario’s Environmental Commissioner. A non-partisan officer of the Legislature, the Environmental Commissioner's job is to uphold and protect Ontario’s Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR). This included working with a wide range of environmental and industry groups as well as politicians and civil servants, engaging the public to educate them about the EBR, and providing expert policy advice on a wide range of environmental topics, from energy to ecology, to the Ontario Legislature in his Annual Reports.
In addition to his extensive professional experience, Gord was an elected Trustee with the Timmins Board of Education, served as a Vice-President and Co-Founder of the Roadside Heritage Trees Society of Puslinch Township, and as President of the Ontario Chapter of the Canadian Land Reclamation Association.
Gord hopes to bring his extensive experience and knowledge about both the environment and legislative process to bear as Guelph’s representative in the House of Commons. A dedicated public servant, Gord’s career showcases his ethical standards, sound judgement and sense of fairness.