Elizabeth May responds to debate decision

OTTAWA - The Green Party of Canada is going to the courts to seek a fair hearing and opportunity to participate in the leaders’ debate in this election. This action is prompted by the announcement of the major television networks to exclude Green Party Leader Elizabeth May from the television debates. In the interim the Party is urging all Canadians who believe in democracy and fairness to contact the leaders of the Conservative Party, the NDP and the Bloc to demand they respect democracy.

“Harper says this election is about strong leadership. It’s about strong-arm leadership. We are a national party with a point of view supported by Canadians. This decision is undemocratic and we have no choice but to challenge it,” said Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party of Canada.

The networks said in a press release (they have not contacted the Green Party of Canada) that the threats of the Conservatives, NDP and the Bloc to boycott a leaders debate caused them to refuse to allow Ms. May to participate.

“I think it’s appalling that the media consortium is submitting to Stephen Harper and Jack Layton’s threats,” commented Ms. May.

“Stephen Harper knows disenchanted former Progress Conservatives, Reform and Alliance supporters are turning to the Green Party as the best alternative to represent their values.”

The debates are the most important events in a federal election and the arbitrary decision to bar the Green Party will jeopardize the fairness of this election. A complaint will be filed with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, and legal proceedings to overturn the decision will commence shortly.

“I said in my campaign launch, for me this election, is about democracy and about involving more people in the political process. For Stephen Harper, it is about excluding people, excluding ideas and excluding women,” said Ms. May.

Canadians are urged to join the 80,000 who have already registered their support for Elizabeth May’s inclusion in the debates at www.Demanddemocraticdebates.ca