Green Party moves convention to go full steam ahead in by-election campaigns

NEW GLASGOW – The Green Party is changing the dates of its policy convention to allow Greens to focus on winning the September 8th by-elections. The convention was originally scheduled to be held from September 5th – 7th, but has been moved back two weeks to September 19th – 21st.

“When we learned that the by-elections would be the day after our national convention, we feared Greens would be forced to choose between the policy convention and campaigning on the last weekend before the by-elections,” said Green Party leader Elizabeth May. “With Deputy Leader Claude William Genest running in Westmount—Ville-Marie and Environment Critic Mike Nagy running in Guelph, moving the convention after the by-elections made sense. We can now ensure that Mr. Genest and Mr. Nagy will be there, along with their campaign teams.

“A strong showing for the Green Party in these by-elections can change everything. Electing Canada’s first Green MP in a by-election would guarantee my inclusion in the televised debates in the next election. Greens across the country will now be able to focus 100 percent of their energy on campaigning in these by-elections.”

Ms. May noted that Guelph and Westmount—Ville-Marie are already very ‘Green’ ridings. In Westmount—Ville-Marie, Claude William Genest is starting with a strong base of support. The Green vote in the area has steadily increased each election, with over eight percent in the last federal election and a stunning second place finish for the Green Party in the 2007 provincial election at 13 percent. Both previous campaigns were run on only shoestring budgets, Mr. Genest will now run a campaign much closer to full funding.

“I can feel it in the air,” said Mr. Genest. “On the doorstep, voters are telling me ‘You’ve got our vote, where do we sign up?’ Canadians are tired of politics-as-usual and only the Green Party offers something fresh and new. We are working hard to convince voters to make a real difference by electing a Green.”

In Guelph, Environment Critic Mike Nagy has been campaigning non-stop since the last federal election, where he received one of the best results in Ontario at nine percent. In the last provincial election, Green candidate Ben Polley finished ahead of the NDP in third place with 20 percent.

“Guelph is one of the Greenest ridings in the country,” said Mr. Nagy. “We have a chance to make history in Canada by electing the very first Green MP. MPs from other parties are not working together right now but my goal is to ensure they do. Electing a Green will not be more of the same but will be inspiration for new and positive action without partisan baggage.”

The Green candidate in Saint-Lambert will be announced shortly.

“By moving our convention back two weeks, we can have the best of both worlds,” said Ms. May. “I can spend more time supporting our candidates by campaigning in their ridings. Following the by-elections, Greens will be energized and will be able to focus on policy at the convention – hopefully in the company of our first Green MPs.”

Ms. May noted that fortunately, the deCoste Centre in Pictou, Nova Scotia, where the convention is to be held, was able to accommodate the date change and that the rest of the convention plans will remain virtually unchanged.