2024 GPC Federal Council Election Candidate Messages

Bill Matheson

Candidate for the position of:
Nova Scotia Representative

I am seeking your support to re-elect me as Nova Scotia’s Representative on the GPC Federal Council (FC). I was elected in June of 2022, and It has been a busy and challenging two years. As well as FC meetings at least once a month and often more frequently, I’ve also been a member of the Governance and Finance Committees, and participated on ad hoc committees. I now chair the Election Readiness Committee (ERC), working to see that we are as well prepared as we can be for the next general election. This work is more urgent now that there is a real prospect that the government may fall early. I want to be on FC and the ERC to help shape the national campaign and support local candidates.

In Nova Scotia, there may be a federal by-election in Halifax in the next few months. There will be a provincial general election between now and next July, and it may start very soon. There will be a federal general election by Oct. 20th, 2025, and perhaps much sooner. It is very important that NS has candidates in each of the 11 federal electoral districts. As an FC Representative with current experience on the challenges the GPC faces, and with over two decades of active experience with elections in NS and across the country, I want to support our EDAs and candidates. Please vote for me to continue as your Representative. Thank you!

Read Bill's full presentation here



Stuart Hunter

Candidate for the position of:
Anglophone Vice-chair

I joined the GPC in 2015 at the age of 18. Since then, I've volunteered on Green campaigns in 3 federal and 4 provincial elections, including a number of winning campaigns. I started on Federal Council in 2018, making me the second-longest-serving member. I've seen Council at its best and at its worst, and I know what can make the difference.

I'm running because I think it's time for me to contribute my skills to the Executive. The Exec's job is to keep Council on track, and I don't think that's been going as well as it should lately. The role needs Council experience, and I have it. I am the Chair of the Governance Committee (on which I've long served), was the primary author of the current FC Handbook, and wrote the Council Green Rules of procedure for our meetings. It bothers me when internal party rules are not followed.

Executive members need to understand how our governance structure is supposed to work, and need the strength to hold Council accountable to following its own rules. Federal Council should be facilitating the work of other parts of the party, not distracting from it with internal drama.

I am humbled to have earned the confidence of many Greens who've seen the work I do. I've been endorsed by key people such as Paul Manly, Mike Morrice, Amita Kuttner, Jo-Ann Roberts, and Anna Keenan. You can find my full list of endorsements and my Green CV here: linktr.ee/stuarthunter

Read Stuart's full presentation here



Maria Rodriguez

Candidate for the position of:
PEI Representative

Dear GPC PEI members,

I am grateful for the op ortunity to stand as your candidate for PEI Representative to Federal Council. I am a committed Green, volunteer in many federal and provincial party roles, and respectfully ask for your support.

If elected, I hope to serve you by ensuring your concerns and interests are communicated to Federal Council, and information on national-level deliberations and decisions flows to you. I think you may agree that we have faced challenges with internal communications in our party, affecting how we interact and resulting in many committed, passionate, and well-intentioned Greens sometimes finding themselves isolated in their efforts or even working cross-purposes. As Greens, we stand for ecological wisdom, the understanding of all things being interconnected to function in harmony. To foster a strong Green Party, I think we need to apply that same principle to our internal operation. Not just through Individual efforts, because the hurdles are systemic. They must be addressed collectively.

Federal Council is our main governing body and good governance is about making good decisions. As Greens, we want those decisions to be evidence-based. It is the job of every councillor to make sure this happens. With your support, I commit to being a strong voice for transparency and accountability and will strive to contribute, on your behalf, to good national decisions that strengthen our party on the ground. PEI is a focus of Green strength. We have a lot to build with and a lot to build on.

Read Maria's full presentation here



Glenys Babcock

Candidate for the position of:
VC Anglophone

Dear Friends,

I am so pleased to have this opportunity to seek your vote for the role of Vice-Chair Anglophone on the GPC Federal Council.

I am optimistic, hopeful, collaborative, and relentlessly seek win-win solutions.

For more than 25 years, I have led professional and volunteer teams that achieve challenging objectives. I take a results-based approach to all that I do.

I have served on Boards of Directors and volunteered in many capacities, including as a candidate with the Green Party of Ontario in 2022. Good governance-the foundation for any high functioning organization-is an area in which I have particular interest, acumen and experience.

I am currently President of the Survey Science Institute and have previously been a Vice President for Ipsos Public Affairs, Research and Methodology lead in the Office of Diversity & Inclusion at the University of Toronto, and Business Lead with Toronto Community Housing. I have helped past clients achieve their goals, including the World Bank, various governments, Fortune 500 companies, and dozens of non-profit organizations.

The Green Party of Canada has been through hard times in recent years that have harmed the Party's reputation and demoralised many. I believe that my diversity and depth of experience and skills can help elevate the functioning and governance of the Federal Council and the good work already being done by GPC staff and volunteers.

A vote for me is a vote for transparency, harmony, results… and a chance at a leap frog change for the GPC.

Read Glenys' full presentation here



Colin Griffiths

Candidate for the position of:
VC Anglophone

When you vote in this federal council election, please think of the kind of party you would like the Green Party of Canada to be.

Do you want it to continue to run third, fourth or fifth in the polls?  Do you want it to be just an energetic debating society?  Do you want it to be a champion for the environment?  Do you want it to be a national political party or a just a movement?

Your choices for Vice-President English and Fund Rep, are of candidates who will sit on the national executive committee of the Party.  They will help the leader and president, set the agenda of the Party for the next 2 years.  Those years will see a national election.  Every national election is critical, but this one more so because of the devastations being caused by climate change.  Unless your Party embraces that challenge, we will be failing our children and children’s children.

This is the challenge I am ready for.  This election is critical not only for the country but for the future of the GPC.  Elect me and the Party will be ready.  Then as we prepare for the election, help us by letting me know your views of where and how we should invest our limited resources.

I will appreciate your vote for me, Colin Griffiths, as Vice-President English of the GPC.

You can follow me on Facebook by joining the group, Colin Griffiths for GPC VP-E.

Thank you.

Read Colin's full presentation here



Bruce Weaver

Candidate for the position of:
First Nations

She:kon

Hello Green Party members. I feel very honoured to have been nominated for the position of First Nations Representative to Federal Council. It is a position that many of the indigenous members have wanted.

I see this positions as being a conduit to allow timely movement of information, hopes and problems to move from our membership to council and for decisions and needs to be disseminated back through IPAC/SIPAC to  indigenous members of the GPC.

I foresee that an important task will be to ensure that all parties are aware of when I speak for a  constituency and when I am speaking  for just myself.

I am aware of some of the challenges but I am also confident that , having met many members of Council at the 2023 retreat, we all have the desire for the Green Party of Canada to be a strong and welcoming council.

I again repeat my thanks for the nomination and I ask for your vote, that I may bring the skills that I can offer to our Council. I am always open to questions and discussions. Please use the email GPC has provided for me.

Niá:wen (Thank you)
Bruce
Tehotsienhate

Read Bruce's full presentation here



Sheila Richardson

Candidate for the position of:
Nova Scotia Representative

Hi there,

As a long time serving member of the Green Party of Canada (since 2004), Kings Hants federal riding has been an active riding in Nova Scotia, for 20 years. We are a strong group of Green Party members:

  • Henry Hoeksma: longest serving member, before 2004. Official Agent
  • Linda Ciotti Kandziora: Policy Convenor, GP Nova Scotia.
  • Doug Hickman: Candidate for Kings North
  • Brendan MacNeil: Nova Scotia Deputy Leader, Candidate for Kings Hants.
  • Madeline Taylor: budworm spray activist, New Brunswick, Candidate
  • Matt Penney: Official Agent, Co-convenor, Policy, GP Nova Scotia.
  • Kings Hants fields up to seven Candidates, Provincial Election
  • Lorna Williamson:organised climate change rally and walk.
  • Bob Gansel: door knocking, ordered banner and calling cards.

We offer workshops on energy, movies, speakers, discussions. Since 2004, we walked in the Apple Blossom Parade. We have grown and now have a banner, T-shirts, electric bike, and electric car. Acadia University offers us youth participants.

I would be honoured to serve as the Nova Scotia representative to Federal Council to help determine the planning, vision and budget of the GPC.

  • Liase with all eleven federal ridings, in Nova Scotia, before meetings and report back to ridings after the meeting.
  • I would serve on Elections Readiness Committee with my extensive knowledge.
  • I can set aside my own agenda to further the good of the whole.
  • Collaborative team player.
  • Practice Conflict Resolution and Peace Making.
  • Served on the Ombudsman Committee.
  • Practice meditation and quilting.
  • Advocate for inclusion, equity and transformative learning and being.

Read Sheila's full presentation here



Lindsay Grillet

Candidate for the position of:
Fund Representative

Dear Green Member,

Thank you for the opportunity to introduce myself and ask for your vote as Fund Representative for the Federal Council. As an East-Coaster living in Ontario I have had the privilege to witness enthusiasm for the Green Party grow across Canada. As a passionate Green member and volunteer, I have worked on exciting campaigns and gotten to be a part of that momentum first hand.

I have also watched some of the challenges faced by the party and I know that my love for the Greens combined with 13 years working in governance would benefit the party, the members and the Green movement.

My experience as a board member for grassroots organizations and my dedication to helping boards work effectively, ethically, and inclusively are just a few of the ways I have worked to improve my communities and to have a positive global impact.

As a communications leader, coach and mentor, I have directed innovative and complex programs to support organisational goals. I’m confident that my focus on cultivating relationships and my collaborative approach to problem-solving will be an asset to the Green Party of Canada, as we tackle challenges and opportunities in the coming years.
Please consider me for Fund Representative.

Cheers,
Lindsay Grillet

Read Lindsay's full presentation here



John Willson

Candidate for the position of:
VC Anglophone

The 2025 election is close. We need to be laser-focused on running a full slate of candidates and tackling the unprecedented political and technological challenges ahead. But internal conflict, governance issues, and ideological fighting over our world-leading WeDecide Participatory Democracy platform are diverting our energy.

The following points will be critical in the months ahead:

Combatting Internal Disinformation
Disinformation within the Party, particularly from trusted sources, can fracture our unity. When you hear negative stories, reach out to those involved (See Page 12 of my Fund Board Application). You can help clear up misconceptions, strengthen relationships and strengthen the Party.

Emphasizing Professionalism and Confidentiality
We need a renewed commitment to professionalism, especially in handling sensitive issues. As a co-author of the GPC's confidentiality policy and author of the confidentiality training directive, I champion a culture where airing internal disputes publicly is no longer acceptable from any of our leaders.

Rebranding and Reinvigorating
We've promised Canadians a Green Party that is honest, brave, and trustworthy. We need to rebrand, and as more than a logo change-we need to prove to Canadians that we are the party of integrity, ready to lead with bold, transparent action. We have work to do, to rebrand and make it a success.

Given my knowledge of Federal Council's needs, Glenys Babcock seems to also be an excellent fit VP Anglophone.

It's time to move beyond distractions, unite under our shared values and purpose, and demonstrate that the Green Party is ready to lead.

Read John's full presentation here



Nick Poppell

Candidate for the position of:
BC Representative

Dear Green Party of Canada Members of BC,

I am honored to stand as your candidate for the BC Representative position on Federal Council. My vision is to strengthen Electoral District Associations across the province, drawing on my experience as Executive Director of the Green Party of Vancouver, where we increased monthly donors and doubled our fundraising this year. Strong EDAs are essential for our party's success in BC.

My approach is simple: listen to local members, apply proven strategies, and ensure each EDA has the tools and support to thrive. When we empower EDAs, we empower the party at all levels.

Equally important is good governance. In my roles as Vice-Chair and Chair of the Vancouver Green Party board, I learned that transparency, accountability, and communication are key for building trust. As your BC Representative, I will work to improve internal processes, enhance communication with members, and ensure our decisions reflect our shared values.

Recent challenges in this election process show the need for clearer, more transparent procedures. I am committed to addressing these issues and ensuring our future governance meets the highest standards.

While I am running for BC Representative, I want to share my perspective as an individual member: Vice President Anglophone candidate Stuart Hunter's record of strong governance and his commitment to integrity align with the improvements our party needs.

Together, we can build a stronger Green presence in Canada, one that effectively represents our values and engages our communities in meaningful ways.

Cheers,
Nick Poppell

Read Nick's full presentation here



Ron Parker

Candidate for the position of:
Fund Representative

Hello, I am seeking election as as the GPC Federal Council (FC) representative to the Fund Board.

I have been a member of Green Party of Canada since March of 2019 and also a member of the Green Party of Nova Scotia since 2017. I was the Bedford Basin regional representative to GPNS Executive Council and ran as a provincial candidate.

Given the upcoming Federal election, the Fund Board representative role will be a busy and important one in providing liaison and financial coordination for the FC with the Fund Board. I look forward to building strong working relationships within and between these two groups in their respective roles.

My background is as an IT professional in the health and social services sectors.  Beginning at a provincial level in Nova Scotia, my career transitioned to defining a national architecture for implementing digital health systems across Canada.  I am now an international consultant in digital health blueprints and road maps.  I am also a long serving senior volunteer contributer to a not-for-profit organization creating international standards for health data and how that information is exchanged.
     
I have had long and varied experience in project management, budgeting, and stakeholder engagement. I have been a board member on two not-for-profit member-based organizations where a culture of principle-based consensus and collaboration is essential to their mission and success.

I respectfully ask that you vote for me as Fund Board Representative in the Green Party of Canada.  
 
Thank you.

Read Ron's full presentation here