Two former federal Green candidates elected to municipal councils in Halifax and Amherst, Nova Scotia

(OTTAWA) October 17, 2016 – The Green Party of Canada released the following statement following the municipal election of former GPC candidates Richard Zurawski in Halifax and Jason Blanch in Amherst, Nova Scotia:

“I’m grateful to be part of the new wave of Greens across the country. Many congratulations to Jason Blanch, my fellow ‘Green’ councillor in Amherst,” said Mr. Zurawski, GPC Climate Change Critic and newly elected Halifax Councillor.

“I’m humbled by the incredible support I received from constituents in Halifax, who like many Canadians are increasingly turning to municipal government to represent their interests at higher levels of government. I’m excited to begin a new life as a Councillor and will continue my work as Climate Critic in the GPC Shadow Cabinet. There is so much work to be done for Halifax, Nova Scotia and all of Canada," Mr. Zurawski said.

"As a coastal city Halifax feels the massive changes in climate and environment change viscerally and on all fronts. Ocean levels are rising, storm surges and rainfall intensities are increasing, the fisheries are depleting, and we have increased hurricane frequency and wind events. The good news is that Halifax is becoming very progressive in its approach to mitigating and dealing with the looming climate crisis. I look forward to working on environmental and planning issues with city council and staff over the next four years of my mandate," Mr. Zurawski said. 

Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada (MP, Saanich-Gulf Islands), said: “Congratulations to Richard Zurawski and Jason Blanch on their hugely successful campaigns in Halifax and Amherst.

“Richard is currently the Green Party of Canada’s critic on Climate Change, and he plans to remain active federally while working for his constituents at Halifax city council. Jason has been a federal GPC candidate for Cumberland-Colchester – previously Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley – and a provincial candidate for Cumberland North. While Nova Scotia municipal elections are not run along party lines, the Green family celebrates their grassroots success this week,” Ms. May said.

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For additional information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Dan Palmer
Press Secretary | Attaché de presse
dan.palmer@greenparty.ca
m: (613) 614-4916