OTTAWA – Green Party Leader Elizabeth May (Saanich-Gulf Islands) has named Dr. Jennifer Purdy (candidate for Kanata-Carleton) as defence critic on the party’s Shadow Cabinet. The Shadow Cabinet develops positions based on policies adopted by Green Party membership.
Dr. Purdy studied nursing at Queen’s University before joining the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in 1994. After completing a Bachelor of Arts at the Royal Military College of Canada, Dr. Purdy worked as a health care administration officer in Quebec, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan before attending medical school at the University of Ottawa. She completed her residency in family medicine and worked as a family physician in Trenton, Petawawa and Ottawa before retiring (at the rank of major) in 2018.
“I am excited to be appointed as the Green Party defence critic,” said Dr. Purdy. “I believe strongly that the climate crisis is a very real threat to Canada’s national security. We must develop a national defence strategy that ensures our service personnel are not only equipped and trained for future conflicts, but also for natural disasters caused by climate change
“Jennifer understands the security threat that the climate emergency poses to Canadians and will be an excellent defence critic for the Party,” said Green Party Leader Elizabeth May. “Even the one-degree warming already reached is producing unusually severe flooding, fires, drought and extreme weather events. It’s essential that we are prepared to protect citizens from natural and climate induced disasters. We must also be prepared to accept and assist climate refugees.”
The Green Party considers security and defence of the nation a fundamental responsibility of any sovereign government. Not since the end of the Cold War 30 years ago has global security seemed so precarious. Contributing to this is the disruption being caused by climate change – referred to by military analysts as a threat multiplier. This will only worsen as the temperature continues to rise.
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For more information or to arrange an interview contact:
Rosie Emery
Attachée de presse
613-562-4916x206
rosie.emery@partivert.ca