Green Party of Canada leader Elizabeth May said today that the party has confirmed its status as the fastest growing party in Canadian politics following her historic second place finish in yesterday's London North Centre by-election.
The recently elected Green Party leader ran a strong campaign to take almost 26% of total votes cast, a dramatic increase on the party's 5.48% share in the last federal election in January.
It was the Green Party's best-ever result in a federal election, easily eclipsing the previous mark of 16.7% achieved in the B.C. riding of Saanich-Gulf Islands in 2004. The campaign also set a fund-raising record for the party.
"With the help of the voters of London North Centre, the Green Party has served notice that we have arrived and that we are here to stay," said Elizabeth May. "Based on this result, I predict that there will be at least one Green Party member in the House of Commons after the next general election.
"We surprised a lot of people with what we achieved in this by-election," said Ms. May, who finished ahead of both the Conservative and NDP candidates in the final tally. "All I can say is, get used to it because what we have just witnessed is the beginning of a major shift in Canadian politics. Canada is going Green."
Ms. May thanked the people of London for welcoming her into their community during the election campaign. "I have been overwhelmed by the warmth and generosity of the thousands of Londoners I have met during the last few weeks," she said.
"As the recently elected leader of the Green Party, this was a wonderful opportunity to talk with Londoners, to listen to their concerns and to lay out the Green Party's ideas for a healthy and sustainable future for all Canadians."
Ms. May confirmed that she will be a candidate in the next federal election but said she has not yet decided which riding she will contest.