OTTAWA – The Green Party of Canada was shocked to hear of the levels of hostility and personal attacks its volunteers faced during the first weeks of the campaign period. In conjunction with political parties, it calls on Elections Canada to lead a non-partisan effort to investigate the problem of harassment and intimidation throughout Canada and to offer solutions on how to stop it. If volunteers no longer feel safe in their civic engagement, democracy is threatened. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe bullying of our volunteers is the proverbial canary in the coal mine,\u201d said Green Party co-Leader Jonathan Pedneault. \u201cWhat part of our democracy will be attacked next? Donald Trump\u2019s normalization of violence is no doubt making its way into Canadian politics. Both the Conservative and the Liberal parties have had to drop candidates because of their use of threats and in taking extreme positions. Why Aaron Gunn (North Island-Powell River) is still on the ballot beats me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m concerned,\u201d added Pedneault.\u201d \u201cI want to ensure that Canadians are protected. Progressive-minded parties need to work together to ensure this culture of violence does not contaminate our politics. Canada respects difference; we encourage diversity of opinion. What makes for a resilient democracy is more democracy. We can\u2019t allow our democracy to devolve into an American two-party system which polarizes the population.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over the weekend, National Campaign Manager Robin Marty received an unprecedented amount of complaints from the field. \u201cIn my over 15 years of experience mobilizing candidates and working with volunteers,\u201d said Mr. Marty, \u201cI have never experienced anything like it. Volunteers in tears, getting hurled abuse; others saying they never want to volunteer again. This is very concerning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Green Party campaign team heard complaints from volunteers from across the country. Volunteers reported that it was in ridings where Conservative candidates lead in the polls and in tight races between Liberals and Conservatives where the abuse was most pronounced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThese volunteers, the life-blood of our democracy,\u201d said co-Leader Elizabeth May, \u201cshould be praised and honoured for their work, not vilified and abused. The levels of abuse and violence have been escalating for years. This is especially problematic for women in politics, whether they sit in the House of Commons or work in related fields like journalism. Take what happened to Rachel Gilmore recently. Fired by CTV because she was the target of attack by right-wing trolls for fact-checking. This is appalling behaviour, and another way in which this culture of abuse infects our politics.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Green Party urges all political parties to work together with Elections Canada to protect volunteers from intimidation and harassment. Volunteers are essential to a well-functioning democracy. If they don\u2019t feel protected, we inch closer to creating the conditions for autocracy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
#####<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n For more information or to arrange an interview : <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Fabrice Lachance Nov\u00e9<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Press secretary<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 514-463-0021<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n