Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party of Canada and Member of Parliament representing the southern Vancouver Island riding of Saanich-Gulf Islands spoke in Creston last Thursday afternoon before spending the evening in Nelson.
One of Canada’s most respected environmentalists, and the author of eight books (including her most recent Who We Are: Reflections On My Life and On Canada), May is currently also Commissioner of the Earth Charter International Council. In November of 2010, Newsweek magazine named her one of the world’s most influential women. In the 2011 federal election, May made history by being the first Green Party candidate to be elected to the House of Commons and was once again re-elected in the 2015 federal election. As an advocate for social justice, the environment and human rights, May drew a sizable crowd.
MLA Green Party candidate Kim Charlesworth first took the microphone and spoke of fairness and equity and the Green Party’s commitment to “getting stuff done for the benefit of the people.” She then spoke of connection, collaboration and building community, and the corrupting influence of big money before she introduced May to the stage.
May spoke about her own riding and being elected in 2011, and stated that she didn’t make promises that she couldn’t keep, that she would continue to fight for Canadians, and that she does not heckle other political parties in the House of Commons. May also spoke about Andrew Weaver (the first Green Party MLA in BC to be elected). “He’s been outstanding,” said May. “I sometimes feel as if he’s the only real opposition in the BC legislature.”
May told the audience that the Green Party favours working with parties and ideas, and that they strive to support rather than constantly fight against other political parties. She then discussed why she became a member of the Green Party. “I didn’t take out a Green Party membership until I was 52 years old – that was the year that Stephen Harper became Prime Minister – and I thought: oh, boy, we’ve got to do something different.”
May then spoke about the idea of splitting the vote. “Greens get elected when voter turn-out goes up. So we’re not splitting any vote; we’re growing a vote,” said May. “In Saanich-Gulf Islands in 2011, we had just a smidge below 75% voter turn-out because we gave something people wanted to vote for. And there was a real buzz and excitement happening.” May also spoke specifically about the Nelson-Creston riding. “Inspire your friends and neighbours in this riding because this is a riding where you can make history and send the first Green MLA from the Kootenays to Victoria to speak up for your community. I know that Andrew Weaver already recognizes that Kim [Charlesworth] is extraordinary and her depth of knowledge around food and agricultural issues are so strong. She will be a voice around food security and food policy and agricultural policy.”
After speaking about recent environmental successes, May spoke about her party in general – most notably the people that work within the party and the lack of large donations accepted by the party. “I don’t know how we are so fortunate as a party to have continually extraordinary people who are deeply community minded and dedicated to service. We keep getting the best people willing to run. I think we weed out those that are power hungry because, after all, we are the Green Party.”
Speaking about large corporate donations, May said, “The BC Green Party has set the bar for ethical behaviour and the cost of that is, of course, less money. We’re very committed to grassroots democracy. We’re really committed to doing the hard work and maintaining a standard of ethics and honesty and we seem to be attracting such great candidates.”
The 41st B.C. general election will be held May 9.