Nelson-Creston constituents will learn who the next Green Party provincial election candidate is on Aug. 19 when the constituency association holds its annual general meeting in Nelson.
Green Party organizers are banking on federal leader Elizabeth May’s strong showing in Ottawa will translate into party support at the provincial level when voters go to the polls in May 2013.
“Greens finished third in this riding in the 2009 election, with 7.2 percent of the vote, and we hope our candidate can win over the many voters who did not vote in the last election when turnout fell to 60 per cent,” said riding executive member Mary Rathbone. ”Colleen McCrory was able to capture a record 21.5 per cent of the vote for the Greens in the 2001 election, when 75 per cent of registered voters came out to the polls.”
The meeting will also feature speakers on two of the hottest environmental topics in the province — the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline and the proposed Jumbo Glacier Resort.
Provincial Green Party energy critic Michael Jessen will outline the party’s opposition to the pipeline project and put forward an alternative vision that will create more jobs in B.C. An energy consultant and researcher, Jessen is currently completing a book on climate disruption.
Kim Kratky of Jumbo Wild will speak about the latest news regarding the Jumbo Pass area ski resort development. Kratky, a Selkirk College instructor and longtime Kootenay Mountaineering Club member, has made numerous presentations against the proposed resort in an effort to keep Jumbo Wild. City of Nelson Coun. Candace Batycki will talk about the joys of being elected and Green.
The meeting will take place in Nelson’s Lakeside Park at the Rotary barbecue shelter from 3-5 p.m. and everyone is welcome. For more information, call 250-352-7300 or email nelson.creston.greens@gmail.com.