(Ottawa) Elizabeth May has been chosen to become leader of the Green Party of Canada after running promising to share the role with Jonathan Pedneault.
Mme May, a longtime MP from British Columbia who led the party from 2006 to 2019, won the leadership race on the sixth ballot with 4,666 votes. She stayed in the lead from the start, but contender Anna Keenan held on to a strong second-place finish throughout.
“It’s a bit of déjà vu, but it’s not the same thing because […] now it’s a totally different proposition because I’m not here alone,” Elizabeth May said in French.
She joined the leadership race by pledging to appoint Mr Pedneault as co-leader, and the two will seek to amend the party constitution to allow for a valid tandem leadership model.
Officially, we campaigned separately as required by Election Canada and Green Party rules. But the people who voted for me knew that our platform made it clear that we were a team. We cannot officially say that we are co-leader of the Green Party of Canada, because that requires a change in the constitution.
Elizabeth May, new leader of the Green Party of Canada
Mr. Pedneault, originally from Montreal, is a 32-year-old crisis expert who has investigated abuses in war zones, including Afghanistan.
“We are the party for Quebecers who are looking for a different voice in Ottawa, a voice that will represent them objectively, but that will also advance the interests of all Quebecers and of the environment and the planet,” said declared Mr. Pedneault alongside Mr.me May after announcing her victory.
Mme May insisted that the other contestants, not just Mr. Pedneault, join her on stage. She touted the party’s co-leadership model, noting that this leadership model emphasizes the Greens doing things differently.
The members of the political formation have sent during the last week their ballot to elect a new leader to succeed Annamie Paul.
Six names are on the ballot, but four of them intended to form a leadership duo.
The other tandem in the race was formed by Anna Keenan and Chad Walcott. Both have claimed the party needs new faces following the 2021 election disaster and the long series of infighting that followed.
In his speech, Mr.me May said she heard “the voices calling for change.”
“It is really possible to have a change with a power on the ground with the roots very engaged in the primordial issues, particularly against the crisis of climate change”, pronounced in French Mme May.
Sarah Gabrielle Baron and Simon Gnocchini-Messier appeared solo. This was not their first experience in a Green Party leadership race.
The leadership candidates gave short speeches before the results were announced at 8 p.m., each emphasizing the importance of unity.
“We went through a bit of a tough time, but we got through it,” said M.me May in his speech. And we can confidently say that at the end of this evening, we are united, whatever the outcome. We work together. »
rebuild the party
Mme May, 68, highlighted her experience throughout the leadership campaign, saying she left things in great shape when she resigned after the 2019 federal election.
During this election, three MPs were elected to Parliament and the Green candidates obtained 6.5% of the votes cast, which is still insufficient to obtain official party status in the House of Commons.
In the 2021 elections, held against the backdrop of former leader Annamie Paul’s tumultuous tenure, support plummeted to 2.3% of the popular vote. Mme May retained his seat and Mike Morrice was also elected in Ontario. Mme Paul finished fourth in the election race for Toronto Centre.
“Three years ago, I resigned as leader, convinced that the party was strong and ready with three elected MPs to see change,” said Ms.me May.
“I think we need change. I absolutely hear the voices that want change, that want to see younger leaders, that want to see a different path as the party moves forward. »
Elizabeth May entered the leadership race wanting to rebuild the party. Many expect her to try to build support, including trying to recruit New Democrat voters disenchanted with Jagmeet Singh’s leadership.
Disappointing turnout
Mme May and Mr. Pedneault will seek to argue that the Greens are more trustworthy than other parties when it comes to the environment.
“Those of you who are baby boomers like me are getting a lot more radical now. We are fighting for our grandchildren. We don’t give up, we don’t take breaks, we work to keep the planet safe,” she told listening fans.
Greens members began voting Nov. 12, and the results began rolling out to about 50 party members gathered at a downtown Ottawa hotel shortly after 8 p.m. Some 300 other people followed the results online.
About 22,000 members were eligible to vote, but only just over 8,000 voted in the first round. Questioned by a journalist on Saturday, Mme May admitted to being “disappointed” with the turnout.
“But I must say that given the climate in which this campaign has taken place, and I think that all of us candidates have felt the headwinds, it is a respectable demonstration of the support of our members and their commitment. towards this party,” added Mr.me May.
During the six-month race, leadership candidates were quick to recognize the party’s struggles and offered different visions on how to heal wounds, cheer up supporters and attract new ones. support at the polls.
Annamie Paul, who became the first black woman to lead a federal party in Canada in 2020, resigned as leader of the Greens shortly after last year’s election. There was an earlier decision to oust Mme Paul as a chef, who said she was the victim of accusations she described as “racist” and “sexist”.
Mme Paul called his time as a leader “the worst time” of his life.
Amita Kuttner, an astrophysicist chosen as interim leader of the Greens after the departure of Mme Paul, became the first transgender leader of a major federal political party in Canada.
Amita Kuttner, who also identifies as a non-binary person, did not seek permanent leadership, but spoke of the need for party unity during her tenure.
Several of the candidates spoke of a need to reduce divisiveness during the leadership campaign, including Amita Keenan and Chad Walcott.
Amita Keenan told reporters she was proud to have received the votes she got and said it was up to Mme May to decide what future she would have in the party.