(Ottawa) She bowed out in November 2019, but now she wants to return to service. Elizabeth May is working to collect the necessary signatures to submit her candidacy for the leadership of the Green Party of Canada.
Posted at 8:41 p.m.
Updated at 9:04 p.m.
The one who led the training for about 13 years is trying to return to the controls; it intends to submit its application form and the 100 signatures of members in support of its approach. The information, which was first reported by the Toronto Starwas confirmed at The Press by several green sources.
She would succeed Annamie Paul, whose brief stint at the head of the Green Party was particularly stormy. Under his leadership, the Green Party tumbled, winning 2.3% of the vote in last October’s election compared to 2.6% in the 2019 ballot.
According to Toronto Star, Elizabeth May would like to present herself with Jonathan Pedneault, a Quebec human rights activist, as co-chief. The main interested party did not want to comment on this information when the Toronto daily contacted her.
The seasoned politician’s return to the arena comes days after the party expelled Alex Tyrrell from its ranks, who had intended to take part in the leadership race. The one who is also leader of the Green Party of Quebec appealed the decision.
“I think it’s a step backwards for the party, that we need renewal. Elizabeth May has given a lot to Canadian politics, but it’s time to pass the torch, ”reacted Alex Tyrrell on the phone Thursday evening.
“I find it deplorable,” he continues. I think it also validates a lot of the criticisms that Annamie Paul’s entourage had made towards her; that she was not really ready to hand over the leadership of the party. Seeing her come back even surprises me. »
He also sees it as a way to ensure that the eco-socialist left wing, of which he is a supporter, cannot impose itself within the party.
The return of M.me May also makes some people unhappy in the federal training. “This is the culmination of a plan that had been in the works for a while,” said a former green strategist who requested anonymity in order to deliver the substance of his thoughts.
“The person who will benefit from the last two years of misery is Elizabeth. It is unfortunate that she is coming back, because people will say that the Green Party is like all the other parties, and they will be right,” added the same source.
The Green Party will elect its new leader on November 19.