As the debate on Global Warming heats up (no pun intended) in Canada - that battle of public opinion is being waged between Liberals and Conservatives (and yes even the NDP). But what is missing is an absence of real debate on the matter. Liberals don’t think the Conservatives are sincere in their attempts to combat global warming, the Conservatives feel that Liberals have no track record on the matter - and the NDP are just angry. All the parties have argued the politics of global warming, yet none have made a real strong case to win over the hearts and minds of the Canadian people on the matter.
Enter Elizabeth May.
To think that our political parties will agree on perhaps the biggest issue of the new century is hopeful wishing at best. But Elizabeth May brings this progressive voter a flicker of hope. To those who have been under a rock for the last 2 years, May is one of Canada’s most respected environmental voices and the leader of the Green Party. Former lawyer, activist and Environmentalist - May has also served as the executive director of the Sierra Club of Canada. She has had the ear of Prime Ministers and Presidents, and yet she sits without a seat in the House of Commons.
Now I don’t think May will single headedly solve Canada’s environmental problems - but her absence from the House is absurd. If Canada wants to have a real debate on the environment, I would expect that we as Canadians had an Environmentalist - who has worked on the subject - with a strong voice in the House. If you seek spiritual advice, one asks a priest, If you seek economic advice, one asks an economist - likewise when Canadians ask to understand the real dynamics of Environmentalism, we get our knowledge from partisan politicians.
See the Problem?
I’m unsure where May will be running in the next election, Iv heard she will again challenge the riding of London North Centre where she came second to Liberal Glen Pearson. Iv also heard rumblings that she will perhaps run in a riding near her childhood home of Cape Breton. Regardless, Grits, Tories and Dippers alike all owe it to the electorate to vote this women in somewhere, somehow. Unlike her dud of a predecessor Jim Harris - May has the makings to really blossom in the House and make the Green Party a viable voice in the arena of Canadian politics.
5 comments:
Elizabeth May will be running in Cape Breton in the next federal election. This is where she originated from before moving to Ottawa. She has family there.
It is a Liberal held riding. Rodger Cuzner is the sitting MP.
Jim Harris is not a dud. He lives two streets north of me. The Green Party is like the NDP. Leaders are elected every two years through a mailed in ballot. Harris will support Elizabeth May 100 per cent and may run himself in the east end of Toronto.
Hey Mushroom,
Thank for the update on where May will be running. But with all due respect, the majority of Canada's voters might think differently then you in regards to Jim Harris. I don’t doubt his sincerity towards Environmental policies nor his contribution to the Green Party - but Harris always lacked leadership qualities.
Nothing personal, but I’m (and im sure many more would agree with me on this) drawn to May then I am to Harris.
Let's cut the crap here.
Elizabeth May is an American carpet bagger that came to Canada to seek out new life and boldly go where no New Englander has gone before.
She found a lethargic and mentally lazy people. She got involved, ended up running the Sierra Club and then decided to tackle that other bastion of Canadian laid back lethargy, the Green party.
She is a talking head. Her views in the house will just increase the hot air emanating from the place. Don't pretend it will be otherwise.
However, I also agree that great plurality and greater diversity is often good, especially in this topic area.
So, let's all wish her well. The Green party should most definitely be in the House.
Tomm
Let's cut the crap here.
Starting with your post, ISTM.
May came to Canada at the age of 18 when her family moved here. That hardly makes her a carpet bagger.
It is not easy to be a leader of a fourth or fifth party. Jim did what was best in bad but improving circumstances. He was active in improving the finances of the Green party to the point where it was able to run candidates in every riding in Canada.
Of course, this can be attributed to getting party funding for reaching the 4 per cent threshold. Jim deserves respect and recognition for creating an organization for Elizabeth May to express her views.
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