p2pnet talks to Green Party’s Elizabeth May
zp2pnet news view P2P | Interviews:- Federal Green Party leader Elizabeth May has moved to Vancouver Island in British Columbia where she’s filed her nomination papers to run against minister of state for sport Gary Lunn in the Saanich-Gulf Islands riding.
She’s taken up residence in Sidney, near BC’s capital, Victoria, and close to p2pnet’s palatial headquarters about an hour-and-a-half north of Victoria.
“I spent a lot of time talking to people in Saanich and the various Gulf Islands over the summer and there has been a tremendous amount of encouragement from people in the community to move there and to run there,” the Toronto Star has May saying.
The story says apart from a,”whistle-stop train tour through Ontario and the Maritimes at the beginning of the campaign and a bus ride through Alberta followed by a second train trip from there to Vancouver near the end, May expects to spend all her time in the riding and to concentrate her efforts on the uphill battle to defeat Lunn”.
“What’s your message to people in BC?” – p2pnet asked the Green Party leader in a brief Q&A.
“I’m reaching out to every voter who feels disengaged, despairing and disenchanted (not to mention disgusted) with the current political scene,” she said.
“We are in the clutches of non-stop electioneering, when we need good government. The prime culprit is the entrenched partisanship of each leader and the party discipline which keeps MPs in line. In other words, we are sacrificing democracy to politics.
She went on »»»
We can change the disrespectful, combative style of politics, to a more respectful and cooperative parliament. We are in a multi-party system, destining Canada to more and more minority governments. That is not necessarily a bad thing (look at the Lester Pearson years), but only if we figure out how to drop the partisanship and work in the interests of Canadian communities, the nation and the planet. By electing the leader of the Greens in Saanich Gulf islands, the voters will have sent the first real change agent into the House. My goal (in addition to a litany of solid policies and programmes) will be to give voice to all the millions of Canadians who want to see a grown-up Parliament, with thoughtful people working for the common good. All those people are actually in place, but they are locked in mindless partisanship. As MP for Saanich Gulf Islands, I will work tirelessly in the interests of the local communities within my riding, as well as to restore effective governance.
p2pnet: How sure are you of winning a seat here on Vancouver Island considering you’ll be up against established candidates from the other three national parties?
May: No one in politics should be “sure” of anything. I’m sure of this. The voters in Saanich Gulf Islands deserve better representation than what they are getting. The majority of voters in this riding yearn for change. As leader of the Greens, running a major and serious effort to unseat Mr.Lunn, I represent the best hope the majority of voters have had to consolidate their hopes for a better world . I’m not asking people to give up their traditional allegiances to Liberal, NDP or even Conservative preferences. I’m running a quite non-partisan campaign in search of a grassroots coalition.
p2pnet: What do you think of Pirate Parties and the fact it looks as though Canada and soon join other countries in having one of its own?
May: Did you notice that the Pirate Party in the EU Parliament has joined the Green Caucus? We don’t need a pirate party in Canada. The greens are championing those issues. We shouldn’t further fracture the efforts of Canadians who want to restore real democracy, including in undemocratic copyright rules.
p2pnet: It’s now acknowledged that in this 21st digital century, the net is a primary communications vehicle. How familiar are you with it, and to what extent will you be using it in your campaign? And do you have an internet / digital media adviser?
May: Greens are very much at the forefront of digital communication and digital democracy. We have open blogs and discussions on our site (without any censorship…) I do not have a specific advisor on these topics. I would love to have one!
p2pnet: According to the Toronto Star, environmental and social justice activist and website publisher Stuart Hertzog, “will contest the nomination and has also filed a complaint with Elections Canada accusing the Greens of pouring central money into the local riding association to support the May campaign and take away his fair chance at a fight”; and, “in a complaint Hertzog said he filed Thursday, he alleges the party’s federal council illegally transferred $62,000 from a special fund it set up to get May elected — after it decided this spring that winning a seat for the leader would be the priority in the next campaign — to the electoral district association, and that it is being used to finance the nomination campaign.” What’s your response to this?
May: When Stuart announced he would run for the nomination in SGI, I took him at his word that his goal was to ensure that grassroots democracy was alive and well in the Green Party. As Leader, I have to approve the candidacies of all candidates across the country, and I approved Stuart. I cannot imagine doing anything different. The Green Party is the only real grassroots political party. Where I’m profoundly disappointed in Stuart is in his decision to start throwing mud, in the worst tradition of the old line parties. While it is true that the national party has loaned money to the Saanich Gulf Island Green EDA, those funds are no more available to me than to Stuart. As soon as he contested the nomination, work to be prepared for my campaign in the next federal election — plans to start immediate door to door canvassing for example — were put on hold until the nomination is complete with the vote on September 19. I think Stuart should be ashamed of himself for making groundless accusations without first asking me for the facts. His allegations may tarnish the Green Party’s reputation. I expect an apology.
Definitely stay tuned.
Toronto Star – September 8, 2009
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September 9th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
It will definitely be interesting to see how this turns out in BC.
I am betting that she has a good chance. Best of luck to Ms. May
I have wondered if the Canadian Pirate Party has given any thought of joining the Greens here as well.
As for getting a good government… I don’t expect to see that with the current leaders and their henchmen who open their doors for every big money non-Canadian lobby group there is, and shutting the door on the ordinary Canadian people.
Hate to say it, but that FLQ manifesto (http://english.republiquelibre.org/Manifesto-flq.html) is ringing bells for me as I look over the past couple of years with Harper, while the liberals try to cover their dirty foot prints like with the E-health scandal.
…and the NDP may support these people?
I hope May gets in, but I don’t expect to see any changes unless the current clowns are tossed out or brought to task on their actions and for ignoring the Canadian people.
September 9th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
I think this woman is even less likable than Harper and Ignatieff.
And I doubt the Greens will amount to anything in Canada in my lifetime. This isn’t Europe.
September 9th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
hmm likeable wise? I would say yeah she is.
Known? I would say no. Not much exposure. The net can be a powerful thing is used right. But all parties don’t use it to their advantage. Though some are trying now. They don’t know how to connect with people.
Not many people even know their platform. When I visit their site I see nothing called platform like I do with the others. So even their website losses me.
Quebec? Forget it. Not a chance in hell, unless they toss some distinct stuff in their platform just for their economy, ecology and environment.
Telecom is a hot topic these days….
September 9th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
Doh I found their platform. Was right in front of my blind eyes.
September 9th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
Regardless who wins, all you will get is another politician.
September 9th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
You know what I find the NDP has going for them that no other party does?
Charlie Angus.
No one compares to this person on the issues of digital Canada (that I have seen). No one else stood up for the people in the house of Commons, except for Mr. Angus. No one made that last industry minister (whats his name) show his cards like Charlie did (in a very humble way).
Does the Greens have someone like this? Not that I have seen.
If you want to connect with the people, especially the 18 to early 40 crowd (Jon being the exception
) Steal Charlie Angus, or find yourself a Charlie Angus.
When I showed people his stance (Family and friends) we all voted NDP here in Quebec in the last election. None of us ever even thought about NDP before (and we didn’t vote NDP for Mr. Layton). It’s Bloc, Con’s or Lib’s. Thats the Norm. NDP made some headway due to Charlie Angus.
A person like Charlie Angus is an asset. But I think G*d broke the mold after this politician.
Can the Greens find a Canadian digital spokesperson who stands out in the crowd?
Charlie Angus has a following.
As leader of the greens, you need someone sensitive to the online Canadian (and QC) online rights. As leader I don’t expect May to be that person.
Do we see this with the Bloc? With the Cons (laff), with the Libs (double-laff).
Who is going to fight for us when lawful access goes to the floor again this year?
My money is only on Charlie Angus. No one else. Certainly not any Green, Con or Lib member, It’s above their head (no insult intended). They just follow what they are told.
Layton is a fool for not wanting to run and push the NDP with Angus as their online man. He can only gain ground, yet refuses.
Jon said it well, “p2pnet: Itâs now acknowledged that in this 21st digital century, the net is a primary communications vehicle. How familiar are you with it,”
Answer: No one we vote for is, or understands the digital issues.
Who here is very familiar with a Bloc, Lib, Green, or Con digital spokesperson speaking out and challenging on behalf of the Canadian people as we move deeper and deeper into the digital age that influences all we do, spend, buy, see and consume?
Who?
Anyhow, Ms. May you need to re-evaluate your online and digital presence as you “connect” with the people.