Ottawa, Canada – February 26, 2025 – As the controversy surrounding Elizabeth May’s support for Ukraine continues to escalate, one of her most vocal supporters has attempted to downplay the overwhelming criticism she has received. In a recent comment on her Facebook post, the supporter dismissed the backlash, claiming that “half” of the responses were actually in support of May and that most of her critics were supporters of Donald Trump, Pierre Poilievre, or Maxime Bernier.
“I’ve read every comment. Half support Elizabeth May. Of those that don’t the vast majority are Trump, PP or Maxime Bernier supporters. This is pretty standard for Facebook comments, supporters generally don’t waste time on Facebook. We’re the weird ones wasting our time here on this right-wing platform. As for Green members about 90% support Elizabeth May.”
The statement raises serious questions about how May’s supporters are choosing to interpret the backlash and whether they are deliberately ignoring valid criticism by dismissing opponents as “right-wing.”
Jill Stein and I are not MAGA.
Alex Tyrrell, leader of the Green Party of Québec
Misrepresenting the Response
A quick look at the actual comments on May’s Facebook post makes it clear that this claim is, at best, an exaggeration and, at worst, an outright misrepresentation of reality. Far from being divided evenly, the vast majority of commenters were overwhelmingly critical of May’s position on Ukraine. While a handful of commenters did voice support for her, they were few and far between and often unable to offer substantive arguments beyond generic affirmations of loyalty.
Among the most common criticisms were concerns over:
• Canada’s billions in financial aid to Ukraine while domestic problems go unaddressed
• Zelensky’s expired mandate and the lack of elections in Ukraine
• The role of NATO in provoking and prolonging the war rather than pursuing peace
• The contrast between May’s position and other Green Party leaders like Jill Stein and Alex Tyrrell, who have taken a strong anti-war stance
Instead of engaging with these points, May’s defender has chosen to brush off critics by branding them as right-wing agitators—a tactic that avoids discussing the real issues at hand.
May and Trudeau shouldn’t just say Russia attacked for no reason or for territorial gain but specify their response to Putin’s claim that NATO with nuclear weapons should not be planned for Ukraine extending the ring of nuclear weapons around Russia. We don’t know if May thinks this was never planned or not a risk or she is uninformed.
John Dwyer on Facebook
Is Facebook a “Right-Wing Platform”?
The comment also makes the claim that Facebook is a “right-wing platform,” implying that the backlash against May is merely a reflection of a conservative bias on the site. This claim is highly dubious for several reasons:
• Facebook is one of the largest social media platforms in the world, with a politically diverse user base
• Left-wing politicians and activists routinely use Facebook to mobilize supporters, including environmental and progressive movements
• If Facebook were overwhelmingly right-wing, then why would May choose to use it as a platform for her message?
The reality is that Facebook is simply a reflection of public opinion, and in this case, public opinion is clearly not on May’s side. By blaming the platform itself for the backlash, her supporter is avoiding the possibility that many ordinary Canadians—across the political spectrum—simply disagree with May’s pro-NATO stance.
Green Party Members Support May? Where’s the Evidence?
The most questionable claim in the response, however, is the assertion that “90% of Green members support Elizabeth May.” Where is the evidence for this?
• There has been no internal Green Party vote or poll on the issue of Ukraine to back up this claim
• In the 2022 Green Party leadership race, May won with just 60% of the vote in the final round—hardly an overwhelming mandate
• Alex Tyrrell, who has been a vocal critic of May’s foreign policy positions, was thrown out of the leadership contest May won over his antiwar stance and continues to represent a strong eco-socialist anti-war faction within the Green movement
If 90% of Green members truly supported May’s stance on Ukraine, then why has her Facebook post been flooded with criticism? Why is she facing backlash not just from conservatives, but from people who are aligned with the anti-war left?
May’s Missed Opportunity as an Anti-War Voice
This response also highlights a major strategic blunder for May and her supporters. Instead of acknowledging the growing discontent with endless military aid and advocating for peace, they are doubling down on a deeply unpopular stance.
Meanwhile, Joe Biden’s approval ratings have dropped in the U.S. due to his handling of foreign conflicts, particularly as anti-war sentiment rises among young and progressive voters. May could have positioned herself as a strong anti-war leader, tapping into that growing discontent. Instead, she has chosen to side with NATO and military escalation, even as other Green Party leaders—like Jill Stein and Alex Tyrrell—have embraced a peace-first approach.
Ignoring Criticism Won’t Make It Go Away
By dismissing opponents as “right-wing” and insisting that most Green members support May without evidence, her defenders are deluding themselves into thinking this controversy will blow over. It won’t.
The backlash is real. The criticism is widespread. And if May and her supporters continue to ignore, belittle, or misrepresent those who disagree with her, they may soon find themselves even more isolated within the Green movement and the broader political landscape.
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