Elizabeth May’s husband and political collaborator John Kidder, who previously served on federal council has stepped into the political fray once again — this time on Facebook — to defend the Green Party leader against growing calls for her resignation. But while Kidder insists May will play no role in shaping the next leadership contest, May herself has made clear in interviews that she intends to remain deeply involved in the party’s succession planning and is even seeking a new leadership mandate to do so.
Kidder’s Defense: Council in Charge, Not May
In a lengthy Facebook comment responding to frustrated party members, Kidder stressed that the Green Party’s Federal Council — not Elizabeth May — will run the leadership review and eventual leadership race.
“Elizabeth does not want to go into another election as leader. She has been totally clear on this — she will resign as soon as the Green Party of Canada elects a new leader. The leadership election will be organized and executed by the Federal Council of the party. Council is completely in charge, not the leader,” Kidder wrote.
His message sought to reassure members that May’s continued presence at the helm is merely temporary and that she has no hand in shaping the leadership process.
“Council is completely in charge, not the leader.” — John Kidder. However, what Kidder conviently left out of that statement is that the leader has a seat on federal council.
The Contradiction: May Wants to Shape Succession
Yet May’s own words tell a different story. In a recent CTV interview, May emphasized the importance of succession planning, describing it as her responsibility to ensure the next leadership contest is structured properly and produces a strong successor.
“Succession planning is important. I want to make sure that when I do step down, the leadership race is set up properly and that the party is ready for it. I think it’s my job to help structure the contest for my successor. I don’t want to walk away before that’s in place.”
She also suggested she could choose the timing of her departure, potentially staying on until the next federal election looms.
“I could wait until the country is on the verge of an election. That’s one option. But it has to be timed so that whoever follows has the best chance to succeed.”
By May’s own account, she is not stepping back from influence but actively working to manage the party’s transition — directly contradicting Kidder’s assurances.
The Debt Excuse
Kidder also argued that May should remain in place because the Green Party is too financially strapped to afford a leadership race. He pinned the party’s debt on the debate commission’s decision to exclude co-leader Jonathan Pedneault, which he claims robbed the Greens of media visibility and the 2% vote share needed to qualify for an election expense rebate.
“The party is raising money to cover the debt from the last election. That debt was incurred because the debate commission, at the very last minute, prohibited Jonathan Pedneault from participating, hence no media coverage, hence we didn’t get 2% of the popular vote, hence no rebate of election expenses. So it is (or should be) all hands on deck to raise funds to pay down the debt, so that the party can actually afford a leadership contest, and to attract excellent potential candidates for leader to step forward. Simple enough?” — John Kidder
The message is clear: according to May’s husband, the party must delay renewal until its finances are stabilized. But to critics, this framing looks less like pragmatism and more like another justification for postponing her departure.
Grassroots Frustration
Kidder’s intervention also came amid growing frustration from party members online. Some are openly calling for May’s departure, accusing her of dragging out the process and leaving the party vulnerable.
The contrast between blunt grassroots voices — “Dump her already FFS” — and Kidder’s procedural defense highlights the widening gap between May’s inner circle and a restless base demanding renewal.
Managed Exit, Bid To Stay On or Democratic Renewal?
The contradiction between Kidder’s portrayal of a hands-off May and May’s own insistence on shaping succession raises fundamental questions about party democracy.
Is the Green Party truly preparing for a new era of leadership, or is Elizabeth May working to manage her exit on her terms, ensuring the party remains in her shadow?
That debate — between a family-led effort to maintain control and a grassroots push for renewal — now sits at the heart of the Greens’ latest leadership crisis.
