Paul Manly, the former Member of Parliament for Nanaimo–Ladysmith, has officially stepped down as Acting Executive Director of the Green Party of Canada (GPC), ending a tenure marked by internal disfunction, 25 year low election results, significant debt, and growing tensions over the party’s rightward shift.
In a farewell email sent to members, Manly recounted the “demanding” period that began in fall 2024, when he assumed the role amid what he describes as a party plagued by “governance issues” and operational instability. He said he stepped in to “steady the organization,” and despite initially seeing the role as short-term, remained through the 2025 federal election and its aftermath.
“What began as a short-term assignment stretched into one of the busiest and most demanding periods of my life,” wrote Manly.
Debt Reduction, Budget Cuts, and Layoffs
Manly credited his leadership with reducing the party’s $1 million debt by nearly 40%, lowering it to $610,000, and emphasized the sacrifices made by staff to stabilize finances. According to the email, Manly himself worked at half salary, while other staff accepted pay cuts and expanded workloads.
“We now have a small but mighty team at the GPC,” he wrote, framing the restructuring as a necessary correction to restore party function.
But the financial measures came at a cost. The GPC has laid off multiple staff since the election, and several riding associations have reported challenges communicating with the reduced team at head office. Insiders suggest morale remains fragile and internal divisions are far from resolved.
Praise for May, Warning About Federal Council Elections
While Manly thanked the party’s professional staff, his email focused particular praise on Elizabeth May, stating it “remains an honour and privilege” to work alongside her and calling her a “powerhouse” for the movement.
His comments align with a broader narrative advanced by May herself in recent days — that she remains the indispensable figure holding the party together. Manly’s email implicitly supports May’s request for members to vote in favour of her continued leadership during the upcoming review.
In a subtle warning, Manly urged members to “pay close attention” to Federal Council elections and back candidates who will avoid “old divisions.” The language appears to reference past leadership struggles and ideological rifts, particularly surrounding May’s continued influence and controversial co-leadership arrangement with Jonathan Pedneault.
Robin Marty Steps In as Interim ED
Stepping into the role as Interim Executive Director is Robin Marty, a longtime party strategist who served as National Campaign Director in 2025. Manly praised Marty’s experience and emphasized that the party would remain in capable hands, alongside finance director Katarina Dunham, communications director Laurie MacMillan, and political hub director Marlene Wells.
Observers note that the new leadership structure remains closely aligned with May, reinforcing concerns among critics that the party is consolidating power rather than decentralizing it in the spirit of grassroots democracy.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Manly closed by encouraging supporters to become monthly donors and reaffirmed his intent to return to “grassroots organizing” in Nanaimo–Ladysmith. He did not confirm whether he plans to run again for Parliament.
“Local campaigns are where we build capacity,” he wrote, signaling a return to riding-level activism.
His departure comes at a pivotal moment for the party, as members prepare to vote in a leadership review and Federal Council election that will determine the direction — and perhaps the survival — of the federal Green Party.
