A former Green Party of Canada (GPC) candidate has sharply criticized the party’s leadership, claiming that it “stopped being a grassroots democracy a long time ago.” Vince Fiorito, who ran for the Green Party of Ontario in Burlington and is a well-known environmental advocate, issued a scathing statement condemning what he sees as the continued centralization of power under Elizabeth May.
Fiorito, founder of Friends of Sheldon Creek and a Conservation Halton Watershed Stewardship Award winner, accused May of undermining party democracy. “The final nail in the coffin,” he argued, “was Elizabeth May stumping for Annamie Paul, who then used her leader powers to chase human rights advocates out of the Green Party and paid staff to undermine two-thirds of our elected Green MPs.”
Paul’s tenure as leader saw significant internal strife, including the departure of MPs and widespread discontent. Fiorito suggests that May played a key role in enabling those divisions, steering the party away from its grassroots foundations.
“While the Green Party remains an Elizabeth May autocracy consisting of Elizabeth May sycophants, I won’t support it,” he stated, echoing growing dissatisfaction among members who feel power is tightly concentrated around May and her inner circle.
However, Fiorito clarified that his opposition is not personal, saying, “I don’t really have any ill will against Elizabeth May personally. She seems like a nice person, but she’s been a disastrous GPC leader.”
His statement adds to increasing tensions within the party, particularly over Jonathan Pedneault’s return to co-leadership without an election. Many longtime Greens are questioning whether May’s leadership has become a liability.
With internal opposition mounting, Fiorito’s remarks highlight a broader reckoning within the party—one that may not be resolved until May steps down and the GPC reestablishes itself as a truly member-driven organization.