The Green Party of Canada is racing to secure enough candidates to meet the requirements for participation in the national leaders’ debates, with party organizer Bridget Burns (pictured) warning that Jonathan Pedneault may not qualify unless the party fills 90% of ridings and secures at least 2% of the vote. The party is currently struggling to recruit candidates given the issues surrounding Elizabeth May’s return to leadership, her support for militarism and a recent purge of left wing members.
These challenges comes as the party works to rebuild after a difficult election in 2021, when the Greens failed to run a full slate of candidates for the first time since 2004 under then-leader Annamie Paul. Historically, the party has fielded candidates in nearly every riding to maintain its national presence and increase its overall vote share, which is crucial for securing media coverage and debate access for both this election and the next one.
Last-Minute Push for Candidates
Saskatchewan Green Party leader Naomi Hunter recently put out a call for “paper candidates”, asking supporters if they are willing to sign up in ridings where there are no local volunteers. While this is a common strategy for smaller parties looking to maximize ballot presence, it underscores the urgency and logistical challenges the Greens face ahead of the election.
Participating in the national debates is especially important for Jonathan Pedneault, who, as a first-time federal co-leader, needs to increase his visibility among voters. Without a full slate of candidates, the Greens risk being sidelined from this crucial platform.
A Party Trying to Rebuild
The return of Elizabeth May as co-leader was meant to stabilize the party after years of internal division, but the ongoing struggle to secure candidates highlights the work still needed to fully restore the Greens’ electoral machine. May remains the party’s most recognized figure, but with Pedneault aiming to establish himself on the national stage, ensuring a strong showing in this election will be key.
With the nomination deadline approaching, the party will need to move quickly to ensure it does not repeat the setbacks of the last election. Whether the Greens manage to secure enough candidates in time could determine their ability to compete on equal footing with Canada’s other political parties in the upcoming campaign.
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