Former Green Party MLA Hannah Bell has officially entered the race for the leadership of the Green Party of Prince Edward Island (PEI). In a Facebook post, Bell confirmed that she had submitted her nomination materials and welcomed the opportunity for a contested leadership race, saying it would generate excitement and momentum for the party.
Bell joins Matt MacFarlane, the current deputy leader of the PEI Greens and MLA for Borden-Kinkora, in the race to replace Peter Bevan-Baker as leader. With nominations closing on March 1, the party will confirm candidates by March 12, and members will select a new leader at the June 7, 2025, leadership convention.
Who Represents Change?
The leadership contest presents Green members with a choice between two distinct approaches to leadership. Bell, a former two-term MLA, is running on a platform that focuses on addressing affordability, healthcare, and environmental challenges with strong, decisive action. MacFarlane, a newer face in politics, is emphasizing a collaborative approach and policy built on sustainable development, social equity, and good governance.
Hannah Bell: A Leader Focused on Systemic Change
Bell’s political career began with a historic by-election win in 2017, making her the second-ever Green MLA elected in PEI. During her time in office, she was one of the most vocal advocates for tackling issues like housing affordability, economic inequality, and climate action. Her previous work as the executive director of the PEI Business Women’s Association also informs her focus on community-driven economic policy.
In her leadership announcement, Bell outlined some of the biggest challenges facing Islanders:
• Housing and grocery affordability
• A struggling healthcare system
• The climate crisis and environmental degradation
• Global political instability and the spread of disinformation
Bell’s messaging suggests that she sees big, structural changes as necessary to address these issues. She has also emphasized the need for bold and creative leadership in response to rising political polarization.
While Bell is clearly advocating for policies that aim to redistribute wealth and address social inequalities, she has not explicitly described herself as a socialist. However, her positions align with many left-wing economic and social policies. If elected leader, it will be interesting to see whether she embraces the label or distances herself from it.
Matt MacFarlane: A More Measured Approach?
MacFarlane, who was elected as an MLA in a 2024 by-election, is positioning himself as a collaborative, policy-focused leader. His background as a lawyer suggests an emphasis on institutional stability and governance rather than the more activist-oriented rhetoric seen in Bell’s campaign.
In his leadership launch, MacFarlane described his “vision for a better PEI” in terms of sustainable growth, fairness, and transparency. While his policies still reflect Green Party values, he has so far placed less emphasis on transformative economic policies and more on working within existing structures to achieve change.
Unlike Bell, who has framed her campaign in terms of urgency and systemic reform, MacFarlane appears to be offering a pragmatic, consensus-driven leadership style. This could make him more appealing to moderate Green members and those looking to expand the party’s electoral reach beyond traditional left-wing voters.
Which Direction for the PEI Greens?
The leadership race ultimately comes down to what Green members are looking for in their next leader:
• Bell represents a decisive, change-driven approach, with a focus on economic fairness and tackling systemic issues head-on.
• MacFarlane offers a more diplomatic, governance-oriented vision, appealing to those who favor incremental change and broad public support.
Both candidates are committed to core Green values, but their approaches differ. The next few months will reveal whether Bell embraces a more explicitly left-wing platform or if MacFarlane’s pragmatic leadership pitch gains traction with party members.
Global Green News will be following the leadership race closely, covering candidate debates and campaign developments.
Key Dates
• March 1: Nominations close
• March 12: Confirmed candidates announced
• June 7: Green Party of PEI Leadership Convention
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