Jonathan Pedneault Endorses Freeland and Gould: A Curious Move for a Green Leader

Jonathan Pedneault, co-leader of the Green Party of Canada, has endorsed two Liberal leadership candidates—Chrystia Freeland and Karina Gould—despite their alignment with policies that run counter to Green Party values. The endorsement, made via Twitter on International Women’s Day, raises questions about Pedneault’s priorities and his commitment to Green Party principles.

Freeland’s Controversial Record

Chrystia Freeland’s political history has drawn significant criticism, particularly for her stance on foreign policy. As reported by The Maple, Freeland has ties to Ukrainian ultra-nationalism and has faced scrutiny over her defense of her grandfather, who was the editor of a Nazi propaganda newspaper during World War II. While she has dismissed this as Russian disinformation, historians have documented her grandfather’s collaboration with the Nazi regime. Freeland has refused to dissociate herself from her grandfather’s actions and recently stood and clapped for a former Ukrainian Nazi soldier in the Canadian House of Commons. 

Freeland has also been one of the strongest advocates for military spending and NATO expansion. As Deputy Prime Minister, she oversaw a significant increase in Canada’s military budget and has repeatedly called for further escalation in conflicts such as the war in Ukraine. Her alignment with militaristic foerign policy and support for increased arms shipments to war zones have led critics to label her a war hawk.

Gould’s Mixed Record

Karina Gould, while less controversial than Freeland, has also supported many of the same policies. She was part of the Liberal government that ramped up military commitments to NATO and has voted in favor of policies that critics say have contributed to global instability.

Both Freeland and Gould also received failing and low marks on Palestinian human rights from Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME), with Freeland scoring an F and Gould a D+. Their strong support for Israel and reluctance to criticize its government’s actions have placed them at odds with many progressive Canadians, including a large portion of the Green Party’s base.

Pedneault’s Leadership and Political Positioning

Pedneault’s endorsement is particularly notable given his recent actions as Green Party co-leader. Just last week, he held a press conference alongside May to propose cross-party cooperation in the next election, raising speculation about whether he is preparing to align more closely with the Liberals or NDP rather than focusing on building up the Green Party’s independent strength.

Furthermore, his support for Freeland and Gould seems at odds with his own leadership position. If he believes women should be elected to leadership roles, why does he himself seek to lead the Green Party rather than stepping aside for a female candidate?

While Pedneault’s tweet may have been intended as a simple statement of support for women in leadership, it inadvertently highlights deeper inconsistencies in his political approach. As a Green Party leader, aligning himself with two figures who have supported war, military expansion, and controversial foreign policy stances raises valid questions about his political judgment and lack of experience.