Ask-The-Contestants!
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"I've been a member for awhile now and the last election nearly drove me away, with the lack of coordination and a third of the ridings not having candidates.
As leader, how would you ensure that we have candidates in all ridings? Do you see that as critical?
Given that we've never won more than three MPs in an election, how do you propose to put us in a good position to win the magic twelve needed for official party status, or at least more than four, next time?
Will you do a big push to be elected, personally, as an MP and if so how? Will you go to a riding that is 'winnable' or fight in your local one?"
- John Northey, London North EDA
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Thank you for your question John. You are not alone in your feelings about the last election.
To answer your 3 questions
Q1 - All ridings?
Yes, having candidates in all ridings is critical. There may be room for individual strategic exceptions to running a candidate in certain ridings, and Chad and I would consider requests from local EDAs on a case-by-case basis.
We know that strong candidates are more likely to come forward if:
a) the party has its house in order and has a positive reputation in the news,
b) they have been directly asked/encouraged by the leader, and
c) they know that there is a strong and well-organized local team
Chad and I believe that with our particular profiles, and the fresh face for the party that our leadership represents, we will be able to attract more diverse candidates to the GPC, particularly young professionals. Our personal networks and profile in Quebec, the Maritimes and Ontario will help to grow the party and attract strong candidates in these provinces that haven’t received as much attention in the past.
Q2 - Winning 12 seats
I believe it’s an Einstein quote, that "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." Chad and I believe that a change in strategy is needed.
If we run only 12 ‘target to win’ campaigns, we will win perhaps 3 or 4. If we run 60 high-ambition campaigns, we have a chance of winning 12. That’s how elections work. So, we need to scale up.
Chad and I have laid out, in our 6 month plan (www.KeenanWalcott.ca/6monthplan), a pathway to ensure that more ridings are ready to run high-ambition campaigns: our ‘Green Leaders Network’ campaign school will train teams of 3 or 4 organizers (including at least 1 youth organizer) in at least 60 ridings. They will learn the arts and sciences of campaigning, and develop deep relationships across ridings, well in advance of elections.
We will also push Council to open nominations to candidates who are ‘ready to go’, 1 or even 2 years out from the next election, and will apply our campaigning capacity to any by-elections between now and that date, to build momentum.
During general elections, very simple, tangible support can be provided: shared communications templates (messaging, graphic design), regular all-candidates meetings/briefings/Q&As, and setting up peer coaching "buddy systems" between candidates who share similar circumstances.
Q3 - Getting myself elected
Because of the work I’ve put in over the years, my local riding of Malpeque is a winnable riding for the Greens, as are the other 3 neighbouring ridings on Prince Edward Island. Here, I have name recognition and community networks. Our EDA has funds saved. I believe it’s possible for me to run a third time, locally, and to win!
Chad is more open to move to run in byelections. However, he has made a commitment that he would not displace a strong locally-rooted candidate!
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