Ask-The-Contestants!

There is so much work to be done. I absolutely would start by speaking with each candidate and asking them what role they see for themselves.

Back in 2006, this was my approach in appointing leading Greens, Adriane Carr and Claude Wiliam Genest, as Deputy Leaders. I worked hard to bring David Chernushenko into the national team as Senior Deputy, a position paid at the same level as the leader. After a leadership race it is critical that we are united. No one needs to be reminded of the damage done when this is not achieved.

One obvious response is that, were I to win, I would thank Luc Joli-Coeur for his amazing work as Deputy Leader with Amita and I would ask him to remain as Shadow Cabinet critic on Finance. And, I would appoint Jonathan Pedneault as Deputy Leader, beginning our focused plan for job-sharing and co-leadership. If he wins, he will appoint me to that role.

When I was leader, I enlisted Anna Keenan to serve as Shadow Cabinet Critic on Democratic Reform. Jonathan and I would ask her to resume that role. As well, as noted above, we would ask her what other roles she may be interested in as we rebuild the party in a cooperative and collaborative fashion.

We would have that same conversation with Sarah, Chad and Simon. Each has contributed to this being a positive exercise in Green Values. Ideally, I would love it if Sarah could step up to a vacant Shadow Cabinet role as Nuclear Energy critic, a role last filled by former MP Bruce Hyer when I was leader. Simon should also be offered profile on the Shadow cabinet. Living in the Ottawa region, a critic role and assisting in press conferences would be ideal in advancing his next campaign to win a seat in the House. Chad has expressed a strong interest in training at the EDA level. Obviously, the first step in any team building after the leadership race is to be wide open to what the other candidates see for themselves as their most rewarding place in our shared efforts.
We have come to know each other well. We must continue as a team.

I hope that Dr. Amita Kuttner will see a role for himself in the informal position on council as "past leader." This was a role offered to me in 2019 and to Jo-Anne Roberts in 2020. Continuity and institutional knowledge is very helpful.
We have fresh leadership joining work on council, including newly elected president Ian Soutar, several new council members, and our new Executive Director, Kevin Dunbar, starting on Tuesday the 15th.

This is an ideal time for sharing the reasons we believe in this party. We must be open, compassionate and loving as we do the work that is so desperately needed for Canada and the planet.