Ask-The-Contestants!

Dear Trevor,

Thanks for asking the last question of the week in this leadership contest.

In answering questions, I tend to start by reminding us that the role of leader is to be the chief spokesperson- or of co-leaders "chief spokespersons." We have no authority to dictate policy, but your question invites us to discuss how we would communicate it. That is exactly what we must be able to do.

In order to get a lot of content into a small space, I am sharing two recent examples of how I try to bring a clear explanation of how climate change, war and war profiteering are making life less affordable for Canadians. This link is to my November 4th speech in reply to Freeland's Fall Economic Statement:
https://elizabethmaymp.ca/canada-must-follow-the-science-and-strengthen-climate-policy-for-the-coming-storms/
And this is to the newsletter I wrote and sent to all households in Saanich-Gulf Islands in early fall: https://elizabethmaymp.ca/fall-2022-householder/

In both, I stick to Jonathan and my main messages - that Canadians deserve the truth from leaders- not fairy tales. I try to link Green values in being in favour of a culture of peace, ecological wisdom and living within earth's limits into an economic frame and commentary. And I tie in our commitment to social justice through calling for Guaranteed Livable Income and other new elements to our social security net. We know the housing crisis is an element of greed and speculation within our economy. Speculation, REITS and Air B and Bs have distorted our housing market. Greens have viable solutions and have been focused on real solutions in Parliament.

What was once Paul Manly's motion on REITS is now Mike Morrice's. Mike's steadfast advocacy on housing is making a difference: https://www.ourcommons.ca/members/en/110476/motions/11945525

The Green Party of Canada is a part of the Global Green movement. We need to be effective. We will elect more MPs. And we will bring Canadians along for meaningful climate action by spelling out what they already know. There is no economy on a dead planet. Solutions to current economic pain are found in the same toolkit that confronts poverty and an uncertain economy.

Thanks again for your question!