Green co-leader Jonathan Pedneault to be face of party’s national campaign

Canadians can expect to see co-leader Jonathan Pedneault take the lead in the Green Party’s national election campaign. Pedneault, along with Elizabeth May, officially adopted a co-leadership model earlier this year. However, the party recently announced that Pedneault will step into singular leadership roles as needed during the campaign, including representing the party in the leadership debates.

“I’m really excited to finally get out there and compete with our opponents as to what the best vision for the future of Canada actually is,” Pedneault expressed to CBC News.

May won the Green Party’s leadership race in 2022 with a promise to share leadership duties with Pedneault. Although Pedneault finished third in that race, he brings a wealth of experience from his background as a journalist and activist with organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.

At 34 years old, Pedneault will be the youngest leader on the debate stage. While he has been involved in federal politics for several years, he will need to introduce himself to a broader Canadian audience during the campaign.

The Green Party is well-prepared for the election in terms of candidates, with 250 individuals already signed up to run. However, their polling numbers have remained stagnant, and they have not been able to capitalize on declining support for the NDP.

With climate change being a lower priority for voters in a recent Abacus poll, the Green Party faces challenges in resonating with the electorate. However, Pedneault emphasized the importance of maintaining national support to ensure the party’s survival.

As the campaign unfolds, Pedneault will be running in the riding of Outremont in Montreal, a region that historically has not strongly supported the Greens. He will face tough competition from incumbent Rachel Bendayan of the Liberal Party.

The Greens have reached out to other progressive parties, proposing an electoral cooperation agreement to prevent vote splitting that could benefit the Conservatives. While no party has responded to their proposal yet, Pedneault hopes to encourage Canadians to vote based on their values rather than out of fear.

Ultimately, Pedneault’s goal is to lead the Green Party in a way that prioritizes the future of Canada and the well-being of its citizens. As the face of the party in this election, he aims to leave a legacy of a more democratic, equal, and prosperous country for future generations.