Sole Green MP Elizabeth May looks to play pivotal role in minority Parliament

Elizabeth May, the leader of the Green Party of Canada, finds herself in a unique position as the sole Green member of Parliament following the recent federal election. Despite the party’s disappointing results, May remains determined to play a key role in the new minority Parliament.

With the Liberals falling short of a majority, May is open to negotiations with Prime Minister Mark Carney in exchange for her support. However, she emphasizes that any deal must advance her priorities, particularly electoral reform. May is adamant about dismantling the first-past-the-post voting system, a promise that Carney’s predecessor famously broke in the 2015 federal election.

May believes that electoral reform is achievable even as a caucus of one. She argues that the current voting system drives people to vote strategically out of fear, resulting in mindless hyper-partisanship. Her former co-leader, Jonathan Pedneault, also highlighted the need for electoral reform in his resignation statement.

The Greens had hoped to make gains in the recent election but instead experienced a decline in support. May attributes this decline to strategic voting and the last-minute disqualification of Pedneault from the Leaders’ Debates Commission. The party is currently challenging this decision in Federal Court.

In addition to electoral reform, May aims to end the requirement for recognized party status in Parliament. She plans to work with the new Speaker of the House of Commons on this issue and has not ruled out running for the position herself.

Despite the disappointing results for the Greens, May’s victory in her riding of Saanich-Gulf Islands was a bright spot. At 70 years old, May plans to continue running as long as she can, emphasizing her dedication to her constituents. She remains committed to rebuilding the party and seeking input from its members and federal council on its future direction.

May’s resilience and determination in the face of challenges demonstrate her commitment to advancing the Green Party’s priorities in the new minority Parliament. As the party’s lone representative in Parliament, she is poised to make a significant impact on key issues such as electoral reform and party status requirements.