Elizabeth May says while some other political parties “are in real jeopardy in this election,” she doesn’t think the Green Party is one of them, despite polling suggesting otherwise.
“The Greens are doing well,” May told CTV News at a downtown Toronto campaign stop on Tuesday. “We hope to have more Greens elected than we’ve ever had before.”
Before dissolution the Greens held two seats. The most they’ve held at a time is three.
May’s comments came amid questions about whether she’s worried the Greens, much like the NDP and Bloc Québécois, are at risk of being sidelined during the campaign, with the race appearing more and more to be a Liberal-Conservative showdown.
“We’re getting squeezed out of the conversation, I’ll give you that,” May said, before noting she’s looking forward to fellow co-leader Jonathan Pednault’s chance to have a national platform as part of the upcoming official leaders’ debates.
May said her message, and the message her candidates across Canada are taking to the doorsteps, is Canada hasn’t been, and shouldn’t become a country with a two-party system.
“We don’t want a country with a two-party system. We see what that looks like south of the border,” May said.
Suggesting the election is shaping up to result in a majority government -- her prediction being a Liberal one -- she said her party is telling voters to use their ballots to send a message about the kind of representation they want in Ottawa.
“We prefer to have minority Parliaments that force every party to work together to find compromises. We believe that people working together produce better solutions than one party having 100 per cent of the power,” May said.
“So we’re urging people across Canada to look for the best candidate in their riding.”
May’s seat at risk? She says no
Before the race began, May asserted the Greens would win “a lot more” seats across the country this election – though recent polling data from Nanos Research and others suggests her prediction may have been overly optimistic.
May has been at the centre of the Green Party of Canada for nearly 20 years, and has held her seat in the House of Commons since 2011, but yesterday Liberal Leader Mark Carney was in her B.C. riding of Saanich–Gulf Islands, targeting it as a potential pick-up.
May said Tuesday that the party’s internal polling shows that she and fellow Kitchener Centre, Ont., incumbent Mike Morrice are well placed to keep their seats.
“The reason I’m optimistic is that in my riding... I’m in the lead,” May said. “I don’t take anything for granted. I’d be foolish to take anything for granted. But we know what’s happening on the ground with specific, specific in-depth polling that we do.”
“We have a lot of great candidates with strong teams knocking on doors,” May added.
May talks policy, takes Green message on the road
Bringing her campaign to vote-rich Ontario, as the party tries to make waves beyond the West Coast while holding just 2.8 per cent support nationally, May made two policy announcements on Tuesday.
First in Guelph, Ont., she unveiled the party’s plan to expand universal public health care, framing their approach as the most ambitious vision of any party.
May said the Greens would guarantee every Canadian has access to primary care, and look to end any out-of-pocket prescription costs.
These commitments came alongside a pledge to integrate dental care, pharmacare, and mental health care to the public system.
May also vowed better pay and working conditions for front-line health staff. The Greens have yet to share costing for these pledges, but May said to stay tuned.
“When we release our whole platform, key areas will be costed, including key areas where we see the opportunity for expanded revenue for the Government of Canada while cutting costs for the average Canadian,” May said.
At Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, May and the local Green candidate stated their opposition to a proposal to expand the runways and accommodate inbound jets, seemingly getting back to the party’s climate-centric roots.
The duo expressed concerns about the proposal resulting in increased air traffic and noise pollution, and said it could threaten Toronto’s waterfront, plus undermine public health and climate goals. While noting resistance from prospective constituents they’ve heard from in the surrounding condos, May also sought to connect the issue to the trade war instigated by U.S. President Donald Trump.
“We will continue to oppose it and call for creative green solutions that really build a strong economy. Because, by the way, building a strong economy and being self-reliant and self-sufficient is another good way to tell Mr. Trump where he can take his 51st state idea,” she said.
Asked Tuesday if voters can expect to see her campaigning in more urban centres in the days ahead, May said yes.
“We are speaking to all Canadians and saying, ‘Please broaden your horizons.‘”
Next on her itinerary is Ottawa, then May will be making a “whistle-stop tour aboard Via Rail” from Montreal to Moncton, with stops throughout Quebec and New Brunswick.
