By William
Doyle-Marshall
“The Green Party’s down-to-earth
solutions will work in Canada because they have worked around the world. Many
have been successfully applied in Europe, where Greens are elected at all
political levels, including the European Union and national parliaments.” This
definite statement from the Green Party of Canada is a part of its vision for
the country known as Vision Green”.
When Elizabeth May, Leader of the party
opened the western Canada campaign office recently she spoke eloquently about electing a whole
lot of Green MPs in the 2015 federal election.
It was a Saturday afternoon and an overflowing crowd of supporters jammed
the Fort Street office and unto
the street.
“This campaign is all about making sure when the election is over in
2015 in what will likely be a minority parliament, there are enough Green
Members of Parliament to ensure that Canadians get the kind
of government they want which means that Harper is gone by the end of this year
which will be great. That will be wonderful for everyone involved,” May
predicted to party faithful. “We have the most astonishing candidates,” she
assured the gathering.
Prof Lynne Quarmby, Green Party candidate
According to the party’s ‘Vision Green’ document, countries where Greens
have served in government are creating new high-paying jobs while
simultaneously meeting targets to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. They
are the countries where the gap between rich and poor is small and the standard
of living is high. “These countries don’t trade off the environment for the
economy. Their economies and environmental laws are both strong,” the party
affirms.
Lynne Quarmby, a professor of science, is among party candidates facing
the electorate later this year. “I am and have been for decades a dedicated
scientist; I am passionate about science, I study cells and the molecules and
the molecular machines that distinguish life from non-life,” she disclosed. But
like many Canadians, over the past few years, its penetrated deep into her
consciousness that “our governments are not doing the job that we elected them
to do. They are no longer looking after the best interest of the people of the
country”.
According to the Green Party’s manifesto
“Vision Green”, the function of governments is to foster fairness and equality
in social aspects like nutrition, education, and justice. As a result the Green
Party wants to serve in a government that encourages the creative, the
industrious, the generous, and the sustainable, protects the weak, and regulates
corporate behavior to achieve these ends. “In our green vision, Canadians enjoy
a higher quality of life, experiencing health and wellness, education and meaningful
work, prosperity and economic success supported by ecological health. In our
vision of Canada, ability or disability, economic, racial, or cultural backgrounds
do not preclude individuals from contributing to and benefiting from a
prosperous Canada,” the document continues.
Vision Green presents a well-researched
analysis of critical economic, environmental, and social challenges facing
Canadians from coast to coast to coast. In this document, the party promises practical
solutions that can be achieved if there is the political will and leadership to
take forward-looking action. “It was developed by our Green Cabinet and was
informed by experts, activists and citizens who participated in policy
workshops held across Canada. Our vision is based on policies approved by the
membership of the Green Party,” the paper says.
“Our solutions are realistic because they follow ‘best practices’
already in place in parts of Canada and around the world. These practices are
cost-effective, deliver results, and benefit people, the economy, and the
environment,” Green Party of Canada insists.
Green Party solutions are rational
because, unlike other parties, understands the scientific reality of limits to
growth set by the carrying capacity of our planet. We must work within these
limits. Otherwise, we will exhaust resources, degrade our environment and put
our economy, health, and children’s future at risk, it warns.
“Many people find it hard to position the Green Party on the old political
spectrum. We believe in sound fiscal management, fostering small business, and
strengthening our economy while ensuring that it is sustainable. Does that mean
we are ‘right wing’? We believe that government must provide needed social
services while protecting our environment and the rights of women, minorities,
and disadvantaged people. Does that make us ‘left wing’? We don’t think so.
More and more people are simply thinking of the Green Party as the party of the
future,” Vision Green exhorts.
