Congratulations are in order both locally, as well as nationally, as we enjoy the celebrations of all Greens across Canada.
Today, the day after 02 May 2011, we need to congratulate and thank Emma Hogbin, the candidate for the Bruce-Grey Owen Sound Greens, and her whole campaign team including all the volunteers, for their tireless work in representing the voice of the Greens in our area. For her first election campaign ever, Emma garnered 9.98% of the vote - no easy feat. I think that deserves our extended applause!
As Greens nationally celebrate the victory that is Elizabeth May, and her history making election as the first Canadian Green Member of Federal Parliament, we can rest assured that the future of federal politics in this country is about to change forever. Greens, facing almost zero media publicity nationally, struggling with the archaic first-past-the-post voting system, and adding being excluded from the National Debates, 'we' were not suppressed! The voice of the Greens across this nation will be represented finally; no longer excluded, no longer relying on 'sub-media' or solely on social media to discuss those things that are important to the lives of Canadians.
I'm quite sure that having the Conservatives win another term is certainly not what any of us expected, or wanted... I haven't quite come to grips with how the Conservatives have managed to create what I believed was an impossibility in today's political landscape - a majority government. I believe we have to remain optimistic at times like these... although admittedly it is difficult.
The NDP having formed the official opposition is a first for their party. It could be suggested that this sudden swing is representative of the fact that Canadians DO desire change. If the NDP 'can do it', then so can the Greens, especially once Canadians learn that we have so much more to offer.
The first ever collapse of the Liberal Party suggests to me two things... on one hand, it appears that voters didn't connect with Mr. Ignatieff. Second, I believe we are seeing the results of the powerful 'use of media' to sway the vote. We must never underestimate the force of media manipulation in the 'personality contest' (read smear campaigns) conducted at a federal level. I am not a proponent of negative media campaigns, I'm just saying these are incredibly powerful tactics that can be used both for the positive and for the negative. Combine the media assault with the short term voter memory (in some cases read 'general obliviousness') and the very masterful disregard of the multitude of major issues Canadians face (and global citizens) by the 'big two' as we move forward in this century and... we get...what we got...and never wanted. Now we must begin to strategize on how we can deal with this.
The real issues were being discussed by Greens everywhere, but without the media advantage, those voices were struggling to be heard above the din. Having elected to use Elizabeth May's voice inside parliament was the Green Party's 'FIRST' in this election. We have only a single voice, but it is our most powerful and influential voice. I am confident that is just the beginning of 'MANY' positive parliamentary firsts for our party.
Elizabeth May has opened the door. She is our Leader and she will truly lead the way into our future. Greens can now be both seen and heard. We had already established that Greens are here to stay and now we have achieved a level of credibility with the election of a sitting member of Parliament. Not quite 'mainstream', but no longer 'to be dismissed.' Look at this way Greens, we have increased our representation in national parliament by 100% all in one day!! We have a lot of building to do so that in our next election, we can increase our representation by 1000% or more!
I am so proud of our Green values and vision. I am celebrating our success both locally and nationally...we are 'on the map' my friends...this is a day that has gone down in history...how many more historic days can we create by working together?
- Lynn Morgan...Green as a new Canadian Maple Leaf :)
