Euphoric Greens at Moby's Pub on Salt Spring Island react as Elizabeth is
declared victorious over Conservative Cabinet member Gary Lunn.
Dear Friend,
12 years ago, on May 2nd, 2011, Elizabeth May and the Green Party of Canada
made history in Saanich-Gulf Islands by electing the first Green candidate
to Parliament. Since then, Greens have made significant strides in Canadian
politics, with more Greens elected to the House of Commons and provincial
Green Parties holding the balance of power or forming the official
opposition.
However, despite these accomplishments, political actions on climate change
are not good enough. We need more Greens elected to hold our government
accountable and push for real change.
That's why we're reaching out to you today. With a number of key
by-elections coming up in the months ahead, we hope you'll consider
supporting the Green Party's mission by making a donation [1]. Your
contribution will help us elect more Greens, like Elizabeth and Mike, who
will fight for a sustainable future for all Canadians.
DONATE [1]
To celebrate this historic day, we've compiled stories from Greens from
across Canada from that festive day that showcase the passion and
dedication of our party. As Chris Tolley from Toronto said - "May 2011 was
all about the future and change".
Thank you for considering supporting the Green Party. Together, we can
create a greener, more sustainable future for all Canadians.
CHRIS TOLLEY, TORONTO
May 2011 was all about the future, and change.
As I watched the election results roll in, I couldn't help but think of the
children's book we had just bought in anticipation of our growing family.
It told the tale of a tiny, brave mouse who called the circus their home.
One day the mouse, fueled by courage and gumption, jumped on a box and let
out a ferocious roar, scaring the tyrannical elephant and ending its reign
of terror over all the other animals. Although seemingly small in stature,
the mouse was powerful. And as the election desk called Saanich--Gulf
Islands for Elizabeth, I realized - this was her roar. Both Elizabeth and
the Green Party had stood up against those much larger and more powerful.
And had won.
In that instant, the Canadian political circus as we knew it turned upside
down. And that night, the Green Party, our political landscape, and the
future of our country had all changed.
BOB MACKIE, SALT-SPRING ISLAND
"Elizabeth knew we Salt Springers would be at Moby's pub and she thought to
call us there, before she went on TV as the first Green elected in Canada.
That says a lot about Elizabeth. (I ended up getting the call because I had
shown up early to set up my computer to monitor results on the night. I
passed the phone to Tom Mitchell. I will never forget the look on his face
when I walked up with the phone in hand and casually said "It's Elizabeth".
The first words out her mouth on TV was about speaking "truth to power" and
she has done so for the last twelve years."
ASHA PHILAR, KITCHENER
12 years ago, I volunteered for the Green Party for the first time, making
calls from home to support Elizabeth's campaign in SGI. I'll never forget
the last 2 hours of election night, calling into the riding with so many
others across the country, watching the number of remaining calls tick down
on GVote. It felt amazing to be part of a growing movement, coming together
to make history, to bring a real climate champion to the House of Commons.
Elizabeth's election showed me that a focused, organized campaign could
produce change, even in our flawed electoral system. It was the same
approach we used in Kitchener to elect Mike Morrice 10 years later!
I'm grateful for everything Elizabeth has achieved as an MP since 2011,
and her relentless fight for climate action. Her election inspired me and
other Greens to keep working together for a better world.
CHRIS DIXON, SAANICH-GULF ISLAND
"We organized Elizabeth's Salt Spring Island campaign in my living room on
Mansell Road. We divided into teams for door to door canvassing, phone
canvassing, sign installation, opening and staffing our tiny office at the
midwife's clinic et cetera. I remember the agony of waiting as one polling
station counted and re-counted several times; they just couldn't do the
job, and as we all were locked into the building, the temperature started
rising.
We knew most of the team was already at Moby's and that all of Canada was
waiting for our count. Finally the Returning Officer could accept the count
and we were released. I remember walking into sheer pandemonium at Moby's.
The house was serving complimentary oysters. Beer never tasted better and
the image captures the elation of the moment when Elizabeth's face filled
the screen and she was declared our MP."
ROBIN MARTY, MONTRÉAL
I remember May 2, 2011. I was still a student at the University of
Montreal. My political science student association was organizing an
election night in a bar. During the 2011 federal election, it was the first
time I was interested in federal politics and read the party platforms. The
bar was divided into two camps, supporters of the Bloc Québécois and Jack
Layton's NDP. When the results were announced in Quebec, half of the room
and my friends were in tears at the collapse of the Bloc in the province.
The other half was exultant at the orange wave. I, as a young student and
French immigrant, was somewhat indifferent.
However, I remember, as we were in the late evening, that the euphoria of
some NDPers had subsided somewhat after the announcement of a majority
Conservative government under Stephen Harper, seeing a green box and the
number 1 appear on the Radio Canada banner. Soon Radio Canada was showing
Elizabeth May's election in Saanich Gulf-Island, and I seemed to be the
only one in the bar at the time who was excited.
SUE EARLE, SAANICH-GULF-ISLANDS
"I remember the thrill of feeling that someone whose values I respect was
getting to step up and speak for so many of us that have felt outside the
mainstream agendas that prioritize corporations over environmental
responsibility.
I remember being amazed at the feeling of finally backing a winner! And
knowing Elizabeth's Amazonian dedication to her values and constituents -
what a good feeling of hope, renewal, inspiration and community!"
FRAN MCININCH, SAANICH-GULF-ISLANDS
"I remember it was a wonderful evening. So much joy in getting Elizabeth
elected. A hopeful time."
GREEN PARTY OF CANADA
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