Dear Friend,
Last year we chose World Environment Day – June 5th – as Giving Day for the Green Party of Canada! And you – our members and supporters – gave generously. On that day we raised over $40,000.
This year, June 5, 2023, is Giving Day, World Environment Day – and it is also the birthday of the Green Party of Canada. We became a registered political party in 1983 – forty years ago!
The trailblazers of the Green Party of Canada are still hard-working Greens. Dr. Trevor Hancock – the first leader of the Green Party of Canada – continues to mobilize and inspire through his work.
Back in the 1980 election, when we were “the small party,” Janice Harvey ran on Grand Manan, New Brunswick. She had more votes than any other candidate for the fledgling unofficial party that grew into the Green Party of Canada. Over the years, she has been a key strategist and part of the success of the Greens in New Brunswick, married to Green leader David Coon.
John Kidder was one of the founders of the Green Party of British Columbia – incorporated only a hair’s breadth before the Green Party of Canada. And the Greens of BC were only the second Green Party in the world – right after the Green Party of Germany. Like Trevor Hancock and Janice Harvey, John Kidder is still hard at work for the Greens. A former candidate, like Trevor, he spends more time as a writer. And like Janice, John is married to a Green Party leader. That would be me!
Speaking of couples, Adriane Carr and husband Paul George were also early founders of the Greens in BC. Adriane was the first BC Green leader to be included in the provincial leaders debates, went on to be federal Deputy Leader with many strong campaigns, until she moved to the Green Party of Vancouver. She has been the strongest polling city council member for years, with a strong Green caucus in council, school board and parks.
Trevor, Janice, Adriane, Paul, John and I – like David Coon, Mike Schreiner, Sonia Furstenau, and Peter Bevan Baker – all have much in common. We are lifers. We never give up. And we fight for the life of Mother Earth – no matter the odds.
For our Fortieth Birthday, we invite you to join the Founders’ Circle.
We are rebuilding because we are needed as never before. Our forests are in flames and our rivers are over-topping their banks. Greens are the only political party telling the truth about the climate emergency while sharing the practical steps we need to save ourselves.
The Founders Circle is wide open to Young Greens. Committed young people like Deputy Leader Jonathan Pedneault, and Young Greens co-chairs Jade Geleynse and Stuart Hunter are the future of this party. Any Green under 30 is invited to join the Founders Circle for $10.
For those of us over 30, please donate $500 today to join the Founders Circle. Every donation over $500 will be recognized with an autographed copy of Climate Change for Dummies, by two founders – John Kidder and me!
DonateAs we announce other events in celebration of our 40th Birthday, members of Founders Circle will enjoy access to confirmed and reserved participation for virtual and in-person events!
Please make this day – World Environment Day, Giving Day and our 40th Birthday – our best one yet! And if you want a personalized inscription in your book, please include that information with your donation!
And if you ordered Climate Change for Dummies last year, remind me by replying to this email and I will inscribe and send the 30th-anniversary re-publication of Paradise Won: The Struggle to Create Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve.
DonateThanks for all your support!!
Love and hope for our world!
Elizabeth
Elizabeth E. May, O.C.
Member of Parliament Saanich—Gulf Islands
Leader - Green Party of Canada