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Elizabeth May's election focus: winning own riding
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By: CTV.ca News Staff
Date: Thursday Mar. 24, 2011 6:45 PM PT
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May says her main focus during this spring's expected election will be winning her own riding, not leading a national campaign.
"The Green Party nationally has decided this is a priority for all of us. I am not going to be required to be crisscrossing the country as much as I did in the 2008 election," she told CTV's Power Play Thursday.
"So, I can stay home, keep knocking on doors."
May is running against veteran Conservative MP Gary Lunn in the Saanich-Gulf Islands riding in British Columbia.
"I'll be running the campaign to make sure when it's over I'm the elected member," she said, adding it would be a "tight two-way race."
But May said she will be making some forays into national campaigning and she hopes to be invited to the televised leader's debate.
She also promises to ‘do a lot with smart, strategic technology' such as a Green Party app and reaching out over social networking.
May said the Green Party plans to run a candidate in all 308 ridings and will be running television ads.
"Canadians will be grateful for a political party that reaches out to them without making them feel like they want to change the channel," she said.
May also said that the environment file is still on the minds of Canadians, despite the recent economic woes, and that other parties "need to wake up" to that.
She also criticized the recent budget.
"There's something fundamentally skewed about the Harper government's understanding of environmental issues," she said.
May has run for federal office twice before. She lost a byelection in London, Ont., in 2006 and was defeated by Conservative Peter MacKay in his long-held Pictou County, Nova Scotia riding.
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Comments are now closed for this story
James (Nova Scotia) |
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Sit down Lizzy. We are not going there again. |
Vanc Guy |
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Shame on anyone that votes for this opportunist - but hey if it splits our comrades votes.. what the heck! |
Redneck Vic |
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For a party to be represented at the debates they should have at least 1 seat in the house commons. No seats means no debates!! Also a separatist party does not represent Canada and should also be banned from the debates! |
Sean |
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Sorry, Elizabeth who? |
pat sk |
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Oh..but didn't the coaliton promise her a golden senate seat ?? Another oportunist looking for a chance to fleece the Canadian public. |
B. Kelley, Ontario |
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The Green Party is totally irrelevant and May should not be invited to any leaders' debates. Her participation just robs time from the people that we need to hear from on how they would manage or impact the future of this country. The Greens are just one trick ponies in the same vein as the old Marijuana Party, Rhinoceros Party and the Natural Party of Canada. Imagine Doug Henning in one of those debates. |
J |
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A common house mouse could run her party better then her. She keeps choosing impossible seats to win. Go to a riding that you have a chance in. AND Win it. Don't keep choosing ridings where there are high profile MPs. |
Mike |
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And here will be more wasted votes. We do not need anymore parties splitting he vote. Then people wonder why we don't get a majority government. |
d_abes in Saskatoon |
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Redneck, I also hope this means the Greens will be excluded from the debates. Unlike 2008, the great climate debate is way way way way down the list of issues we need to hear about. |
Robert |
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Elizabeth May - she's here, she's there she's everywhere. Last election it was Nova Scotia, this time its B.C. Another lost American looking for a home (and votes). |
john |
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If the Greens can make it into the debates what is the requirement to get in the debate or is it just 5% now of the popular vote? |
Roadrobber |
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Sorry, Elizabeth. When the Green Party reaches out to me it makes me want to change the channel. A vote for the Green Party is a wasted vote. |
Paul |
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How many times does she have to fail before she realizes she is a failure? The fact that the green party keeps her on as leader is a sign that they are all hopeless. |
Drew in NS |
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You have developed the Green Party App? Don't you need coal fired plant to charge the batteries. Tell you what...I won't download it and consider that my part to save the environment, reducing noise pollution. Lizzie.....Your Welcome, now go away!!!! And don't go to the debate, it's really sad to see a political leader with a Tim Hortons cup policy |
Brian |
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Will the 3 strikes and you won't run again rule apply to Ms. May? Another fringe party just divides parliament even more |
Doug |
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She is a fresh air in my view. (no pun intended). Her input is always measured and thoughtful. One can never question her intentions and desire to do what is best for Canada. I am glad we have someone who is not out for just personal gain, someone who puts people over profit. |
my take on this |
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A vote for the Green Party or the NDP is a vote for Stephen Harper. |
james |
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Forget the debates--waste of time, resources. |
John in Saskatoon |
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How many different ridings has she tried? Will the Liberals run a candidate against her this time? They might as well. The govt. will easily win this riding. She needs to realize nobody wants to waste their representative spot in parliment on this non entity. I hope they don't let her in the debates. She takes up question time that is better alotted to parties that have a hope in hell of being elected and making a difference. If she's in then all independants should be in as well. See Helena Guergis. She'll actually win her seat. |
Bill |
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What a phony- she came to Central Nova and bragged about how well she did against Peter MacKay after her and the Liberal leader made a deal for a liberal not to run. She still did not win. Looks like she will go coast to coast and still not win |
Jim - North Saanich |
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By splitting up the left of centre vote in Saanich - Gulf Islands amongst the Green, NDP and Liberals, Elizabeth May will assure the re-election of the Hon. Gary Lunn. I hope she does well in that respect given the awful prospect of a 'Bloc', NDP, LPC coalition. |
Bob,Calgary |
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Elizabeth May should not be allowed to take part in the debates since her party has no seats and her strident "one-issue" slant to every problem simply muddies the debate. I also wonder why anyone would vote for her since she can never form the government and will essentially have no effect on national politics. However I suppose once the coalition is in power they could garner another vote in the commons and make her Minister of the Environment where she could introduce carbon taxes and quickly take Canadians back to freezing in our cold winters and riding around in horse drawn carriages for transportation. This women does not live in the real world and seems unaware that Canada is one of the coldest countries on earth with a small population spread over millions of square miles. We need real solutions to real problems not hare brained rhetoric from the Al Gore/David Suzuki church. |
Catwoman 38 |
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Actually, I think they should let her in the televised debates because nobody else is talking about the environment and democracy as much as the green party.And you never know , some conservatives who are angry might just cast their ballot for her.So yes, go May go! |
Rocky |
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If the latest Ipsos poll is indicative, it's time for Liz and all the other Harper-haters to save the furniture. |
Melanie Terrace,BC |
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She's not even a British Columbian. Why do we have to get stuck with her? She whines,she spins,and she has an extremely annoying habit of interupting when other people are speaking. I'm actually looking foward to next year.Am I wrong,or are we in for a whole bunch of new party leaders when this is over ? Please tell me I'm not wrong.That's about all I have to look forward to as a result of this useless expenditure of my tax dollars.Saying good'bye to "Iggy" Jack,and Elizabeth. |
Doug from Dauphin |
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Elizabeth will make a real difference in Parliament. That's why the old boys are so scared of her. |
bonehead |
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what an airhead!! |
M.M.B. Ont |
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If May is invited to a candidated debate, I hope someone ties her hands together before she pokes someone's eyes out as she flays them. Last election her fingers were so out of control I thought Harper was going to end up with one of her fingers in his eye or up his nose. Too many parties divide the votes and the results are always minority gov't where Canadians are the real losers becuase nothing gets done. |
Radical Dan |
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Sooner or later people will realize that there really is no difference between the Tories and the Fiberals, neither of them has a long term interest in the future of anything but their own power.It reminds me of a high school election for student president where every candidate promises more dances.When people realize that unlimited economic growth should not be the goal of a planet with limited resources, then the Green Party will make sense.If people don't take a realistic look at our current situation very soon, and keep voting for the same old parties who have caused our problems then it will be too late. |
John |
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This party does not have a single seat, why do they get so much media attention? |
coreyluna |
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Elizabeth May is a candidate worthy of our attention. She addresses the REAL issues that face this country and doesn't let big business run her campaign. She is a voice of reason in the convoluted world of canadian political rhetoric. |
Zebulon Pike |
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Bad luck, Ms. May! But this is your fault. Your fanatical devotion to the global warming hoax has dragged you down like a boulder tied to your leg. The "science" was fraudulent, and the "solution" imposed so many economic burdens it was unworkable. I'd update your resume if I were you. |
Jason Daniel Baker, Toronto |
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There will always be people to waste their votes on parties like the Greens. Many more of them will be even more likely to do so if Elizabeth May can ever get herself elected. A Tory majority government is more likely with parties like the Greens and the NDP siphoning off what really are Liberal votes. |
Mavis Benoit |
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I think she's one smart lady. I met her once, she's warm and personable. I really belive that she is genuine. Especially in her love of democracy. In this election all Canadians had better sit up and realize that one more Harper government will bring our Canadian democracy to a place from which it can never return. Get out and VOTE! It's time. Vote Green! |
Brian McGowan |
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Who is Elizabeth May and why is she playing this game? She has not been elected to anything. So why the media coverage? Elizabeth May is an American ego looking for happiness on Canadian soil. |
John in the Ukon |
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Elizabeth May is a breath of fresh air in Canadian politics - sincere, smart and able to elevate issues above name-calling. |
diego in vancouver |
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Opportunist? Who the hell do you people think you are being so ignorant? They are all opportunists or have you not been watching the media. People have a right to run in elections if they meet the requirements so if you do not like someone don't vote for them or get off you asses and run yourself. In these online comments I have seem so many write that they are smarter and know better ways. Well then do it yourself.. Write an essay with ideas that are sound and intelligent. Instead of mocking people who actually have the guts to try to do something. |
Daryl |
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She should do just what she says and "stay home". Does she really think that people won't notice the fact that she ran in N.S. in 2008 and is now running in B.C.? If that is not a sure sign that she is not running to represent her constituents but only herself, I don't know what will. Elizabeth may is a fake if you ask me. |
Ryan |
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She has good sense. I really don't believe in the Conservatives or the Liberals anymore. The status quo is sad and getting sadder. It's increasingly like Republicans vs. Democrats. Not a country I want to live in. I'm going to grow a pair and vote Green. |
Richard and Esther Provencher |
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I don't understand why this well spoken lady tackles almost impossible RIdings in which to get elected. Is it to get a higher profile to raise maximum funds which does work. However, of what value is it to give a million tax dollars to a party if the leader cannot even get elected, in order to espouse their policies. Every other potential leader always goes to a riding where their potential voter base if quite strong. And please, no more of her presence in the debates. She made a mockery of her attendance with continually interrupting the proceedings, often dissing the PM, and her eye movements rolling around and around while listening to others was very strange. |
Peter Johnston |
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Elizabeth May is articulate, dedicated and has been campaigning for humanity to act responsibly for her entire life. The Green party of Canada has prospered under her leadership and I hope her riding takes this opportunity to become the first jurisdiction in North America to elect a Green MP. Canadian politics is crying out for a spokesperson who will represent the growing number of Canadians who realize that we live on a finite planet with finite resources. Its time. |
PDMinVICTORIA |
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Such a joke really - Ontario, Nova Scotia and now BC! The candidate that moves in hope or is it desperation! I was on a flight with Elizabeth May on Friday morning from Victoria to Toronto - there she was in Executive Class taking up twice as much space as economy! If they had a chance it was gone with that. Not that I begrudge executive class travel but for the Green Party leader - efficiency should always be front of mind. |
JB in Ontario |
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Good luck Elizabeth! |
ed peters |
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A very good person that knows a lot about how to take care of the environment. Many MP's change ridings. There is nothing wrong with that. A much better candidate then some of the numb skulls in the Conservative Party. |
Allen in NS |
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A waste of vote if you cast one for Ms May and the Green Party. She lost in Nova Scotia and she will lose in Sindey BC. |
Matt |
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There is something fundamentally wrong with the Conservatives? I think there is something fundamentally wrong with Ms. May. The party's focus should be to get HER elected? How arrogant can she get. |
Georges Jacques Danton |
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This is the network that allowed Mike Duffy do his character assignations. I doubt if there will be to many intelligent comments coming from CTV regulars.Elizabeth would make a great MP, she processes qualities that are rarity in the house; integrity, honesty, and a love for Canada. |
vince in trenton |
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Why is this news????Isn't that the goal of any candidate, to at least win their own riding....especially the supposed leader of a party......I use that term very loosely by the way |
Will |
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May should just start shopping for a third riding to try to parachute herself into. What this flake doesn't realize is that she picked a riding where the Minister is popular and well respected, the demographic contains a LOT of mature people, government employees, and military not the tree hugging, pot smoking, fringe types that she appeals to. Her pie in the sky ideals don't resonate with people who live in the real world and understand how things work and why. Even my granola girl daughter in law agrees the May is a flake with no future. |
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