Green Party Council looking at removing Paul from leadership

40 posts / 0 new

Tue, 2021-06-15 15:15

jerrym

I think this deserves its own thread as it goes beyond speculation. The Green Party Council is looking at a mechanism for removing Paul from the leadership of the party.

The Green Party federal council could vote tonight to kickstart a process that could remove Annamie Paul from the party leadership.

According to party members with knowledge of the issue, the party's federal council will hold a vote on whether to trigger a complex 30-day process under the party's constitution.

If the council votes tonight to launch that process, it will meet again on July 15. If 75 per cent of council members agree at that meeting to let a leadership vote go forward, party members could then vote to remove Paul from office through a motion at an annual general meeting.

One source said the Greens are overdue for such a meeting.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/process-remove-annamie-paul-active-1.60...

Tue, 2021-06-15 16:20

robbie_dee

Isn't there a better than even chance we will have federal election by this fall? Seems an awfully inopportune time for a party to find itself leaderless. Unless, for example, there were a former leader still sitting in Parliament and waiting to sweep in and save the day...

Tue, 2021-06-15 16:28

Mighty Middle

Former NDP Leader Tom Mulcair just said last week Annamie Paul is one of the finest political leader he has seen in a generation - last year he even wrote an op-ed in Macleans saying how Paul will be a serious threat to both Justin Trudeau and Jagmeet Singh.

Tue, 2021-06-15 17:39

Michael Moriarity

Luckily for Mulcair, pundits never have to answer for their wrong predictions, else, to paraphrase Hamlet, which pundit would 'scape whipping?

Tue, 2021-06-15 17:56

cco

The purpose of punditry isn't to predict, but rather to drive. Set the narrative, give someone "momentum", help make your prophecy self-fulfilling. Fortunately, it fails as often as it succeeds.

As far as the Greens removing Paul, I'm curious what people think about the mechanism that empowers the council to do that. I like that the NDP enables convention to trigger a leadership race, but I'm iffier on the idea of a council doing it. Whether or not they're successful at forcing out Atwin, every forthcoming Green leader will make their #1 priority stacking the council with loyalists.

Tue, 2021-06-15 17:58

kropotkin1951

Since I love fantasy, there is a former leader of a federal party who was renowned for fighting to save a park. He would be ecstatic to take up the Green party's crusade against the NDP.

Tue, 2021-06-15 18:51

(Reply to #6) #7

Mighty Middle

Michael Moriarity wrote:

Luckily for Mulcair, pundits never have to answer for their wrong predictions, else, to paraphrase Hamlet, which pundit would 'scape whipping?

Tom Mulcair was just on CTV and backs Annimae Paul in her allegation that this is all the Liberals fault. and continues to praise Ms. Paul calling her a "Breath of fresh air"

Tue, 2021-06-15 19:02

melovesproles

From the article in the original post:

Paul said she doesn't believe the internal squabbling over Israel was what pushed Atwin to switch sides. She said she understands Atwin was in talks with the Liberals for "numerous weeks" before the internal debate over Middle East issues flared up. She refused to say if Zatzman is still a member of her team.

I can't remember the last time a politician with such little clout was so committed to being so untransparent. Just a truly awful communicator. I think I'm still technically a member of the Green Party. I'll definitely be voting to remove Paul as leader if I get the opportunity. Manley should be interm leader. The party needs to move on from May.

Tue, 2021-06-15 20:01

(Reply to #8) #9

Ken Burch

melovesproles wrote:

From the article in the original post:

Paul said she doesn't believe the internal squabbling over Israel was what pushed Atwin to switch sides. She said she understands Atwin was in talks with the Liberals for "numerous weeks" before the internal debate over Middle East issues flared up. She refused to say if Zatzman is still a member of her team.

I can't remember the last time a politician with such little clout was so committed to being so untransparent. Just a truly awful communicator. I think I'm still technically a member of the Green Party. I'll definitely be voting to remove Paul as leader if I get the opportunity. Manley should be interm leader. The party needs to move on from May.

Indeed. Paul was clearly the "Continuity May" candidate in the Green leadership race, with the same elitist arrogance, the same dismissiveness to grassroots voices, the same unwillingness to challenge any part of the economic or foreign policy status quo- and the same sense that the GPC was simply ENTITLED to become the progressive party in federal politics, whether its policies were progressive or not.

Wed, 2021-06-16 11:05

(Reply to #9) #10

Pondering

cco wrote:
As far as the Greens removing Paul, I'm curious what people think about the mechanism that empowers the council to do that. I like that the NDP enables convention to trigger a leadership race, but I'm iffier on the idea of a council doing it. Whether or not they're successful at forcing out Atwin, every forthcoming Green leader will make their #1 priority stacking the council with loyalists.

They can try but the council is elected by the members. The reason a coup seems doable in the Green party is because the members still have power. May was able to control the party because it was so small. She was the party. In growing the party she sowed the seeds of the left taking over because most environmentalists tend to be on the left. There is also a leadership review at the convention after the election. I am hopeful that digital voting will be possible like the leadership vote.

Separately, two party executives recently announced they would step down early. One of them was John Kidder, a vice-president on the party's governing body and husband to MP and former leader Elizabeth May.

I am only a member for the purposes of supporting Lascaris. I won't even donate money to his campaign if he runs one because the party takes a big chunk. I would rather write him a personal cheque than give money to the party under Paul. They got my membership fee. That was enough.

Wed, 2021-06-16 15:53

#11

jerrym

Paul showed her utter lack of experience and understanding of how people would view her response when she failed to demand her advisor Zatzman retract his statement and apologize when he threatened to work for the defeat of Atwin and Manly because they spoke up on Palestinian rights. Even if it was her intention to attack Atwin, there are ways of doing that with a velvet covered knife in the back that is not so obvious, something that has been done by many throughout political history, something I disagree with but which I acknowledge is all too common. Threatening two MPs in a large caucus is bad enough, but threatening two MPs who represent two thirds of your caucus, a caucus that previously never had more than one member, is going to anger the vast majority of party supporters as they see the potential for the entire party going down in flames in the next election. She may have saved Atwin leaving the party by publicly rebuking Zatzman right after his comments, even if she agreed with his position. Her unwillingness to even acknowledge the problem after Atwin left only threw more gasoline on the fire that may now consume her.

Not only do I disagree with her position on the Israeli-Palestinian question, I think she lacks the qualities needed to lead anyone.

Wed, 2021-06-16 17:10

#12

jerrym

At a press conference, Paul has accused the council of being racist and sexist. Whatever the reality is on these two issues, the war within the party is fully on.

Wed, 2021-06-16 17:51

(Reply to #12) #13

Badriya

cco wrote:
The purpose of punditry isn't to predict, but rather to drive. Set the narrative, give someone "momentum", help make your prophecy self-fulfilling. Fortunately, it fails as often as it succeeds. As far as the Greens removing Paul, I'm curious what people think about the mechanism that empowers the council to do that. I like that the NDP enables convention to trigger a leadership race, but I'm iffier on the idea of a council doing it. Whether or not they're successful at forcing out Atwin, every forthcoming Green leader will make their #1 priority stacking the council with loyalists.

According to the G & M removal of the leader is a two-step process. Council votes and then it goes to a general meeting, where members would vote on the motion.

Three-quarters of the federal council would have to vote non-confidence, and then members would vote at a subsequent general meeting in order to remove Ms. Paul from her position, according to the party’s constitution.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-annamie-paul-rejects-bi...

Wed, 2021-06-16 18:07

(Reply to #13) #14

Pondering

jerrym wrote:

At a press conference, Paul has accused the council of being racist and sexist. Whatever the reality is on these two issues, the war within the party is fully on.

It's her go to for anyone who opposes her. She seems to think not even the Liberals should oppose her because she is a black jewish woman. I cannot speak for the other two but as a woman I am appalled that she is claiming any and all opposition to her is rooted in an "ism". It's very offensive and I think is contributing greatly to her downfall. She oozes entitlement.

Wed, 2021-06-16 19:20

#15

jerrym

The Liberals must be salivating at this as they expect the problems in the Green Party will likely continue into the next election, draining votes from the party. I think they would find an excuse to call an election now, except for what happened in the Newfoundland election where Covid interfered with the election and likely cost the Liberals an even larger majority than the one they ended up with. I think there is a good chance the Liberals will call the election as early as mid-August or early September after the vast majority of people have got a second Covid vaccination and while the Greens turmoil is still fresh in people's memories. It would also mean the election would be before a campaign and convention could pick a new leader if Paul is pushed out. Few disgusted potential Green voters would go to the Cons, leaving the Liberals and NDP as the most likely beneficiaries. For the Liberals this would be okay as it would help them win some ridings and possibly help them get closer to a majority.

Wed, 2021-06-16 18:45

#16

kropotkin1951

This could help the NDP more than the Liberal's, especially in BC. I think that if the party collapses around him Manly's seat will be vulnerable to the NDP. The good news is his replacement might be just as good an MP.

Lisa Marie Barron attained her Bachelor’s through VIU and is near completion of her Master’s in Community Development at UVIC. Currently, she works in the field of addictions undertaking community and program development as well as assisting families to navigate complex systems and supports. In 2018, Lisa earned the confidence of the Nanaimo-Ladysmith community when she was elected as School Board Trustee. As an elected representative, Lisa displays her commitment to understanding and acting on the issues important to Nanaimo-Ladysmith students and community.

Lisa recognizes that well-functioning communities require governments that prioritize social determinants of health and well-being as a necessary component of a successful economy. She would be honoured to earn your trust as your NDP candidate in the upcoming Federal election.

Wed, 2021-06-16 20:09

(Reply to #16) #17

jerrym

jerrym wrote:

The Liberals must be salivating at this as they expect the problems in the Green Party will likely continue into the next election, draining votes from the party. I think they would find an excuse to call an election now, except for what happened in the Newfoundland election where Covid interfered with the election and likely cost the Liberals an even larger majority than the one they ended up with. I think there is a good chance the Liberals will call the election as early as mid-August or early September after the vast majority of people have got a second Covid vaccination and while the Greens turmoil is still fresh in people's memories. It would also mean the election would be before a campaign and convention could pick a new leader if Paul is pushed out. Few disgusted potential Green voters would go to the Cons, leaving the Liberals and NDP as the most likely beneficiaries. For the Liberals this would be okay as it would help them win some ridings and possibly help them get closer to a majority.

kropotkin1951 wrote:

This could help the NDP more than the Liberal's, especially in BC. I think that if the party collapses around him Manly's seat will be vulnerable to the NDP. The good news is his replacement might be just as good an MP.

I agree the NDP could do very well out of a Green Party collapse over the Paul leadership controversy, and especially in BC. However, the Liberal #1 goal is to gain a majority government that can rule for four years, so the Liberals would still be happy if it helped them win a majority, something that would likely lead to a further increase in Liberal arrogance if they were to have a third election victory in a row.

Wed, 2021-06-16 21:27

#18

Mighty Middle

and the HITS keep coming for Green Party Leader Annamie Paul

10-minute recording from a meeting held with staffers the day after Jenica Atwin crossed the floor has been leaked to the media

An unidentified staffer confronts Paul over Noah Zatzman's Facebook post accusing party MPs of anti-Semitism, calling it "amateur" and "childish".

“I feel like if I had put that out, or anybody on this call had put this out, our heads would be gone. We would be done. If that was Elizabeth (May)’s advisor, the same thing,” the staffer tells Paul of Zatzman's Facebook tirade

Paul tells the staffer that there have been discussions with Zatzman behind the scenes, but doesn't say what those entail. “Being transparent is not always the way to go,”

Noah Zatzman has worked "extremely closely" with the party's MPs, says Paul. “This is someone who you should all know, if you’re satisfied with what we have done, in terms of our events, our media relations, our public profile, etc., it really links back to him."

The staffer mentions that EDAs are considering disaffiliating with the party and giving their money directly to Atwin and Manly

“As for the EDAs and others that are asking to (disaffiliate), I have said there will be some people who will be lost through this, there will be some organizational capacity that will be lost, but I think there will be some that are gained,” says Paul

This is a party that REALLY wants her OUT

https://twitter.com/JeremyAppel1025/status/1405307529781866497?s=20

Wed, 2021-06-16 21:44

#19

Edzell

What is an EDA?

Wed, 2021-06-16 21:55

(Reply to #19) #20

Mighty Middle

Edzell wrote:

What is an EDA?

Electoral District Association - every political party has an EDA in every riding in Canada

Thu, 2021-06-17 01:56

#21

melovesproles

“Being transparent is not always the way to go,”

This could be Paul's campaign slogan.

Thu, 2021-06-17 07:59

(Reply to #21) #22

Debater

Pondering wrote:

jerrym wrote:

At a press conference, Paul has accused the council of being racist and sexist. Whatever the reality is on these two issues, the war within the party is fully on.

It's her go to for anyone who opposes her. She seems to think not even the Liberals should oppose her because she is a black jewish woman. I cannot speak for the other two but as a woman I am appalled that she is claiming any and all opposition to her is rooted in an "ism". It's very offensive and I think is contributing greatly to her downfall. She oozes entitlement.

I've noticed this, too. Paul lashes out with accusations of sexism and racism almost every time there is criticism of her leadership. She seems unable to grasp the fact that all leaders get criticized and it comes as part of the job. Discussions of sexism and racism are important but they need to be highlighted when there is evidence to base it on otherwise it can backfire with the public, as you suggest.

Thu, 2021-06-17 12:48

#23

kropotkin1951

I am waiting for her to make it a trifecta by throwing in the anti-Semitic trope as well. After all this is about her advisors open hostility to sitting MP's who disagreed with him on the Israeli occupation of Palestine.

Thu, 2021-06-17 16:29

#24

jerrym

According to Global News Paul believes she has the votes to block a non-confidence vote removing her as that would require a 75% vote against her and she only lost the council's vote 5-4. Even if she wins this is going to be a pyrrhic victory, as it will leave the party severely divided.

Here's more of the back and forth fighting between Paul and the council. Her racist and sexist charges without specific evidence is highly unlikely to get a lot of public support. Furthermore, her refusal to remove or at least criticize her advisor, Noah Zatzman, over his charging Atwin with anti-semitism over support for Palestinians only makes many in the public see this as Paul's modus operandi in dealing with any attack.

Green Party Leader Annamie Paul is firing back at what she described as a “small group of councillors” who she says were behind a push to dethrone her as the party’s leader on Tuesday night.

These councillors, Paul said, tried to “force a vote of non-confidence” on her leadership with “no substantive consultation with the members they represent.”

“They produced a list of allegations: allegations that were so racist, so sexist that they were immediately disavowed by both of our MPs as offensive and inflammatory and contrary to party ethics, and I thank our MPs for that,” Paul said.

“The plan of this small group of councillors, who are on their way out, did not succeed,” she added.

Paul was referring to the events that took place during a three-hour emergency meeting of the Green Party’s federal council — which is its governing body — on Tuesday night.

During the meeting, the federal council threatened her with a non-confidence vote if she fails to repudiate a former advisor in her office who many party members — including the two remaining Green MPs — hold responsible for the defection of MP Jenica Atwin from the Greens to the Liberals.

In a copy of the allegation of non-confidence obtained by Global News, its authors alleged Paul “has acted with an autocratic attitude of hostility, superiority and rejection.”

It also accused her of “failing to develop a collaborative working relationship, failing to engage in respectful discussions, and failing to use dialogue and compromise. She has attended few council meetings, and when in attendance, has displayed anger in long, repetitive, aggressive monologues and has failed to recognize the value of any ideas except her own, acting in a manner not in compliance with the leader’s role and responsibilities,” read the letter.

Asked about the contents of this letter on Wednesday, Paul said she “was not aware that letter was in the possession of anyone outside of the room.”

In a narrow 5-4 vote at that meeting, council called on Paul and Nanaimo MP Paul Manly “to organize a joint statement and a press conference where Annamie Paul would repudiate Noah Zatzman’s attacks and explicitly support the GPC caucus.”

https://globalnews.ca/news/7955752/green-party-annamie-paul-leader-resig...

Thu, 2021-06-17 17:38

#25

NorthReport

https://thetyee.ca/News/2021/06/17/Annamie-Paul-Comes-Out-Swinging/

Thu, 2021-06-17 19:48

#26

Ken Burch

It's time to ask this directly: Is Paul simply a figurehead, while Zatzman actually runs the GPC behind the scenes?

Thu, 2021-06-17 21:56

(Reply to #26) #27

Pondering

NorthReport wrote:
https://thetyee.ca/News/2021/06/17/Annamie-Paul-Comes-Out-Swinging/[/quote]

Wow Wow Wow!!!!!! Paul is going down. She is lashing out like Trump. When she crashes and burns she will say it was sexism and racism and maybe anti-semitism.

The article ends with this....

Before Tuesday evening’s federal council meeting that resulted the threat of holding a leadership review if Paul didn’t comply with demands, Paul held a long and tense meeting with former Green leader and current MP Elizabeth May. Sources told Tyee columnist Michael Harris that Paul demanded May’s full support and said May would face repercussions if she didn’t provide it.

May left the federal council meeting before it ended and has yet to speak in support of Paul since Atwin’s aisle crossing triggered uproar in the party and a leadership crisis.

earlier in the article....

It requested that Paul and Green member of Parliament Paul Manly, who represents the B.C. riding of Nanaimo-Ladysmith, “organize a joint statement and a press conference, where Annamie Paul would repudiate Noah Zatzman’s attacks and explicitly support the [Green Party of Canada] caucus,” which now only includes Manly and former leader and fellow B.C. MP Elizabeth May following Fredericton MP Jenica Atwin’s recent move to the Liberal caucus.

Without May's support I don't see how she can survive. She goes on to say..

The federal council’s motion said that if Paul did not renounce Zatzman’s remarks, a vote of confidence in her leadership would be held on July 20, according to the 30-day notice period under the Green Party of Canada constitution.

Paul said she had “not formally received the resolution” and wants to take the “serious matter” raised “very seriously,” but noted she did not participate in the late-night meeting and declined to comply with the requirement regarding Zatzman.

Sounds like there will be a vote on July 20th.

“However, often when people like me are elected or appointed to senior leadership roles, the rules of the game seem to change,” she said. “Suddenly, there is a need for more oversight; heightened accountability; swifter and more severe sanctions, and a hiving off of responsibilities previously related to the role. Now that is something that I will resist.

“I do not need a bespoke set of rules established for me, and I haven’t asked for any special accommodation. But I am seeking the same freedom to lead and fulfil my role as leader of the Green party on behalf of our members.

“Collaboration and collegiality does not mean bowing down. It doesn’t mean being brought to heel.”

That is how she is interpreting the demand that she repudiate Zatzman. She thinks she is entitled to the power May had. That's not going to happen.

She also had a message for Canadians. “How many times will we allow Justin Trudeau to get away with pushing strong, competent, capable women out of politics when they are seeking to serve? And how much longer we will allow him to do it with impunity?”

Anyone who even hears the above will want to know what Trudeau did to her which is nothing at all. She sounds like a right-wing stereotype of leftists. She has resisted repudiating Zatzman's statements for so long that at this point it will be worthless.

Fri, 2021-06-18 05:36

#28

Debater

Paul also attacked Chrystia Freeland yesterday by basically calling her a non-entity that just does whatever Justin Trudeau says.

Chantal Hébert said on the At Issue panel last night that she doesn't see how Paul can call herself a feminist when she attacks other accomplished women like Atwin & Freeland as having no minds of their own.

Fri, 2021-06-18 12:34

#29

NDPP

Engler: Criticism of Annamie Paul's leadership is valid

https://rabble.ca/2021/06/criticism-annamie-pauls-leadership-valid

"...Paul's husband, Mark Freeman, helped establish the New York-based liberal-imperialist International Center for Transitional Justice...As leader of the Greens, Paul has stoked Sinophobia as well...Her resume demonstrates rock solid support for the status quo in Canada and around the world.

There are enough political parties working to maintain the privileges of the few against the needs of the many*. Most Green Party members want serious change.

*Arguably all of them. Annamie Paul is just another hustling liberal imperialist politician masquerading as 'progressive.' She is not alone.

Fri, 2021-06-18 12:46

#30

lagatta4

She should be expelled from thec party, not just the leadership. As should the CAQiste who moved even farther right to the Québec Conservatives. (Not that I've ever voted for any of those parties).

Fri, 2021-06-18 14:03

#31

kropotkin1951

As someone who has followed the Green party for years as an amused outsider I find this description in the Tyee article hilarious. I have heard various stories that say that this type of behavior was the norm for the last leader as well. If Paul had been to meetings when May was the leader she would be right to think that she was being treated differently than the last leader. The party wanted to hold her to the intent of the constitution unlike EMay who they allowed to be an autocrat.

They said that Paul “has attended few council meetings, and when in attendance, has displayed anger in long, repetitive, aggressive monologues and has failed to recognize the value of any ideas except her own.”

Fri, 2021-06-18 14:24

(Reply to #31) #32

melovesproles

kropotkin1951 wrote:

If Paul had been to meetings when May was the leader she would be right to think that she was being treated differently than the last leader. The party wanted to hold her to the intent of the constitution unlike EMay who they allowed to be an autocrat.

I think that is the one point that Paul is making that is undeniably true. She is basically just asking to be treated like May was. Green party members who voted for her only have themselves to blame for this. It was pretty obvious when she refused to give answers to the most basic questions during the leadership debates that she didn't value transparency or grassroots democracy. If the Greens wanted the party to move in a different direction, they had a clear option and it wasn't Paul.

Fri, 2021-06-18 17:26

#33

NorthReport

Senior Green Party Officials Condemned Own Leader as Autocratic and Dishonest

https://pressprogress.ca/senior-green-party-officials-condemned-own-lead...

Fri, 2021-06-18 19:33

#34

NorthReport

https://rabble.ca/news/2021/06/criticism-annamie-pauls-leadership-valid

Tue, 2021-06-22 20:20

#35

jerrym

Paul is still refusing to criticize her senior advisor, Noah Zatzman, in any way over his threats to try to defeat Atwin and Paul Manly over there support of the Palestinians more than a month after he made this attack. Paul claims she is still "unpacking" a motion by the Green Party Council to explicitly support the two remaining MPs, Manly and May, in her caucus. There is nothing to unpack, you either support them or you don't. Aside from the issues involved, her statement will be seen by even those with little interest in politics as BS.

In her interview with The Tyee, Paul also addressed two major issues that emerged from her June 16 news conference in Ottawa, including a motion passed the night before by the Green party’s federal council calling on her to “repudiate” statements by her former senior advisor, Noah Zatzman, for his “attacks” on Green MPs and to “explicitly support” the two that remain in the Greens’ Commons caucus.

At the time, Paul told reporters that she had “not formally received the resolution.” She has since but is still “unpacking it” and has yet to decide on how to respond to it.

“It’s a complex document, which will set a precedent for me and for future leaders of the party,” said Paul, who is also a lawyer. “To my knowledge, this is the first time that anything like this has been proposed.”

The uniqueness is based on the council instructing the party leader to “take a particular action,” which for Paul is problematic since “the leader is not subordinate to or take direction from the council under our constitution.” ...

Last week, the National Post reported that six of the Green Party of Canada’s 18 federal councillors wanted Paul to step down as party leader (two of whom from Atlantic Canada have resigned).

Before the federal council meeting, more than 650 GPC members called for a special session to take “the first crucial first step in” removing Paul as a leader, according to the Toronto Star, which first reported on discord within Green ranks in April.

https://thetyee.ca/News/2021/06/22/Annamie-Paul-Unpacking-Leadership-Thr...

Thu, 2021-06-24 15:19

#36

NDPP

Conservative and Liberal media defend Green leader as she accuses her critics of racism

https://yvesengler.com/2021/06/22/conservative-and-liberal-media-defend-...

"...Anti-racists are right to be appalled with Annamie Paul's deflection, refusal to side with Palestinians and inability to criticize Israeli apartheid."

Thu, 2021-06-24 15:35

(Reply to #36) #37

josh

NDPP wrote:

Conservative and Liberal media defend Green leader as she accuses her critics of racism

https://yvesengler.com/2021/06/22/conservative-and-liberal-media-defend-...

"...Anti-racists are right to be appalled with Annamie Paul's deflection, refusal to side with Palestinians and inability to criticize Israeli apartheid."

How can a party "spiral into irrelevance" when it's never really been relevant.

Thu, 2021-06-24 16:33

(Reply to #37) #38

Edzell

Relevance is relative.

Thu, 2021-06-24 16:39

#39

NDPP

Especially at the Toronto Star...

Thu, 2021-06-24 17:18

#40

Pondering

The fawning of the MSM doesn't seem to be having much of an impact on public opinion. Paul's "all criticism is because I am a jewish black woman" got old real fast. Palestinians have the sympathy of Canadians and it is not antisemetic to be opposed to the brutality they are being subjected to.

This is good news for ecosocialists in the party. Whether or not she survives next month she will be gone after the coming election.

Ecosocialists need to join the Green party in droves to support Lascaris as leader. He only needed 2000 votes. We should aim for triple that to be on the safe side. This is an opportunity in a generation to take over an existing federal party with a national identity.

Go ahead and vote NDP. Do not vote Green. Just join to join the coup. If the coup is successful then vote Green. Until then vote NDP or join the Watermelon Revolution.