A candidate for the leadership of the Green Party of Canada says he is dropping out of the race because of the “constant” interference of former leader Elizabeth May..Alex Tyrrell, the leader of the Green Party of Quebec, also slammed his federal party as being the least diverse political party in Canada..“When I decided to put my name forward for the federal leadership, I did so under the assurance that Elizabeth May would not intervene in the race. Although this held true for the first few weeks, her intervention in the race has become more and more visible on social media, behind the scenes and most recently when she launched a fundraising tour with one of her preferred candidates,” said Tyrrell..“At the same time that Ms. May has been intervening in the race on a daily basis, she has consolidated power in the party by presenting a slate of candidates – managed by her husband (John Kidder), for the federal council elections..“The unfortunate reality is that the Elizabeth May era will continue for the foreseeable future.”. tyrrellAlex TyrrellLeader of the Green Party of Quebec .Tyrrell said he chose not to run a slate of candidates for the federal council “which turned out to be a mistake..“Over the past months and weeks Ms. May and her entourage have made it amply clear to me that they will do everything in their power to oppose my candidacy, my political agenda of moving the party to the left and that they will fiercely undermine my leadership in the event that I would win the federal leadership race,” he said.. POLL: Many Albertans say they will ignore Christmas COVID lockdown .“In a CBC article published a few days ago, Ms. May’s husband, who is now the party’s vice president, compared my criticisms of their consolidation of power to, and I quote, “fecal matter,” before adding that I “understand nothing about governance” and that I should “return to study.” I view these comments as ageist, condescending, paternalistic and outright disrespectful..“The level of disrespect shown to me by Ms. May, her husband and their entourage has sent the message to their supporters that it is ok to bully me, to send me hateful messages and to bend the rules against my candidacy.”.Tyrrell said he was the most experienced candidate in the race, having run for the Green Party in 10 provincial elections..He also slammed the Green Party for its lack of diversity..“It is no secret that the Green Party of Canada has huge problems with racism, discrimination and exclusion of marginalized communities within its ranks. In the last election the party presented fewer candidates of colour than any other party… this is a situation which is wrong, embarrassing, immoral and that must be addressed,” he said..The Western Standard has contacted May’s office for comment but so far hasn’t heard back..The Green Party will select a new leader in October..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com.Twitter.com/nobby7694
A candidate for the leadership of the Green Party of Canada says he is dropping out of the race because of the “constant” interference of former leader Elizabeth May..Alex Tyrrell, the leader of the Green Party of Quebec, also slammed his federal party as being the least diverse political party in Canada..“When I decided to put my name forward for the federal leadership, I did so under the assurance that Elizabeth May would not intervene in the race. Although this held true for the first few weeks, her intervention in the race has become more and more visible on social media, behind the scenes and most recently when she launched a fundraising tour with one of her preferred candidates,” said Tyrrell..“At the same time that Ms. May has been intervening in the race on a daily basis, she has consolidated power in the party by presenting a slate of candidates – managed by her husband (John Kidder), for the federal council elections..“The unfortunate reality is that the Elizabeth May era will continue for the foreseeable future.”. tyrrellAlex TyrrellLeader of the Green Party of Quebec .Tyrrell said he chose not to run a slate of candidates for the federal council “which turned out to be a mistake..“Over the past months and weeks Ms. May and her entourage have made it amply clear to me that they will do everything in their power to oppose my candidacy, my political agenda of moving the party to the left and that they will fiercely undermine my leadership in the event that I would win the federal leadership race,” he said.. POLL: Many Albertans say they will ignore Christmas COVID lockdown .“In a CBC article published a few days ago, Ms. May’s husband, who is now the party’s vice president, compared my criticisms of their consolidation of power to, and I quote, “fecal matter,” before adding that I “understand nothing about governance” and that I should “return to study.” I view these comments as ageist, condescending, paternalistic and outright disrespectful..“The level of disrespect shown to me by Ms. May, her husband and their entourage has sent the message to their supporters that it is ok to bully me, to send me hateful messages and to bend the rules against my candidacy.”.Tyrrell said he was the most experienced candidate in the race, having run for the Green Party in 10 provincial elections..He also slammed the Green Party for its lack of diversity..“It is no secret that the Green Party of Canada has huge problems with racism, discrimination and exclusion of marginalized communities within its ranks. In the last election the party presented fewer candidates of colour than any other party… this is a situation which is wrong, embarrassing, immoral and that must be addressed,” he said..The Western Standard has contacted May’s office for comment but so far hasn’t heard back..The Green Party will select a new leader in October..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com.Twitter.com/nobby7694