The Green Party of Canada will again be looking for a replacement for Elizabeth May, after her longtime chef said on Tuesday that she would not direct the Greens in the next elections.
In an email addressed to the members, she indicated her intention to remain deputy and head of the party until the election of a new leader, or co-chefs.
“We have major projects for the parliamentary session of fall 2025,” she said in the email. “My voice, as the only green deputy in the House of Commons, is stronger as a chef. »»
Ms. May said that he wanted to develop the party’s parliamentary caucus before retiring, while focusing on the climate crisis, the cost of living, as well as justice and peace in conflict areas.
She claims that the main responsibilities of her management has always been the fundraising and she wishes to close the year 2025 “in a position of strength”.
She said that members will soon receive information on the management of management and the terms of participation in the vote.
Ms. May indicated her intention to withdraw the new chef, or the co-chief, elected officials.
“The planning of the succession in any political party is delicate, but our federal council is determined to learn from past errors and to make the transition to a new direction a positive experience which strengthens the party,” explained the chef.
“As a team, they will develop the most solid plan as possible for the transition to management and will determine the optimal moment for a management race. »»
It is the only deputy for the Green Party in the House of Commons, the party having only obtained one seat in the federal elections.
Ms. May became a chef from the Green Party in 2006. She resigned in 2019, and Annamie Paul was elected head of the party. However, she remained parliamentary chief, because Annamie Paul had no siege in the House of Commons. Annamie Paul resigned after the 2021 elections, when she finished fourth in a Toronto district.
Ms. May was re-elected co-chief alongside Jonathan Pedneault in 2022. She became the only chef again after the resignation of Mr. Pedneault in April, the latter having recognized the “disappointing” result of the party in the federal elections.
In April, the Greens collected only 1.3 % of the votes nationwide. In 2021, the Greens had collected almost 7 % of the votes cast and elected three deputies.
The party supported 342 candidates for the April campaign, but less than 240 green candidates were in the running.
The Federal Commission in charge of the two television electoral debates then withdrawn Mr. Pedneault’s invitation to participate, invoking the decision to reduce the number of green candidates “for strategic reasons”. In April, Ms. May argued that this decision compromised the chances of her party in the elections.