Greetings to all of you, as we step into a new year, and a new decade. We can only hope that this year, the tide will finally turn in Canada and this dark period of ominous doings on Parliament Hill will come to a close.

I must admit that following the recent disastrous failure of negociations at the 2009 Copenhagen Climate Change Conference, largely thanks to our own government’s actions (or lack thereof), it has been a particularly frustrating and difficult year to be a Green. As ‘climate deniers’ (the likes of Bjorn Lomborg) seem to gain popularity and succeed in fooling those only too willing to have someone ‘say it ain’t so’, precious time is lost to turn our ship around and ensure a secure environment for our children and future generations. This may not sound much like a cheerful new year’s message, but a new year is meant to be a fresh start. My message to you is the following: it is time to overcome our fear or apathy, and speak up.

How long are we prepared to look the other way as our Prime Minister becomes emboldened to the point of proroguing Parliament over the holidays while the public is distracted, appointing his cronies to the Senate and killing any hope of passing new climate legislation? This is, as our leader Elizabeth May and respected commentators such as Andrew Coyne, Jefferey Simpson and John Ibbitson have stated, an unprecedented and outrageous abuse of our system of government; these actions are an affront to our democratic rights as Canadians.

We may feel powerless in these situations, but I wish to assure you that we are not. As Greens, we are part of a thoroughly respectable organization with a visionary leader and devoted members across the country. That is a powerful thing – we just need to keep growing bigger and louder, and we need to ensure that Elizabeth May is elected to the House of Commons. Let’s start with our own backyard: ask your neighbours what they know about us, and about Elizabeth. Cite some examples of our progressive policies (easy to find at www.greenparty.ca!). You will probably find they are surprised to hear that we are so much more than a single-issue party – you may even convince them to become a member!

I encourage you to read Elizabeth’s blog on the party website, and share with your friends – she always succeeds in shedding light on current issues and debunking false arguments against positive change. Ms. May has also written some very powerful and inspirational books, including ‘How to Save the World In Your Spare Time’, and most recently and appropriately: ‘Losing Confidence – Power, Politics and the Crisis in Canadian Democracy’. I hope to hear from you as we organize for our next campaign!

In solidarity and respect,
Your local Green candidate for NDG-Lachine,

Jessica Gal