Green party campaign

The leader of the Ontario Green Party is calling for a assault on child poverty. Mike Schreiner brought his campaign to Hamilton today, accusing the other parties of ignoring the issue that affects so many people in the city.

Tucked away in Hamilton’s north end, the Victory Gardens are carrying out their part in the fight against poverty.

Last year, they shipped that many servings of fresh fruit and vegetables to food banks and hot meal programs for people who otherwise couldn’t afford it.

“This project is finally about caring and some help,” said one food bank user.

Green party leader Mike Schreiner says this is what the Greens are all about.

“These are the kinds of projects that we want to continue to support and will continue to support.”

Schreiner says the Victory Gardens fit in with his plan to tackle child poverty.

“One of the things that’s distressing me in this election is really the lack of any conversation around addressing poverty issues by the three status quo parties. I find that deeply disturbing.”

He’s proposing to double the child tax benefit, and pay for it with a billion dollars saved by scrapping the Liberal plan to cut hydro bills, saying the Liberal cut would just benefit the wealthy.

It’s part of his party’s platform that he hopes will lead to a breakthrough for the Greens in this election, aiming for at least one Green voted in.

Schreiner is running in Guelph, hoping to become the first Green MPP in the Ontario Legislature.

A modest breakthrough, but possibly historic, like their outspoken single Member of Parliament in Ottawa.

“Elizabeth May has already shown what a difference one Green MPP can make in Ottawa. I plan to do the exact same thing at Queen’s Park. We’re already making a difference. Even without seats in the Legislature we’re affecting public policy we’ll do that even more with a seat in the Legislature.”

He says the election of one Green MPP would give them a bigger role in the conversation at Queen’s Park, over issues like poverty.