Ont. Green Party launches platform

(Update)
In the 2011 provincial election, the Green Party garnered less than three per cent support among voters. A big fall after making gains in the 2007 election with eight per cent of the vote. But Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner hopes this time — one or two candidates will make it all the way to Queen’s Park. That’s where he was this morning to unveil his party platform. But many people say good ideas are not enough to make them vote green.

Mike Schreiner says his party is the only one telling the truth: “Mr. Hudak calling for a million jobs when we have 550,000 people unemployed in the province. I guess that’ll go to 650k once he cuts 100,000 jobs. I believe it’s this kind of politcal games and magic math that’s turning people off of politics. I want people to know there is a fourth option.”

In his option, the catholic school board would merge with the public, which he says would save 1.6 billion dollars — and satisfy human rights issues: “Oone third of our teaching jobs are closed to people based on religion or sexual orientation. I mean, our premier couldn’t even teach in the catholic system.”

He would stop nuclear plants in favour of imported hydro from Quebec, increase royalties on natural resources, and implement taxes dedicated to transit funding: “All our priorities are costed, reasonable, something one or two green mpps can accomplish.”

“The challenge is, every election, people vote strategically.”

Hamilton Centre candidate Peter Ormond’s home has solar power and water, and a vegetable garden where once there was a driveway. The green party would give rebates for energy-saving home improvements.

Peter Ormond says he’s had several requests from people who want Green Party signs for their lawns, but this is the only one he’s planted so far. He says for this campaign, he thinks he’d rather plant other things — like two thousand strawberry plants handed out during art crawl: “We didn’t say we’re the Green Party, we just said, here!. Take this, put it your garden. That’s part of the solution to local food. We’re having a bit of an ‘un-campaign’. We want to do things to help the community no matter what. it’s not just a sign in the ground.”

The ideas, people seem to support. But the party?

“A split vote becomes problematic. I remember what happened during the Harris common sense revolution.”

“You vote for them, and nothing ever happens.”