With six weeks left, our campaign is ramping up. I am meeting Greens across Canada who are sharing their hopes and dreams for our party and our country.
Grassroots Greens are volunteering and this past Wednesday, we celebrated International Youth Day. To honour the amazing contributions of young people on our campaign, this newsletter highlights our team’s youth campaigners who are making a huge difference on our path to a better Canada.
Thank you for your continued support.
2019 Paint the Island Green
Guest blog by Sara Merner
The 2019 Paint the Island Green program united 30 Young Greens from across Canada. Participants wanted to learn in an inclusive environment and, from the get-go, participants designed a program that met the riding campaign’s needs and the participants’ personal skill-development goals. We learned about the hard work of politics — canvassing, entering data, and participating in a Get Out The Vote operation. We also learned about developing campaign plans, strategic communication plans, canvassing coordination, and data management.
We also learned by doing, listening, and watching. For example, after a press conference on the tabling of the BC Greens’ legislation to ban conversion therapy, the Young Greens met with BC Green MLAs, Sonia Furstenau, Adam Olsen, and Andrew Weaver. Participants also “shadowed” the candidate (David Merner), the campaign manager (Marilyn Redivo), and the volunteer coordinators, gaining skills and experience. After the summer program, participants went on to become campaign managers, phone canvassers for the Green Party of Canada head office, and candidates for the federal Youth Council with new knowledge of the inner workings of campaigns.
Overall, the program facilitated knowledge transfer among participants as well as between participants and the entire campaign team in Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke. Our program grew to include youth from the riding, multiplied volunteer numbers, and created space for a youth-run campaign. Our next step is to turn the Paint the Island Green program into a national program for all ridings from coast to coast to coast.
Team Youth Feature
Eric Desrochers – Campaign Manager
Eric (he/him/his) is a self-described “political nut” who has been involved in party politics since he was 16. He did a dual degree in Finance and Social Welfare at Nipissing University in North Bay, Ontario and grew up in and around Toronto. He has worked on countless political campaigns including two leadership campaigns prior to David’s leadership campaign. Eric served as an Ontario organizer for the Green Party of Canada before leaving his role there to take on the role of Campaign Manager in our campaign. Eric spent his entire university career volunteering with the Humane Society, and that is one of his biggest passions outside of politics.
“I met David when I was sent to work on his riding campaign by the Green Party for the 2019 election. I was immediately impressed with how genuine and caring he was. I’ve worked with too many politicians who are in it for the wrong reasons – it was refreshing to see someone in it for the right reasons. He listens, wants everyone to be involved, and his message of unity, progress, and ethics resonated with me. I firmly believe David is the best option to be the next leader of the Green Party.”
Maia Knight – Online National Tour Coordinator
Maia (she/her) lives on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. She is our Online National Tour Coordinator. Maia is going into her second year of Journalism and Political Science at Carleton University in Ottawa. She is especially interested in climate action and served as the President of her high school’s Eco Council. In 2017, she became a Climate Reality Leader with the Climate Reality Project. A longtime supporter of the Green Party, Maia became our 2019 candidate in her home riding of Ajax, Ontario. During the election, she also worked at the Green Call Centre in Ottawa as a phone canvasser.
“I chose to volunteer for David’s campaign because I truly believe that he is the best candidate to lead the party. I think his ideas about supporting the party at a grassroots level by empowering volunteers on the ground are what the party needs. Most importantly, David inspires me with his vision and he is not afraid to create space for others to lead as well. He truly walks the walk.”
Blair Robertson – National Tour Organizer & Financial Agent
Blair (he/him) graduated from McMaster University this year with an undergraduate degree in commerce, specializing in accounting and minoring in political science. He played varsity football in his first two years at Mac before leaving the team and becoming fully engaged with the Green Party. Last summer, he joined the campaign in Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke as part of a youth program that brought 30 Young Greens together from across Canada. Now, he is our National Tour Organizer and Financial Agent on our Leadership campaign.
“I was a part of the Paint the Island Green internship with David on Vancouver Island. It was my first experience in an actual campaign, and I was able to see firsthand how driven, focused, and intelligent David is as a candidate. It was a clear choice for me when it came to deciding who I wanted to help become the next Leader of the GPC.”
Corrina Serda – Communications
Corrina (she/her) is a young Mexican Communications professional who lives on-reserve in Neyaashiinigmiing with her Anishinaabe partner Darcy and son Creegan. She is working on David’s communications team for his campaign.
Corrina was raised to have great respect for the environment and concern for the continued impact humans are having on the world around them. In 2009, she was honoured to receive an Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year award for being an active volunteer on environmental issues. She was a campaign manager for the Green Party in her riding, both provincially and federally in the 2011 elections. As well, in 2014 she ran her own municipal campaign where she received over 20% of the vote and was only 300 votes shy of winning the second seat in her ward. In her downtime, Corrina enjoys hanging out with her rabbits and foraging in the forests near her house.
“I was disillusioned with the party for a long time. When I found out there was a Leadership race on, and that a candidate with the potential to reunite the party was running, I renewed my membership and agreed to volunteer on David’s campaign! David’s vision for the party, leadership style and ability to truly listen to all, regardless of age, race, or gender, is what drew me back into the party.”
IT IS TIME TO GROW!
New leadership keeps us relevant, helps to grow the party, and generates excitement. Now is the best time to bring in new Greens.
- In a small party, each voice is heard and we get to know each other very well.
- We are a rising star ! Friends and family can get in on the ground floor now!
- Votes really matter! To put it in perspective, if one small town recruited everyone to vote, that town could decide the outcome of the leadership race, as well as Canada’s environmental and social legacy. Your friends and family could tip the scales!
- It is such a small commitment. For $10, you get a vote and a membership in the party. Join us in helping to bring about sustainable change across Canada.
So let’s make it interesting!
We’re holding a contest. Bring members into the party and win something awesome! The person who signs up the most new voting members will win one of the following.
- A day hiking with me in a green spot near you . I’ll come to your house, pick you up, and we’ll go for a beautiful hike. You decide how long you want to hike, and I’ll buy lunch!
- I’ll donate $100 to a charity of your choice . You pick it and I’ll fund it!
- We will plant a tree in your honour! Anyone who signs up two or more people as new members will have a tree planted in their honour. We’ll even send you pictures.
To qualify, ask your new member to go to davidmerner.com , click on “Join the Party”, then emailvote.merner@greenparty.ca to let us know that you referred the new member. We will keep score! Let the Green wave begin!
NOMINATIONS
The Green Party requires all candidates to gather 150 signatures before September 1. We only need five more from Quebec. Can you help?
Here’s how, in less than 5 minutes:
- Click the “ Nominate ” button below;
- Name of contestant: select “ David Merner ”;
- Consent to the candidacy: check the box;
- Fill out the rest of the form and submit ;
- Check your email after submitting as you should receive a confirmation email ; and
- Reply to the email to confirm your nomination.
NOTE: if you have Gmail, the Green party confirmation email may not go into your main inbox. Please check your “promotions” tab to ensure you don’t miss the email. Your reply email to the Green Party can be as simple as follows:
Hello,
I would like to confirm my intent to be a nominator of David Merner
Thank you,
(Insert your name)
DONATIONS WELCOME
Every campaign comes down to the candidate, the volunteers, and fundraising. Our campaign is working across this huge country to help make Canadian politics better.
On the east coast, we are still living through the effects of overfishing our cod stocks. On our west coast, pipelines full of fracked gas and bitumen are putting our coasts, salmon, and killer whales in danger. In the north, thawing permafrost is causing havoc. In Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario, our governments have no real plan for a safe return to schools. Governments of all political stripes are failing again and again to take meaningful action on the climate emergency.
To help in the fight on these issues, we need a leader who can communicate to all Canadians in English and in French. We need a leader willing to take the political road less traveled, someone who can stand up for Canadians.
Can you help us out by donating? No amount is too small! (And the maximum is $1625.)
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
“My name is David Zhang and I live in Victoria, BC — a very beautiful place. I am a new Green Party member of several months, and I believe in and support the ideas of the Green Party. In the last federal election campaign, I began to do some volunteer work as a Data Analyst on David’s campaign in Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke. This gave me an opportunity to get to know the local community. After the federal election, I continued to do some data analysis supporting David. In this leadership campaign, I am volunteering as part of David’s data team.”
我是David Zhang，居住在美丽的加拿大哥伦比亚省维多利亚市。虽然我成为绿党党员仅短短几个月，但我理解和支持绿党的理念。从2019年联邦选取以来，我开始以数据分析师身份参与一些志愿者工作，同时我也有机会接触和了解本地社区和文化。之后，我也一直做一些数据方面的工作支持David Merner。本次绿党党魁选举，我继续作为数据分析志愿者支持David Merner.
JOIN OUR TEAM
Join the movement to elect a true grassroots leader who will unite the Green Party and empower news and existing members. As our campaign grows, we need volunteers to help with everything from phone outreach, to media and communications, fundraising, event planning and research. Training and guidance will be provided. It is a great opportunity to get involved in a winning leadership campaign and to campaign at the national level.
To volunteer, please email us at: vote.merner@greenparty.ca .
SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS
We need your support! If you would be willing to take five minutes and share information about our campaign with your friends and family, we would greatly appreciate it. It can be as simple as a message saying:
Hello! I’ve been supporting David Merner’s campaign for Leader of the Green Party of Canada. David is strongly committed to equality, inclusion, diversity, justice and ethical leadership. If you have a few minutes, check out his website at davidmerner.com to find out more!
WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK
University of Waterloo Young 
Greens – in person
Saturday August 15, 3:00 PM Eastern Time
200 University Ave W – Across from EV3 Building
*Covid19 social distancing precautions will be observed*
Co-Host: facebook.com/UWgreens
St. Catherine’s, ON – in person
Sunday August 16, 7:00 PM Eastern Time
Montebello Park – 64 Ontario St. – meet near Pavilion
*Covid19 social distancing precautions will be observed*
Co-host: facebook.com/niagaragreens
Niagara Falls, ON – in person
Monday August 17, 12:00 Noon, Eastern Time
Fireman’s Park – 2275 Dorchester Rd.
*Covid19 social distancing precautions will be observed*
Co-host: facebook.com/niagaragreens
Grimsby, ON – in person
Monday August 17, 4:00 PM Eastern Time
Centennial Park (at the covered pavilion) – 108 Main St E
*Covid19 social distancing precautions will be observed*
Co-host: facebook.com/niagaragreens
Hamilton and Niagara Region
Monday August 17, 7:00 PM Eastern Time
Zoom – Click here
Legalization from a Health Perspective with Dr. Courtney Howard
Tuesday Aug 18, 4:00 PM PST/ 7:00 PM EST
Zoom – Click here
Vancouver East with David Merner
Wednesday Aug 19, 7:00 PM PST
Peterborough, ON – in person
Wednesday Aug 19, 6:00 PM Eastern Time
Millenium Park – 131 King St
*Covid19 social distancing precautions will be observed*
Co-Host: facebook.com/GreenPartyPtbo
The Future of Canada with Judy Green
Thursday August 20, 4:00 PM Pacific Time / 8:00 PM Atlantic Time
Zoom – Click here
Also, join me on Zoom every Saturday at 11:00 AM Pacific / 2:00 PM Eastern for our weekly chat. All event details are at www.davidmerner.com – click on “Events”.
HOW TO HELP
SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow our campaign on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to keep up to date with events, Green Party policy, and campaign updates!
Thank you again for your support. We have just under one month to the September 3 “cut off date” for memberships, so please encourage your family members, friends, and neighbours to join the Green Party of Canada!
Sincerely,
David