On eve of leadership choice, Canada’s Greens confront anti-Semitism in their ranks
Posted on 01 October 2020
By David Akin Global News
October 1, 2020
Human rights lawyer Annamie Paul heads into the final hours of the race to succeed Elizabeth May as leader of the Green Party of Canada as the candidate to beat.
According to figures provided by the party itself, Paul, as of Aug. 31, leads all eight remaining candidates on two key fundraising metrics. She has raised the most money — $186,326 — and has the most contributors — 1,622.
The winner of the race will be announced Saturday night.
In a field remarkable for the diversity of both the personal stories of the candidates as well as the policies they are proposing, Paul has tried to position herself in the middle, as a kind of Green populist who wants to move the party more into the mainstream of Canadian politics.STORY CONTINUES BELOW ADVERTISEMENT
At one point in the party’s history, it might have been enough for Green politicians to be satisfied if they forced the issues they care about — climate change (obviously) but also democratic reform — on to the mainstream political agenda.
No more. Greens, having tasted what’s it like to hold the balance of power in legislatures in B.C. and New Brunswick, are now keen to win more seats.
“We believe that we can win seats with integrity, with good public policy, with evidence-based public policy and that’s what it’s about for me,” Paul said in an interview earlier this week.
But as popular as Paul has been with many Green supporters, there have been other Green party members and supporters who have attacked her — for being Jewish.
Read in full: On eve of leadership choice, Canada’s Greens confront anti-Semitism in their ranks