Kicking Down the Door

I recently spent August 8-11th in Guelph Ontario working on Mike Nagy’s bi-election campaign. The Guelph campaign is one of three federal bi-elections currently underway in Canada.

"What", you may ask, "is the deputy leader of the provincial Green Party doing in Guelph working on a federal campaign"? Well, besides having the opportunity to spend time with great friends in one of Ontario’s more interesting cities, simply put, I’m helping kick down the door.

You see, this bi-election is not just any bi-election. In fact it’s difficult to overestimate the importance of a win by Mike Nagy and it’s significance for Canada and Ontario. A win in Guelph will significantly change the political landscape and the course of history in Canada.

Now, in case at this point you think that I’ve lost my mind and become sucked into some black hole of inwardly focused delusional thinking, consider these 3 facts:

1. A win in Guelph would guarantee Federal Green Party leader Elizabeth May, a spot in the televised leaders debates in the next general election.

Aside from finally making the debate tolerable to watch, Ms. May's presence would have a profound effect on the outcome of the federal election. If in doubt, think back to late 1980’s when Deborah Grey won a bi-election seat for the Reform party. Then leader Preston Manning, was invited to the leaders’ debate and presto!...52 seats in parliament.
Now, compare the dynamism and vision of Mr. Manning with that of Elizabeth May…hmmm. If you’ve ever heard Elizabeth May speak publicly, you know what I mean. Pardon the boxing metaphor, but after the other four leaders go three rounds with Ms. May there won’t be any need for a ten count. Whilst the others yammer away at each other in usual fashion, Ms. May will be articulating an ambitious and sensible vision for the future of Canada.

2. A win in Guelph will legitimize the Green Party for the masses of fence sitters, naysayers, disillusioned types, and bandwagoners.

This will unleash a wave of green support and electoral success across the country at both the federal and provincial levels. Let’s face it, most voters (and non-voters) follow the wave rather than lead it. This is not a bad thing in itself. Agitated political junkies like me are not the norm in society and most folks just don’t consider Canadian politics the most engaging use of spare time. This is of course the main reason that some traditional parties like the electoral system just the way it is. The momentum required to break into the system is immense. It does however keep the extreme views from infiltrating the system…wait, scratch that. I just remembered who’s in power.

3. A win in Guelph will give Mike Nagy and the Green Party the platform needed to begin a shift in the direction and the quality of the political debate in Canada.

Everything from access to the press & office space, to Mr. Nagy’s much needed voice in parliament, means that Canadians will hear with much more frequency, the inspired and pragmatic ideas and policies of green minded Canadians. Mike Nagy is a capable and dynamic citizen who will bring a fresh viewpoint and some much needed respectability to parliament. This is good for Canada, regardless of your political colours.

So, I’ll be back in Guelph next weekend and likely the one after that, taking a metaphorical battering ram to the doors of the Canadian political system. I invite you to do the same. Time is running short to address the economic, social, and environmental crises that we are facing. If the traditional parties were going to do anything proactive about these challenges, they would have by now.

It’s time to smash the doors of our exclusive political system to splinters. You only get to keep a piece if you show up.