Where our party stands in this election. An alternative worth looking at.

Where We Stand
Message from Green Party of Canada leader Jim Harris

In the 2004 federal election, the Green Party of Canada changed the face of Canadian politics. For the first time, Canadians were introduced to the Green Party's way of doing politics. Defying expectations, we fielded a full slate of 308 candidates and made certain that every Canadian had an opportunity to cast a vote for social progress, environmental sustainability, and governmental accountability. And a record number of Canadians, almost 600,000, joined with us in that vision.

You'll discover in this election campaign that the Green Party, unlike other political parties, is uniquely placed to defend the Canada that we cherish, a Canada that is built on compassion, integrity and accountability. The Green Party can restore Canadian values of fairness, equality and justice needed to bridge the growing gap between government and citizens, and between businesses and the communities in which they operate. And only the Green Party will protect our natural heritage as the foundation of a healthy society.

In this election, our message is simple.

- We can have a government that is truly accountable to Canadians, by renewing our democratic institutions to bring integrity back to public office.

- We can have a Canada that protects our air, soil and water while developing a strong, sustainable economy.

- We can move beyond our basic Kyoto commitments to make Canada a world leader in combating climate change.

- We can have a Canada that works for all communities, by honouring First Nation rights to self-government, Quebec's rightful place in our federation, and the promise that new Canadians bring to our communities from coast to coast to coast. The Green Party's Canada is inclusive and progressive, where our values of diversity, tolerance and compassion ensure that no one is left behind.

Together, we can meet these challenges. Unlike other political parties more concerned with short-term political survival, the Green Party's first priority is the world we will leave for our children and grandchildren.

Not only do we look to improve quality of life for this generation, the Green Party also has the courage to look further, to where we want to be as a country for generations to come. In fact, no other party in Canada brings this type of far-sighted approach to policy. The Green Party is the only political party that is beholden solely to the interests of each and every Canadian – today and in the future.

Our platform stresses accountability – for elected officials, corporate leaders and Canadian citizens alike.

Our environmental policies promise long-term sustainability and international leadership. We focus not just on health care, but on health, maintaining health, and preventing illness. Our social programs focus on comprehensive approaches and equal access for all Canadians. Our fiscal plan seeks to achieve these results in a prudent and balanced manner. Our foreign policies focus on peace and fair trade.

I have been involved with the Green Party for 17 years and today I am proud of our party's ability to provide you with a real alternative to the old ways of doing things.

Please join with the hundreds of thousands of Canadians like yourself who, in this election, will help elect Green Party MPs to Parliament.

Because together, we can.

Jim Harris
Leader
Green Party of Canada

The Green Party vision

As the new kid on the block, we appreciate that many Canadians want to know more about the Green Party of Canada, who we are and what we stand for. It's difficult to stick old-style political labels on us, because we're neither a party of the left nor a party of the right. For us, good ideas are simply good ideas. So, who is the Green Party?

We are socially responsible and inclusive. That means: health, not just health care, lessening financial obstacles for post-secondary students, affordable housing, working with aboriginal communities to improve well-being and self-governance, properly funding arts and culture, supporting immigrant communities, and more.

We are environmentally sensitive and innovative. That means: promoting energy conservation, and the conservation of wildlife, habitats, and natural ecosystems, shifting to a green economy, building mass transit and transportation systems that make ecological sense, reducing greenhouse gases and respecting the Kyoto Accord. We believe that those who pollute should pay the full cost of remediation and any damages arising from their recklessness. We have a strong vision for a sustainable society, one that respects all citizens and the natural environment that sustains us.

We are conservationists and trusted guardians of Canada's natural wealth. From depleted fish stocks to contaminated water to clear-cutting old growth forests, poor management of ecosystems has resulted in the loss of species and jobs as well as the disintegration and displacement of village communities built around these ecosystems. We can help strengthen our economy by conserving our ecology.

We are prudent. We don't like to waste money, we will reform the tax system so that our spending better reflects the goals of a healthy and safe Canada, we want to address Canada's fiscal imbalance. We reject red tape simply for the sake of red tape. And we believe Canadian sovereignty and the interests of Canadian citizens must always take precedence in trade negotiations.

We are sound financial managers. We know that the full-cost of many activities is not always found in the financial bottom line, we believe in living within our means, we know that Canada's changing demographic reality will place greater burdens on our society, and we know that reducing poverty rates will benefit all Canadians.

We are democratically representative. That means: adopting a proportional representative electoral system, renewing our political institutions, restoring people's trust in government, and connecting with community groups and citizen-based movements that are giving us the progressive tools of a more accountable and participatory society.

We can build healthy communities and a healthy country. And together, we can again inspire Canadians.

The Green Party of Canada will be launching a comprehensive platform during the election campaign.