By Canadian Press

Green leader casts ballot in B.C. riding, calls election a climate referendum

Oct 21, 2019 | 3:25 PM

SIDNEY, B.C. — Elizabeth May says the federal election campaign was a referendum on the fight against climate change and the Green party put forward the best battle plan.

The Green leader voted Monday at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Sidney, B.C., in her home riding of Saanich-Gulf Islands.

“It’s a climate referendum,” she said about the campaign. “It’s the issue on peoples minds. Clearly, we’re the only party that has a policy on climate that is grounded on science.”

The Greens promised to stop the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project and pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 60 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, if elected. The party also pledged to plant 10 billion trees over the next 30 years to reduce carbon and recover vast areas of land devastated by wildfires across Canada.

The Greens held two seats at the start of the campaign and hoped for a breakthrough on Monday. Green candidates were believed to be in tight races in several ridings on Vancouver Island and were considered a factor in some Atlantic Canada constituencies.

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“We did get our message out there,” said May. “It’s a critical election for Canada and for our kids and grand kids, and I’ve got my fingers crossed every which way for people showing up at the ballot box and voting for what their kids need.”

She said she spent part of her election day sending messages of thanks to young children from across Canada who wished her luck.

“I’ve had so many messages of encouragement,” said May. “I’ve been going through messages and notes from children and it leaves you feeling very inspired.”

She said many of the children say they are too young to vote, but are trying to convince their parents and grandparents to vote Green.

This report by the Canadian Press was first published Oct. 21, 2019.

Dirk Meissner, The Canadian Press