In its first appearance in a provincial election on P.E.I., the Green Party placed third in the party standings, earning three per cent of the overall vote.
Party leader Sharon Labchuk said she's ecstatic about how her party did overall.
"For the first time out, we wanted to present a broad vision for Islanders, a green vision, and I think we accomplished that," she said at the post-election party at Brennan's in Charlottetown.
Labchuk said the Green Party didn't focus on the "nuts and bolts of managing government money and finances.
"We've got different economic ideas and that was really the purpose of this election for us, to introduce ourselves."
The Green Party wasn't prepared for a spring provincial election, Labchuk admitted, adding she and many of
her supporters were anticipating a federal election in the spring and were focusing on that.
"This was a campaign we ran by the seat of our pants," she said. "So at the last minute, I got 18 amazing candidates, every last one was credible. That's what I'm most
happy about and most proud of."
As for the Liberal sweep, Labchuk said she was a little disappointed at the way elections seem to go, from one extreme to the next.
"All of a sudden you end up with a party with a majority of the seats, but they don't have the majority of the vote."
Labchuk said she's looking forward to working with new premier Robert Ghiz.
She also said she would like to see proportional representation next time around so that "we won't have these crazy swings."
The fourth place finisher in Monday's results was the Island's New Democratic Party.
NDP Leader Dean Constable said the party was disappointed its overall results weren't higher, but said he wasn't too surprised.
"When there's the two main parties battling for what's perceived to be close and there's mood for change, (you) see more people go back to the mainline parties. So it's to be expected I guess, in an election of this sort."
Constable said he's proud of what his party accomplished during the campaign in making the Liberals and Conservatives look at issues such as the low minimum wage and getting the leaders of those parties to commit to raise the minimum wage.
"That's a commitment we'll be holding the premier to, because it's a commitment that workers in this province can't afford to have him (back down from)."
The party will now work to build up its organization in the province and gain support for future elections, Constable said, adding he has no intentions on stepping down as party leader.
Green Party finishes third in first provincial election campaign
- Published on May 29th, 2007
- Published on June 15th, 2010
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Labchuk ecstatic about performance; NDP will work to build organization
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Comments
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- Scott
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:43:11
I agree with the green party in the fact that they want to help the environment, but really, we can't do it to the extreme that they want. Orgranic farming is ok yes, but province wide, it just wouldn't work.
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- JL
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:41:59
Individuals such as #3 represent the uninformed status quo mindset that simpleton Islanders continue to exhibit.
Such as voting like sheep for PCs and Liberals and never venturing beyond their comfort zone.
But sadly, Green parties only really prosper in jurisdictions with a proportionately larger number of voters who are university educated and have a better understanding of such issues.
That will never happen on this Island, so we might as well let everyone poison each other and get cancer.
Meanwhile, the smart ones continue to leave, for their health, and for better economic opportunities.
Unfortunately they don't realize that Green politics would help on both accounts. -
- Resolve Boys
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:41:56
JL...i think everyone is behind me when i say your opinion has been heard...and quite frankly we dont care what you think because u think ur right about everything and yet u prob know less than me and i know nothing about politics..so why dont u quit while your ahead.
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- JL
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:37:50
Of course I don't know that you don't have cancer and for that I do apologize, but you don't know that my family hasn't been affected (which it has) and for which reason is why I am spitting mad at the Liberal-PC hegemony which enshrouds this Island with status quo policies that are harmful to this population.
Reform the system, get rid of the status quo gatekeepers (Liberals and PCs) and put in people who have no party label on their shoulder to DO WHAT IS RIGHT.... -
- Resolve Boys
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:35:09
Dont you be getting mouthy with us James Clement.. although i do now understand what JL was sayin, but still dont be gettin mouthy
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- JL
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:33:03
Suit yourself #12. It's a democracy and voices of dissent within a corrupted system must be heard.
But don't come crying to me for more tax money for a health care system when you have colo-rectal cancer and your eyes are falling out because you support the idiots that let people spray pesticides.
Good luck! -
- oldguy
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:29:18
Robin: Good point about all the Cancer fund raising - usually breast cancer (no one ever runs for testicles). Cancer research is a career - a long and prosperous one. I suspect that folks in this billion dollar industry have a vested interest in not hurrying cures along. And when they do come up with a drug to cure or delay a cancer, it costs $500/$1,000 a pop. If you have some extra cash, invest in Big Pharm.
For nore info: http://www.cbc.ca/consumers/market/files/health/cancer/blame.html -
- Deb
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:25:53
Hey JL - I know I'm not nearly as educated or as smart as you and all those who have left our beautiful Island - but do tell - where is this utopia of great economic wealth and that poses no threat to our health in it's pristine environment.
By the way, congrats to Sharon on her work keeping us aware of environmental issues! -
- Fidel
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:18:08
Congrats to you personally, Sharon. There is always the possibility that you will save us Islanders from being poisoned to death in spite of ourselves. The real sadness is that you have to. Excellant campainge, I,m sure Islanders haven,t heard the last of the Green. See you in four more years
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- JL
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:17:28
#6... but the real loser is you and the average voter out there.
All we have done is transfer the problem (poor governance) from one party (PC) to another party (Liberal), without changing what is truly wrong with the system.
There are 41% of Islanders who are now represented by 4 MLAs, and there are 7% of Islanders (NDP and Green) who have no MLA.
Why did Binns scuttle electoral reform and gerrymander the ridings? And why did his supposed arch-enemies the Liberals support him, in complete lock step ?
There is a PC-Liberal or Liberal-PC conspiracy on this Island. It's tied in with the criminal patronage system and is guaranteed to give one of these parties complete and absolute power.
And guess what happens when that occurs Charlie? Or do you still have your dunce cap on over in the corner of the classroom there... What grade is it you've been in for 40 years? Grade 5 or 6 ?
Anyway, we have a broken system and the rot that seeps from Province House and the fifth floor south of the Shaw Building is only going to continue.
I have no faith that Mr. Ghiz will fix this joke of a system.
And I wish to God that the environment could have been the big issue in this campaign, instead of 'change', Polar Foods, credit cards, schools and hospitals.
I also wish to God that Binns hadn't jumped on the environmental bandwagon and led people to believe he was green. Throwing up mega-project wind farms and high-tension power lines is not green. Reducing consumption is.
It's all a smoke screen by the agri-business and political establishment to avoid the real questions in this campaign, which should have been:
#1 Why does PEI have a statistically higher than normal rate of numerous rare cancers, particularly near industrial potato farming centres?
#2 Why is over 50% of our ground water heavily contaminated with nitrates and run-off from chemical fertilizers and peticide dioxins?
#3 Why does our province have the highest rate of asthma and other lung diseases in the nation?
#4 Why is the Northumberland Strait becoming an aquatic dead zone with ever declining lobster landings and die-offs of other marine life?
#5 Why do we still allow farming practises that result in fish kills and heavy siltation and pesticide run-off?
#6 Why do we not have province-wide land use zoning which regulates the subdivision of farm land and reduces conflicting uses? -
- Resolve Boys
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:12:38
Come on Now JL, dont be bringing medical stuff into this how do u know that i dont have cancer of some kind,. Dont be an dumb and have some respect that has nothing to do with this
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- JL
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:08:40
Suit yourself #12. It's a democracy and voices of dissent within a corrupted system must be heard.
But don't come crying to me for more tax money for a health care system when you have colo-rectal cancer and your eyes are falling out because you support the idiots that let people spray pesticides.
Good luck! -
- Martin
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:07:54
Congratulations Green Party! I would have voted for you if you had a candidate in my riding.
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- Resolve Boys
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:57:32
Hey JL how come i keep seeing your name and all ur doing is bad mouthing everyone and being an idiot..Guess What..Liberals won and thats how it is so stop being a loser,
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- Crystal
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:56:56
GOOD STUFF green party...40 years too late Im not laying blame but noone can save us now...
We are all entitled to express our opinions freely-No need of name calling and cheep digs there boys.No matter Who the hell runs it we live in the best Country ever! -
- robin
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:54:51
your all a sad lot.
I agree that party politics suck on PEI.
But thats the case in general in canada.
You can see everyone playing the games and trying to do as little as possible.
It would be too dramatic a change for the greens to get in. really, it would people dont like change. Even if it was the theme...
I would like to see a time when people voted for the person not the party, I imagine some do but not the majority of voters on PEI or in CANADA.
PEI is still awesome either way you slice it and I think the environment is only 1/2 the problem. Health system is in danger because because cheap foods are bad and good foods are expensive. I say double tax poor food choices and tax free the good food.
Drug companys really dont want to solve anything, or they wouldnt have customers.
Is it me or is run for the cure and all the cancer fundraising a little bit much. We should have cured cancer 20 times over... -
- Karen
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:53:52
Congradulations, Sharon, on your great victory!! Your party is now the 3rd political party here on PEI. This is great news on how people are becoming more aware, and will just continue to become more and more aware, before long, your party will be in the lead, as #1!! It will happen, over time, maybe even sooner than you expect. Again I thank you for making me aware, of all the pei dangers!
Without you, I and many others wouldn't of known, about our water, and other issues! Unforunately I am sadden to say that it is a farmer who has won the seat in my area. But Mr. Larkin, did a great job, he as yourself would make a great leader for the Green Party here on PEI!Keep up the good work, and I as others will also continue to spead the word!
Thank you, and congradulations to our party of the future THE GREEN PARTY ! -
- jack
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:51:18
This news article has made no sence to me at all it wa very difficult to find information. I'll probably fail my social class thanks to you reporters, sincerly Jack N
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- Sara
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:48:36
Good job first time out green party- I would have voted for you too if there was a candidate in my district (11)
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- D
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:47:17
While I care about the envioronment, I would never vote for a party Sharon Labchuck is part of.
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- Resolve Boys
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:42:33
Dont you be getting mouthy with us James Clement.. although i do now understand what JL was sayin, but still dont be gettin mouthy
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- Scott
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:40:55
While I appreciate your comments JL from PEI, I AM university educated and I don't follow the sheep. I know what I want, and it's a clean environment, but not in the fashion that the Green Party plans on doing it.
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- Charlie
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:38:50
I voted Liberal this time around but was very happy to see the Green Party field some candidates in this election and would have liked have seen a seat or two go to them. If they can begin to build their party from this impressive start, they will almost certainly have a voice in the legislature after the next election. Kudos to them.
With all the environment related issues these days, Prince Edward Island definitely needs a voice for the environment, just a little less radical. Labchuck should find someone with a little less baggage to take over the leadership of this fledgling party.
But good on her anyway for getting the environment into the game.
Cheers Greens -
- James
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:38:16
Congrats , greens. Great job Sharon - many mainstream commentators have been applauding your honest and clearly articulated contributions to the election campaign. Thats a major achievement, recognition has always been hard to come by in the two-horse press.
(RESOLVE BOYS: everyone is not behind your statement regarding JL. while his posts are passionate and sometimes harsh to individual posters, I agree with his overall view. When faced with poisoned air and water, strong words and rapid change are in order) -
- Scott
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:35:55
Well said Resolve Boys!
