OTTAWA – After a meeting Saturday night in Victoria, the extraordinary situation of a tie arose between the two candidates vying for the Green Party nomination in the as-yet to be called federal by-election. “We do have rules in place in the event of a tie, but we wanted to make sure that we carefully reviewed the best way forward, so that both of the candidates felt comfortable,” said Party President Mark MacKenzie. After personal reflection, candidate Trevor Moat decided to throw his support behind Donald Galloway, who will now go forward as the Green Party candidate.
“I am very grateful for the confidence shown in me by the membership of the Green Party of Canada in Victoria. Although I was declared the winning candidate in the race, I did not receive the clear majority of the vote at the nomination meeting as I had sought. After my acceptance speech I learned that the vote had been split exactly 50/50 between Donald Galloway and me, and that the decision in favour of my nomination had been made by coin toss, in accordance with the rules to which we had both subscribed. I requested time to reflect on this unprecedented and unanticipated result to determine what would be best for the Green Party, and for me, in light of learning that my nomination was not based on a numerical majority,” said Mr. Moat.
“I stated in the first words of my nomination speech that I entered the race with the sole intention of seeing a Green Party candidate from Victoria elected to the House of Commons in this by-election. To that end I remain fully committed. I have reached the conclusion that Donald Galloway is best-positioned to win this important contest. He has earned my full support in reaching that objective from this point forward,” added Mr. Moat.
“Donald Galloway has a fully established team of volunteers in-place; he has been an advisor to the Green Party of Canada for some time and is well-acquainted with the organization and with the workings of government; he is endorsed by many leading names in academic circles and in the environmental movement; he's well-known nationally as an expert in immigration and human rights law. I share Donald's passionate commitment to defeat the present federal government and to change the way in which our governments are elected. I urge all members who voted for me in the recent nomination meeting, and the people of Victoria generally, to turn their equal support with mine behind Donald's campaign. The times have never been better - nor more vital - to turn Victoria Green,” concluded Mr. Moat.
"Trevor Moat is a wonderfully generous and selfless man. Thanks to his offer of support we found a positive way to emerge out of a most unusual situation. I know that we are on the same team working for the same goal of electing another Green Member of Parliament," said Donald Galloway. “I look forward to working with Elizabeth on protecting the values of our great country."
Professor Galloway specializes in immigration law, refugee law and citizenship law. He is a former member of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada and is the Green Party shadow cabinet critic on immigration and citizenship. He has been the recipient of the Bora Laskin National Fellowship in Human Rights Research and has authored and co-authored two texts on Immigration Law. He was the founding President of the Canadian Association of Refugee and Forced Migration Studies and is currently a member of the executive of the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers.
-30-
Media Contact:
Stéphane Vigneault
Communications Coordinator, Green Party of Canada
cell: 613.614.4916