VICTORIA, B.C. – Green Party candidates on southern Vancouver Island are disappointed by the NDP candidates’ misrepresentation of the Green Party’s policies on abortion and family supports. This week, the NDP paid for leaflets and radio ads that make false claims about Green Party positions.
Let's be clear: The Green Party has always supported family social services, will always support a woman's right to choose, and has proposed an increase in funding for abortion services.
Negative campaign tactics suppress voter turnout. "This kind of US-style attack politics, full of lies and misrepresentations, turns voters off the political process altogether,” said Paul Manly, Green Party candidate for Nanaimo-Ladysmith. “We're looking at the prospect of a minority government which will require cross-party cooperation. This type of mudslinging is out of step with that reality. These NDP attacks are cynical and desperate, and I expect their use of dirty tactics will backfire on them."
Lydia Hwitsum, Green Party candidate for Cowichan-Malahat-Langford said: “All parties and candidates need to be working collaboratively on the important issues of climate change and social policy. This ploy by the NDP candidates is another time-wasting, diversionary tactic that is keeping us from discussing real issues.”
Political advertising is funded through political contributions for which Canadian voters receive an income tax credit. These are effectively taxpayer dollars that have been wasted. All parties and candidates should be working to improve the level of political discourse in Canada.
David Merner, Green Party candidate for Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke, said: "Canadians are tired of this kind of misrepresentation in political advertising. Such old-style politics has no place in Canada in 2019."
Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada: "I give voters my word that Greens will continue to campaign with a positive message. We are the only party with a climate plan with any hope of holding to 1.5 degrees, as the IPCC warns must be done. We are committed to social justice, reconciliation, women’s rights and fairness to workers. All of our plans and policies are on line, and confirmed in our budget. We are opposed to austerity. Anyone who says otherwise is misleading you."
Background: Canadians who donate to a federal political party or an individual candidate’s campaign receive a federal political tax credit of 75 per cent on the first $400 donated. On amounts between $400 and $750, the tax credit rate is 50 per cent and then 33 ⅓ per cent on donations between $750 and $1,275, for a maximum tax credit of $650. The NDP has wasted thousands of dollars on this campaign to mislead voters.
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Media Contacts:
Green Party of Canada.
Rosie Emery
Press Secretary
613-562-4916x206
[email protected]
Cowichan-Malahat-Langford. Campaign to Elect Lydia Hwitsum.
Kerry Davis, Campaign Manager
[email protected]
Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke. Campaign to Elect David Merner
Tim Lowan, Press Secretary
[email protected]
Nanaimo-Ladysmith. Campaign to Re-elect Paul Manly
Ilan Goldenblatt, Campaign Manager
[email protected]
Saanich Gulf Islands. Campaign to Re-elect Elizabeth May
Erin Bremner-Mitchell, Communications Team Member
[email protected]
Victoria. Campaign to Elect Racelle Kooy
Phil Spidle, Campaign Manager
[email protected]