What a perfect day! It was the first official event of the first Green MP -- a rally in Guelph to support Mike Nagy's campaign. Hundreds came out on this beautiful day of celebration. If you have fantastic pictures email them to me at [email protected] and I'll add them!
It was a rally of laughter and celebration. Not only is Guelph Going Green, the TV leaders debates will be going Green -- and all of Canada is going Green!
Mike presents Blair with a Guelph's Going Green T-shirt
Towards the end of the rally Mike called his Sharon his wife and Frazer his son up on stage along with Campaign Manger Stan Kozak, Ben Polley who won 9,635 votes in the provincial election just 10 months ago, Blair Wilson, Elizabeth and her daughter Victoria Cate it was a great moment
Hundreds of supporters came out on this perfect day!
Singer/song writer David Cox played his original tune that's the soundtrack of the amazing YouTube video Why Vote Green? See the video at http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=9VvdG_RL7qY -- thanks to Aelwynn Swanson who shot the vid. When you see the video rate it, comment on it, favourite it to drive it higher in the rankings.
One of the rally speakers, 11-year old Ben Syms Wilson (who is stading on a cooler to reach the microphone) just recorded a radio ad this week that's playing on the Guelph airwaves, explaining why it's important to vote Green. He's campainging for the Green Party because he wants his children to have a future where they can breathe the air. His mother was surprised when he made the commitment to help the campaign -- because she learned when Ben spoke that she was going to have grandchildren.
Lots of children were out at the event -- and buttons were really big with this group.
You just gotta love the Ottawa Citizen headline
CTV in KW was all over this story
At least 15 candidates from Ontario came out to join the hundreds of supporters welcoming Blair to the Green Party -- and they were all delighted to welcome Blair into the party. Everyone is also totally pumped that Mike Nagy is tracking to win the Guelph by-election
Victoria Kate was one of four young Greens who addressed the crowd
Green Party by-election candidates Mike Nagy & Dr. Georgina Wilcock (Don Valley West) with Blair Wilson and me
Blair eats a burger while Mark Kersten ponders the moment
Welcoming Blair into the fold of the Green Party was one of the most exciting days for me in my 20 years as a Green, for reasons outlined in the blog and second response below
Andrew James, Lee Hamu, Ste D'Sa, Marcha James are all smiles while Ella James is not so sure (but isn't she cute??!!)
Amanda Judd who when she experienced how amazing Mike's campaign is, at the Young Greens weekend, went back home, quit her job and moved to Guelph to campaign for the last few weeks! That's impressive!!
I love this picture. Thanks to Amanda Judd for it!
Looking to a Greener future Blair, Elizabeth & Mike are changing Canada!
I just had to upload this -- the front of the first peice of literature that was dropped to every household in Guelph weeks ago. I just love it!
Blog from the Day Before the Event
Today is a day of days. It's the first day of a new era. It's a day that you don't want to miss. Come to Guelph today. There are tectonic forces at work in Canadian politics.
I imagine it's like being in Berlin the day the Berlin Wall fell. It's like being in South Africa when Nelson Mandela was liberated from jail -- or the day he was inaugurated as President. Imagine being in Berlin or South Africa while history was shifting . . .
We are in such a moment. Funny thing is -- not everyone sees or feels the moment in terms of how profound it is until later, when history books are written. Carpe Diem! Seize the day -- today is the day we all get to be part of history. It's the day we'll tell our grandchildren about -- I was there when . . .
Meet Canada’s first Green MP in Guelph today (Sunday, August 31)! Blair Wilson, the former independent MP who is now the Green Party’s first MP in Parliament, comes to Guelph with Elizabeth May to support Mike Nagy’s campaign.
Be part of this historic moment. There's an interesting saying "opportunity comes to pass not to pause." Twenty-five years of hard work by Greens all across Canada has brought the party to such a point where now we have a Green MP. The Green Shift has happened. Don't miss this historic day.
Don't miss your chance to be one of the first people to meet Blair and welcome him to the party! Arrive any time after 11 am and canvass a poll for Mike and experience the best run Green Party campaign ever! Bring a Green Party shirt.
Don't miss the rally and reception to welcome Blair to the party. Meet Blair, welcome him, and get a picture with Mike, Blair and Elizabeth!
When: 4:30 pm Sunday August 31 (get there early!)
What: Rally to support Mike Nagy and welcome Blair Wilson to the Green Party -- with leader Elizabeth May
Where: 73 Gordon St., Guelph, ON (corner of Gordon & Wellington) see Google map http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=73+gordon,+guelph&sll=43...
Watch the Press Conference at http://watch.ctv.ca/news/latest/green-switch/#clip87032 it's 11:37
CTV interview with Elizabeth May: http://watch.ctv.ca/news/latest/green-switch/#clip87049
CTV interview with Blair Wilson: http://watch.ctv.ca/news/latest/green-switch/#clip87051
CTV commentary at http://watch.ctv.ca/news/latest/green-switch/#clip87109
Here's the GPC release on yesterday's historic event http://www.greenparty.ca/en/releases/30.08.2008
Other Media Coverage at:
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080830/green_mp_08...
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/488157
Canwest: http://www.canada.com/topics/news/story.html?id=894abdff-f3fd-4fce-a53b-...
CP: http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5gjpp-thypha0T_Eovmi1spYSlDig
Kady O'Malley of Macleans.ca liveblogs the announcement: http://blog.macleans.ca/2008/08/30/liveblogging-the-elizabeth-may-press-...