What I Will Say (Day 6)

The questions I got today all point in one direction. “The Layton-Harper-media-juggernaut” (quoting Rick Salutin in the Globe) has been forced to recognize that we are now in a five-party system. The news networks are giving the Greens better, if not fair and equal, coverage. We are being called “a wildcard factor” in this election and “a major player”. So I spent a lot of time in Toronto today talking about our policies on a wide range of issues. Through all this, I had the impression that what people were really interested in was what I would bring to the election debate. This morning, we held a press conference with Toronto candidates on the subject of the Greens’ economic policies. I was piped in by a kilt-wearing Ontario Green, and I hope it will begin a trend. There’s something about entering a room surrounded by the battle music of the ancient Celts that prompts bravery and energy. I was prepared for my meeting this afternoon with the National Post Editorial board by leading Canadian economists. With the statistics these economists provided, the Green Party released a second press release today after originally focusing on the access to information request we filed to see the research commissioned by the Harper government on carbon taxes. This research showed that a carbon tax of $50/tonne (as advocated by the Greens) would not result in a negative impact on GDP. In fact, by 2015, the impact was mildly positive. Meanwhile Stephen Harper’s campaign spins the idea that in uncertain times we need his steady hand. How is it the media has failed to cover that it was his hand that has been damaging the economy: the biggest spending government in the history of Canada, too many tax cuts and not in the right places to enhance productivity, a growing productivity gap with the US and higher inflation. Since Statistics Canada began to monitor productivity in Canada in 1961, Stephen Harper is the first Prime Minister to preside over a drop in productivity. Between Harper’s attempts to oversimplify and distort the issues, Dion’s Green tax shift and Layton’s posturing about “annoying fees”, where do the Greens fit into the debate? While we continue to have to push for fair representation in the news, Canadians will not be able to ignore the Green Party in the next election, and neither will the other leaders. That’s one reason why I started having to field questions today about various mini-manufactured-controversies, such as the transcript from The Agenda interview of last year where it sounded as though I said “agree” instead of “disagree” when talking about politicians who decide the Canadian electorate is stupid. I said at the beginning of our press conference this morning, “Let the debate begin now” and I meant it. I don’t believe Canadians really care about pooping puffins and sweater vests. I have confidence in the Canadian electorate. The entire basis of my entry into Canadian political life is that I want to enliven the debate and focus on substance. When we look back at this election campaign with all the clarity of hindsight, we will look at a huge contrast between political styles, ideologies and policies. But by then, it will be too late to cast a ballot for change. If we do not seize this opportunity, this election, this campaign to advance the Green principles for a livable world, we may shake Canada to its core and reemerge with a country that is less than it once was. I will say in the debates whatever Canadians need to hear to inform their decisions in this election. I want to be the voice of honesty, the truth-gauge for the other parties, a national leader whose partisan agenda takes a backseat to the concerns for our future.