GP Radio: BC Leadership Race July 24
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The election for Leader in British Columbia is very much about ideas and direction. It is hoped that by inviting the candidates speak about leadership in their own words, the people of BC can make a clear choice about the future.
Comment below for general questions and observations about the the Leadership Race. To direct specific questions or comments to a particular candidate, use the links here:
Join the Jack Etkin Discussion
Join the Sylvaine Zimmermann Discussion
Join the Damian Kettlewell Discussion
Join the Jane Sterk Discussion
Blub about the race in general
July 24th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
After taking a listen to the interviews, I am very impressed with the calibre of candidates for leadership. Even though each candidate has differing philosophies and directions for the party, it will be a tough choice for voters.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
According to the latest Angus Reid Poll 45% of respondants don’t know what the Green Party stands for. What do you think ought to be done to educate Canadians and, in particular, British Columbians about the Green Party?
July 26th, 2007 at 4:16 pm
Regarding the comment about what the Green Party can do to educate people about the party. Of course we can all work hard and do our best to get a message out, but I think the fundamental problem is the Corporate Media. The GP is currently polling at about 15%, but we get media coverage of about 1/4 of 1%, and that has been generally constant for more than a decade I think.
I think the media does not want a ‘green’ message to get out there, because the idea of less consumption, an end to growth, social justice etc is not the corporate idea, so their media refuses to cover those who push these ideas.
What I’d like to see us do more of is go after the media and call them on this to their face, that they are deliberately refusing to give coverage.
What do others think?
Jack
July 31st, 2007 at 5:54 am
Well, the media is somewhat disinterested and maybe even prejudiced, but we are (as Greens) often our worst enemy when we deal with any kind of media.
Too often are the campaigns (candidates, workers) ill prepared to answer questions about Green policies, too often is there some kind of a controversy surrounding a Green candidate…and, of course, the media business tends to focus on the negatives, so there is your result. GPC or the provinical parties don’t have many announcements or events in between elections, so there’s another reason for the media ingoring the parties.
Most of all, though, I would attribute the lack of interest to the fact we are not a “player”. When a party does not have nay seats, anywhere in Canada, it is not considered a player. No real power to influence decisions, to call the shots.
August 6th, 2007 at 1:16 pm
Thanks Mark for posting our interviews on Green Party Radio.
I would like to address the question as to what the Green Party of B.C. can do to educate the public as to what we stand for.
After speaking at length with a former Vancouver city councilor this morning it is clear to me that “tax shifting policy” is our key policy message going forward.
Yes, most British Columbian’s would say that the Green Party represents voters who care about the environment. We have achieved that top of mind awareness with the public that we are the environmental party.
Now is the time to build our brand with a second level policy message. As those of you who follow politics know, constant messaging is key when campaigning. So after twenty five years of hammering home environment, environment, and environment to the public we can expand our messaging to a second level.
The public knows we love to protect ancient rainforests (that’s what got me turned on to green politics / ecological economics) and ensure clean water and air. My gut tells me that the public trusts the Green Party on environmental issues more than any other political party. The public sees the Green Party as a trusted adviser on environment issues.
To borrow a term from Bob Hunter, now is the time to drop a “mindbomb” on the public
at large. I am convinced that our mind bomb will revolve around “tax shifting” policies.
Carbon taxes, not intensity based carbon reduction targets, and polluter pays policies, not Kinder Morgan remaining mostly silent after dousing Burnaby with thousands of litres of crude oil, can be implemented with fiscal responsibility.
I am concerned that long time Green supporters might see a “tax shifting” focus as a move by the party to focus solely on economic and business issues. The word “tax” does raise hair on the back of some person’s neck. Nobody likes tax season and nobody likes paying taxes.
“Tax shifting” in its initial stages mostly relates corporate tax. Promoting a shift in corporate taxes is possible. Unlike our political opponents we do not receive funds from big business. Tax shifting “mindbomb” messages will not threaten our core support groups. Progressive, positive and persistent messaging on “tax shifting” will differentiate us from our political opponents and help raise our awareness with the voting public.
Unquestionably, the Green Party roots are that of a protest party. Like many green party supporters the genesis of my political activism was that of a protestor. I continue to protest against certain public policy and support more vocal protesters, like Betty Krawcyzk.
But the time has come to evolve from “protest to policy.” Many of our healthy living, balanced ecosystem, and renewable energy policies are being slowly implemented. Stephen Dion and Gordon Campbell have smartly cloaked their images with Green friendly dogs, scarves and Governors.
Now is the time to drop “mindbomb” tax shifting messages on a willing public. A properly implemented messaging campaign will result in our membership growing to our 5,000 members and assist in electing Green MLA’s in 2009.