GreenerPolitics

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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

Join the Ben West Discussion

Blub about the race in general

from the Vancouver Sun, Montreal Gazette

Green Party leader Elizabeth May tried hard this week to downplay the loss of David Chernushenko after he announced his resignation as deputy leader of the party and withdrew as a candidate in the next federal election.

Her brave words to the contrary, however, the departure is a considerable loss to the party. Chernushenko is a capable, intelligent, industrious activist who is truly devoted to the Green Party’s aims.

In all of these things he is just like May herself. But he, unlike her, has a long history with the party. That’s why his resignation will send an unwelcome signal to many rank-and-file Greens across Canada and, by extension, to those who vote Green or are considering doing so.

Read the rest of the article

A small business owner and environmentalist, Kettlewell ran against Premier Gordon Campbell in the Vancouver-Point Grey riding in 2005. He is the Chair of BC EcoEvents, which produces grassroots environmental educational and entertainment events. He is also the Chair of the Rivershed Society of BC. With an MBA in Leadership, he runs a consultancy practice matching foreign investors with BC firms, and operates a family business called the Great Bear Pub and Liquor Store in Burnaby.

Press contact: Dan Grice, 604-725-8913
Website: www.damiankettlewell.com

A long-time activist who believes in democracy, social justice and protecting our environment, Etkin lives in Victoria and works for a non-profit organization teaching English as a second language to people moving to Canada. He has a strong interest in economic systems that work for people and has been active in the environmental movement for many years. Etkin has been a member of the Green Party off and on since the 1980s. He has also been a member of the NDP, and even the Progressive Conservative party, which he joined to support the leadership campaign of David Orchard.

Press contact: Jack Etkin, 250-721-1682
Website: www.jacketkin.net 

A Green Party member since 2001, Sterk joined the party after spending a year sailing in Mexico and observing how exporting our consumptive lifestyle to a less developed country was destroying the environment, damaging their social and family systems and creating a false economy. Sterk is an elected municipal councillor who will bring her effectiveness in government, as well as her private and public sector experience, to provide balanced and effective leadership for the Green Party of BC.

Press contact: John Sterk, , jsterk@shaw.ca
Website: www.janesterk.ca