Green Party of Nova Scotia
Encyclopedia
The Green Party of Nova Scotia is a green
political party
in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia
. It received official party status in the province in April, 2006. The party has not won any seats in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly
.
candidate and organizer Sheila Richardson of Wolfville, Nova Scotia.
In May 2007, Wright was replaced by Ken McGowan
, who had won over 50 per cent of the vote at a convention. In the midst of a constitutional dispute with the party executive, revolving around unelected rival Ellen Durkee
's presence on that executive, McGowan and both of his deputy leaders resigned in protest in January 2008 - only to be replaced by Durkee as interim leader.
McGowan had called on the party to uphold its constitution and hold a convention as soon as possible so that a legitimate leader and executive could prepare for the 38th Nova Scotia general election.
Ryan Watson
was elected Leader of the Green Party of Nova Scotia on Sunday June 29th 2008. Watson, from Halifax, was unopposed in his bid for leadership. Gabrielle Donnelly of Halifax was Watson's running mate. Shortly after the 2009 general election Watson announced his intention to stand down at the fall annual meeting. He said that his decision had nothing to do with the election results or the failure of the party to file financial paperwork with Elections Nova Scotia by the April deadline.
On October 31, 2009, John Percy was announced as the new leader of the Green Party of Nova Scotia following a leadership contest against Sebastian Ronin. Dawna Toews was Percy's running mate and thus became Deputy Leader of the party. However, Toews moved to Ontario in early 2010 and thus resigned her position.
was held on March 4 - March 5, 2006.
At the convention the Party unanimously approved its constitution which divided powers in a way fairly conventional among worldwide Green Parties
: an executive controlled regional relations, regions retained control of their local policies and candidacies, and a policy committee took control of the overall platform and positions taken even during an election. The leader's role was to act as spokesperson and organize his or her most trusted critics as a Shadow Cabinet
or (once elected) a Caucus.
Members also voted to support the six principles of the Global Green Charter, elected an executive and chose a Party logo.
, less than three months after the founding convention, the party had a full slate
of candidates and went on to win 2.33% of the popular vote (9,411 votes).
Green politics
Green politics is a political ideology that aims for the creation of an ecologically sustainable society rooted in environmentalism, social liberalism, and grassroots democracy...
political party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
. It received official party status in the province in April, 2006. The party has not won any seats in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly
Nova Scotia House of Assembly
The Nova Scotia Legislature, consisting of Her Majesty The Queen represented by the Lieutenant Governor and the House of Assembly, is the legislative branch of the provincial government of Nova Scotia, Canada...
.
Leadership
Nick Wright of Halifax, Nova Scotia won the contested leadership nomination race over Green Party of CanadaGreen Party of Canada
The Green Party of Canada is a Canadian federal political party founded in 1983 with 10,000–12,000 registered members as of October 2008. The Greens advance a broad multi-issue political platform that reflects its core values of ecological wisdom, social justice, grassroots democracy and...
candidate and organizer Sheila Richardson of Wolfville, Nova Scotia.
In May 2007, Wright was replaced by Ken McGowan
Ken McGowan
Ken McGowan Is an environmentalist, entrepreneur, author, Information Architect and former politician.Mr. McGowan was the leader of the Green Party of Nova Scotia in 2007-8. And was the GPNS candidate for the Electoral District of Annapolis in the Nova Scotia provincial election of 2006.Ken is a...
, who had won over 50 per cent of the vote at a convention. In the midst of a constitutional dispute with the party executive, revolving around unelected rival Ellen Durkee
Ellen Durkee
Ellen Durkee was the interim leader of the Green Party of Nova Scotia. She is a resident of Middle Stewiacke. She was appointed leader following the resignation of Ken McGowan.-Leadership convention:...
's presence on that executive, McGowan and both of his deputy leaders resigned in protest in January 2008 - only to be replaced by Durkee as interim leader.
McGowan had called on the party to uphold its constitution and hold a convention as soon as possible so that a legitimate leader and executive could prepare for the 38th Nova Scotia general election.
Ryan Watson
Ryan Watson (politician)
Ryan Watson was the leader of the Green Party of Nova Scotia from June 2008 until October 2009. Originally from British Columbia, he lives in Halifax with his wife, Shannon, and daughter Katarina. In the Nova Scotia general election, 2009 he ran in the riding of Halifax Citadel-Sable Island,...
was elected Leader of the Green Party of Nova Scotia on Sunday June 29th 2008. Watson, from Halifax, was unopposed in his bid for leadership. Gabrielle Donnelly of Halifax was Watson's running mate. Shortly after the 2009 general election Watson announced his intention to stand down at the fall annual meeting. He said that his decision had nothing to do with the election results or the failure of the party to file financial paperwork with Elections Nova Scotia by the April deadline.
On October 31, 2009, John Percy was announced as the new leader of the Green Party of Nova Scotia following a leadership contest against Sebastian Ronin. Dawna Toews was Percy's running mate and thus became Deputy Leader of the party. However, Toews moved to Ontario in early 2010 and thus resigned her position.
Founding convention
The party's first conventionPolitical convention
In politics, a political convention is a meeting of a political party, typically to select party candidates.In the United States, a political convention usually refers to a presidential nominating convention, but it can also refer to state, county, or congressional district nominating conventions...
was held on March 4 - March 5, 2006.
At the convention the Party unanimously approved its constitution which divided powers in a way fairly conventional among worldwide Green Parties
Worldwide green parties
A Green party or ecologist party is a formally organized political party based on the principles of Green politics. These principles usually include social justice, reliance on grassroots democracy, nonviolence, and an emphasis on environmentalism...
: an executive controlled regional relations, regions retained control of their local policies and candidacies, and a policy committee took control of the overall platform and positions taken even during an election. The leader's role was to act as spokesperson and organize his or her most trusted critics as a Shadow Cabinet
Shadow Cabinet
The Shadow Cabinet is a senior group of opposition spokespeople in the Westminster system of government who together under the leadership of the Leader of the Opposition form an alternative cabinet to the government's, whose members shadow or mark each individual member of the government...
or (once elected) a Caucus.
Members also voted to support the six principles of the Global Green Charter, elected an executive and chose a Party logo.
Leaders
- Nick Wright 2006-2007
- Ken McGowanKen McGowanKen McGowan Is an environmentalist, entrepreneur, author, Information Architect and former politician.Mr. McGowan was the leader of the Green Party of Nova Scotia in 2007-8. And was the GPNS candidate for the Electoral District of Annapolis in the Nova Scotia provincial election of 2006.Ken is a...
2007-2008 - Ellen DurkeeEllen DurkeeEllen Durkee was the interim leader of the Green Party of Nova Scotia. She is a resident of Middle Stewiacke. She was appointed leader following the resignation of Ken McGowan.-Leadership convention:...
2008 (interim leader) - Ryan WatsonRyan Watson (politician)Ryan Watson was the leader of the Green Party of Nova Scotia from June 2008 until October 2009. Originally from British Columbia, he lives in Halifax with his wife, Shannon, and daughter Katarina. In the Nova Scotia general election, 2009 he ran in the riding of Halifax Citadel-Sable Island,...
2008-2009 - John PercyJohn Percy (politician)John Percy is the current leader of the Green Party of Nova Scotia. His political involvement started in high school as a volunteer for the Liberals. In the past he also volunteered for Joe Clark's federal campaign. He was a candidate for Member of Parliament in Sackville—Eastern Shore in the 2011...
2009-present
Electoral record
| General election | # of candidates | # of elected candidates | # of ridings | % of popular vote | # of votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 Nova Scotia general election, 2006 The 37th Nova Scotia general election was held on June 13, 2006 to elect members of the 60th House of Assembly of the Province of Nova Scotia, Canada.... |
52 | 0 | 52 | 2.33% | 9,411 |
| 2009 | 52 | 0 | 52 | 2.34% | 9,636 |
| By-election | Date | Candidate name | % of popular vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cole Harbour—Eastern Passage Cole Harbour-Eastern Passage Cole Harbour—Eastern Passage is a provincial electoral district in Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly.Its current Member of the Legislative Assembly is Becky Kent of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party.... |
October 2, 2007 | Beverley Skaalrud-Woodfield | 4.68% |
| Antigonish Antigonish (provincial electoral district) Antigonish is a provincial electoral district in Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. It has existed since 1867 and is one of only four Nova Scotian districts that has existed continuously since Canadian Confederation.The district includes the community... |
October 20, 2009 | Michael Marshall | 0.92% |
| Inverness Inverness (provincial electoral district) Inverness is a provincial electoral district on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly.... |
October 20, 2009 | Nathalie Arsenault | 2.53% |
| Yarmouth Yarmouth (provincial electoral district) Yarmouth is a provincial electoral district in Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. It consists of the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth and the town of Yarmouth. Fishing and fish processing continue to drive the economy here, although tourism... |
June 22, 2010 | John Percy | 0.62% |
Election campaigns
In its first provincial electionNova Scotia general election, 2006
The 37th Nova Scotia general election was held on June 13, 2006 to elect members of the 60th House of Assembly of the Province of Nova Scotia, Canada....
, less than three months after the founding convention, the party had a full slate
Full slate
Any political party or faction that seeks to form a majority in a parliament or on a board of directors or other responsible body typically must run a full slate if only to demonstrate that they have the capacity to attract the talent to fill every position with some person, even if that person is...
of candidates and went on to win 2.33% of the popular vote (9,411 votes).
- Green Party candidates, 2006 Nova Scotia provincial electionGreen Party candidates, 2006 Nova Scotia provincial electionThe Green Party of Nova Scotia is running a full slate of 52 candidates in the 2006 Nova Scotia general election. Some of these candidates have separate biography pages; relevant information about other candidates may be found here....
See also
- List of Green party leaders in Canada
- List of Green politicians who have held office in Canada