Martin Willison was the Green Party

Green 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 in the riding of Halifax West

Halifax West

Halifax West is a federal electoral district in Nova Scotia, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1979. Its population in 2006 was 88,756.-Demographics:From the 2006 census Ethnic groups:*White: 90.8%...

, 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...

, during the Canadian Federal elections on June 28, 2004

Canadian federal election, 2004

The Canadian federal election, 2004 , was held on June 28, 2004 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 38th Parliament of Canada. The Liberal government of Prime Minister Paul Martin lost its majority, but was able to form a minority government after the elections...

. He lost to Liberal

Liberal Party of Canada

The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...

 Geoff Regan

Geoff Regan

Geoffrey Paul Regan, PC, MP is a Canadian politician. He has the prenomial "the Honourable" and the postnomial "PC" for life by virtue of being made a privy councillor and a member of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada. Regan grew up in a strong political family...

, receiving 1,456 votes (3.6%).

Willison is employed at Dalhousie University

Dalhousie University

Dalhousie University is a public research university located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The university comprises eleven faculties including Schulich School of Law and Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine. It also includes the faculties of architecture, planning and engineering located at...

 as a professor of biology and environmental studies. He has been a long-time environmental advocate, having won several national and international awards for his work in marine conservation, such as the 2004 Don McAllister Medal and the silver medal in the Conservation category of the Canadian Environment Awards. He was the Advocate for Oceans and Fisheries in the Green Party of Canada

Green 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...

 in 2004, but resigned from that post shortly after the election. His wife is an author and gardening commentator, Marjorie Willison

Marjorie Willison

Marjorie Willison is an author of books on gardening and a radio personality who answers gardeners' questions during regular appearances on "Maritime Noon", a show broadcast in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island on CBC Radio One....

.

In 2006, he was elected to the executive of the newly formed Green Party of Nova Scotia

Green Party of Nova Scotia

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...

as one of two co-presidents of the party.