Raise your voice for real democracy

Submitted by Mike Schreiner on Mon, 2011-04-04 12:54

Last week’s decision to exclude Elizabeth May from the televised leaders debate weakens our democracy.  It’s shocking that a small group of media insiders have the power to deprive so many voters a voice at the debate table.

In 2008, nearly one million voters across Canada voted for the Green Party of Canada, yet these voters are not being heard.

I know first hand how difficult it can be getting out the Green Party message – provincially, we are denied access to the media gallery at Queen’s Park and also from scrumming with reporters after Question Period.  

Despite these challenges, the vote totals for the Green Party of Ontario and Canada continue to rise every election.  Ontario Greens have achieved local electoral results as high as 33.14% and placed in the top three in 20 ridings across the province.

It is evident that people across Ontario and Canada want the Green option – one that promises to bring a fresh new approach to politics that values good ideas over stale ideologies.   It’s time to move beyond cynicism, hyper-partisanship and short term thinking.  It’s doable, but you need to make it happen.

Regardless of your political stripes, the Green Party has earned the right to be heard and voters deserve inclusive debates for this year's election.

Here’s how you can help get Elizabeth into the federal leaders' debates:

  • Share this email with 6 friends and ask them to sign the demand democratic debates petition.
  • Tweet your message using #emayin
  • Email the media executives responsible for excluding Elizabeth--demand a seat for at the debate table

o    CTV's Wendy Freeman, President of News programming@ctv.ca
o    CBC's Jennifer McGuire, Chief of News ombudsman@cbc.ca
o    Global's Troy Reeb viewercontact.globalnational@globaltv.com
o    TVA's Serge Fortin, rédacteur en chef, au service de l'information info@tva.ca
o    Radio Canada's Sylvain LaFrance, Executive VP ombudsman@radio-canada.ca

Thank you for raising your voice on behalf of real democracy,

Mike Schreiner