Like their federal counterparts, Ontario's Greens don't yet have a seat. But they did win 8 per cent of the vote in the last provincial election. Their totals influenced the outcome in many ridings.

The Greens take votes from all three major parties with an eclectic platform that combines environmentalism with support for small business and opposition to big government. Schreiner, 40, intends to be a fulltime leader, which would be a first for the provincial party.

Schreiner does not plan any big departure from Green orthodoxy. Under him, the party will still support carbon taxes, local empowerment, family farms, and the phasing out of nuclear power. One notable exception: Schreiner will not emphasize defunding of Catholic schools and creation of a single public school board, an issue he considers divisive.

The Greens' platform seems to appeal more to younger voters. The major parties ignore them at their peril.

Editorial - The Toronto Star - Wed Nov 18 2009
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/article/727095--the-greens-new...