Please this with anyone who might like to read the newsletters. All past newsletters are also available on our website here.

In this edition:

• Ways to Volunteer for the Re-Elect Elizabeth May Campaign
• Diversity, Dissent and Debate
• Thank You for Supporting Canadian Democracy!
• Upcoming Events 

Ways to Volunteer for the Re-Elect Elizabeth May Campaign

With only three weeks left until the election, volunteers are urgently needed for foot canvassing, phone canvassing, Green traffic waves, to help at events, and to support our media campaigns. Please sign up here to volunteer.  If you would like to join our volunteer Green Media Team, please contact [email protected] 

Plus many more volunteers are needed for the Green Party Rally in Victoria on October 4th (more details in Events).

Hundreds of volunteers are needed for the Advance Polls and Election Day - to scrutineer during voting, scrutineer the vote count, and help with data entry, and phone calling. Please sign up here to volunteer.

If you requested a lawn sign, thank you for asking. If we have not delivered it yet, please sign up again on request a lawn sign here or call our office at 778-351-3335. Thank you for your patience! 

We have more lawn signs available. Please request a lawn sign here or come into one of the campaign offices to pick one up. 

Thank you for reporting missing, damaged or obscured lawn or billboard signs. We respect all parties and candidates. 

Diversity, Dissent and Debate  

The way Canadians embrace and celebrate our many different cultures and perspectives is a point of pride; however, our parliament does not reflect this. Women as a group and First Nations, Metis and Inuit are underrepresented.  Women's issues and First Nation interests have been rarely mentioned in any of the 2015 leaders' debates. 

Diversity, free speech, the right to hold dissenting opinions and to discuss different perspectives are key to a thriving democracy. We face a serious challenge to these rights and freedoms because hyper partisan politics have been allowed to dictate the number, type, venue and participants for all candidate meetings. The Green Party has had to take action seeking inclusion of Elizabeth May in the next leaders' debate on September 28 because Mr. Harper and Mr. Mulcair continue to undermine her participation in this election. The English language consortium debate is very likely to be cancelled.

Elizabeth's thoughtful comments in Le Grand Debat hosted by Radio-Canada this week were in stark contrast to the party lines repeated by the other candidates. These inadequately moderated shouting matches may well be a new form of voter suppression. Saanich Gulf Island constituents are fortunate to be able to re-elect a true leader that calmly and eloquently speaks to the issues that matter to Canadians. Plus, she does it all with grace and humour.

All Canadians deserve to hear from all of the party leaders and from the MP candidates in our ridings so we can make informed choices. We vote for MPs, not party leaders, unless of course you live in Elizabeth May's riding in Saanich Gulf Islands, Mr. Harper's in Calgary Heritage, Mr. Mulcair's in Outremont, or Mr. Trudeau's riding of Papineau. Every leaders' debate and every all candidates' meeting matters. The freedom of the public and the media to ask challenging questions are important for a strong Canadian democracy. 

Show your support for Elizabeth by joining us at the next all candidates debate. For the current meeting schedule look here. Please share your opinions online, by letters to the editor and on social media. 

Thank You For Supporting Canadian Democracy

Elizabeth May has been lauded for her authenticity, her candour, and persistence in speaking out. A recent editorial, commented on the importance of Elizabeth's efforts to encourage parliamentarians:

"to collaborate, to recognize each other's good ideas, to stand up to an overly powerful prime minister's office, are of the utmost importance, not only in terms of democracy but in delivering good, practical, responsive government. Indeed, fighting for the right to be a good MP may be Elizabeth May's best bet for electing more Green ones." 

We need more MPs that can represent their communities without fear of reprisal from their party. All Green Party candidates are determined to counter the destructive partisanship that has crept into our parliament. Elizabeth May is leading by example; she will participate in 15 all candidate meetings in Saanich Gulf Islands. Watch the video of the first local all candidates' meeting (Elizabeth's opening remarks start at 19:26).  

Across Canada, Green candidates are giving voters the opportunity to vote for a candidate and for a positive, forward-thinking vision for Canada. The Green Party 2015 platform is available here for everyone to read and discuss. 

Please support Elizabeth's campaign with a donation. Consider volunteering for Elizabeth's campaign or for your local Green candidate. 

A vote for a Green MP is a vote for an individual that puts the needs of their constituents and Canada first. A Green voice is your voice.

Upcoming Events

Voting: You can vote now at an Elections Canada office near you up until the advance polls open. In Saanich-Gulf Islands, the Elections Canada office is at 1851 Keating Cross Road, Suite 102, Saanichton, BC. See the map here. 

Advance Polls are October 9, 10, 11, and 12, from noon to 8 pm. Please note that information on the advance polls locations will not be available until October 3.

September

All Candidates Meeting: Victoria Youth Matters, Tuesday 29th September, 10:15 to 11:15 am, Victoria
For high school students.

When: Tuesday 29th September, 10:15- 11:15 am 
Where: Reynolds Secondary School, 3963 Borden St, Victoria

All Candidates Meeting: Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP), Tuesday 29th September, 2 to 4 pm, Sidney
CARP will host an all candidates forum, focussed on seniors' issues. Free.

When: Tuesday 29th September, 2-4 pm
Where: Shoal Centre, 10030 Resthaven Drive, Sidney 

2015 All Candidates Meeting, Tuesday 29th September, 7 to 10 pm, Saanich
This 2015 All Candidates Meeting will be hosted by three community associations in the riding of Saanich-Gulf Islands. Free.

When: Tuesday 29th September, 7-10 pm
Where: Lochside Elementary School, 1145 Royal Oak Drive, Saanich

Saanich-Gulf Island Virtual All Candidates Forum, Wednesday 30th September, noon to 1 pm, Online
Moderated by the Chamber’s CEO, Bruce Carter, the virtual forum is free-of-charge, and can be viewed on any web-enabled platform of your choice. See Virtual All Candidates Forum: Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce for more information. Free.

When: online
Where: September 30, noon to 1 pm

October

All Candidates Forum on CFAX Radio, Thursday 1st October, 10 am, CFAX
CFAX Radio 1070 will host an all candidates debate. 

When: Thursday 1 October, 10 am
Where: Listen to CFAX Radio 1070 or listen online

BCSEA All Candidates Meeting, Friday 2nd October, 6:30-9:00 pm, Sidney
BC Sustainable Energy Association (BCSEA) will host five federal candidates' meetings dedicated exclusively to climate change and sustainable energy. Sooke (Sept. 16), Victoria (Sept. 21), Langford (Sept. 24), Esquimalt (Sept. 29), and Sidney (Oct. 2). 

The Sidney meeting will be moderated by Maggie Ziegler. Find more information, and tickets here. 

When: Friday 2 October, 6:30 - 9:00 pm
Where: St. Paul’s United Church, 2410 Malaview Avenue, Sidney


NEW!  Green Party Rally: Standing Up for Our Coast - Because We Live Here, Sunday 4th October, Victoria, 2 to 4 pm
Join Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada, and Island candidates Jo-Ann Roberts, Frances Litman, Fran Hunt-Jinnouchi, Paul Manly and Glenn Sollitt for an afternoon of inspiring speeches, music, food and family activities. Hosted by Adam Olsen, Interim Leader of the BC Green Party.

See the Facebook event page here. Volunteers for the Rally are needed - please contact: Rita Fromholt.

When: Sunday 4th October, 2 to 4 pm
Where: Centennial Square, Douglas St., Victoria


Saturna Island Candidates Forum, Sunday 4th October, 6 to 8 pm, Saturna Island
Two of the federal candidates, Elizabeth May and the NDP candidate will be participating.

When: Sunday 4 October, Potluck at 5 pm, Candidates meeting from 6-8pm
Where: Saturna Community Hall, Saturna Island


Salt Spring Forum: All Candidates Meeting, Monday 5th October, 2  to 5 pm, Salt Spring
Co-presented by the Salt Spring Forum and the Gulf Islands Secondary School, this a great opportunity to find out where local party candidates stand on important election issues. Ask a question or come to listen. Please contact the Forum for more information. 

When: Monday 5 October, doors open at 2 pm. Debate from 2:30- 5 pm

Where: Gulf Islands Secondary School, Salt Spring Island


All Candidates Meeting: Mayne Island Community Chamber of Commerce, Tuesday 6th October, 1 pm, Mayne Island
The Mayne Island Chamber of Commerce will host an all candidates meeting. 

When: October 6,1 pm
Where: Agricultural Hall, Mayne Island 


All Candidates Meeting: University of Victoria Student Society, Wednesday 7th October, 3 pm, University of Victoria
The UVic Student Society will host an all candidates debate. 

When: Wednesday 7 October, 3 pm
Where: Vertigo Room in the Student Union Building, University of Victoria

Re-Elect Elizabeth May Campaign Office Locations and Hours:

Sidney Office, 2355 James White Blvd
Open Monday to Friday, 10 am to 4 pm; Saturday 12 pm to 4 pm
778-351-3335

Saanich Office, 3550 Saanich Rd, Unit 106
Open Monday to Friday, 9 am to 6 pm
778-817-1010

Salt Spring Office, 374 Lower Ganges Road, Unit #364, Salt Spring Island
Open Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 7 pm
250-931-4733

Note: Open times for the offices change, call the office number to check the current times. Please contact one of the SGI offices, or email us for more information.