Green Party win in B.C. shows climate issues could impact October

Newly elected Paul Manly expects support to grow ahead of federal election
British Columbia voters sent a message that Canadians are deeply concerned about the environment and climate issues will be at the forefront in October’s federal election campaign, jubilant Green Party supporters said Monday night. Voters in Nanaimo elected Paul Manly of the Greens as their new member of Parliament, barely six months before October’s federal vote.
With 96 per cent of polls reporting in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith byelection, Manly received 37.1 per cent of the vote. John Hirst, the Conservative candidate, was a distant second with 25.1 per cent of the vote. The NDP polled 22.9 per cent and Liberal candidate Michelle Corfield received 11.1 per cent of the vote.
“People really want to see action on climate change,” said Manly, who called his victory “historic.” Manly will become the second Green Party member in Parliament, joining Leader Elizabeth May.
His victory shows the other parties that Canadians are serious about climate change, Manly said, adding he expects the Green wave of support to grow in the October election. “It’s time to step up and do what needs to be done and have a little bit of political courage to deal with climate change properly,” Manly said. “Stop subsidizing the fossil fuel industry.” ’
Brave to vote for real change’
Ilan Goldenblatt, Manly’s campaign manager, said voters in Nanaimo served notice to the Liberals, Conservatives and New Democrats that Canadians want more movement on environmental issues.
“There’s a real strong sense here on the West Coast and on Vancouver Island that the three old-line parties are just slow on the uptake on actually committing to real action,” he said. Green Leader Elizabeth May said in a statement Manly’s win signals a new era in federal politics. The win doubles Green Party caucus in the House of Commons, where May has served as the only Green MP since 2011.
“It is brave to vote for real change,” said May in a statement. “Paul and I will work tirelessly to continue to earn the trust of Canadians.” Source: cbc.ca