Over the course of the last two years, we have referred to the 2011 provincial election as what will be our most strategic and significant effort to date. Every political activity we have undertaken in partnership with you has been with this fundamental goal in mind. Now, with the formal start to the election virtually upon us, the time as come for a final push. Your support at this critical juncture – both financially and by volunteering – is unequivocally essential.
A Solid Foundation
In the 2007 provincial election, over 350,000 Ontarians believed in the Green Party’s vision for our future and cast their ballots for our party. Our historic high of eight percent was a crowning achievement for our past leader, Frank de Jong.
Since that time, we have proved that we can stand as a political force in Ontario. Through the causes we have championed, such as opposing the construction of a gas powered peaker plant on pristine environmental wetlands, the proposed mega-quarry on prime farmland (a giant hole in the ground roughly the size of 1/3 of Toronto), unfairly changing the microFIT rules, or the unaffordable expansion of the Darlington nuclear power plants, thousands of Ontarians have become engaged in the political process and supported our efforts.
On a political level, our efforts are paying off. We placed third in two of the last five by-elections and within 30 votes in a third contest. Since the beginning of the year, our membership has grown by over 50%, and will reach a historic high before the campaign is over. Most significantly, we made history on May 2nd with the election of Elizabeth May as our first Green MP.
The progress we have made to date is due to your unwavering financial and volunteer support. For this, we are most grateful. With that said, to make a lasting impact and secure our vision for our children and grandchildren, we need to elect our first Green MPPs to Queen’s Park on October 6th.
What’s at Stake
On May 25th, we launched our 2011 election platform at Queen’s Park and online at www.itstimeforgreen.ca. Our five-point plan for Ontario’s future is the culmination of feedback from members attending policy roundtables across the province. It’s a bold vision for building a financially, socially and environmentally sustainable province for all Ontarians:
- Creating jobs for a 21st-century economy;
- Harnessing safe, affordable energy to power our communities;
- Promoting access to quality, sustainable health care close to home;
- Feeding our communities by championing local farms; and
- Delivering government that works for people.
Since becoming Canada’s first Green MP, Elizabeth May has stood up for Canadians in Parliament on issues the other parties won’t discuss. If we want our voice to be heard at Queen’s Park, the only way is by electing Green MPPs on October 6th. Never has the Green Party message been more relevant to Ontarians than it is today, and we need our politicians at Queen’s Park to catch up. We need Green MPPs in the Legislature!
A Campaign of Firsts
This election will be our most ambitious endeavor to date, kicking off with our first ever virtual town hall, on the first day of the campaign. We will call all of our supporters from across the province at 7 PM on September 7th, and want you to be part of this historic opportunity. If you do not believe your phone number is on file, please fill out our online form at www.gpo.ca/virtual-town-hall, or call us at 888-647-3366, and invite one and all to do the same.
Immediately following the campaign kickoff, we will push hard to be included in this year’s leaders’ debate. In fact, this effort is already underway through our website www.letmikespeak.ca. Denying our rightful place at the table is an affront to Ontarians and contrary to the more inclusive trend in British Columbia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. The 350,000 Ontarians who voted Green in 2007 deserve to have their voices heard!
Throughout the campaign, Ontarians will have opportunities to hear and see our message for the first time. A series of radio ads have been produced and will be strategically released between now and Election Day. Additionally, our first-ever television commercials are in the planning stages! These initiatives will greatly increase our reach to the nine million voters in our great province.
We Need Your Support
Our most ambitious campaign to date is the result of a significant investment of our collective time, energy and money. 2011 is our most vigorous year ever, with a budget of $400,000. Fortunately, we have been very good stewards of the financial contributions we receive, and our consistent savings since 2007 mean that we have started this year with a small campaign fund. Additionally, because of your support, we have met our fundraising targets to date in 2011. We’re doing well, but to put us over the top in the coming weeks, we need everyone to do their part.
You are a key building block on our path to Election Day. Together, we can elect the first Green MPPs to Queen’s Park. Please give whatever you can to ensure the success of both our provincial campaign and our 107 candidates.
You will find a donation form on the back of this letter to complete and return. You can also donate online at www.gpo.ca/donate or over the phone at 888-647-3366.
Once again, thank you for your support of our party during this critical election.
Yours sincerely,
Mike Schreiner
Leader
David Scrymgeour
Campaign Chair
Becky Smit
Campaign Manager
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