The riding of Beaches/East York presents a close race between MP Minna and the NDP candidate this election. While NDP candidate Marilyn Churley has strong environmental credentials, her party is taking an increasingly partisan approach to climate policy.
Our general position is to encourage support for Liberal or NDP incuments. In this riding, whether you vote Liberal or NDP, we encourage you to make these candidates earn your vote! Tell Minna she only has your vote if she pushes hard for real action on climate change by the Liberals, and call Churley to task for the NDP's populist rhetoric on gas prices and carbon taxes. Jack Layton knows darn well that we have to put a price on the pollution that causes global warming if we are going to solve this problem.
Don't take our word for it: read what former NDP environment critic Lynn McDonald had to say in the Toronto Star in July.
Please keep in mind our recommendations are based on a review of previous outcomes, election prediction sites and the commentary of pundits and constituents. Every riding is unique, and recommendations based on regional polling trends do not necessarily capture that. You are best situated to make the call on who to vote for. The most important thing you can do is talk to your friends and neighbours, assess the local race yourself, and make an informed decision as to who has the best chance of keeping the Conservative out of office. Work together!
Other sources to consider when making your decision:
Please see our suggestions on the "Get Involved" page. For some additional tips on how to encourage voter turn out and support recommended candidates, check out The Department of Culture.
We encourage you to support the recommended candidate, but they have to realise you are doing this because you want action on climate change. Please keep the pressure on over the next two weeks! For information on how host a climate change town hall and for a tips on writing letters to candidates, visit Vote Environment 2008.
This is a tough call, and we don't take encouraging people not to vote Green lightly. Read more here.