Green Party takes root at UofT

The Green Party of Canada now has representation at the University of Toronto. Before UTSU's recognition of the club in December, every other national political party, short of the Green Party, had a campus affiliate. The group plans to enhance students' understanding of the party's platform, foster sustainable culture, and encourage political participation. These goals are being pursued ambitiously by the three co-founders, Karen Cao, Claire Salloum and Polina Osmerkina.The co-founders noted that "despite such vast amounts of environmentally conscious student groups on campus, and despite the fact that UofT is also very politically active, there for some reason [was] no representation of the Green Party of Canada." The development coincides with a recent, dramatic increase in national support. According to Angus-Reid polls from January, Green Party support is at 11% - while the Bloc and NDP are at 8% and 14% respectively.

Although support for the party is increasing, the co-founders find there are great misconceptions regarding the party's purpose, a frustration that partially inspired the GPC at UofT's inception. The co-founders mentioned one widespread misunderstanding is that their policies conflict with economic development. The "people who hold these views have essentially not read the platform of the Green Party of Canada," says Cao.

When asked how the Green Party of Canada makes environmental policy practical, Salloum explained that they operate principally on revenue-neutral tax shifts. For example, no-cost improvements to the environment can be made by proportionally increasing taxes on pollution, while decreasing taxes on income for workers in environmental industries. Cao added, "We have to evolve our tax system and reveal the true costs of our investments. Our taxes subsidize alot of oil production.Oil companies have lots of tax exemptions, too." She also remarked that "environmentalism is popular today, but we are an avenue to stop talking and move towards real political action."

"Overall," Salloum added, "the Party integrates all policy areas and perspectives. Health care costs less, for example, if it is preventive. If you regulate producers of smog you improve people's health while spending less eventually on patient care tomorrow."

Cao commented that the Party's general approach "is not a matter of being politically right or left.As long as people believe there are only two system perspectives available, unchecked capitalism or communism, we won't progress."

Cao identified barriers to overcome while growing their support-base, such as some people's inherited values and stereotypes. "Many people see it raining and think it's inconvenient, not about the food it brings eventually. [Society's] disconnection from nature is deep-rooted; that's hard to confront. Also, we're not hippies or communists! We're not just environmental activists! We have very practical policies. [Politicians] are just not taking into account that we can't create unlimited products with limited resources and do so just for the sake of economic growth. Our approach has to be sustainable."

The group is currently planning film screenings, guest lectures, and sustainability awareness campaigns. Students can expect discussions with candidates such as Federal Green Party of Canada leader Elizabeth May and local candidate Chris Tindal, likely to be held at a time leading up to the next national election. The group hopes to encourage more political discourse and greater voter turnout among students. Additionally, the group is planning a handbook guide for starting Green Bin Programs on campus. Regarding the handbook Cao notes that UofT does have a Green Bin policy and program that is neither promoted nor publicized. Despite having no immediate access to UTSU or party funding, however, they are forging ahead.

Their inaugural event is a screening Erin Brockovich at Woodsworth's Water Room this Thursday, February 15th at 8pm.