Canada’s Green Party president resigns amid unrest: ‘No vision for a brighter future’ – National

The president of Canada’s Green Party has resigned, letting members know in a letter that its “optimism has died” amid ongoing party unrest.

The Canadian Press has received a letter from Lorraine Rekmans, who wrote that she can no longer serve because “there is no vision of a better future, just an attempt to look back and settle old scores while the planet burns.”

“I am leaving this party on my own terms,” ​​Rekmans wrote. “I resigned on principle. I didn’t trust the leaders of the contestants, and they didn’t trust me, and I lost faith in the federal council.”

Rekmans wrote that she has been marginalized, insulted and belittled by leadership candidates and sees no way to continue as president if one of them becomes the party’s main spokesperson.

Four of the six leadership candidates, along with Green MP Mike Morrice, recently issued a joint statement condemning interim leader Amita Kuttner’s misconception — who is transgender and non-binary — at a party Zoom event, though she Rekmans praised for an immediate apology.

The Greens launched a leadership contest this summer to find a replacement for Annamie Paul, who resigned after a disappointing performance for the party in the 2021 elections.

Her tenure was marked by internal conflict and she accused some in the party of racism and sexism.

Leadership candidate Sarah Gabrielle Baron, who has not signed the joint statement, said party matters should be handled internally.

The other five candidates were not immediately available for comment. The winner will be announced no later than November.

Kuttner told The Canadian Press that it is not yet clear how the dismissal will affect the leadership contest.

“I am grateful for all her work and dedication over the years and her time on the board,” they said. “I wish her all the best. We will chart the path forward as things shift and settle down.”

Rekmans said in her letter that the party’s current federal council is completely different from last year’s elections, but they now face the same accusations of “being insensitive to diversity,” as well as allegations that the council is not prudent with finances. or communication.

“This was a turbulent period for me as president of the Green Party of Canada,” she wrote.

“After volunteering here for more than 40 hours a week for a year, I’m exhausted and my optimism is gone. I suggest you may want to pay the next president you choose.”