Toronto, Ontario – With the election only a day away, the Green Party of Ontario is asking voters to vote Green to send a message to Queen’s Park that politics as usual is just not working.

“In the leaders’ debate, we saw nothing new from the old line parties,” said Schreiner. “Notably absent were issues critical to Ontario communities, like stopping the Melanchton Mega-quarry, rebuilding our local economies while tackling climate change and protecting clean air, water and farmland. If they can’t be bothered to talk about these issues in the debate, it is unlikely they will make them a priority at Queen’s Park”

Green MPPs are prepared to play a powerful role in the upcoming provincial legislature.

“Every Green vote sends a message that we have to develop better policies that respect our communities, our economy and our environment,” said Schreiner. “Only Green MPPs will raise the issues that secure our future for generations to come.”

The Green Party of Ontario is the only party addressing the following issues:

• Lowering taxes on small businesses and income to create good local jobs, while reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions with a price on carbon.
• Helping people save money by saving energy, not subsidizing energy use and pollution.
• Ending corporate and union donations to political parties, to remove even the appearance of undue influence. Corporations and unions don’t vote, people do.
• Calling for a smart, fair, equitable school board system with a plan to engage citizens in determining the best way forward.
• Making family farms and local food processing a top priority, so we can all enjoy fresh, affordable food on our tables, today, and in the future.
• Sustaining our public health care system with a focus on preventing illness and providing better access to quality, community care, close to home∙
• Protecting our water and farmland by stopping the Melancthon Mega Quarry and the Holland Marsh Gas Plant

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Rebecca Harrison
Director of Communications
Green Party of Ontario
(905) 999 – 5479
rebeccaharrison@gpo.ca

COBOURG, Ontario – Local Green Party of Ontario candidate JUDY TORRIE SMITH  (Northumberland Quinte-West) announced the Green Party’s plan to reform the Ontario Electoral system to ensure that special interests take a back seat to the priorities of Ontarians.

“It takes a lot of money to run a political campaign the likes of the old line parties. Primetime advertising, a fleet of buses emblazoned with their faces – all cost money,” said Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner. “This type of extravagant spending has become the norm, making corporate and union donations the lifeblood of the old parties.”

The problem lies in the fact that corporations and unions don’t vote – people do. And when corporations and unions are allowed to donate, the people in them are effectively allowed to exceed the contribution limits of other individuals set by the province.

Corporate and Union donations have been prohibited in democracies around the world including the Federal government in Canada. By ending such donations, the Green Party argues that politicians remove even the appearance of undue influence.

“Politics as usual in Ontario is not working,” concluded Schreiner. “Only one party has the courage to change the way parties function from the campaign up. That is why we need Green MPPs at Queen’s Park.”

Your Green MPPs will:

• End corporate and union donations to political parties, candidates and campaigns in provincial and municipal elections

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For more information:
Sherri Duncan, Press Liaison: 905-372-5528
Judy Smith Torrie, NQW Provincial Green Party Candidate
Cell: 905-396-2604

Campaign Contact information:
Gudren Ludorf-Weaver
Campaign Manager, 905-376-5370 or 905-376-5024

Judy Smith Torrie Election Campaign
Campaign Office:
37 King St. West Cobourg, ON, K9A 2M1 Phone: 905-376-5370 or 905-376-5024

Fellow supporters,

Last night’s televised leader’s debate was a preview of what Queen’s Park can look like for the next four years.

Did you hear any of the participating party leader’s talk about energy conservation? How about the proposed mega-quarry that will destroy pristine farmland the size of 1/3 of Toronto? What about more than a single line on the reckless cost of nuclear power? Even a word about establishing a smart, fair, equitable school board system?

No? Me neither.

Throughout this campaign, we have been clear: Green MPPs at Queen’s Park is the most effective way the issues in our 5-point plan will be advanced. We are the only party that will address concerns about creating jobs, building a strong economy, tackling climate change and balancing our provincial budget with modern solutions instead of using ideas from the past century. Last night’s debate is proof positive that the legacy parties will not speak to these issues.

This week’s opinion polls (Abacus Data and EKOS) shows that we are gradually building strength heading into the home stretch. With eight days remaining, we can push hard and continue this momentum right until Election Day.

Your help, through a final election contribution to the Green Party, is essential.

We want to make a special effort during the final week in our key ridings with increased canvassing and placing our radio ads on the air. We have run a tight fiscal ship during this campaign, and have only spent what we have. Through your financial support today, you can help make that key strategic difference.

Thank you for your financial support.

Craig Cantin
Deputy Executive Director
Green Party of Ontario

CONTRIBUTE

“I would have welcomed the chance to go head to head with the other Leaders,” says Schreiner. “As a small business owner who grew up on a farm, I know first-hand how to create jobs and responsibly manage our financial and natural resources. Greens are tackling the tough issues with straight talk and sensible, long-term solutions that need to be heard in the debate.”

The Green Party is running a full slate of 107 candidates in every riding in the province in this election. The Green Platform, released before the other parties’, tackles the major challenges facing Ontario today, with a long-term perspective that secures our children’s future.

Read the full media release at the GPO website

Unfortunately, the old parties are too afraid to let Mike speak. They know the Green Party provides an option for real change. Just look at our platform and see that we have comprehensive plans and not just sound bites, with fresh ideas that focus on making Ontario successful today, tomorrow and for years to come.

What: Raise Green Voices: Rally with Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner
When: Tuesday, September 27
Time: 6:30 pm
Where: Downtown Toronto, exact location to be announced

Click here for complete details of next week’s rally.

What: Green Party candidate, Judy Smith Torrie will be handing out White Spruce saplings while greeting and meeting citizens of and visitors to Cobourg.

Where and When: The event will take place in front of her campaign office at 37 King St. W., at 2:45 p.m. on Wednesday, September 21st.

Who: Judy Smith Torrie will be accompanied by her campaign officers Gigi Ludorf-Weaver and Bonnie McCool.

Why: “We take so much out of the environment,” says campaign officer Bonnie McCool “its time we did something positive to give back!”

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For more information:
Sherri Duncan, Press Liaison: 905-372-5528
Judy Smith Torrie, NQW Provincial Green Party Candidate
Cell: 905-396-2604

Campaign Contact information:
Gudren Ludorf-Weaver
Campaign Manager, 905-376-5370 or 905-376-5024

Judy Smith Torrie Election Campaign
Campaign Office:
37 King St. West Cobourg, ON, K9A 2M1 Phone: 905-376-5370 or 905-376-5024

Today, Green Party of Ontario Leader, Mike Schreiner, announced the Green Party’s plan to prioritize local energy projects while touring an Alliston farm that is home to Simcoe County’s largest solar installation.

“Local solar projects like this one highlight why scrapping green energy is bad for our communities,” said Schreiner “The Green Party’s plan for a community FIT and microFIT program benefits our local economy by generating income for farmers, businesses and home owners. Local renewable energy projects create jobs that keep money in our communities while producing energy without pollution.”

Since 2010, the Green Party of Ontario has demanded that the government prioritize grid connections for local projects, ahead of multinational corporations. The slow processing time for microFIT applications and the lack of grid access for local projects has shaken consumer confidence and will make it more difficult for solar companies to win back customers.

The Green Party’s approach to renewable energy prioritizes local ownership and local decision-making so that energy projects maximize local benefits and are located in places that make sense.

“Our community deserves to benefit from the new green economy,” said Judy Smith Torrie, Green Party candidate for Northumberland-Quinte West. “We deserve the jobs and the revenue associated with clean energy production. Only the Green Party’s plan ensure the net benefit of green energy stay right here in our community.”

Green MPPs will:

• Promote a community FIT program that requires local ownership, local decision making and local benefits.
• Prioritize grid access for locally owned and community-based renewable energy projects.
• Establish a loan guarantee program for public benefit, community-based renewable energy projects.

For more information on the Green Party’s 5 Point Plan visit: www.itstimeforgreen.ca

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For more information:
Judy Smith Torrie, NQW Provincial Green Party Candidate
905-372-0216
905-396-2604

Campaign Contact information:
Gudren Ludorf-Weaver
Campaign Manager, 905-376-5370 or 905-376-5024

Judy Smith Torrie Election Campaign
Campaign Office:
37 King St. West Cobourg, ON, K9A 2M1 Phone: 905-376-5370 or 905-376-5024

The Heart and Stroke Foundation is launching the Healthy Candidates campaign (www.HealthyCandidates.ca) to encourage all candidates to “go healthy” this election. This means candidates must agree to the Healthy Candidate commitment to have the government invest more to promote and support better health in Ontario.

With the campaign’s official launch today, the Heart and Stroke Foundation is pleased to announce that four “Ambassadors” have agreed to sign on and lead the way for their respective political parties. The Ambassadors (in alphabetical order) are Conservative MPP Christine Elliott, NDP MPP France Gélinas, Liberal MPP Eric Hoskins and Green Party candidate Judy Smith Torrie.

Each Ambassador has his or her own personal motivation.

“I support this campaign because I grew up in a time when fruits and vegetables came out of a can full of salt. Now as an adult, I know that a diet rich in fresh fruit, vegetables and whole grains may decrease my risk of heart disease by as much as 30%. In this fast paced life, I need every advantage to good health I can get!”, said Judy Smith Torrie.

For additional information, voters and candidates are encouraged to visit Healthy Candidates.

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For more information:
Judy Smith Torrie, NQW Provincial Green Party Candidate
905-372-0216
905-396-2604

Campaign Contact information:
Gudren Ludorf-Weaver
Campaign Manager, 905-376-5370 or 905-376-5024

Judy Smith Torrie Election Campaign
Campaign Office:
37 King St. West Cobourg, ON, K9A 2M1 Phone: 905-376-5370 or 905-376-5024

What: Green Party candidate, Judy Smith Torrie will be hosting the Green Party of Ontario Leader, Mike Schreiner. Mr. Schreiner will be visiting Judy Smith Torrie campaign headquarters, visiting the Paul Burnham Family Farm and solar installation, visiting a local solar project, and meeting with Cobourg Mayor Gil Brocanier.

Where and When: Mr. Schreiner will be available at the following locations on Friday, Sept. 16, 2011:

• Paul Burnham Family Farm and solar installation- 1 p.m. (7834 County Rd. 2, between Cobourg and Port Hope)
• Solar project – 1:35 p.m.(northwest corner of King St. W. and Burnham St., Cobourg)
• Judy Smith Torrie campaign headquarters – 3:00-3:30 p.m (37 King St. West, Cobourg)

Who: Mike Schreiner was elected Leader of the Green Party of Ontario (GPO) in November, 2009. This will be the first Provincial election in which Mr. Schreiner is running as GPO Leader. He ran in a by-election in Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock in March, 2009. A short biography of Mr. Schreiner can be found at: http://www.gpo.ca/about/leader

Why: The media are invited to interview Mr. Schreiner regarding the Green Party of Ontario’s provincial election campaign and the Green Party’s recently announced Five Point Platform which can be found at: http://www.itstimeforgreen.ca/

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For more information:
Sherri Duncan, Press Liaison: 905-372-5528
Judy Smith Torrie, NQW Provincial Green Party Candidate
Cell: 905-396-2604

Campaign Contact information:
Gudren Ludorf-Weaver
Campaign Manager, 905-376-5370 or 905-376-5024

Judy Smith Torrie Election Campaign
Campaign Office:
37 King St. West Cobourg, ON, K9A 2M1 Phone: 905-376-5370 or 905-376-5024

Judy Smith Torrie, Northumberland Qunite-West Green candidate, along with Green Team, are preparing to ‘spruce up’ the riding. While others are talking about what they plan to do for the riding, Judy and her team are already doing something positive.

Her Team is preparing to hand out White Spruce saplings at various events throughout the riding. “We take so much out of the environment,” says campaign team memeber Bonnie McCool “its time we did something positive to give back!”

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For more information:
Judy Smith Torrie, NQW Provincial Green Party Candidate
905-372-0216
Cell 905-377-1278

Campaign Contact information:
Gudren Ludorf-Weaver
Campaign Manager, 905-376-5370 or 905-376-5024

Judy Smith Torrie Election Campaign
Campaign Office:
37 King St. West Cobourg, ON, K9A 2M1 Phone: 905-376-5370 or 905-376-5024