Green Party leader Annamie Paul faces leadership challenge with possible non-confidence vote
Green Party #GreenParty
Breadcrumb Trail Links
A source says former leader Elizabeth May’s unwillingness to take direction and to fade into the background has been a constant issue since Paul took over as leader
Author of the article:
Ryan Tumilty
Publishing date:
Jun 15, 2021 • 56 minutes ago • 4 minute read • 5 Comments 
Green Party of Canada Leader Annamie Paul speaks at a news conference regarding the defection of MP Jenica Atwin to the Liberal Party, June 10, 2021. Photo by Justin Tang/The Canadian Press/File Article content
OTTAWA – Green Party leader Annamie Paul is facing a challenge to her leadership that could see her forced out this summer, potentially just as Canadians are set to head to the polls.
Paul was set to face the first in a three-step process Tuesday night that could lead to her removal as leader, even as most observers in Ottawa expect a federal election no later than fall.
The Green Party’s federal council, effectively the organization’s board of directors, is expected to consider holding a non-confidence vote on July 15. If the council agrees to hold the vote, and if it is successful, then all Green party members will have to vote on Paul’s fate at an annual general meeting likely in August or September.
The leader of Quebec’s Green party, Alex Tyrrell, said that Paul should step aside, because she has failed to unite the party.
“I’ve never seen this level of conflict and discord within the federal Green party,” Tyrrell said in an interview.
Advertisement
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Paul’s leadership has been tested in recent weeks by the floor crossing of MP Jenica Atwin who joined the Liberals, reducing the party’s seat count from three to two.
MP Jenica Atwin softens tone on Israel after crossing floor to Liberals from Green party Green MP crosses floor to join Liberals after challenging leader over Israeli-Palestinian conflict Atwin was the party’s only MP outside of British Columbia and offered hope the party could grow its support and elect more MPs across the country.
Prior to crossing the floor, Atwin called the Green’s position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict “inadequate” and has said Israeli policies constituted an “apartheid” against Palestinian people.
One of Paul’s close advisors then wrote a social media post indicating — without naming names — that many MPs, including Green MPs, were making anti-Semitic comments.
Advertisement
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
A source familiar with the party’s internal deliberations said former leader Elizabeth May hasn’t let go of the reins of the party, with many members of the federal council taking their direction from May.
The source said May’s unwillingness to take direction has been a constant issue since Paul took over as leader, with May not prepared to follow the new leader’s direction and to fade into the background the way former leadership contenders do. The source said the push to oust Paul is coming from people loyal to May, and that Paul was unlikely to go quietly.
May was the party’s leader for 13 years and was the first Green to win a seat in Parliament when she was elected in 2013.
May did not return calls from the National Post on Tuesday and Paul Manly, the party’s other MP, was not available for an interview. May stepped down voluntarily after the 2019 election, setting up the leadership process that led to Paul’s selection as leader.
Advertisement
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content 
Newly minted Federal Green Party Leader Annamie Paul speaks during a news conference in Toronto as former leader Elizabeth May listens, October 7, 2020. Photo by Peter J. Thompson/National Post/File
In an interview published Tuesday in the Globe and Mail, May declined to state her position on Paul’s leadership. Last week May and Manly responded separately from Paul about Atwin’s departure and blamed Paul’s advisor.
“We are heartbroken at the loss of our dear colleague Jenica Atwin from the caucus,” they said in a statement. “Unfortunately, the attack against Ms. Atwin by the Green Party leader’s chief spokesperson on May 14th created the conditions that led to this crisis.”
Paul was not available Tuesday afternoon, but before news of the non-confidence vote emerged, she spoke with reporters.
In response to calls for her ouster, Paul said she has spoken with the party’s grassroots who want her to carry on the fight. She said she should lead the party into the next election.
Advertisement
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
“I received a very strong mandate from our membership, just over half a year ago,” she said. “I would encourage them to respect the will of the members who were very clear about who they wanted to lead them.”
Paul rejected the notion that the Israeli-Palestine issue was the reason for Atwin’s departure.
“Ms. Atwin and I have never had a conversation about Israel and Palestine one on one,” she said. While she was an MP for our party, I have never asked her to reign in her comments. I never sanctioned her for her comments.”
Atwin walked back her comments on Israel after joining the Liberals, releasing a statement Monday saying she sees there is suffering on both sides and saying she may have used the wrong words.
“I regret if my choice of words caused harm to those who are suffering.”
Advertisement
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Paul said Atwin’s retraction of her views showed they were not what caused her to leave the party.
“I believe that this is a completely manufactured reason for her leaving and I would say that given the statement Ms. Atwin made yesterday it couldn’t possibly have been such a closely held belief for her.”
She said it is clear the Liberals wanted Atwin on their side for electoral advantage, because they’re concerned the Greens will do well in Atlantic Canada.
“This was intended to kneecap us in key ridings in places they know they need to win to secure if they want their majority,” she said. “This is what they’re capable of doing and they don’t mind what the cost is.”
– Additional reporting by The Canadian Press
• Email: rtumilty@postmedia.com | Twitter: ryantumilty
Share this article in your social network Advertisement
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Advertisement
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
NP Posted
By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You may unsubscribe any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300 Thanks for signing up!
Comments
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. We have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.