Are the ‘boys’ scared by Elizabeth May?

Across the country there has been a public outcry over the move by media executives to bend to Conservatives, Bloc and NDP threats and not allow Green Party Leader Elizabeth to participate in October's nationally televised election debates.

In a news release reacting to the decision May says the debate is one of the important events in a federal election and the arbitrary decision to bar the Green Party will jeopardize the fairness of this election.

“Harper says this election is about strong leadership. It’s about strong-arm leadership. We are a national party with a point of view supported by Canadians. This decision is undemocratic and we have no choice but to challenge it,” said Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party of Canada.

“I think it’s appalling that the media consortium is submitting to Stephen Harper and Jack Layton’s threats,” commented Ms. May.

“Stephen Harper knows disenchanted former Progress Conservatives, Reform and Alliance supporters are turning to the Green Party as the best alternative to represent their values.”

Locally Craig Bridges, Green Party Candidate for Nipissing-Timiskaming says the decision is disappointing but comes as no surprise.

“As for the leaders debate, I can't say that I am surprised by anything, except maybe that Mr. Dion wanted Ms. May to participate.”

“The leaders who are already there do not want to share the stage with anyone who will diminish their "face time." There is great talk about the inclusiveness of our democracy until someone comes along with a different outlook and new ideas. New ideas are dangerous to the established power base and will always be suppressed for as long as possible,” states Bridges.

“It is unfortunate that they have shut out the leader of the Green Party, but I don't think that we should take it too personally -- they would have tried to block out the Brown Party, the White Party, the Purple Party, or any other party that is willing to challenge their stale ideas of what good governance really is.”

May says she will file a complaint with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, and pursue legal proceedings to overturn the decision.