It is a delight to have the opportunity to represent Ottawa Centre and the Green Party in the next federal election.  In the coming months I will be busy telling Ottawa Centre voters that options for a Green Economy, Green Communities and Real Democracy exist.

Many of you were very generous in supporting the 2008 campaign.  It looks like we are heading into another fall election – so today I’m asking for your support to enable the campaign volunteers and I to run a professional and successful election campaign.

As I mentioned in June at a fundraiser with Elizabeth May, Ottawa Centre has the largest Green Party of Canada membership in the country, and this riding expects a dynamic and powerful campaign by the Green Party.  We need to raise a lot of money to be in a position to run a strong and compelling campaign this fall.  While anything you can donate is fantastic please see if you can manage a $400 donation. This is a great way to support our work. As well it is a wonderful way to receive a significant tax receipt for 2009.  A $20 donation costs only $5 after the tax rebate.

The easiest way to make a contribution is by credit card on our website (click the link for info on cheque donations too).  This money is dedicated to local activities and will be invested in preparing for the next election.  Each donation brings us that much closer to having as many signs, t-shirts, buttons, stickers, clipboards and brochures as we need to reach every voter in Ottawa Centre.

Another thing many Canadians aren’t aware of is that while there are constraints on spending during the campaign period, there are no such constraints on pre-campaign spending.  We really do need your support – so please consider giving at the Sustaining Club member level which is $400 or more during a calendar year.

We also need volunteers! Sign up on our volunteer form to let us know how we can reach you, and what areas of the campaign you find interesting.
Your support, in whatever form it takes is greatly appreciated!

Thanks for recognizing the power of our electoral process and making a contribution! Please stay in touch throughout the campaign.

Cheers,
Jen Hunter, Candidate – Ottawa Centre
Green Party of Canada

P.S. Yes, it’s true, we did JUST have an election. Last fall, the Conservatives ran on a platform of “Leadership” to see us through a global recession. As someone who has worked in the field of leadership for years now, I am not really sure if many politicians understand the difference between leadership and management.  There seems to be a great deal of emphasis on management and very little true leadership – which is inspired by a vision of service! As you will have noticed, projections of another federal election coming this fall have heated up recently.  While it is clear to me that if calling an election was a democratic process there would not be an election anytime soon, politics and the quest for power abounds in Ottawa. My heart still believes we can have a more enlightened way of working together in parliament and serving this magnificent country.

September 5, 2009