Green Party of Ontario candidate Greg Laxton received 12.3% of the votes cast in Ottawa Centre.  This is a large increase from the 7.7% of Green votes in the 2003 provincial election.  Throughout the province Green candidates were contending for election, especially in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound where Shane Jolley came a strong second with 33.1% of the vote.

A pleasant fact coming out of the election is that many people were voting for the Green Party as opposed to against the old parties.  Both reasons are entirely legitimate (our party is proud to be None of the Above), but it is refreshing to know that citizens who sit down and read our policies carefully are impressed enough to say that we are the party that best represents their interests.  Whether it is environmental stewardship or advocating equality in our school system, our party offers fresh ideas and solutions while the other parties bicker about past misdeeds.

Congratulations to Greg Laxton and his dedicated team of volunteers for running an excellent campaign and receiving Ottawa Centre’s highest Green Party vote percentage yet (federal or provincial … we’re growing every day!).  Congratulations to Yasir Naqvi of the Liberals for being elected Ottawa Centre’s MPP.  Further congratulations to all of Ottawa Centre’s candidates.  We applaud every citizen who is willing to serve the public as an elected representative, no matter which party (if any) they choose to represent.