There have been many times over the years when some voices have argued Elizabeth May doesn’t deserve to be heard during an election, period.

Because of her party’s status. Because of how her Green Party is perceived as a one-trick pony. Because of her profanity and strange behaviour at this year’s parliamentary press gallery dinner (for which she was right to apologize).

But after watching May perform at Thursday’s leaders’ debate and speaking with her at length at a Sun Media editorial board on Friday, we vouch for May as a credible voice on the national stage who is worth hearing out.

She’s serious. She’s intelligent. She’s passionate about her policies – not just the environmental ones. She’s no fringe candidate.

That said, we’re not letting the cat out of the bag by revealing the Leafs will win the Stanley Cup before we endorse the Green Party in this election.

A number of her policies – especially the environmental ones – don’t serve citizens and taxpayers well.

May’s “carbon fee and dividend” makes more sense than “cap and trade.” But it’s still essentially a tax, designed to redirect human behaviour. We’ll stick with the free market.

It’s a cliche that a vote for the Green Party is a wasted vote.

A cliche May tries to combat everywhere she goes. But it’s still essentially true.

The Green platform will likely be a mix of left, right and centrist policies. A refreshing change, some might say. That’s not exactly helpful at corralling votes. though

But that doesn’t mean there’s no role for May in federal politics. Her desire to get impact assessments on how government bills affect small businesses is a winner.

We don’t agree with May’s pitch for a national pharmacare program. But her point that provincial governments could save billions of dollars by co-ordinating their efforts through one national agency buying drugs on their behalf is valid.

It’s also refreshing to see a politician not afraid of taking clear positions. She doesn’t go on at length mouthing vague platitudes, as Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau has a tendency to do.

May isn’t a fringe irritant. She’s a capable and thought-provoking presence on the political scene, with whom we fundamentally disagree on some major issues.