OTTAWA – The Green Party of Canada has accepted the nomination of David Merner as a contestant for the party’s leadership.

The new leader will be chosen at a national convention, currently scheduled to be held in Charlottetown P.E.I. in October, and will replace Elizabeth May (MP, Saanich-Gulf Islands) who stepped down in November, 2019 after 13 years in the position.

David Merner has worked for more than 30 years in law, government, and political activism. Over his 28 years in public service, Mr. Merner provided constitutional, legal and policy advice to ministers in Conservative, Liberal, and NDP governments. He served at the Department of Justice and Privy Council Office in Ottawa, as well as at the Ministry of Attorney General in Victoria.

Mr. Merner has volunteered for environmental, conflict resolution, and democratic reform organizations, including on the boards of directors of The Land Conservancy of B.C., Mediate B.C., and Fair Vote Canada. He also has extensive campaign experience at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels, including campaigns for Green candidates in British Columbia, New Brunswick and Ontario. In 2019, Mr. Merner ran for the Green Party of Canada in Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke, finishing second with 26 per cent of the vote.

All Green Party of Canada members in good standing are eligible to vote in the leadership election. For more information on contestants, contest rules and how and when to vote, go to Green Party Leadership.

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For more information or to arrange an interview:

Rosie Emery

Press Secretary

613-562-4916 ext, 204

rosie.emery@greenparty.ca