A Grey Highlands councillor is going Green.

Danielle Valiquette is seeking the nomination to be the Green Party candidate in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound for the fall’s federal election.

Valiquette, who was elected to Grey Highlands council in October, said Monday that she has been contemplating a move to federal politics, but her timeline has moved up.

“This is something I put a lot of thought into, but wasn’t going to do for another four years,” Valiquette said. “But with Larry Miller retiring and the Liberals in a position right now where not everybody is loving them, and with all the momentum the Green Party is getting right now, I decided now was the time, and I am so glad I did.”

Valiquette said the biggest issue the world is facing right now is climate change, and she wants to be able to do what she can to help combat it.

“I think there is a danger of us not being here one day,” Valiquette said. “Much of the literature that has come out of late that talks of Canada warming twice as fast as other places in the world, etc., is of great concern to me.”

But Valiquette said she also feels really strongly about the Green Party’s policies, particularly their economic platform.

“I believe that the new economy is in renewables,” said Valiquette. “Running to me is important and I feel climate change and the environment are a critical issue that we need to deal with today, however I feel the Green Party is more than a one-hit wonder right now.”

Valiquette said the Green Party has a lot of momentum with Paul Manly seen as having a shot in a byelection in the British Columbia riding of Nanaimo-Ladysmith, and the Green Party doing well in the polls for the upcoming provincial election in Prince Edward Island.

“It is pretty exciting times,” said Valiquette. “I was in Guelph on Friday and they had five people running for the candidacy and there must have been 250 to 300 people who came out to see it.”

And Valiquette said the Green Party has had some good showings in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, and she thinks the world is a different place than it was four years ago.

“I think the Green Party is a party who four years ago people wouldn’t have even thought of looking at,” said Valiquette. “Hopefully people will examine us as more than just an environmental good choice, but a good choice all around.”

Valiquette, 44, lives with her husband Yves and their three children – age 14, 12, and 6 — on a 50-acre farm near Ceylon. She has long had connections to the area, but moved to the area permanently 11 years ago to raise their children.

Valiquette, who has sat on boards in the past and was involved in the student association at college, first ran for politics locally in 2010, when she finished second to Jim Dawson in the race for the Bluewater District School Board trustee for Grey Highlands and Southgate.

She was then successful in making it onto council this past fall, and has really enjoyed the experience so far.

“It is definitely something I feel passionate about,” said Valiquette. “I love my council and we have a really wonderful, progressive council that is everything a council should be.”

Valiquette said Grey Highlands council was one of the first to know her intentions to run for the Green Party. Should she receive the nomination she plans to step down temporarily for the writ period prior to the Oct. 21 election. Should she be successful in winning the election, she will permanently resign from council.

Valiquette said other candidates can still come forward, but if none do she will be acclaimed at the party’s annual general meeting at the Grey Roots Museum and Archives on April 27.