Elizabeth May doubts Canadians will be going to the polls in 2024, saying voters deserve a break before the next federal election.
During a Parliament Hill news conference today, the leader of the Green Party of Canada said an election in 2024 is not a good idea.
“We had an election in 2021. Everybody had a gut sense it’s too soon. What’s the reason for an election now?’” May told journalists. “There’s something very, very good right now, I think, about giving the country the breathing space.”
A Nanos Research survey done for CTV News this week found approximately one in two Canadians would prefer the next federal election take place as soon as possible or at some point in 2024.
The Liberals and NDP signed a deal in 2022 in which the NDP agreed to support the minority Liberals on key votes in Parliament in exchange for action on NDP policy priorities. The two parties have agreed to maintain their agreement until 2025, with a federal election scheduled for October.
May said she expects the Liberal-NDP deal will hold.
“I feel quite confident at this point: We’re not going to see an election until the fixed election date of 2025. And, frankly, I think that will be good for the country and good for our economy.”
May said she is optimistic about Green prospects in the next election. The party has two seats. May represents the Vancouver Island riding of Saanich-Gulf Islands and Mike Morrice is the MP for Kitchener Centre in Ontario.
“Regardless of when an election happens, the Green Party is going to surprise people with electing a lot more MPs than we have had in the past,” she said.
May said she bases her optimism on voter disillusionment with the Liberals and NDP, and concern about the brand of Pierre Poilievre’s conservatism. She also cited the Greens winning a provincial by-election in the Ontario riding of Kitchener Centre in November.
May said the party has prospects in Ontario, Atlantic Canada and British Columbia, but will have to work to make the most of them.
