Ottawa-
The president of the Green Party of Canada has resigned, telling members in a letter that her “optimism is dead” amid the party’s current turmoil.
The Canadian Press has obtained a letter from Lorraine Rekmans, who writes that she can no longer serve because “there is no vision of a better future, only an effort to look back and settle old scores, while the planet burns”.
“I am leaving this party on my own terms,” Rekmans wrote. “I resigned on principle. I had no faith in the leadership candidates, and they had no faith in me, and I lost faith in the federal council.”
Rekmans wrote that she has been marginalized, insulted and denigrated by the leadership candidates and that she sees no way to continue to be president when one of them will be the main spokesperson for the party.
Four of the six leadership candidates, along with Green MP Mike Morrice, recently released a joint statement condemning interim leader Amita Kuttner’s sexual misconduct – who is transgender and non-binary – during a Zoom event on Friday. gone, although they congratulated Rekmans on an immediate decision. apologies.
The Greens launched a leadership race this summer to find a replacement for Annamie Paul, who stepped down after a disappointing performance for the party in the 2021 election.
Her tenure was marked by internal conflict and she accused some party members of racism and sexism.
Leadership candidate Sarah Gabrielle Baron, who did not sign the joint statement, said party business should be handled internally.
Simon Gnocchini-Messier, who also did not sign the joint statement, said Rekmans had his full support as president. He said in a statement that he trusted Rekmans to investigate and shut down allegations of transphobic behavior within the party.
The other leadership candidates could not immediately be reached for comment. The winner is expected to be announced no later than November.
Kuttner told The Canadian Press that it is not yet clear how the resignation will affect the leadership race.
“I am grateful for all of his work and dedication over the years and for his time on the board,” they said. “I wish him all the best. We will chart the way forward as things change and get better.”
Rekmans said in his letter that the party’s current federal council looks completely different from last year’s election, but they now face the same allegations of “diversity insensitivity”, as well as allegations that the board is not careful with finances or communications.
“It has been an eventful term for me as President of the Green Party of Canada,” she wrote.
“After a year of working on this for over 40 hours a week as a volunteer, I’m exhausted and my optimism is dead. I suggest you might want to pay the next president you elect.”
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on September 10, 2022.