Schreiner achieves 92% approval rating from GPO membership

GPO Leader Mike Schreiner achieved a 92% approval rating this weekend at the party’s convention held in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

“I am honoured to have the overwhelming support of the membership,” said Schreiner. “We are a unified team with the same goal: to give Ontarians an alternative to the stale politics-as-usual at Queen’s Park that is failing to tackle the big challenges facing our province.”

Schreiner’s approval rating of 92% is impressive compared to that of other party Leaders. Tim Hudak achieved 78.7% approval rating from Progressive Conservatives in February and Andrea Horwath achieved 76.4% approval from the Ontario NDP in April.

In his address to delegates on Saturday, Schreiner rallied members in anticipation of the call for a by-election to replace Elizabeth Witmer (PC) in Kitchener--Waterloo.

“On May 2, 2011, voters elected the first Green MP in Canadian history. Elizabeth May has shown how powerful one voice can be in the House of Commons,” said Schreiner. “In Ontario, the balance of power hangs on one seat. By voting Green in Kitchener—Waterloo, voters have the opportunity to put the community’s needs ahead of party interests and send a strong message to Queen’s Park that we can get politics back on the rails in Ontario.”

Schreiner will be visiting the riding to speak to members in Kitchener--Waterloo on Thursday to begin preparations for the by-election that is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

Ontario Green Party Affirms Support for Community Energy Projects at Annual Conference

Felix Braz, Green MP, Luxembourg

Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner announced at the party’s annual convention this weekend in Huntsville that supporting local green energy entrepreneurs and investing in community energy projects will be an essential part of the party’s election platform.

Schreiner shared the Green Party’s vision for harnessing safe, affordable sources of renewable energy to power Ontario’s economy.  He emphasized the party’s support for community energy projects that stimulate local job creation and ensure local benefits.  He reaffirmed the Green’s position that local communities should be equal partners in energy projects and that municipalities must have decision-making power in the siting of such projects.

Schreiner also announced the Green Party’s support for loan guarantees to facilitate community power projects.  The Greens will also push to prioritize grid access for community projects and local entrepreneurs.  Schreiner cited Denmark as an example of where the successful deployment of renewable energy was accomplished democratically with local decision-making, ownership and benefits.

Mike Schreiner, GPO Leader

The Green Party’s energy platform will also prioritize investments in energy efficiency and conservation as the most cost effective and financially responsible approach to Ontario’s long-term energy needs.  Schreiner announced the party’s support for funding a Green Building Program to help individuals and businesses save money by reducing energy demand, while creating thousands of local construction jobs in communities across the province.

Schreiner’s vision was affirmed by Felix Braz, Member of Parliament of the Chamber of Deputies of Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, in his address to an energetic crowd of members and supporters.