2007-2008 Alberta Greens Leader Report

I was asked by Edwin Erickson and Joe Anglin to step down as leader at two separate private meetings earlier this year, following the provincial election.

Maybe it’s time we held a leadership race?

The last year has been the best year in the history of the Alberta Greens and I am proud of the things we’ve accomplished.

• We ran 79 candidates in the 2008 provincial election, just shy of a full slate and a far cry from the 49 candidates we ran in 2004, or the 10 we ran in 2001! This really is the fastest growing political party in North America.
• Since our 2007 AGM we have tripled our membership! To accomplish this we designed and produced professional looking membership books, cleaned up our database and found organizers for Calgary and Edmonton.
• Our popularity climbed from 24,451 votes in 2004 to 43,563 votes in the 2008 spring election! To put this in perspective, in 2001, before I became leader, we received only 2,850 votes, less than 0.3% of the popular vote. This rate of growth is unprecedented! And we did this at a time when every other opposition party lost popularity and support!
• The 2008 spring election also saw us finish in second place in 2 ridings, Lacombe-Ponoka and Drayton Valley-Calmar. As a party we made the decision to throw our support and resources behind these two strong campaigns. Over 40% of the monies transferred to candidates by the party was spent on this beach-head effort. These campaigns received 3,226 votes and 1,970 votes respectively.
• At the beginning of the 2008 provincial election we were the only opposition party that was not in debt. Throughout the campaign we fundraised and spent close to $50,000 and we finished the campaign with a little money in the bank. We were the only opposition party to finish the election without a debt. We really are the only fiscally conservative choice on the ballot.

How do we continue this rapid growth?


The fastest way to increase membership outside of an election is to have a Leadership race.

The Green Party of Canada held a leadership race in 2006 and they increased their membership from 3000 members to 10,000 members! We could do the same.

A leadership race will generate attention for the party between elections when interest is traditionally at its lowest.

We could hold debates around the province throughout the year. The candidates can articulate their vision for the party to the membership and to the press.


We have advocated for fixed election dates in provincial elections and we walk our talk. We have fixed election dates for internal party elections. Anyone can run for the positions that are open and candidates know years in advance when a leadership race will be.

Well, the next leadership contest is scheduled for fall 2009.

Let’s make this year the most exciting year outside an election that the Alberta Greens have ever enjoyed!

I need your help to do this. Since 2003 when I first ran for leader against our past leader David Parker, I have not had my leadership contested. There can’t be a race if you’re the only one running.
But surely with the explosion of growth we’ve experienced there are more names that could be put forward.

So I’m asking you now, who is your leader?

By holding a contested leadership race we will all know that the leader of this party truly has the mandate from the membership to lead it.
The Alberta Greens have now grown to become a real force in the political landscape of this province.

Without a mandate from the membership it will be impossible for any leader to focus that force to achieve the success we’ve all worked so hard towards.

I look forward to seeing you Saturday at the AGM in Morningside where you’ll be able to voice your thoughts on this and the future direction of the party!

Sincerely,


George Read
Leader, Alberta Greens