June 26, 2025
Toronto | Tkaronto — In a nation-wide campaign called Cooperate for Canada, a group of concerned citizens is calling on non-Conservative parties to cooperate electorally to prevent a Pierre Poilievre win in the next federal election.
“After the shock of the Conservative win in Toronto-St. Paul’s we need to consider the impact of failing to cooperate — and what it will mean for the future of Canada,” said Barbara Schumacher, chair of the Cooperate for Canada campaign. “The next election will be extremely critical, and we need to organize to prevent the regressive policies of an ultra-right-wing Conservative Party in power.”
It is increasingly clear that progressive political parties — and voters — must not ignore these threats and carry on business as usual. “Our first past-the-post electoral system too often puts Conservatives in power, although a majority of citizens vote for progressive, non-Conservative parties,” explained Marilyn Hay, of Cooperate for Canada. “Our government’s failure to implement a fair electoral system leaves it to voters to find a way to elect a government that reflects the values of the majority.”
“We also want to educate voters about Poilievre’s policies,” said Lyn Adamson, of Cooperate for Canada. “Many people don’t realize that the Conservatives have voted consistently against popular initiatives, including an increased tax on wealth, accessible daycare, national dental care and pharmacare, Indigenous rights, government-funded housing, and solutions to the climate crisis.”
“There is more than ever at stake as we confront an increasingly deadly climate breakdown and crushing
affordability crises,” said Hay. “Our progressive parties agree on most key issues — from democratic rights to climate action to public healthcare. But in spite of this, they have attacked each other in past election campaigns, splitting the progressive vote, and guaranteeing a Conservative victory. The most recent example is the Toronto-St. Paul’s by-election, where Conservatives won by a slim margin against a larger combined vote of Liberals, NDP and Greens.” Source: https://enr.elections.ca/ElectoralDistricts.aspx?ed=2237&lang=e”
Members of the Cooperate for Canada campaign will lobby the Liberals, NDP, Greens, and Bloc to stop competing with each other in ridings across the country where splitting the progressive vote would ensure a Conservative victory. The members of the Cooperate for Canada campaign encourage progressive non-profit groups, high-profile Canadians and all voters to participate in the campaign to help ensure Pierre Poilievre does not become our next prime minister.
“One thing is certain: If Liberals, Greens, and NDP do not cooperate during the next election, the Conservatives will win a majority government and the majority of Canadians will lose,” says Isaiah Ritzmann, of Cooperate for Canada.
“We respect a diversity of voices, but we need to cooperate, not compete with one another,” said Hay. “We call on progressive parties to cooperate, particularly in ridings where the progressive vote is split, running a one-time coalition candidate or a paper candidate, by challenging the Conservatives instead of each other. We need to cooperate with one another to ensure a win for Canada and our future.”
The newly launched Cooperate for Canada website is designed to provide Canadians with information on the campaign, how they can be involved, the politics of Poilievre, and more.
Please visit: https://cooperateforcanada.ca/
For more information or to request an interview, please contact:
Barbara Schumacher – 226-753-9861, bschumac@uwaterloo.ca
Marilyn Hay – 226 972 3699, haymarilyn7@gmail.com (English/Français)