November 1, 2024
Cooperation between the NDP and Green Parties prior to the BC provincial election could have provided less uncertainty and benefited both parties.
Toronto – Cooperate for Canada (C4C) criticized the provincial NDP and Green Party for risking a Conservative win in British Columbia.
The BC election results were very close in many ridings with the NDP winning 47 seats and the Conservatives 44 seats. The Greens won 2 seats.
If the NDP and Greens had cooperated by not running Green candidates in a dozen ridings – where they received less than 11 percent of the vote – the NDP could have won 8 more seats and avoided very slim wins in another 4.
Less risky tactics are needed. Instead of abetting a near Conservative win, perhaps, pre-election, the Greens could have negotiated a cabinet post in return for facilitating an NDP majority.
The Saskatchewan and New Brunswick elections were not as fertile for cooperation. Saskatchewan is much more polarized by region, not ridings. Unlike BC, New Brunswick’s Conservatives were on the wane, rather than rising.
QUOTES:
“The two more progressive parties preferred to compete with each other, rather than cooperate and prevent vote-splitting. Fortunately, they gambled and won, but the climate and other crises are too serious to take such chances.” – Barbara Schumacher, Cooperate for Canada
“Because of this close call in BC, the Conservative win in the Toronto-St. Paul’s federal by-election, and the Conservative lead in the polls federally, many Canadians think it’s time the Liberals, NDP, and Greens put Canada’s future before party loyalty. This would enable the collective voices of the majority who vote left of centre to win elections, rather than lose to minority Conservative parties which only represent the interests of wealthy individuals and multinational corporations.” – Marilyn Hay, Cooperate for Canada.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Barbara Schumacher – bschumac@uwaterloo.ca
Marilyn Hay – haymarilyn7@gmail.com (French)
Inquiries from the general public: Contact