Alberta Greens set to challenge leader
There are changes on the horizon for the Alberta Greens.
The Alberta Green party, an offshoot of the federal party of the same name, is holding its annual general meeting on Saturday in Morningside.
The main issue is a hotly contested leadership race, said current party leader George Read.
Read said some Green members are challenging the party’s fixed election dates and making moves to jump the gun on a leadership race.
“There will be a leadership challenge in 2009 as per our fixed election dates, but currently there is a challenge to say we should be like every other political party and have a leadership review at the first AGM following a provincial election. This will tie the Greens to the current system instead of sticking to our mandate and traditions. There obviously is a controversy,” he said.
Read said the challenge is coming from Joe Anglin, a candidate in this year’s provincial election. He finished second in the Lacombe-Ponoka riding.
At a recent executive meeting, a motion was made for an amendment to the Alberta Greens constitution that would allow for a leadership review and race before the next fixed election date. If it passes at the AGM, Read will step down and a new leadership race will immediately begin.
Read said he has a problem with that.
“This year we saw Stephen Harper walk away from a fixed election date. Ed Stelmach has been in the news talking about his belief that fixed elections are wrong . . . I was not aware that (the motion for a leadership review) would be happening until the executive meeting, but I was aware that Mr. Anglin felt this way and was opposed to the democratic idea of fixed election dates,” he said.
But Anglin said he didn’t put the motion forward and has no problem with fixed election dates, as long as the party leader is doing his job.
“I’m having my problems with George. What we’re trying to bump ahead is holding our leadership accountable. Our leadership, quite frankly, has never been put to task or held accountable. The way they’re reacting over this motion is not what I was hoping for,” he said.
Anglin criticized Read’s strong ties to the federal Green party, and said the current leader is too busy to run a viable provincial election campaign. According to Anglin, Read turned in paperwork too late for several paper candidates to receive rebates following the last election, and often said he was too busy for regular party work and meetings.
“As I stated earlier, I do think there’s a need for a provision in the constitution for a leadership review. I’m not sure we need to force George out of office, but putting George under pressure to act in the best interest of the party might be the best thing,” said Anglin.
Read questioned the fairness of holding an AGM when several provincial Green members are also running in the federal election. The Alberta Greens are not a part of the federal party, but Read said many provincial Greens are federal Greens as well.
“There have been a number of complaints about the legitimacy of this meeting. . . . It would appear Mr. Anglin is interested in winning no matter what it takes, and I admire his zeal,” said Read.
A press release sent from Anglin’s e-mail address recently announced the leadership challenge, but also announced that the Greens would be making a constitutional motion to change the party name.
Anglin flatly denied sending the e-mail.
“I think somebody’s trying to start a firestorm. There’s going to be some drama,” he said.
Anglin said he is considering running in the next leadership race, and that he wouldn’t refuse to step in as interim leader should Read be removed at Saturday’s meeting.
The conflict will only lead to a stronger party, he said.
“This isn’t so much infighting as it is holding people accountable and saying, ‘Do your job.’ ”
The AGM will take place at the Morningside Community Hall on Hwy 2A between Lacombe and Ponoka. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. For more information, visit www.albertagreens.ca
Contact Paige Aarhus at paarhus@reddeeradvocate.com
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