Dear Ms. May,

First, let me say how deeply I respect the work that you have done as leader of the Green Party of Canada. The environmental crises facing us are grave and require swift and committed action. It is obvious you are sincerely dedicated to creating a more sustainable and humane Canada.

However, Canadians are facing a more immediate crisis, one which also has grave implications for our future – the potential re-election of Stephen Harper as Prime Minister. I certainly don’t have to tell you how disastrous that would be for Canadians, not only regarding the environment, but also for health care, pensions, education, and so on.

At this critical moment, I believe that every Green vote is, in effect, a vote for Stephen Harper.

Why? Because Green supporters could either vote for candidates who actually might defeat their conservative opponents – or they could vote for someone who has, realistically, no chance of being elected.

In too many ridings, these wasted votes will guarantee a victory for the Tories. It might even contribute to the ultimate political nightmare – a Harper majority government.

We both know how disastrous THAT would be, not only regarding our environment, but for health care, pensions, education, and so on.

Given this dilemma, it seems to me that anyone interested in creating a greener and more just Canada, has to support whichever political party genuinely shares those goals AND – just as importantly – has the potential to form the government.

I believe that the New Democrats, with the help of Greens and other progressive voters, offer the best chance to make that a reality. For instance, the latest poll shows that if Green supporters voted for the NDP, their total would rival that of the Liberals (whose environmental credentials are, as you have pointed out, pathetic).

Such a dramatic change would give the NDP tremendous momentum and would also attract some Liberal and undecided voters. It would also get people to vote who otherwise would stay home.

At the very least, that outcome would deny Harper a majority, and would likely end his reign as Prime Minister.

In the best case scenario, the NDP would form the government.

I believe that you and all sincere Greens – as well as most Canadians – would prefer Jack Layton over Stephen Harper.

The NDP’s environmental credentials are deep and long-standing. However, where you see a need for improvement, the best way to improve policy is to work with – and perhaps within – the NDP.

In addition to the environment, New Democrats find common cause with Greens (and the majority of Canadians) in a host of issues, including proportional representation, ending poverty, ensuring good pre-natal nutrition, safe neighbourhoods, and the “’other side’ of health care – prevention” (as you put it on your website).

We both know that if Harper hangs on to power, he will continue to destroy our environment, waste money on expensive jets and other wasteful military spending, build more prisons, ignore our senior citizens, and increase inequality in Canada.

On the other hand, New Democrats – along with strong grassroots citizens movements – remains the best hope for stopping the Conservatives and electing a government that will promote peace, justice, equality, and create an ecologically friendly Canada.

Therefore, I am appealing to you to take the difficult but vital decision to support Jack Layton and the NDP, and to urge the millions of people who respect you to do the same.

Sincerely,

Peter G. Prontzos