The Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound Green Party has acclaimed Danielle Valiquette as the riding’s candidate for the 2019 federal election.
Valiquette, a mother of three farming with her husband Yves in Ceylon, is currently responsible for the Environment profile for the Municipality of Grey Highlands. A former business analyst and Project Manager who has also taught college English, Valiquette brings a rural voice attuned to the demands of the green economy and the power of communication to foster effective collaboration.
“What we need right now are politicians who are prepared to make bold and difficult decisions. Climate change needs a new kind of leadership with real, immediate action,” Valiquette commented.
Her campaign will ride the Green Wave that swept Guelph’s Mike Schreiner to the Provincial legislature and recently resulted in a historic number of Green’s elected in PEI with hopes it will surge into the opportunity for change represented by Conservative MP Larry Miller’s retirement.
Green Electoral District Association CEO Steven Morel is energized by the current political circumstances, noting that the Green Party is also polling well in a federal by-election in BC and that, “For those deciding whether to go right or left, it’s a great time to jump on the Green Wave and move forward!”
Green Party member Jeremy Thorn was drawn to volunteering with the riding in support of Valiquette because “For me, it is species at risk, invasives as well as the monster, climate change. I decided it is time to more visibly support the environment, which is key to the future, especially in the Northern Bruce where I have lived for over ten years.”
The speaker’s panel preceding Valiquette’s nomination keenly reflected Green Party values of Diversity, Ecological Wisdom, Social Justice and Participatory Democracy. Saugeen First nation Elder Shirley John opened the afternoon with a water ceremony followed by Jodi Koberinski, a global leader in the cause of food sovereignty activism. Koberinski stressed advocating for the remaining 2% of the national population that still farms, stating “We aren’t here to critique people…we are here to find solutions.”
Panelist Teresa Pearson of CMAH carried the theme of food as community transformation by describing their local programming that provides those with mental health experience with vocational skills and healing through food growing and preparation. Finally, Valiquette led a dialogue with local business woman/ Olympic downhill ski racer Larissa Yurkiw about Yurkiw’s empowered return from injury to World Class achievement and redefining systems that foster growth.
source: media release, BGOS Green Party
