When Ontario's election rolls around next year, someone suggested a campaign strategy for Mike Schreiner, the provincial Green Party Leader.
The strategy? Put up signs with pictures of Kathleen Wynne, Patrick Brown and Andrea Horwath on them with the caption, 'Really? Vote Green.'
"That sentiment is out there,” Schreiner said in Sudbury this week.
He was still pumped from helping Greens campaign in B.C., where, using a handful of seats they won to negotiate with the NDP and Liberals for support. They signed a deal with the New Democrats promising to back them in confidence votes, in exchange for support on certain issues.
The agreement includes a promise to hold a referendum on proportional representation.
"To achieve that in our outdated, first-past-the-post voting system is inspiring and energizing for Green across the country," Schreiner said. "I think now Canadians across the country will have a chance to see that Greens do politics differently. Green can form a caucus, and a caucus with power.
"It wasn't done in a partisan, personality driven way. It was really done in a policy-driven way. In this hyper-partisan world we live in, I think that new approach to politics is what Canadians want. And that's what people in Ontario want."
While it's a longshot, he can see a similar result in next year's provincial vote.
“The Conservative Party in Ontario seems to be unravelling," he said. "And I think there are a number of disillusioned New Democrats who just don't feel like Andrea Horwath is talking about the issues that they care about. She's been all over the map on a number of issues.
"And, obviously, the Liberals are deeply unpopular. So absolutely, I think there's a good chance we'll have a minority government."
The Greens have a good chance in at least one riding, he said, and a shot at winning a handful of others. His party is the only one offering a real alternative to the Liberal costly hydro rate cut plan.
His party's plan includes three key elements, he said: no more investments in nuclear power; instead of nuclear, they would buy power from Quebec “at a fraction of the price” of nuclear; and, instead of offering relief to everyone, discounts would be targeted to middle and low income earners.
"We need a party in Ontario -- and we don't have one now -- that has the courage to say no to the nuclear lobby -- which is the most powerful in this province," Schreiner said.
New York State just closed a costly nuclear power plant, and is now importing much cheaper power from Quebec.
"Why aren't we doing that in Ontario?"
While the Liberal plan –which will cost $43 billion at least and is the most “most expensive Band-Aid in Ontario's history" – it's still better than what the Tories and NDP are saying.
"We actually have a plan,” he said. “The NDP (proposal) is just gobbledygook. I don't even understand it. And the Conservatives don't have a plan."
"(But the Liberal's plan) is really a rate cut for the rich,” he said. “The richest in our society use the most electricity. So basically, the premier is charging up your kids' credit card and taking money away from other government services to give you some short-term relief between now and the next election."
Should Ontario's next vote mirror B.C., Schreiner said he could work with any party on an agreement to help them govern.
"I want this province to get past the partisanship and the bitter, bitter divide that's there,” he said.
“As far as I'm concerned, if somebody has a good idea, and it's good for the people of Ontario, we can work with them. I think that's what people are hungry for."
