Dear Green Party Supporter:
In just over 100 days the 40th Ontario General Election will have come and gone, and we are pushing hard to make this our greatest election effort to date.
Despite losing seven critical weeks of organizing and preparation due to the recent federal election, we have managed to create a series of successful endeavors this spring, including:
- Hosting an extremely successful pre-election AGM in beautiful Muskoka;
- Launching our 2011 election platform at Queen’s Park, with over a dozen journalists in attendance;
- Investing in the production of a promotional video of the platform;
- Conducting an extensive pre-campaign tour of the province with leader Mike Schreiner;
- Undertaking our most successful calendar contest ever, with 200 photo submissions thus far; and
- Filling key staffing positions, and continuing to build our successful internship program.
Combined with the election of Elizabeth May as our first Canadian Green MP on May 2nd, we have had an amazing spring and are looking forward to continued success this summer. However, the past several weeks have been particularly challenging with the ongoing labour dispute at Canada Post. The Green Party of Ontario relies on direct mail for a large percentage of our revenue from generous members and supporters. With only two months before the official start of the provincial election, we need to continue our campaign strategy and ramp up our efforts.
Prior to the escalation of the postal dispute with last week’s lockout, a letter was mailed to members and supporters. Depending on timing, either they are stuck in the postal system and have not yet arrived, or they arrived and you are unable to reply due to the lockout.
Last year, we launched a new annual campaign, the Forest of Hope, in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. The premise is simple: a portion of your financial contribution made through this campaign will go towards planting trees. To this end, we have partnered with a local community organization, Further Advancement In Tree Habitats – www.faithproject.ca. In its second year, it has a 2011 goal of planting a 400-strong sustainable tree habitat that will have a healthy and lasting effect on both the environment and the people living in the Durham Region.
This is our legacy for generations of Ontarians to come. Please consider being part of the Forest of Hope and help us prepare for the fall election with a special online financial contribution.
Thank you so much for your continued support of our party, the Green Party of Ontario.
Yours Sincerely,
Craig Cantin
Deputy Executive Director
Green Party of Ontario