Provincial Executive Elections
Every year the party holds internal elections for our governing Provincial Executive (PE). The PE is responsible for the Green Party of Ontario’s governance, similar to a board of directors, and sets the strategic goals, annual plan and budget for the party.
The successful candidates will be announced during the 2024 Convention on November 9th.
The following positions are up for election at the 2024 convention:
Online voting ends November 4th at 5pm. Mail in ballots must be received at the GPO office by November 6th at 5pm. There will be the opportunity to vote in person at the Convention on November 8th and 9th.
Secretary
1 position available
Valerie Powell
Valerie Powell (she/her) has served one term as Secretary for the GPO Provincial Executive, and would like to return for another term. Past GPO experience includes over 10 years on the Simcoe North CA executive for and as a candidate for both GPO and GPC. She is the Seniors Critic on the GPC Shadow Cabinet and contributes to party policies at both provincial and federal levels. Valerie has been a practicing artist, journalist and small business owner. Her degree in fine arts and an MSc in Aging Research culminated in a 25 year career in psychogeriatrics, a field where science and art intertwine. She has two children who work in the arts and is full time caregiver for her husband. She has a passion for improving the care of people who are aging in a system that needs to be continually evaluated and redesigned. Valerie currently sits on Simcoe County Make Every Vote Count, City of Orillia Public Art Committee, and is co-chair of the Orillia Age-Friendly Community Advisory Committee. A believer in making a difference, Valerie hosted a small family from the Ukraine. The Green Party of Ontario inspires all members to work toward a better future for all.
Central
2 gender diverse positions available
Tom Regina
Tom Regina is a founding member of the Green Party Constituency Association for Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock. He is concerned about the divisive political culture that stands in the way of governance for the common good. Electoral reform, social equity and ecological wisdom are among the Green values that drew Tom to the party
A resident of Haliburton for over thirty years, Tom taught music and was the Head of Arts at Haliburton Highlands Secondary School. As a teacher in a rural community, Tom has seen the challenges faced by many families regarding equitable access to housing and transportation as well as employment and recreational opportunities.
A strong advocate for Arts Education and community building through arts participation, Tom is a founding member of two community choirs, a local music festival for students of all ages, and the Highlands Summer Festival which provides theatre experience for community members in a semi-professional setting.
Northern
2 gender diverse positions available
Arleigh Luckett
Arleigh Luckett offers a wealth of relevant experience to Provincial Council. For the past 4 ½ years she was President of the Parry Sound-Muskoka Constituency Association leading the team that laid the ground work for Matt Richter’s second place finish in 2022.
In her 20 year career working for provincially funded social service agencies she gained insight from many points of view on both sides of the bargaining table first as front line staff and president of an OPSEU local and later as Manager of Information Systems and Human Resources.
As a volunteer Arleigh has led her local ratepayers association and several other community organizations. Currently, she co-leads Pflag Canada’s Muskoka Chapter. She is an active member of Climate Action Muskoka and a gardener for Gravenhurst Against Poverty.
Arleigh is a dedicated environmentalist. She moved to Muskoka over 50 years ago as part of the “back to the land” movement. She and her partner built their own home – a geodesic dome. Though of necessity they now live in town, they continue to be avid organic vegetable gardeners. With their daughters and their families they produce maple syrup every spring from their original 100 acres.
Kris Rivard
Born, raised, and educated in Northern Ontario, I am bilingual in French and English. I obtained a BA in Geography from Laurentian University and a post graduate certificate from Canadore College in Environmental Studies.
Growing up in Northern Ontario offered me many opportunities to develop my love of the outdoors and remain active. I continue to camp, canoe and hike as well as participate in men’s league hockey and soccer. I love being out on the water fishing or outside, woodworking and gardening.
Employed as a Sewage System Inspector for the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority, I oversee new and existing residential, commercial, and industrial development in the Nipissing District. Also had the unique opportunity to work with the Algonquin Park Cottage Lot Liaison team on their recently renewed lease policy with cottagers in Algonquin Park.
I have been a Green Party of Ontario member since 2018; running as a candidate in Nipissing in the 2018 Election. Then most recently as a candidate in Timiskaming-Cochrane in 2022, where we founded a Constituency Association in the electoral district.
I ran successfully in the most recent Municipal Election. And am now a Councillor representing Ward 1 in the Municipality of West Nipissing, having garnered over 80% of the vote to become the youngest elected official in our Municipality’s history.
Horseshoe
2 gender diverse positions available
Kyle Hutton
Kyle is a longtime Burlington resident and local activist with a passion for policy, politics, and people. Since his first election in 2008, Kyle has been a keen advocate for better climate policy at every level of government, pushing for stronger policy action from parties, candidates, and incumbents regardless of affiliation – because there’s no patience for labels and partisanship when it comes to solving the climate crisis.
Since becoming a member in 2019, Kyle has twice represented the Ontario Greens on the ballot in Halton Region, working hard to get the message out at the doorsteps. As someone who works with data, Kyle understands the insights and advantage a good data ground game can give to even the smallest of campaigns. He believes Greens can and should compete with the establishment parties, and stand tall on our shared values of social justice, equity, and community-centered change.
Kyle currently works for a BC-based environmental charity, where he helps local organizations with data projects and supporter management.
Lucia Iannantuono
Lucia Iannantuono (she/her) has run as a candidate in Hamilton Centre, has served on the Provincial Executive as Horseshoe region representative since 2022, and has been a member of this year’s Policy Committee for the 2024 Convention. She is an active environmental campaigner in Hamilton, volunteering as a board member of Environment Hamilton, a steering committee member of Hamilton 350, and a community member on the City of Hamilton’s Climate Change Advisory Committee. She is excited to continue working with Greens across Hamilton and around the Horseshoe building political momentum for climate action.
Young Greens
2 gender diverse positions available
Sophia Andrew-Joiner
My name is Sophia and I am proud to say I hug trees and recently hit 750 days on Duolingo! I study political science and philosophy at UOttawa. My program equips me with knowledge of political systems and logic to enhance my arguments for my personal views, such as believing in a just transition away from fossil fuels. I am also an executive member of a club called Climate Justice Climatique. In this leadership role, I advocate for fossil fuel divestment and fundraise for Indigenous landback legal fights.
Regarding my Green involvement, attending the Young Green socials every month is always a highlight; I feel I have made genuine friendships. In Parry Sound-Muskoka, the Matt Richter campaign was my first experience volunteering in a political campaign. I met MPP Mike Schreiner and MP Elizabeth May there. Elizabeth told me to come see her in Ottawa, so I did. I received an internship placement in her office and volunteered for over 120 hours in my first year of university. They then offered me a contract for full-time work last summer and part-time work this summer as Parliamentary Assistant to MP May. I hope Jaycob and I have your vote as co-chairs.
WhatsApp: (705) 787-8215
Instagram: @sophiaaj_27
Email: sophia.andrew.joiner@gmail.com
Jaycob Jacques
My name is Jaycob Jacques, and I am currently a student at the University of Ottawa. I find joy in simple pleasures such as crochet, reading, volunteer work, and gardening. Having lived in social housing, I have experienced the strong sense of community that planned housing can foster, solidifying my belief in the importance of ensuring affordable housing.
Growing up in a francophone family in Sudbury, Ontario, I learned the importance of accessible French education and services, through my school and work with ACFO. I was deeply influenced by my mother, a career ICU nurse, and my grandmother, a primary school teacher, who both exemplified humility and community care. They sparked my interest in the caregiving profession and inspired me to support and advocate for these dedicated professionals, who are key to equitable and accessible health services.
My hometown, once called the “moonscape” due to its barren and empty landscapes caused by years of acid rain and environmental mismanagement, is now a basin of environmental wisdom. Years of reforestation and efforts to promote biodiversity have transformed it into a thriving example of environmental recovery, from which I draw my green roots.