The Ontario Green Party is aiming to revitalize its caucus in Hamilton this weekend.
The provincial Greens are hosting their 2026 convention in the downtown area and say they want to gear up for “a long campaign.”
Party members were spotted discussing ideas after caucus workshops today, one of many activities planned for the convention.
“We’re just really bringing our party together this weekend to help continue to build a ‘people powered movement,’” said Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner. “We need politics that’s going to put every-day people ahead of the rich and powerful.”
At the Hamilton Convention Centre downtown, Schreiner mentioned that beyond environmental policies, the party is also focusing on securing more funding for health care, education, and affordable housing.
“The Ford government’s housing policies have led to the worst housing crisis in Ontario’s history,” Schreiner stated. “Housing costs are at an all-time high, and housing starts are at all-time lows.”
“I put forward a bill that would legalize multiplexes and mid-rises as of right across the province, which is the fastest way to build homes that people can afford,” he added.
With only two MPs at Queen’s Park, Schreiner believes his party has room for growth in Hamilton, noting that their policies align well with both voters and potential candidates.
“The times that I’ve been involved with the Greens, the topics of our air quality, our water quality, taking care of people in heat,” said Hamilton Green Party candidate Lucia Iannantuono. “These are things that nobody would mention if the Greens weren’t there. It’s important to me that we keep showing up and we keep having those conversations.”
Catching up with Ontario Liberals, NDP, and Ford’s government poses a challenge; one expert believes the Greens have a tough road ahead.
“We see they’re bringing in the leader of the UK Green party to try and fire up the troops here,” said Peter Graefe, a political scientist at Mc Master University. “There seems to be a lot of emphasis on building organizational capacity to run better campaigns. But it remains they’re a fourth party in a political system which really only rewards two. And so it’s hard to see them making a great deal of gains. And really what the next step forward – it’s not clear for them. So I guess finding that third seat because if they’re going to succeed it’s really going seat by seat.”
The Ontario Green Party convention wraps up tomorrow afternoon.
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