Waterloo Region

CKMS Meet The Candidate

Laurel L. Russwurm Waterloo Region , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Cambridge Greens: Vote Lux Burgess

“I’m running because my family’s future—and the future of all families—means everything to me. I want my loved ones to grow up in a world that’s safe, healthy, and full of opportunity. But with rising costs, and growing inequality, that future is at risk.

“I can’t just sit back and hope things get better—I want to be part of the solution. That’s why I’m fighting for real climate action, a fair economy, and stronger support for families.

“This isn’t just politics — it’s personal. It’s about protecting the people and places we love for generations to come.”
— Lux Burgess, 2025 Cambridge Green Party candidate

Even though time constraints prevented Lux from making it onto CKMS this time around, you can still catch his appearance in the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce Debate below. I especially like the fact that we’re *still* talking about #Electoral Reform. And that the lack of it inspires excellent candidates like Lux Burgess to seriously challenge complacent incumbents like MP Bryan May. https://luxburgess.ca/campaign/index.php/blog/

Hey Kitchener Centre: don’t forget to ReElect Mike Morrice!

If you haven’t already voted at one of the Advance Polls, do not forget Monday, April 28th, 2025 is ELECTION DAY 2025.  Just because you know Mike Morrice is the best Member of Parliament Kitchener Centre has ever had, it is no reason to be complacent.  

Not so long ago, an incumbent city councillor in this very community lost an election by a single vote. It wasn’t even that people felt it was time for a change. It was that everyone expected her to be re-elected by a landslide, so her voters felt no real sense of urgency to get out and vote.

One vote is really the difference between winning and losing representation in countries still using terrible winner-take-all voting systems like ours. Don’t let your opportunity to vote slip away!

It took a very long time to get a local Green MP elected locally. Help make sure he is re-elected!

Like any Green MP, Mike doesn’t just represent the constituents in his own riding, he provides a voice to otherwise disfranchised Greens across the country. I’m in Kitchener—Conestoga, yet he supported and presented my Petition e-4802 in Parliament. So even if you’re not exactly in Mike’e riding, there is still time to help out by volunteering or donating. Mike’s team will keep working as hard to re-elect Mike as Mike works for us in Ottawa until the very last minute. If getting to the polling station is a problem, you can even call the office and they’ll arrange transportation for you… no matter who you ‘re planning on voting for. And if you haven’t already, you can listen to Mike on CKMS radio:

Kitchener—Conestoga Greens

Unfortunately there was a hitch in our candidate’s registration, so we were unable to secure a Green candidate in Kitchener—Conestoga for this 2025 election. ☹️

Kitchener South—Hespeler: Vote Ethan Russell

Kitchener South—Hespeler candidate Ethan Russell will make another excellent Green MP for Waterloo Region. The photo above was taken just after Ethan’s CKMS “Meet The Candidate” spot, with show producer (and former Green Party candidate) Bob Jonkman. The air time time was made available to all Waterloo Region candidates, and it is interesting to see which did (or didn’t) show up.

Check out Ethan’s Green Party Page and, of course, listen to his CKMS broadcast here:

Waterloo Greens: Vote Simon Guthrie

We have yet another great Green Party candidate running in Waterloo.

And of course, check out Simon’s CKMS spot!

Find out more about Simon at https://www.simonguthrie.ca/

REMEMBER: Monday April 28th, 2025 is Election Day in Canada

[Because the following op-ed was written in haste, it had to be edited for content and clarity. ~llr]

While I would obviously like to see you cast your ballot for the Green Candidate in your riding, I sincerely hope you choose to vote for the candidate who will best represent you. Since my own riding is without a Green Candidate, after checking out the available candidates, I have decided my vote will go to Maya Bozorgzad, the excellent NDP candidate running in Kitchener—Conestoga.

Overall the opinion polls seem to indicate the Liberals are on track for another majority government. As far as I’m concerned, that would be an unfortunate outcome.

Winner take all voting systems like our own Single Member Plurality, or First Past The Post, are designed to deliver a winner. Every one of Canada’s first eight elections held in the 19th Century were won with a majority. In the 20th Century we had a total of 8 minority governments and 20 majorities. Despite the unfair advantage our Single Member Plurality voting system gives the winning party, it has become increasingly difficult for Liberal or Conservative parties to win Majority Government. They’ve only managed to get 3 Majority governments out of the first 8 federal elections in the 21st Century. it’s clear they need extra help.

No wonder the calls for “strategic voting” have grown louder as campaigns promoting it proliferate.

The status quo parties will accept the help “Strategic Voting” campaigns offer if that’s what they need to win. Such campaigns are generally justified as a way to protect the public, so the two status quo parties usually choose paint the other Party as the boogieman and themselves as savior.

The idea is to convince right wing voters to vote Conservative to kick out Trudeau block a Liberal landslide, even though the Libertarian, Greens or People’s Party would do a far better job of representing your concerns in Ottawa.

The idea on the left is to convince progressive voters not to notice Mark Carney has moved the Liberals so far right they can’t even be considered Centrist, so instead of casting our vote for the NDP, Green or Animal Protection Party candidates who’s policies actually align with our values, we are supposed to hold our nose and vote Liberal to save us all from a Pierre Poilievre.

If Strategic Voting campaigns delivered what they promised, we would only have had to do it once. In reality, every election is always the one that is so important we just have to vote for the lesser evil to save us from the greater evil. And pretty soon, the only choices left

What Strategic Voting really does is:

  • prop up the status quo that underfunds and privatizes our cherished Universal Healthcare
  • allow industry to threaten farmland and food security
  • allow the super rich to get even richer while most struggle to buy groceries,
  • prioritize war to enrich our munitions industry
  • pander to the American military industrial complex by throwing more money at NATO
  • subsidize the fossil fuel giants fuelling Climate Change
  • keep far too many Canadians in poverty
  • forget to uphold Canada’s obligation to International Law
  • continue to inadequately fund disability
  • invest billions in “defense” aircraft unfit for Canadian terrain
  • invest billions more in rescue aircraft needed when those defense aircraft go down ,
  • fail to protect our environment
  • send the RCMP to criminalize and brutalize Indigenous women land defenders
  • support apartheid and genocide,
  • eliminate the consumer carbon rebate, transforming revenue neutral carbon price into a tax
  • permit the suppression of independent thought and free speech on our university campuses
  • further undermine our weakened democracy by driving out the small parties and independent candidates essential to a healthy representative Parliament.
  • fail to implement affordable housing and homeless policy
  • invest even more tax dollars in expanding fossil fuel exploitation
  • absolve government of accountability

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

We’ve been told over and over that majority government is strong government. But it’s not. Majority government may be autocratic, but that doesn’t make it strong. When governments rely on polarizing the public to win more power than they deserve, their power is transitory. It drains away when the next government replaces it. Strong government doesn’t have to turn the people against each other, it derives its power from the support of the people.

Even with our inadequate unrepresentative First Past The Post voting system, Canadians could get a lot closer to a representative Representative Democracy by voting for the independent candidates and small parties we actually want to vote for.

If we vote for what we want— regardless of the Opinion Polls, Op Eds and big money ads with which which defenders of the status quo successfully dominate our political discourse— the diverse Canadian electorate would actually have the power to elect nothing but minority governments.

If all we elect are Minority governments, they will have to start listening, and even start representing Canadian voters eventually. It will make governing a lot harder for our elected politicians because they will have to learn to work together instead of painting each other as boogeymen. Most important, this is the only way (short of Proportional Representation) we can achieve truly strong government supported by most Canadians.

I truly believe in democracy. I trust Canadians to do the right thing. That starts with voting. And just as important, it starts with voting for what we want.

Regards,
Laurel Russwurm
Kitchener—Conestoga Greens

Federal Election 2025

Dave Dolson Waterloo Region

March 23, 2025: A federal election was called today. Election day is April 28.

Greens in Waterloo Region are ready to campaign, building on the Green momentum that started in Kitchener, with many lawn signs already in place across the region!

Here are some Greens running in local ridings so far, with links to their official sites:

Check out these amazing candidates and their visions for building a prosperous and sustainable future for us all.

Ontario Election Underway

Dave Dolson Waterloo Region

Local Greens have been busy and well organized, hitting the streets on Wednesday, as Doug Ford called the Ontario election.

There is a strong spirit of community, hard work, and fun in Aislinn Clancy’s campaign office. Volunteers had placed over 1000 lawn signs in Kitchener Centre by Thursday afternoon. But the work has just begun. If you want to get in on the fun and find out why so many people are dedicating so much of their time to Green campaigns, drop by the office at the corner of Park & Victoria.

The election date is Feb. 27. Your official source of information about voting is Elections Ontario. Be sure you are registered to vote! There are multiple ways to vote in advance of election day.

Here are the Green candidates in the local ridings, with links to their sites:

They came, they sang, they organized in Uptown Waterloo!

Andre Laplume Waterloo Region ,

Tuesday night at the Jazz Room was a unique event inviting Waterloo Region Greens to “sing your politics”, and they did. We had nearly three hours of performances by fifteen talented local musicians.

The show started with a performance of an indigenous song about the land—a musical land acknowledgement. Jesse’s drumming and vocals send chills down our spines, followed by some a cappella vocals later in the evening.

The unifying theme was “songs of protest”, with renditions of many of the classics, including Joni Mitchel’s Big Yellow Taxi, “Glassworks” by Philip Glass, “Things Can Only Get Better” by Howard Jones, “What in the World” by Rory Gallagher, “Knocking on Heaven’s Door” by Bob Dylan, and the “The Trees” by Rush performed by YYZ. We even heard a rendition of “5 Years” by David Bowie by Electoral District CEO Dave Dolson.

There were several original songs performed too, with local musicians creating their own heart-wrenching and emotionally charged lyrics, like Jakki Annerino’s “Peace on Earth” and “A Safe & Welcome Land” and Wayne Cheater’s “Oh Great Earth” and “Let’s Work Together”. We also heard Noah Stolee’s “Amsterdam”, as well a some of Andrew Mac’s latest songs, which really set the vibe.

We heard from Shefaza Esmail, candidate of record for the provincial Waterloo Greens with a background in environmental engineering and who teaches at the UofW. She helped shed some light on some of the many cultural and religious traditions experienced by our residents.

His turn at the mic, Nick Rollick introduced himself as a candidate for the federal Greens’ nomination. He’s knocked on 1,500 doors and talked to 700 Waterloo residents and reports that around a third of those he spoke to are leaning Green—that’s plenty to win in 2025!

All of the performers were warmly received by a friendly and encouraging audience.

Between the many songs and few speeches, petitions were signed, donations were made, volunteers were signed up, and plans were brainstormed.

Embracing the Spirit of Giving and Community at St. John’s Kitchen

marialegault Green Party of Canada, Kitchener Centre, social justice

On December 27th and 28th, 2023, a crew of 30 Green Party volunteers gathered to embody the spirit of giving at St. John’s Kitchen, an initiative of the Working Centre and the Anglican church where people can gather indoors and receive a hot meal.

To these individuals who devoted their time and energy this holiday season, we extend our heartfelt gratitude. Our Green Party crew supported the staff and volunteers with various cleaning and serving tasks. Everyone rolled up their sleeves when Amy – one of the fantastic St. John’s Kitchen staff – asked us to complete tasks which they hadn’t been able to accomplish in the day-to-day hustle of the busy kitchen.

Beyond the meals offered, St. John’s Kitchen provides a unique “third space” fostering informal conversations and relationships. Its culture is shaped by the patrons it serves, rooted in the local street culture. This approach reflects the positive aspects of street culture, providing a gathering space and a profound sense of belonging for its patrons. It’s a space where both patrons and volunteers have the opportunity to be part of a supportive community, exchange experiences, and engage in discussions about the issues intertwined with the unique daily experiences and challenges that they encounter. 

The ethos of St. John’s Kitchen isn’t solely about meals; it’s about creating an inclusive haven where everyone is embraced without judgment. It’s a place where conversations transcend boundaries, cultures intermingle, and understanding blossoms. The volunteers’ dedication goes beyond serving food; it fosters an environment where empathy and understanding flourish.

The impact of St. John’s Kitchen also extends far beyond providing meals. It’s a sanctuary that nurtures human connections and understanding. It’s a testament to the strength of community and the ripple effect that acts of kindness generate. Our Green Party volunteers were witness to that this holiday season.

Amidst the invaluable work that St. John’s Kitchen does year-round, lies an acknowledgment of the underlying challenges we face as a community. While the dedication of staff and volunteers directly aids our community, we recognize the pressing need to address the root issues: a poisoned drug supply, the crucial lack of mental health support, and the challenge of housing affordability. These issues are why it is important for us as individuals to do what we can to support the efforts of places like the Working Centre and St John’s Kitchen, but also for us to advocate and ensure that there are broader legislative changes that can work to diminish the needs.

As Mike Morrice advocates to address these systemic challenges, we invite you to join us in our local efforts. Your contribution to this cause, whether through donation or volunteering, can make an immense difference. Consider supporting the Working Centre, which offers essential services addressing these core issues. Your support, no matter the size, amplifies the impact and paves the way for a brighter, more inclusive future for all.

Let us march forward with a unified purpose—to not only continue the invaluable work of St. John’s Kitchen but also to address the pressing issues our community faces. Your involvement today can shape a better tomorrow. Join us, and together, let’s build a community where everyone feels seen, heard, and supported.

See Mike Morrice’s advocacy on:

Donate: https://www.theworkingcentre.org/donations/145

Volunteer:

Aislinn Clancy’s Big Win and the People-Powered Green Wave!

Andre Laplume Waterloo Region , , ,

She called it an “insane career choice” when she first described it to us in May. She was talking about her decision to put her name in for the Green Party of Ontario’s candidate nomination process. Kitchener Centre had a byelection coming up because the sitting MPP quit. 

Image source: CBC News

As a councillor she was frustrated that the premier had stripped the city of many of its powers and started to expand municipal boundaries and trounce the Greenbelt. We were out with Aislinn protesting these moves by the province. Frustrated by her quasi-demotion, she decided to take the fight to Queen’s Park, the source of this antisocial scourge.

Aislinn’s calls of injustice hit a nerve; volunteers came to her side by the hundreds, finding that Aislinn’s Green values spoke to them and that they wanted to put their energy into causing a change in politics.

After Aislinn and her hundred of volunteers knocked on 30,000 doors twice, and phoned every phone thrice, and shot out emails to supporters almost daily for weeks and months, and organized sign-waves, protests, parades, pizza parties, waffle breakfasts, hammered lawn signs, set up booths and the list goes one–she won! 

It was a big win for Aislinn and the Greens last night. She got over 50% of the votes, which is ridiculously high given there were 18 other candidates on the ballot! She doubled her closest rival’s votes. You often hear opposition supporters scoff that greens can’t win, but last night shows that we can win by a landslide!

As MPP Mike Shreiner put it last night, the Green wave is rolling out from Kitchener-Centre! Where will it go next? By-Elections can happen in the interim, but the federal election is two years away and the provincial election is less than three years away. 

That means we need strong green candidates in every riding at both levels and we need them sooner than later. We are the party that recognizes the climate and social emergencies – and faces them with policies built on evidence and science—we believe in data-driven decision-making and fiscal discipline. If that’s what you are about then join us or nominate yourself as a candidate.  

Candidates are critical, but they also need human infrastructure to support them. As volunteers, we witnessed how the scaffolding is built up around a candidate. All kinds of supports are needed, often on a shoe-string budget. Come volunteer with us!

If you want to see a stellar Greens running in your riding in the coming election battles, then we need your treasure too! Join and make a donation to your local Green Party so they can attract excellent candidates and build a hope chest for the coming election races.

It’s a sea of Green in Kitchener Centre!

Andre Laplume Waterloo Region

The WR Greens have been working tirelessly to save the Greenbelt, and they are heartened by the recent reversal of the policy threatening it, but there is still so much more to be done. With the smoggies running the province, we are poised to be one of the only places left on Earth investing in fossil fuel infrastructure like natural gas plants, yet we are running out of time to save our planet. Climate change is a ticking time bomb, and we need to act now.

The Kitchener-Centre by-election is less than a month away, and the riding is now awash with Green signs for Aislinn Clancy. Hundreds of volunteers have knocked on every door and called every phone in the riding, drumming up support and signing up supporters for lawn signs. And it shows!

Winning an election for a people-powered party like the Greens means a lot of leg and ear work. Beyond just talking, we are listening. That’s why the Greens aren’t just the champions of the environment, but they also stand for social justice and affordability.

Last night’s official campaign kickoff party comes just five days after Premier Ford’s by-election announcement. Scurried and cynical, the PCs are running a non-resident candidate in the riding. But Aislinn Clancy is different. She’s a hard worker in the local community. Caring and empathy are her calling cards here.

Aislinn put her hand over her heart and asked us all to do the same and close our eyes. As we took deep breaths we tried to be mindful of why we are here and why we are doing this. Why Ontario needs candidates like Aislinn to run! 

She became emotional and her voice and tears authentically told us what she felt. She fought hard to become a city councilor only to have her tools stripped away from her by the premier’s strong mayor legislation. She witnessed municipal boundaries expanded without the council’s consent. While many of us are angry about the mismanagement we see of the province, Aislinn reminded us not to waste that anger. It’s there for a reason. It’s there to help organize and mobilize us for political action. To fight back against our smoggy rulers catering to a few 1%ers! To fight against this cratering injustice.

Volunteering for the Greens isn’t always as magical as it may seem. After all, someone’s got to clean out the rotten pumpkins from the riding office. But with Aislinn Clancy leading the charge, we can make a difference. She’s a mom, wife, and city councillor, who is out knocking on doors on evenings and weekends. Her family sacrifices for her, but she’s made to do this.

With more Green Party members in the legislature, we will see progress on key files like housing, mental health, physical wellbeing, and basic income. We need a new economy, a green, climate-friendly economy. While the Greens get things done by working with other parties, they also differ quite a bit from other progressive parties, who often give economic rationales primacy when it comes time to vote.

Just three weeks left…let’s make history together!

Summer Sprawl Rally

Andre Laplume Waterloo Region

Waterloo Region Greens recently came together (Saturday, 29 July, 2-4 at Waterloo Park) for an afternoon “Rally Against the Big Sprawl”, showcasing their shared commitment to preserving the region’s natural beauty and combating urban sprawl that threatens sustainability. 

The aim was to protest Premier Ford and the PC Government’s hard push toward escalating the expansion of urban sprawl, to break up our local farms and to pave over forests and wetlands. 

The event was a collaborative effort, attended by members from various groups and organizations, each working diligently to protect the environment, and right now, the Greenbelt. 

Many of us were sporting our Aislinn Clancy light green shirts! She gave a talk about living our values as she prepares for her bi-election this fall.

In this post, we’ll explore the diverse groups that participated in the rally and the work they are doing to safeguard the region’s green spaces and promote sustainable development.  

Council of Canadians: Challenging Corporate Influence

The Council of Canadians is a progressive social action organization dedicated to advancing social, economic, and environmental justice since 1985. Their involvement in the Rally Against the Big Sprawl highlights their efforts to address the role of corporate influence in driving development that threatens the region’s greenbelt areas. By fostering awareness and encouraging sustainable practices, they aim to protect the natural resources and ensure the region’s long-term health and well-being.

Hold The Line: Preserving the Country Line

Another group that actively participated in the rally was “Hold The Line.” This organization is committed to preserving the country line and preventing further outward residential development. By advocating for responsible urban planning and development, they strive to maintain a balance between growth and environmental conservation.

Nith Valley EcoBoosters: Volunteers for Environmental Cleanup

The Nith Valley EcoBoosters, a not-for-profit volunteer group, dedicate their efforts to cleaning up the environment in Wilmot and Wellesley Townships. Their active involvement in the rally demonstrates their commitment to creating a healthy environment and promoting sustainability in the region. Through education, action, and collaboration, they empower local communities to become stewards of their natural surroundings.

Grand River Environmental Network: Guardians of Nature

The Grand River Environmental Network (GREN) is an assembly of activists, watchdogs, guardians, and concerned citizens working towards environmental preservation. By sharing information, fostering awareness, and promoting respect for the natural world, GREN plays a role in safeguarding the region’s ecological integrity. Their presence in the rally underscores the significance of collective efforts in preserving the environment for future generations.

Keep the Greenbelt Promise Campaign: Protecting the Greenbelt

The Keep the Greenbelt Promise campaign, consisting of grassroots organizations, stands united in preventing development within the Greenbelt. By advocating for supportive policies from Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) and mobilizing local organizations, they aim to counter the threat of encroachment on this vital natural reserve. Their advocacy is essential for maintaining the ecological balance and the region’s resilience to urban sprawl.

Waterloo Region Nature: Keeping it Green

Waterloo Region Nature is a naturalist club for all parts of the Region of Waterloo and a charity engaged in conservation activities. They sponsor fun activities about any aspect of nature, for adults, youth and children. Through their sponsorship of engaging and educational activities for people of all ages, Waterloo Region Nature continues to inspire a love for nature and instill a sense of responsibility in protecting the environment for future generations.

ACORN Canada: Advocating for Renters’ Rights

Among the participants in the rally were members of ACORN Canada, one of the first renter’s unions in the country. ACORN Canada has been fighting for the rights of renters and advocating for affordable housing solutions. By addressing the challenges faced by renters in the Waterloo Region, they contribute to the overall goal of preserving green spaces and preventing urban sprawl driven by uncontrolled development.

Small Change Fund: Amplifying Community Impact

The event was sponsored by the Small Change Fund, a platform that allows communities across Canada to amplify the impact of their environmental projects. By providing expert advice, crowdfunding opportunities, and increased awareness, the fund helps passionate individuals and groups bring their visions to life. Their involvement in the rally highlights the importance of community-driven efforts in safeguarding the environment.

While it’s disheartening that our current political climate necessitates the existence of these action groups, their unwavering determination and vitality serve as a true inspiration. The collective belief in safeguarding nature is paramount, recognizing that our environment is the very foundation that sustains all of us.

Andre Laplume

Member at Large, Waterloo

Super Tuesday Rally

WRGreens Waterloo Region , , , , ,

July 18, 2023 was a super Tuesday night Green rally at TheMuseum in downtown Kitchener as over 150 enthusiastic supporters made their way into the stage area for a round of inspiring speeches after snacks and drinks approaching 7pm. 

The crowd was starting to settle into rows of white chairs as Campaign Manager Maureen Balsillie took the stage to MC the event. Calm as a cucumber, a veteran of 10 campaigns, she confidently evaluated the team’s recent results. Over the last 6 weeks, her team had helped candidate Aislinn Clancy to canvas three shifts a day, aiming to meet by walking door to door and calling by phone the people in over 100,000 households in the riding that contain potential voters in the upcoming Kitchener-Centre MPP by-election.  

Jonathan Pedneault, Aislinn Clancy, Mike Schreiner, and Mike Morrice hold Green Party signs to elect Aislinn Clancy for Kitchener-Centre.

We are going to “paint the town Green”, was the message of the night, as it was announced that Clancy’s campaign is poised to have broken the record for the largest number of lawn sign signups ahead of an election announcement–over 600 requests and counting. 

The speakers included Johnathan Pedneault, co-leader of the Green Party of Canada, Mike Morrice, the only elected Green MP in Ontario, Mike Shreiner, the only elected Green MPP in Ontario, and of course, Clancy, who gave an emotional speech. 

She asked us to put our hands over our hearts and to close our eyes, to breathe deeply, encouraging mindfulness from a crowd that had just cheered her onto the stage. Morrice had earliest noted that what made Clancy really stand out is her authenticity.

The leaders explained that the way Greens get things done is by influencing the other parties to take action on key issues that are important to the community. For example, it was the Ontario Greens that tabled an increase to disabilities payments that ultimately moved the needle.

Jonathan Pedneault speaks to a crowds of Aislinn Clancy's supporters.

Pedneault reminded the crowd of our purpose and the historic moment that we are living through. Putting a second Green into the Ontario Parliament will be the kind of momentum that the party needs to become a contender for governance. 

While acknowledging the key problems, like new gas plants, Greenbelt development, and the lack of support for the unhoused and for low income people who can no longer afford to live where they are, the leaders reminded us to also count the wins and note that Green are punching above their weight in parliaments. The only way to get there is more feet on the ground and more lips on the phone.

As volunteers, we were reminded of how important the Green message is in these times, and we commit to increasing our efforts in the knowledge we can make a difference.

Take action to support Greens in Kitchener: support Aislinn’s campaign: or sign up to volunteer on Aislinn’s campaign. See you out there!

Tri-Pride 2023

WRGreens Waterloo Region ,

Tri-Pride 2023

Green volunteers pose for a photo with Mike Schreiner and Aislinn Clancy at the Green booth at tri-Pride.

This year was another day of beautiful weather as Waterloo Region celebrated tri-Pride, the region’s annual pride festival. The sun was shining, but not too hot, and the wind was light and pleasant. We made sure we didn’t miss it.

We had some amazing volunteers take time out of their busy schedules to volunteer with us at the booth. Buttons were made to give our supporters a little something to show their Pride. We also showed off one of our proudest petitions. Over 160,000 people signed our petition to allow asylum seeker status to the trans community and non-binary people. At tri-Pride, we had a few new federal petitions, hot off the press, for festival-goers to sign. Topics included Climate Change, Indigenous Reconciliation, the Poison Drug crisis, the Housing Crisis, Electoral Reform, and Guaranteed Livable Income.

We also had some visits from some notable Greens, including Green Party of Ontario leader Mike Schreiner and Kitchener-Centre By-election candidate Aislinn Clancy! The conversations were lively and insightful. We’ll continue to appear at future summer events to keep reaching out to our communities.

It’s imperative for us to show up to Pride. With acts of hate on the rise, it is important that we all show how much support the queer community has from a multitude of corners of the community. As the buttons we gave away said, there is no room for hate.