Hello NB Greens!

I’m excited to introduce myself to those of you I haven’t already met. My name is Genevieve MacRae and I will be acting as Executive Director of the GPNB while Claire is off having a baby and getting comfortable in her new role as mother. I couldn’t be happier for Claire and her husband and I am thrilled to be in a position to look after things in her absence.

I’m a musician, an administrator, an environmentalist and an activist at heart. I’ve worked for non-profit organizations for decades in a variety of roles. I’ve been an administrative assistant, a program coordinator, an education specialist and an executive director. I know what’s involved in working with a grassroots organization and am familiar with the satisfaction that comes from working for an organization you believe in.

I’m a New Brunswicker, born and raised.  My folks still live on the Nashwaak River in Taymouth where my sister and I were raised. Growing up in such natural beauty instilled in me an appreciation for what we have, as well as a need to protect it. It also didn’t hurt that I was raised by environmentalists.

I’ve been a Green party supporter for a number of years and started actively campaigning during the 2020 provincial elections, knocking on doors and helping out in the office of one of the campaign teams. I was volunteer coordinator for the 2021 federal campaign in Fredericton; I’ve been helping Pam Allen-LeBlanc establish her campaign team in Fredericton-York; and I joined the Kitchener-Centre team in Ontario this past November to help out with the wonderful win of electing Aislinn Clancy as MPP.  

The next few months will prove to be a whirlwind. With an election pending, we’ve got a ton of work to do. We’ve got great candidates lining up and stepping up.  I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible and hope that you’ll consider joining me in supporting our mission to get several more Green MLAs elected.

 

Genevieve MacRae

Interim Executive Director of the Green Party of New Brunswick

 

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In This Issue:

• AGM Registration: Remember to renew your membership
• Volunteer Spotlight: Karen Rogers
• Get Involved
• Upcoming Events
• Provincial Council Corner
• MLAs in Action
• News Highlights: How It All Broke
• Join the Green Roots Growth Club: become a monthly contributor

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Right here, right now, we are witnessing how a changing climate is impacting our province. Greens have a plan to protect our infrastructure from a changing climate. With a provincial election only months away, now is the time to get involved to help elect a Greener government. 

Participatory democracy is one of the Green Party’s core principles, and we strive to put those principles into action. We believe that New Brunswickers must have meaningful opportunities to participate in the decisions that affect their lives. You can participate by joining your local RDA (Registered District Association), volunteering on an election campaign, or running for office as a candidate to represent your riding in the Legislature.

Another way that you can get involved is by serving a term on the Provincial Council of the Green Party of New Brunswick. The Provincial Council is where elected members of the Green Party of New Brunswick come together every month to make decisions about the direction and governance of our party. We encourage members to run for one of the vacant seats on the Provincial Council so that you can be a part of those decisions. 

Provincial Council nominations will close on March 23, 2024. If you are interested, contact [email protected] today to get started.

Also, if you are a member, be sure to register for our 2024 Annual General Meeting where we will announce the winners of Provincial Council elections, celebrate our successes over the last year, and discuss our strategic goals and priorities for the upcoming election.

Ryan Spencer

Interim President of the Green Party of New Brunswick

 

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In This Issue:

• Staff Appreciation Spotlight: Myriam Cormier
• Get Involved
• Upcoming Events
• Provincial Council Corner
• MLAs in Action

 

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Greens Have a Better Idea

Last month, Premier Higgs gave his annual State of the Province speech.  Check out our leader’s take by viewing David Coon’s State of the Province video.

Our leader and deputy leaders – David Coon, Megan Mitton, and Kevin Arseneau – continue to fight for action to put New Brunswick in a better state for its people. 

For example, our party announced a plan to protect our coastal infrastructure from increasing erosion and flooding, last month after we saw the effects of rising sea levels and storm surges right here in New Brunswick. While Liberal and Conservative governments have promised to study the issue, Greens are calling for real, meaningful action to be taken now by investing in protective  solutions that will save lives, property damage, and money well into the future. 

A rapidly changing climate is just one of several serious issues facing our province. People are struggling with unaffordable rent increases, unreasonably long ER wait times, an unfair tax system that benefits big business, and much more. Our Green MLAs continue to push solutions to all these overlapping issues, such as implementing a permanent rent cap, funding short-stay wards to unclog ERs, eliminating the Higgs gas tax, and reducing the small business tax rate from 2.5% to 1%.

These are just a few of the solutions that David, Megan and Kevin have been pushing for to improve the lives of New Brunswickers. To ensure those solutions get implemented, we need to elect more Greens to the Legislature. Our party will ensure there is not another winner takes all the power, Liberal or Conservative majority government. As David says, “If you want change, you have to change your vote”.

We are heading into this election year stronger and more organised than ever. In 2023, we raised nearly $200,000 and exceeded our end-of-year fundraising goal. THANK YOU to all those who helped achieve that goal!

As we head into an election this year, spring or fall, our amazing candidates and their teams have been busy getting organised and hitting the ground in their ridings – all powered by your donations and volunteer support!

Thanks to all of you for your work and dedication to building a better province. Things will get better for New Brunswick when we have a Greener government with more elected Green MLAs. Let’s get to work to make that happen. 

 

Claire Kelly-Orozco

Executive Director of the Green Party of New Brunswick

 

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In This Issue:

• David Coon’s State of Province
• Volunteer spotlight
• Upcoming Events
• Green Drinks and Get-togethers
• RDA Meetings
• Provincial Council Corner
• MLAs in Action

 

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2024 will be a big year for the Green Party of New Brunswick! It’s election year and we’re excited. We have more than 20 outstanding candidates and are raising money to fund competitive campaigns. We have new RDAs (Registered District Associations) in every corner of the province - and we’re just getting started! 

Starting now, we will be knocking on doors, phoning voters and listening to New Brunswickers. There’s frustration with the Higgs government and just switching from blue to red is not working. Greens offer a real choice. It’s time to elect MLAs that put people ahead of party-Green MLAs, more than ever! 

Another reason to vote Green is that this year marks 6 years since the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change released a report stating that the world has just 12 years to rapidly cut our emissions to avoid the most catastrophic impacts of a changing climate. We now have just 6 years left to achieve that goal.  There is a lot of work to be done to reduce our emissions and protect our natural carbon sinks to draw down those emissions here at home. 

The Green Party of New Brunswick has ambitious goals for the year ahead. We rely on your support. I am calling on each and every one of you to get involved. You can help shape the future of our province by donating or volunteering to power successful election campaigns, or by becoming a member of your RDA. 

We are also still seeking candidates for ridings without announced candidates. If you, or someone you know, is passionate about community service and participatory democracy, fill out our candidate application form or contact me to set up a meeting. 

 

Join us in making 2024 a turning point for our province. A Greener government is a better government. 

 

Jo-Ann Roberts

Campaign Manager

 

In This Issue:

• Volunteer Spotlight
• Upcoming Events
  • Green Drinks
  • RDA Executive Check-in
  • Les Hotesses d'Hilaire at the Playhouse with Serge Brideau
  • The Coldest Night of the Year Fundraiser
• RDA Meetings
• Media Releases

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2023 has been an incredible year for the Green Party of New Brunswick! Thanks to the leadership team, wonderful volunteers, hardworking staff, and an excellent slate of candidates, we are feeling strong as we go into the election of 2024, whenever it is held.

Together, our team has accomplished so much this past year. In April, we held our first in-person AGM since the Covid pandemic. We also ran 3 very competitive by-election campaigns where Greens came in a strong second place in all 3 ridings! Green support has been rising steadily in both English and French communities across New Brunswick and we are poised for a breakthrough in the next election.

Over the summer, we held events all over the province and founded 26 new Registered District Associations (RDAs) across New Brunswick. In September, Green Party Leader David Coon announced fellow Green MLAs, Megan Mitton, and Kevin Arseneau, as deputy leaders of the party. And this fall, we successfully recruited 22 candidates, with 19 announced so far! 

Since I started this job in January, I have been so inspired by all of you, your generosity of time and resources, your willingness to step forward when asked, and the energy you bring to our team. All your efforts are so greatly appreciated! We want to hear your top priorities for 2024, so don't forget to complete our members survey at the top of this email.

Thank you to all of you, volunteers, candidates, staff, and supporters. I also want to acknowledge our 3 hardworking MLAs, Megan Mitton, Kevin Arseneau, and David Coon who continue to hold the Higgs government accountable, bring new ideas to the table, and fight for a brighter, healthier future for New Brunwickers. 

We’re just getting started! Our team has set ambitious goals for the 2024 election. Let’s make 2024 a year to remember.

 

Happy Holidays!

 

Claire Kelly-Orozco

Executive Director of the Green Party of New Brunswick

 

In This Issue:

• Volunteer Spotlight
• Upcoming Events
• Green Drinks
• RDA Meetings
• Members Survey
• MLAs in Action

 

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It’s November, and it looks like Premier Blaine Higgs isn’t calling a snap election. This doesn’t mean after a month of working overtime we’re standing down.  Our candidate in Fredericton-York, Pam Allen-LeBlanc, said it best, “We’re back to running a marathon, not a sprint.”

We accomplished a lot in October, 20 candidates have been nominated and approved.  We have 20 new Registered District Associations (RDAs). We will spend the coming months recruiting the remaining 29 candidates. Have you considered putting your name on the ballot?  

So what happens now? Our MLAs are back in the legislature pushing for a more affordable, equitable and sustainable New Brunswick. It’s their example that has inspired almost two dozen people to become candidates. We’re working with candidates to get them out door knocking, helping them find volunteers and raise money. If you can volunteer or donate we need you now. 

We are just months away from an election, no matter when it’s called, and we are staying ready. We have more training coming so please sign up. We’re also going to have fun and build community while we continue to prepare. Head out for a Green Drinks near you and invite a friend. 

 

Jo-Ann Roberts

Provincial Campaign Manager

 

In This Issue:

• Volunteer Spotlight
• Candidate Announcements
• Upcoming Events
• MLAs in Action

 

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September was a busy time for the Green Party of New Brunswick. David Coon appointed fellow MLAs, Megan Mitton and Kevin Arseneau, as Deputy Leaders, we hosted a very successful Campaign School in Moncton, and we began forming new registered district associations (RDAs) across the province. October is set to be just as packed, as we plan to form an incredible 27 new RDAs in the following weeks!

As Premier Higgs’ attempts to fracture our province with divisive rhetoric aimed at the 2SLGBTQ+, Indigenous, and francophone communities, we are pulling together to build a better, more inclusive New Brunswick for everyone. 

Thank you to the many members who have stepped forward to hold executive positions on their RDAs. Your dedication to grassroots democracy helps build our party from the ground up. 

The rumors are flying that we might have another snap election.  Greens believe in fixed election dates and are planning for October 2024. But, just like in 2020, if the Premier decides to call the election early, we will be ready and will respond by turning all our resources toward electing more Green MLAs. Speaking of elections, I want to remind everyone that nominations for candidates are now open in every riding across the province. Participatory democracy means that everyone has the right to run for office, and we want our Legislature to be more representative of the people it serves. If you are passionate about serving your community and making New Brunswick a better place for everyone, I encourage you to apply to be a candidate for the Green Party of New Brunswick. 

 

 To help us prepare for the next election – whenever it’s called – please donate to our Election Readiness Fund.

 

Sincerely, 

Claire Kelly-Orozco

Executive Director of the Green Party of New Brunswick

 

In This Issue:

• Staff Appreciation Spotlight
• Upcoming Events
• MLAs in Action

 

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This summer, the climate crisis touched down in Canada with devastating consequences.  In our own region, we saw children lose their lives in a flash flood, and more than two hundred families lose their homes to wildfire. Our environment is rapidly changing in alarming ways. The same can be said of our social conditions, with the rapid increases in homelessness, addictions, and inequality, while access to health care and affordable housing continues to shrink.  

The other parties will not tackle the systemic exploitation of people and nature that is destabilizing our environmental and social systems. They will continue to advantage those who have benefited most from the status quo. That is why the solutions are, in part, political. The greener the Legislative Assembly, the better. 

To bring about change for the better will require us all to pull together. Premier Higgs' determined efforts to sow social discord and fan the flames of conflict among New Brunswickers with his attacks on national climate action efforts, French immersion, Indigenous people, and trans kids and their teachers - is dividing us at a time when we need to come together to build a fairer, more resilient and self-sufficient New Brunswick. 

While the next election is scheduled for October 21, 2024, the political disarray in the Progressive Conservative Party could mean it will be called earlier than that, so we are busy preparing. Our Party has the vision to lead New Brunswick through these uncertain times, but we must ensure that as many people as possible are engaged locally.

I ask that members, donors, and supporters do what you can to help prepare for the election in your own ridings. Our local riding associations are actively seeking volunteers to work on local campaigns, and looking for candidates that will effectively represent the people of their communities and serve them to the best of their abilities.  

As we move into autumn, now is the time to get involved. If you don't know who to contact in your riding, the staff at the Green Party office are waiting to hear from you. They can help you become engaged in our movement for a greener, more equal, and fairer New Brunswick.   

Enjoy the newsletter,

 

David Coon

Leader of the Green Party of New Brunswick

 

In This Issue:

• Volunteer Spotlight
• Get Involved
• Upcoming Events
• Kevin's Birthday Fundraiser

 

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It is hard to believe, but I have just reached my 6 month mark as Executive Director of this awesome Party! I have been so thrilled with the progress we’ve made as a Party so far this year. We have run 3 very successful by-election campaigns. We held our first in-person Annual General Meeting since the Covid pandemic, and in-person events all over the province. We have seen historic fundraising. And we have grown our staff and volunteer teams. I am so grateful to each of you for your part in this success.

Let’s continue to build on that progress! Because given the political turmoil we saw this Spring, an early election call is certainly a possibility. And we need to be ready. As you may know, the new riding boundaries are coming into effect for the next provincial election. Our regional mobilizers have been busy recruiting members to hold executive positions on their Registered District Associations (RDAs) across the province. RDAs are the local, grassroots foundations of our party and they are vital to building our on-the-ground support. 

I encourage you to join your local RDA by becoming a member of the Green Party of New Brunswick. If you are already a member, consider volunteering for an executive position on your RDA as the President, Secretary, Official Representative, or a number of other roles.  

My first experience with the Green Party of New Brunswick was attending an AGM for the riding of Fredericton-South where I was asked to serve a term as the RDA President. I am so grateful for that opportunity because I got to learn more about the Party, the democratic process, and meet so many inspiring people.

Participatory democracy is one of our core principles, and that is why I am calling on all our supporters to get involved in the democratic process by joining their local RDAs so that we can strengthen the grassroots foundation of our party in every riding across the province.

Enjoy the newsletter and I hope you consider joining your local RDA,

 

Sincerely, 

Claire Kelly-Orozco

Executive Director of the Green Party of New Brunswick

 

 

In This Issue:

• Staff Appreciation Spotlight
• Call for Candidates
• Get Involved
• Catch David on the Road

 

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