Thank you to everyone who supported me in my bid for Green Party of Ontario deputy leader this past weekend. I am looking forward to my new role representing the needs and issues not only of Bruce-Grey, but all of Ontario.

The female deputy position was won by Judy Smith Torrie from Northumberland Quinte-West. She brings a wealth of experience in politics to the Green Party and I look forward to working with her and Frank de Jong over the next two years to move the Green Party forward.

I have set out three priorities that I will be working on as deputy. First I will work to improve Green Party communications to our members, the media, and the voters of Ontario. I will work alongside Leigh Greaves, our Fundraising coordinator, and Anne Finlay-Stewart, our Support Centre staff person, to engage our membership in a more meaningful way.

Second, I will be working to create relevance in the mind of the Ontario voter through the development of a mitigation plan for the province. We have already begun to experience some of the consequences of rising fuel costs, climate change, and other economic challenges due to globalization. It is no longer enough to try to simply stop these trends. We must now develop credible policy that will show Ontarians the way through these challenges to a brighter future.

Third, I will be working with other candidates, and young constituency associations to duplicate the success that we have realized here in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound. I will be speaking next week to the Hamilton Mountain Green Party and giving them useful tips to get momentum rolling there.

In addition to these provincial priorities, I will continue working on the local issues that we face here at home. Energy policy, local food, water quality, and building a sustainable regional economy are just a few of the local issues demanding continued attention.

As always, your help, input, and questions are welcome. I can be reached at the GPO Support Centre on 10th St. in Owen Sound. My direct number is 519-470-2242. I can also be reached by email at shane@shanejolley.com .

My website will be undergoing some changes shortly to reflect the work I’m doing in my position as deputy. You can follow these activities at www.shanejolley.com . Finally, the Saugeen Community Blog www.saugblog.blogspot.com will remain active with discussion from a variety of local contributors on local issues.

Thank you once again, and let’s keep building a greener future.

Shane Jolley
Deputy Leader
Green Party of Ontario