Former Conservative candidate to run for Green Party

OTTAWA – Green Party leader Elizabeth May announced yesterday on CTV’s Question Period that Gary Caldwell, a farmer, academic, municipal councilor and deputy mayor of Ste-Edwidge-de-Clifton, Quebec, will carry the Green banner in the Quebec riding of Compton–Stanstead.

Mr. Caldwell is a former two-time Conservative candidate. In the 2006 election, he was one of 68 candidates asked by the Conservative party to participate in an ad financing scheme where central money was transferred to local campaigns, only to be immediately redirected to national advertising efforts. Only Mr. Caldwell and one other candidate accepted Elections Canada’s ruling that the national advertisements were not legitimate local campaign expenses. His return was resubmitted to reflect only legitimate expenses and was accepted by Elections Canada.

Elections Canada is currently investigating the Conservative party for allegedly funneling $1.3 million in this fashion to local campaigns in an effort to side-step the $18.2 million national spending limit and receive additional rebate money for local spending.

“We are immensely pleased to have a man as principled as Gary Caldwell running as the Green Party’s candidate in Compton–Stanstead,” said Ms. May. “Mr. Caldwell had a strong second place showing in the 2006 election and is a well-respected community activist.”

Ms. May added that Mr. Caldwell’s candidacy goes to show that the Green Party attracts former members of all political parties.