Denis Blanchette

PRINCIPLES
Ecological wisdom, social justice, participatory democracy, non-violence, sustainable development, respect for diversity are universal principles that require more positive action and less internal fighting.

FINDINGS
As a member since 2018, I have seen our Party go through difficult times over the past 2 years that greatly affect our political effectiveness; we are making headlines for the wrong reasons. Members and citizens see us regressing.

COMMITMENT
A new leader will soon be elected and he, she or they will need support, not to get tripped up.

Our Party must become a political force to help solve the challenges of today and tomorrow; our relevance is at stake. That is why I am committed to prioritizing the organization of the Party based on the tasks set out in Article 4 of our Constitution entitled: "The Purpose" which is, essentially, to get Green MPs elected to the House of Commons.

In order to do this, we must :
- Professionalize the operation of the Party,
- Establish a structure in all regions,
- Make the EDAs more autonomous

EXPERIENCES
- President of the Board of a community radio, we have in the last 14 months of my term (2019-2021), in the midst of a pandemic, we have:
o Kept the radio station active,
o Moved the station,
o Achieved the best financial record in the station's history,
o Won the "Community Radio Station of the Year - Central and Regional Markets" award in Quebec.

- 11 years as a CEA executive member (2006-2017),
- Member of Parliament for Louis-Hébert for 4 and a half years (2011-2015).

- Founding President of a provincial political party (2017-2018). In less than 18 months, our Executive has:
o Held a leadership race
o Organized a General Council focused on an electoral program to be created,
o Participated in a by-election,
o Recruited 59 candidates in a first general election.

- Member of the Québec-Chaudières-Appalaches executive; development of a regional strategic electoral plan (2021).
- Federal candidate: 2006, 2008, 2011, 2015, 2021 (SSC).

I propose that we focus on the fundamental elements of a political party in order to set up an electoral organization that will give members the desire to get involved.

The climate emergency calls for serious organizing.

Let's talk less, act better.
Denis Blanchette