We're adding more speakers regularly, so check back to see the growing list.
James Shaw
James Shaw has served as the co-leader of the New Zealand Green Party since 2015, after being elected to parliament in 2014.
A successful management consultant, James has spent the majority of his career working with companies across Europe and around the world, developing their sustainable business practices.
James believes that, with vision and purpose, politicians can bring the large-scale, transformational change that is needed to build a truly inclusive economy, and a healthier planet.
At convention, he will be speaking about New Zealand’s shift away from the first-past-the-post electoral system to proportional representation, and Canada’s commitment to make the 2015 election the last under our winner-take-all voting system.
Frank Graves
As founder of EKOS Research Associates Inc., Frank Graves is one of the country's leading applied social researchers, directing some of the largest and most challenging social research assignments conducted in Canada. For more than three decades, the firm has held a reputation for creative and rigorous research in the areas of public policy, social policy, and program evaluation and as a leader in innovative survey techniques and methodology.
During his thirty year career, he has directed hundreds of large scale studies of Canadian attitudes to a vast array of issues, including the economy, immigration, defense and security, health care, the environment, national unity and Canada-U.S. relations. His analysis and advice has been sought by senior decision makers in both the private and public sectors, including CEOs of top 100 Canadian companies, The Prime Minister’s Office, federal cabinet, the Clerk of the Privy Council, dozens of federal Deputy Ministers and the United States Ambassador to Canada, as well as the Canadian Ambassador to the United States.
Mr. Graves has published widely in academic and mainstream publications. He has lectured at the Rotman School of Business, the Kennedy School in Harvard, the University of Ottawa and the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs in Washington.
Mr. Graves is a frequent commentator in Canadian and American media. He has directed numerous public opinion research projects on behalf of the CBC, the Toronto Star, the Globe and Mail and La Presse.
Mr. Graves graduated from Carleton University with a B.A. in Social Anthropology, M.A. in Sociology and has completed doctoral coursework in Sociology. He was recently named a Fellow of the Marketing Research and Intelligence Association, the highest professional designation in the marketing research industry in Canada.
Bill McKibben
Bill McKibben is a bestselling author, influential environmental activist, and founder of the international climate organization 350.org.
Mr. McKibben was one of the United States’ leading opponents to the Keystone XL pipeline, and has been a vocal advocate on behalf of the climate for decades. His first of a dozen books was The End of Nature, back in 1989, and has been dubbed the first book on global warming.
In 2010, the Boston Globe called him "probably the nation's leading environmentalist". In 2013 he was given the prestigious Gandhi Peace Award.
It will be honour to hear the great Bill McKibben offer a special address on the issue that concerns us all at this year’s Green Party of Canada Convention.
Évelyne Huytebroeck
Évelyne Huytebroeck is a politician and ecologist from Belgium. She has served as the Minister of Youth in the Federation Wallonia-Brussels, and as the Minister of Environment, Energy and Urban Renewal within the Government of the Brussels-Capital Region. Previously, Évelyne was the Federal Secretary and an elected representative of Ecolo, the Belgian Green Party, winning her seat in 2002.
A graduate of the Journalism and Social Communication program at Université libre de Bruxelles, Évelyne worked as a press officer for the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions and the Federation of Musical Youth prior to entering politics. She also worked as a freelance journalist for several newspapers and magazines.
Now a member of the European Green Party Committee in charge of Local Councillors and Global Greens, Évelyne will be speaking about the upcoming Global Greens Congress in Liverpool.
Adam Olsen
Born in Victoria, Adam Olsen was raised on Tsartlip First Nation in Brentwood Bay, BC.
Adam was elected to Central Saanich Council in 2008, and re-elected in 2011. He served as the Chair of Planning and Development and Water and Wastewater, representing the community on a number of boards and commissions including solid and liquid waste, Greater Victoria Public Library and the Regional Housing Trust Fund. In January 2013, Adam resigned his seat on Council to run provincially for the B.C. Green Party in Saanich North and the Islands. Finishing third, in the closest three-way race in the province, Adam was less then 400 votes away from being elected. In August 2013, Adam was appointed Interim-Leader of the B.C. Green Party. Now the Deputy-Leader of the B.C. Greens, Adam will continue to focus his efforts on growing the provincial green presence as he prepares to run for a second time in Saanich North and the Islands.
Adam will be leading a workshop with Peter Bevan-Baker and David Coon on running successful green campaigns.
David Coon
In 2014, David Coon became the first Green Party candidate ever elected to the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly.
The leader of the New Brunswick Green Party since 2012, David has worked as an environmental educator, organizer, and activist for over thirty years, including more than two and a half decades with the Conservation Council of New Brunswick.
A trained biologist, David has spearheaded numerous projects in his home province, including: creating a community-based approach to fisheries management around the Bay of Fundy, and collaborating with the National Farmers Union to create the first agricultural conservation club in New Brunswick.
Once called the “province's environmental conscience,” David Coon has a wealth of experience combating the climate crisis, and working to make Canada a healthier and more prosperous place to call home.
Peter Bevan-Baker
Have you ever heard the phrase: tenth time’s the charm?
Peter Bevan-Baker is the epitome of tenacity and perseverance. A dentist by trade, Peter ran for the Green Party both provincially and federally nine times before becoming the first Green elected to the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island.
A life-long environmental champion, Peter and his wife of twenty-eight years run a thriving environmentally engineered dental clinic, café and community hall in a restored heritage church within their community.
A successful entrepreneur, seasoned politician, and community mobilizer, Peter currently serves as the Leader of the Green Party of PEI, and as the MLA for the district of Kellys Cross-Cumberland.
Sonia Theroux
Sonia Theroux knows what it takes to win a close election. From her first foray into direct campaigning – the 1995 Quebec Referendum on separation – she has seen what a critical impact canvassing and “getting the vote out” can make in a tight race.
An innovative strategic-thinker, Sonia led a team that built one of our strongest campaigns in 2015. As the Campaign Manager in Victoria, Sonia helped Jo-Ann Roberts garner over 23,000 votes, increasing the Green share of the vote in the riding by more than 200% compared to the 2011 election. This was largely due to a focus on ground campaigning and Voter ID.
In 2014, Sonia served as Campaign Manager for Victoria mayor, Lisa Helps, after seven years working in Capital Campaigns for the University of Victoria. With experience in the non-profit, public and private sectors, Sonia’s toolkit includes fundraising, campaign planning and execution, marketing, outreach, communications, volunteer management and small business management.
Sonia studied Political Science at McGill University, and is a proud mom to a teenaged son.
As founder of EKOS Research Associates Inc., Frank Graves is one of the country's leading applied social researchers, directing some of the largest and most challenging social research assignments conducted in Canada. For more than three decades, the firm has held a reputation for creative and rigorous research in the areas of public policy, social policy, and program evaluation and as a leader in innovative survey techniques and methodology.
Bill McKibben is a bestselling author, influential environmental activist, and founder of the international climate organization 350.org.
Évelyne Huytebroeck is a politician and ecologist from Belgium. She has served as the Minister of Youth in the Federation Wallonia-Brussels, and as the Minister of Environment, Energy and Urban Renewal within the Government of the Brussels-Capital Region. Previously, Évelyne was the Federal Secretary and an elected representative of Ecolo, the Belgian Green Party, winning her seat in 2002.
In 2014, David Coon became the first Green Party candidate ever elected to the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly. 
Have you ever heard the phrase: tenth time’s the charm? 
Sonia Theroux knows what it takes to win a close election. From her first foray into direct campaigning – the 1995 Quebec Referendum on separation – she has seen what a critical impact canvassing and “getting the vote out” can make in a tight race.