Photo/DAN PELTON THE DUFFERIN-CALEDON GREEN PARTY had its annual general meeting Saturday at the Orangeville Public Library and elected its team for the upcoming federal and provincial elections. From left to right: financial agent Mike Braun, webmaster Wil Roboly, communications chair Ian McGugan, federal candidate Ard Van Leeuwen, provincial Green Party leader Mike Schreiner, membership chair Rob Strang, organizing chair Piotr Derus, federal riding association CEO Paula Corning. Both the federal and provincial wings of the Dufferin-Caledon Green Party have assembled their executive teams in preparation for their respective election campaigns.

The vote at Saturday’s annual general meeting at the Orangeville Public Library on Mill Street was largely an academic exercise, since none of the positions were contested by more than one candidate.

Also on hand was Ontario Green Party leader Mike Schreiner, who commented on the progress made in the last federal and provincial elections by candidates Ard Van Leeuwen and Rob Strang respectively.

“It doesn’t surprise me that the Green Party is so strong here,” Mr. Schreiner told the party faithful. “If I lived in such a beautiful area, I’d be doing anything I can to preserve it and that means the Green Party. The message of the party is more relevant than it has ever been.”

In his speech, he maintained that the real culprit behind this recent recession was $150-per-barrel oil. “We had an economy built on cheap energy and that time has passed,” he said, predicting, “We will go back to oil at $150 to

200 a barrel.”

Mr. Schreiner says Ontario must look towards green industry if it wants to prosper in the future and suggested “a sustainable stimulus,” wherein residents who live a environm entally-conscious lifestyle and businesses who invest in green technologies will be eligible for tax cuts.

Paula Conning, who has taken on the role as president of the federal riding association, told those present one of the major reasons she was drawn to the party was its policy calling for merger of Ontario’s two publicly supported school systems.

As befitting his job as communications chair, Ian McGugan gave the meeting a pep rally tone when he said, “we’ve combined our individual efforts to build efficiency and create a real team here.

“We are as strong as the team that now holds this seat. We just don’t know it, yet.”

In his role as membership chair, Mr. Strang said Dufferin-Caledon “has always had one of the largest memberships in the province. Our goal should be to exceed 100 members that can help and have at least 25 who are actively involved.”

As for the next Ontario election, “We’re in a position where we should be looking to win.”