Ontario’s Green Party says Dufferin-Caledon “has emerged with a fantastic chance for Greens to elect an MPP in the October 6th provincial election.”

In a Winning Research poll commissioned by the Green Party of Ontario between June 22 and 28, 29% of the 395 randomly selected Dufferin-Caledon respondents said they would vote for the Green Party if the provincial election were held today.

“This is great news,” said provincial Green Party leader Mike Schreiner.

“It confirms what we have always felt, that Dufferin-Caledon residents fundamentally embrace Green values. It is good news too for our local candidate, Rob Strang, who would make an excellent first elected Green MPP in Ontario.”

The 395 eligible voters were asked: If the Ontario Provincial Election was held today, which political party are you most likely to support? Of the 291 who responded, 46.7% said they would vote Conservative, 29.2% Green, 13.1% NDP and 11.0% Liberal.

In Dufferin-Caledon the Green Party has more than doubled its vote in every provincial general election since 1999, getting 16% of the vote in 2007.

“This poll says we’re on track to double our vote again in 2011,” said Mr. Strang, “and that we’re in position to run a winning campaign.”

Pleased by the results, Dufferin-Caledon Provincial Campaign Manager Paula Conning commented, “It’s a great boost. During the campaign we will send a strong message to a majority of voters in the riding that the wisdom and vision of the Green Party means a better future for all of us.”

The Green Party platform includes: balancing the provincial budget in 2015, two years before the other parties; creating sustainable long-term jobs, and making healthy local food a priority.

The Green Party is opposed to the proposed mega-quarry in Melancthon and would change land use policies so that the protection of farmland is a higher priority than residential development and pits and quarries.