Gunner not surprised with Annamie Paul’s decision to step down, won’t run for leader

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Gunner added that Paul was in a really tough position and unable to lead the party in the long run, adding that this is not new in politics and party leaders across the political spectrum change frequently.

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“I don’t know who would have been able to come out of that stronger, given the forces allied against her,” said Gunner.

“It’s unfortunate, but when we put people in leadership positions in untenable situations, it’s not surprising when they’re unable to do the task.”

While on the campaign trail, Gunner often referred to the Green Party’s intention to defend the under-represented and the marginalized, and she said while core of the party still represents that intention, it did appear like some in leadership positions seemed to lose sight of those values in their treatment of Paul.

Heather Clay, CEO of the North Okanagan-Shuswap Federal Green Party Electoral District Area, sent Vernon Matters a written response following a request for comment on Paul’s resignation.

“We admire Annamie Paul and acknowledge that she broke the glass ceiling for a black, immigrant woman of Jewish faith. It was not easy taking the reins after Elizabeth May stepped down last year and she was only just beginning to assert her leadership when the election was called,” said Clay.

“We found Annamie Paul to be intelligent, collaborative and remarkably poised in the face of criticism from a few in the party who did not agree with her. Many people are still talking about her strong performance at the recent all-candidates debate, where Ms. Paul was poised, confident and seemingly the only adult in the room. We respect her decision to step down and expect there will be a leadership contest in the near future. In the meantime, the Green Party of Canada will continue to push for more action on climate, social justice and reconciliation with First Nations. Our future depends on it.”

While speaking with Vernon Matters, Gunner said she was very happy with the campaign she ran, despite finishing in fifth place out of the five candidates. She earned six per cent of the vote in the North Okanagan-Shuswap riding, which is twice what the Greens earned on the national level.

She said her goal wasn’t to be elected as the first Green MP for the riding, adding that the region likely won’t be a Green seat for another 15 years, but she was still very pleased with the support she received.

“My goal was to start to build capacity in the riding for electing a Green MP, and so I wasn’t surprised [with the result],” said Gunner.

“My other goal was to make my ideas and solutions heard by other candidates, and I definitely did that.”

Gunner went on to say Mel Arnold reached out to her following the election, asking to have a meeting to discuss plans to address climate change that she outlined on the campaign trail. That they will be having that meeting sometime in the coming weeks.

Gunner told Vernon Matters that she has no plans to put her name in as leader of the federal Greens. While she wants to focus her attention back on her business, she did note that her role in politics is not over. She said she will continue to participate in a number of organizations in an attempt to find solutions to climate change.

“Climate change has not gone away. It is still the vital, absolutely vital issue of our time, and we don’t do well burying our head in the sand and pretending it’s going away.”