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Good morning everyone, thank you for joining us this morning here in Montreal on the unceded aboriginal lands of the Kanien'kehá:ka Nation.
Last week, I asked the National Council of the Green Party of Quebec to call a vote of confidence in my leadership so that I could win a new mandate to take the party into the next Quebec general election, which will be held within the next two years.
I'm pleased to announce that the National Council endorsed my application last night, and today I'll be seeking your support for a new term as leader of the Green Party of Quebec!
I'm running for another term as leader because I want to continue fighting for the environment, social justice and the party's values on the Quebec political scene.
Voting will take place from December 5 to 13 by electronic ballot on the Internet. All members in good standing as of November 13 will be entitled to vote. Become a member now to vote for a new mandate.
It's been 7 years since I was elected leader of the Green Party of Quebec in 2013. I was only 25 at the time.
Je suis fier du travail que nous avons accompli ensemble, de l’équipe que nous avons bâtie et j’aimerais continuer à bâtir. Bâtir l’avenir du parti, bâtir l’avenir du Québec et bâtir l’avenir du monde entier.
À travers des années, je crois avoir acquis l’expérience, la sagesse et les compétences nécessaires pour présenter la première équipe complète de 125 candidats dans les 35 ans d’histoire de notre parti, et ce avec un niveau de diversité jamais vu auparavant.
I'm ready to take the party to the next level. I'm ready to take on challenges and contribute to the political debate. I'm ready to move forward and I'm ready for the 2022 general election.
Are you ready to come on board with me?
If so, become a member of the Green Party of Quebec or renew your membership now so you can vote yes to a new mandate for Alex Tyrrell as leader of the Green Party of Quebec.
Under my leadership, the party has taken root in every region of Quebec. We surpassed gender parity by fielding a candidate team with 58% women in the 2018 provincial election.
We inspired young people, minorities and First Nations to get involved in politics, to stand up for the environment and social justice, and to demand a greener Quebec.
We injected dynamic optimism and positive energy into Quebec politics, while establishing the Green Party of Quebec's undisputed credibility on environmental and social justice issues. We tripled our funding, our membership and our staff. We've become a benchmark in the environmental movement, working with citizen groups to tackle issues.
I'm very proud of the work I've done on electoral reform in Quebec. Between 2014 and 2018, I actively participated in negotiations between the opposition parties to reach a consensus on electoral reform.
In 2018 I signed an agreement with future Prime Minister Legault who, following his election, tabled a bill to reform the voting system.
Although the bill is far from perfect, the government summoned me to a parliamentary committee to present the Party's point of view, while exchanging views with the minister responsible and government and opposition MPs in a formal setting. This was one of my greatest achievements for our party, and I remain hopeful that we will have a proportional voting system in the next election.
On the social front, I've always fought against unbridled capitalism, neoliberal austerity, cuts to health care and to our schools. I've stood up against racism, colonialism, the ransacking of aboriginal lands and police brutality.
Under my leadership, the party presented the New Green Plan, the most developed, credible and audacious political program in our party's history.
We went into solutions mode to propose concrete, achievable and ambitious policies for Quebec's future. I'm proud of the work we've done, and there's no limit to what we can accomplish together under my leadership.
Au cours des dernières années, le parti a investi en moi en me donnant d’innombrables occasions de m’adresser aux médias, de recruter des candidats et de gérer l’organisation.
En retour, j’ai injecté des années de travail acharné, de dévouement et de passion à ce poste. J’ai passé cinq des sept dernières années à travailler à temps plein pour un salaire inférieur au salaire minimum.
I made personal sacrifices by living in affordable housing with roommates and dedicated myself to the cause.
At the age of 32 I'm ready to continue fighting for the environment and social justice with passion and determination, and I look forward to continuing my work within our party to achieve electoral success and progress on the issues we care about.
For almost 30 years, our party has changed leaders every two years. This strategy has brought us little success.
I am experienced in the job having led the party to two general elections and I am among the best placed people to ensure the development of the party, the achievement of our objectives and electoral success.
I hope I can count on your support in this campaign for a new mandate.
I am qualified, experienced and ready to continue the work. I have a degree in environmental science, I understand Quebec's environmental and social issues and I dream of continuing my work with you, the members of the Green Party of Quebec.
The future of the party will soon be in your hands. I look forward to interacting with most of you over the coming weeks. I'd like to hear your ideas, your political concerns and your visions for the future of the party.
I would like to thank all my supporters, all the volunteers, employees and candidates of the Green Party of Quebec with whom I have worked over the years. Together we have built the party, introduced bold policies and offered Quebecers a strong, credible alternative.
I look forward to working with you in the lead-up to the 2022 Quebec general election, and know that I will be eternally grateful to have worked with you, such a dynamic, creative and strong team of supporters.
I'd also like to thank the thousands of Quebecers who supported our party and my vision for Quebec's future in the last election. I love this job and hope to continue the fight with you.
I invite all Green supporters to become members or renew your membership now so you can vote on the future of our party.
Thank you all, and let's move forward together towards a new mandate!
Alex Tyrrell
Leader of the Green Party of Quebec