Opinion: The more the Greens campaign on different issues the more they become indistinguishable from other parties. Instead, the Greens should double down on the environment to engage environmental voters.
In 1970, in a Gallup poll, 63 per cent thought “the dangers of pollution” were “very serious.” In 1989, pollster Angus Reid asked the public, “Would you support a political party that made protection of the environment its primary objective?”
In an Ipsos poll before last year’s Ontario election, only 13 per cent of voters who said the environment was one of their most important issues intended to vote for a Green Party candidate. In the election the Greens got 6 per cent. In a Vector Poll in January this year 8 per cent supported the Greens. In April, in an Angus Reid Institute poll only 6 per cent were “most likely” to vote Green.
In an Innovative Research Group poll last year, 38 per cent agreed “putting a price on pollution is one of the best ways to lower carbon consumption and to fight climate change” But 45 per cent agreed, “The carbon pricing policy is just another tax grab that hinders the economic development of the country and does nothing for the environment.”
Like other Green Party leaders, Ontario’s Mike Schreiner wants voters to see the Greens as more than a single-issue party. Schreiner could promise a Green government will use the $6 billion a year Ontario spends to subsidize hydro prices to give cash rewards to individuals and businesses who reduce their energy consumption.
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