The Green Party respects the need for a balance between competition and co-operation in a mixed economy, and, the gifts and flexibility that this dynamic tension offers to society. Accordingly, we recognize the strengths and weaknesses of business and organized labour and will work to continuously improve the functioning of both for the public good.


We believe in social justice while still encouraging self-reliance, respecting the principle of reward for effort and risk. We believe that these principles must exist in a system where environmental issues are at the forefront of decision making.

Environmental challenges are local, national and global. These include climate change, air, water and soil degradation, the massive loss of bio-diversity, the ongoing depletion of critical energy and food supplies, the overwhelming and expanding global population, the environmental build-up of toxic substances, and unsustainable urban sprawl.

The impact of each is magnified in combination and is already felt by the most vulnerable – children, the poor, other species and many developing countries.

The economic well-being that the Green Party promotes is more qualitative rather than quantitative. We recognize limits to material and energy consumption. We believe there is a better course to chart that will not lead to resource scarcity and ecosystem failure.


We will influence public policy through a Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI) rather than relying solely on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). By failing to subtract negative economic and social activity from its total calculations of economic activity, the current GDP indicator significantly distorts the national evaluation of real wealth creation, prosperity and quality-of-life.

The Green Party knows that social justice at home and abroad is both an environmental and an ethical issue. We observe that short-term economic needs too often take precedence over sound leadership and environmental stewardship. Our policies seek to directly address the core structural causes of poverty and poor health.

We believe in good government and the collective voice of Canadians. Green Party policies will make Parliament more democratic and diverse through democratic renewal. Government must be far more accountable and transparent.

Multi-national corporations that operate under international trade agreements written to limit democratic oversight, exert exceptional power. We will work with Green parties and other partners around the world to introduce mandatory international environmental and social standards for multi-national corporations. With other measures, this will help re-establish democratic accountability, human rights and the protection of the global environmental commons.

While independent, Green parties around the world share common values as expressed in the Global Greens Charter. These principles are: ecological wisdom, sustainability, respect for diversity, social justice, non-violence and participatory democracy.

Canada must play a far more significant role in the world, building peace, advancing human rights and protecting vulnerable eco-systems. Canada has the capacity to help and our leadership must be felt at crucial moments. We must rise to the many challenges facing the world and advance a new global vision to replace the culture of fear that diverts massive human and financial resources from real global threats.