When Green Party of Ontario leader Mike Schreiner won his seat in Guelph on Thursday night, the Green Party headquarters on Bayfield Street in Barrie erupted in cheers, cries and emotion.
This was a historic win as it’s the first time the Green Party has held a seat in Ontario.
When Simcoe-Grey Green Party candidate Jesseca Perry walked into the campaign office with her daughter Olivia, she hugged Bonnie North immediately before getting settled.
When it was announced Schreiner got his seat, she was overcome with emotion.
“I’m going to cry!” she exclaimed.
Bonnie North, Barrie-Innisfil Green Party candidate, was beaming with joy at the outcome.
“All the hard work Mike Schreiner has done for the last two terms has come to fruition now,” said North.
North pointed to the Green Party gaining momentum this time around, which she feels is due to the honesty and integrity exuded by Schreiner as well as local candidates.
“Schreiner is one of the finest people I have ever known,” said North. “The energy in this room and throughout the campaign has been incredible.”
North said that Keenan Aylwin, candidate for the Green Party in the Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte (BSOM) riding, has brought hope to the area.
“Keenan has a heart filled with passion and love. He has been an inspiration to all of us,” said North.
Keenan made Green waves in the riding of BSOM this year as the first candidate in the riding to declare back in September.
“The other parties dropped candidates in at the last minute,” said Linda Palmateer, Keenan’s campaign manager.
“Reception has been overwhelming. (Keenan is) well-dressed, poised and informed on the issues,” said Palmateer. “He’s a man with integrity.”
When knocking on doors, Palmateer said it wasn’t uncommon for people to tell them they were the only candidate to come knocking.
“I think it was very nasty out there (this time around), and people were tired of that,” she said.
She indicated that many people she spoke to said they were considering just not voting because they didn’t feel they had a viable option.
Lori Aylwin, Keenan’s mom, struggled to hold back tears from the moment she walked into the campaign office on Bayfield Street.
“I’m going to cry a lot tonight,” she laughed. “I’m so proud of everyone who put their heart and soul into this campaign.”
Back when Keenan announced to her he was running for political office, his mom wasn’t surprised.
“Keenan has always stood up for injustice from a young age. When things weren’t right – he would speak out. He’s always championed the underdog,” said Lori.
“He only reads and watches politics. I’m proud of what a steady man he has become.”
Before the results were announced, Keenan was reflective on how much the Green movement had grown over the campaign, province-wide.
“I’m so proud of this campaign. It’s a win in my books,” said Keenan. “People are fed up with politics as usual.”
When Keenan got up to speak after the results were announced, his voice filled with emotion and he struggled to hold back tears.
“This campaign was about sending a message,” he said. “We inspired our community and changed our community... and this is only the beginning.”
