Local Greens are encouraged by the party’s recent provincial and federal gains, and Erik Schomann is hoping he can bring the green wave to Simcoe North.
“I think Canadians have gotten tired with the legacy parties. They’re tired of tripping over their own feet, going from Liberal to Conservative, Liberal to Conservative,” said Schomann, who was chosen on the weekend to run for the Greens in Simcoe North in the next federal election.
Green candidate Paul Manly won a federal byelection in British Columbia on Monday. Last month, the provincial Greens won enough seats to become the Official Opposition on Prince Edward Island.
“Canadians are looking for something — anything — new, and they see the Greens as a progressive option,” Schomann said.
With climate change on the minds of many, he feels voters are looking for something other than a Liberal or Conservative government.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has shown “disrespect” for First Nations when it comes to pipeline consultations, Schomann said, adding the thought of an Andrew Scheer-led Conservative government “horrifies the average Canadian.”
“There is no climate platform,” he said.
Getting a Green candidate elected in a Tory stronghold like Simcoe North will be no easy feat, Schomann admitted, but he feels his party can appeal to disenfranchised voters who have supported other parties in the past.
“We have a pretty strong fiscally conservative background, even if our platform is socially progressive,” he said.
When party leaders promise to be representative of all Canadians and their varying concerns, that rarely plays out once they’re elected, Schomann said, but added that is the goal of the Greens.
“I don’t see consensus building coming from the other parties. They’re all preaching to the choir. They don’t seem interested in consensus building,” he said.
Schomann moved to Lafontaine in Tiny Township in 2017, but he’s no stranger to the area. While he and his family travelled the world when he was a kid and his dad was an engineer, they often set sail from Midland on their way to Little Current, on Manitoulin Island, when they returned home.
“For me to move here now is the culmination of a long-time dream,” said Schomann, who teaches communications studies at Seneca College.
The beauty of Georgian Bay is partly what prompted him to wade into the political arena.
“I want to ensure it’s available for future generations to enjoy like I did when I was young,” he said.
Schomann was chosen over Mathew Lund to represent the local Greens, but Schomann was the first to put his name forward. When he saw no one had filed to run for the party locally, he saw an opportunity to get involved.
“I’ve always had inclinations toward trying to contribute and make a difference,” he said. “I do genuinely feel I have a lot to offer the Green party and Simcoe North.”
The federal election is set to take place Oct. 21.