Community People Profiles for Elections is a series on the Salt Spring Exchange featuring local personalities on our dynamic Gulf Island who are running for elected office. Our People Profiles are short interviews, with one answer questions to share with you a little about what each of the people we will feature are thinking about as they run their respective election campaigns. This profile is for Elizabeth May, Federal Green Party Candidate, who is running for re-election as our Member of Parliament in our Saanich—Gulf Islands riding.

Here's a little bit about Elizabeth:

Elizabeth May worked over decades in the environmental movement – as a volunteer, as a lawyer, as the Senior Policy Advisor to the minister of the environment (1986-1988) and as executive director of the Sierra Club of Canada (1989-2006). In 2005 she was made an Officer of the Order of Canada for her work to protect Canada’s ecological richness. In 2006 she became leader of the Green Party of Canada and in 2011 made history when elected as the Member of Parliament for Saanich-Gulf Islands.

Since her election, she has worked tirelessly in the interests of Saanich-Gulf Islands. By a secret ballot vote of all MPs she has been chosen as Best Orator in the House (2014), Hardest Working MP (2013), and Parliamentarian of the Year (2012). She has saved jobs in this riding and has worked hard on hundreds of personal cases and concerns.

What brought you to Salt Spring Island?

The ferry!

What one thing about Salt Spring would you tell someone who has never visited the island?

It's an incredible gem ecologically, socially and culturally, and it's a foodie paradise.

If you had a magic Salt Spring wand, what island thing would you change?

I would create accessible affordable housing and an indoor ice hockey rink for the kids (adults can use it sometimes too).

Which well known person, living or dead, do you think would be a good addition to the island?

Jane Goodall

Which elected position are you seeking?

Member of Parliament, Saanich-Gulf Islands

Why should Salt Springers vote for you?

I will work to keep our coastlines bitumen and diluent free by opposing the Kinder Morgan and the Northern Gateway pipelines. I will be a force for real climate action, and I will work hard for constituents, resolving problems they have with government.

Greens are in favour of financial support for local sustainable agriculture, and care for seniors, those with dementia and those living in or near poverty.

Is there a really good interview question we should have asked you?

Will Greens split the vote?

How would you have answered your question?

Greens in Vancouver Island have the strength and the potential to be elected to Parliament. Our votes can support the work of other parties in the House of Commons, so your MP’s vote will be influential in government, especially so since we will most likely work with other parties collaboratively in a minority parliament.

Greens believe that we can overcome the fears around vote splitting by encouraging everyone to vote and offering something worth voting for.

Our commitment to democracy includes the promise that we do not whip votes, which means that I will represent your priorities and choices in Ottawa.

Editors Note: All candidates were invited to submit profiles. They are published in the order received. Please check to ensure you are register to vote and consider participating in our online voting poll.