The Canadian Press received a letter from Lorraine Rekmans, who wrote that she can no longer serve because “there is no vision of a better future, but only an attempt to look back and settle old scores while the planet burns.”

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			Green Party candidates present at the start of the federal leadership contest

“I am leaving this party on my own terms,” ​​Reckmans wrote. “I have resigned for the beginning. I had no confidence in the leadership contestants, and they had no confidence in me, and I lost confidence in the federal council.” Reckmans wrote that she has been marginalized, insulted and belittled by the leadership contestants and sees no way to continue as president when one of them will be the main representative of the party. Story continues below ad Four of the six leadership candidates, along with Greens MP Mike Morris, recently issued a joint statement to condemn the misbehavior of transition leader Amita Kuttner – who is transgender and non-binary – at a Zoom event, though they praised Rekmans for an immediate apology. Trending Stories

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The Greens launched a leadership contest this summer to find a replacement for Annamie Paul, who resigned after a disappointing showing for the party in the 2021 election. Her tenure was marked by internal conflict and she accused some in the party of racism and sexism. Leadership candidate Sarah Gabrielle Baron, who did not sign the joint statement, said the party’s issues should be dealt with internally. The other five candidates were not immediately available for comment. The winner will be announced by November at the latest. Kuttner told The Canadian Press it is not yet clear how the resignation will affect the leadership race. “I am grateful for all her work and dedication over the years and her time on the city council,” they said. “I wish her the best. We will chart the course forward as things change and adjust.” Reckmans said in her letter that the party’s current federal council is completely different to last year’s election, but now faces the same allegations that they are “indifferent to diversity”, as well as allegations that the council is not prudent with finances or communications. Story continues below ad “This has been a tumultuous term for me as president of the Green Party of Canada,” he wrote. “After a year of working on it for over 40 hours a week as a volunteer, I’m exhausted and my optimism is dead. I suggest you might want to pay the next president you elect.” © 2022 The Canadian Press