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About

Every Day Advocates

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About

Our Team

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Ontario Election 2022

Meet our 2022 Ontario Provincial Election endorsed candidates!

On June 2, 2022 nine of our endorsed candidates were sent to Queen's Park! All of our endorsees have track records of environmental leadership and we can't wait to see what they do in office.

Whether in her work as a nutritionist, in supporting new entrepreneurs, or within the community, Andria is focused on the connections between health, economy and the environment. Andria teaches clients, students and the public about food waste and packaging waste impacts and solutions, the risks of chemicals found in our food and skin and hair care products, and resource mindfulness. She is a vocal champion for small, local business, helping restaurants and other business owners to cut costs through waste management solutions. Andria is the former President of the Black Chamber of Commerce, a SheEO Activator, and involved with a number of Boards and Advisory Committees in her community. She learned her environmental values and about resource conservation from her Caribbean farmer grandparents.

Jeff Burch has been an MPP since 2018, serving as shadow critic for Municipal Affairs. In this role, he has been a strong opponent to the increased use of Ministerial Zoning Orders and collaborating with environmental groups across the province to advocate for the protection of farmland, natural heritage, and ecologically sensitive areas. Jeff introduced a successful motion to bring year-round Go Rail service to Niagara and successfully requested an Auditor General review of Ontario’s land use planning in the Greater Golden Horseshoe which found several sprawl-enabling issues with municipal and provincial planning practices. From 2006 to 2014, Jeff was St.Catharines City Councillor, where he advocated for smart development by redeveloping brownfields as opposed to green space. As a citizen, Jeff helped found A Better Niagara, a citizens group dedicated to bringing transparency to the local government, particularly on matters of the environment.

Katie Gibbs is a biologist and co-founder and former Executive Director of Evidence for Democracy, which advocates for the use of science in environmental decision-making. She organized with other scientists and called attention to the muzzling of environmental scientists, assessed the state of climate science in Canada, and looked at how to make federal environmental assessment more evidence-based. Her efforts helped bring about the reinstatement of the Office of the Chief Science Advisor, protect federal scientists' ability to share their work publicly and secure funding for a northern climate science lab. Katie has advised Environment Canada on international endangered species protections, served on the Boards of Water Rangers and Ecology Ottawa, and earned numerous awards for her civic and scientific contributions. She holds a Ph.D. in biology from the University of Ottawa.

Ted Hsu is a scientist, community leader, sustainable energy champion and former federal politician. As federal MP from 2011 to 2015, Ted served as shadow minister for Science and Technology, Economic Development - Ontario, Natural Resources and Post-secondary education, and was an active voice for science and research, innovation and renewable energy. He led a national advocacy campaign and introduced a private members’ bill for the return of the long-form census. Ted has long been involved, as Executive Director and more recently as a Board Director, with SWITCH, a local sustainable energy association which promotes and advocates for local job creation, green economic growth and the transition away from fossil fuels. Ted served as member and then Co-Chair of Kingston Environmental Advisory Forum from 2007 to 2010, advising the City Council on environmental matters, and authored Kingston’s first longitudinal (2000-2006) GHG inventory. He holds a PhD in Physics from Princeton University.

Since her election as an MPP in 2018, Bhutila has been a strong champion for climate action. She has brought forward numerous petitions on the environmental issues and introduced three climate-focused private member's bills: Bill 94, the Climate Crisis Health Action Plan Act, legislation that would ready Ontario's public health and health care systems for the health risks caused by the impacts of the climate crisis; Bill 224, the No Time to Waste Act (Plan for Climate Action and Jobs), together with MPP Tabuns, which would create a climate crisis strategy for Ontario's public sector and establish a Select Committee on the Climate Crisis in Ontario's Legislature; and Bill 303, the Clean Trains Now Act to electrify the Union-Pearson Express line. Karpoche has a Master’s Degree in Epidemiology, frequently participates in solidarity and grassroots actions in her community, and has received numerous awards for her leadership.

Jeff Lehman has been a vocal proponent of sustainability as Mayor (2010-present) and councillor (2006-2010) for the City of Barrie and former Chair of Ontario’s Big City Mayors’ Caucus (2014-2017). Jeff has championed several environmental projects and priorities on climate mitigation and adaptation, including Barrie’s 2050 net zero greenhouse gas emission target, growth management planning, and active transportation and transit. The City of Barrie has received a number of awards for environmental initiatives during his time as Mayor, including its stormwater management plan to better protect Lake Simcoe’s water quality and mitigate climate change impacts. Jeff regularly speaks about the importance of sustainability, green infrastructure and climate change in his public and media communications. Jeff is a former urban planner.

Erika Lougheed is a municipal councillor for East Ferris in northeastern Ontario who has used her role to advocate for environmental action and on equity issues. She has introduced and supported numerous motions, including on the declaration of a climate emergency, preservation of parklands and waterways, sound planning, the incorporation of lake health assessments studies, species-at-risk, and site plan follow through. She has supported local environmental roundtables and championed the environment in municipal strategic planning, including through active transportation and public environmental education. Erika has previously worked in the non-profit sector, including with the United Way, YMCA and Nipissing University. She is a potter, former wilderness canoe guide and hobby farmer.

Since his election in 2018, Sol has been a strong advocate of northern Indigenous communities, focusing on access to clean drinking water, environmental justice for Grassy Narrows, and sustainable development in his large northern riding. Sol introduced private members’ bill Bill 76, which would enact the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples into law, as well as Bill 226, Inherent Right to Safe Drinking Water Act, which would mandate the government to provide clean water to all First Nations in the province. As the former lead health advisor for the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation, he worked alongside federal and provincial representatives to transform the way health care is delivered to Treaty No. 9 territory by improving service delivery throughout the riding. Sol is a member of the Kingfisher Lake First Nation and was raised by his family on the land.

A passionate volunteer, activist, and elected representative for environmental issues for most of her adult life, Mary-Margaret learned about environmental issues through engaging with the local environmental movements in Toronto and working with other environmental leaders. A two-term Toronto City Councillor from 2010 to 2018, she was a champion for the development and implementation of TransformTO, Toronto’s first Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Plan, removal of the Gardiner Expressway, and planning changes to increase housing options in already built-up areas of the city, like Laneway Suites. She has a long history of community involvement, including co-founding a Farmers’ Market and Community Association and advocacy for cycling infrastructure and a pesticides ban in Toronto.

Brian Saunderson is municipal politician, who has served as Collingwood’s Deputy Mayor (2014-2018) and Mayor (2018-present). In this role, he introduced a successful motion to eliminate the use of single-use plastics in municipal facilities, and called for local businesses, organizations and individuals in Collingwood to follow suit. Collingwood declared a climate emergency under his leadership, and recently completed its first inventory of its greenhouse gas emissions as a member of the Partners in Climate Protection Program. He has spoken up for smart growth and the protection of Simcoe Grey’s green spaces through sound planning, including by championing stormwater harvesting in new developments to conserve water and improve ecosystem health. Brian has also advocated for stewardship of the Great Lakes as a member of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Cities organization.

Mike Schreiner has been leader of the Ontario Green Party since 2009 and an MPP since 2018. He is a constant voice for environmental action, including introducing a bill to cap Ontario’s carbon emissions; proposing to create a mandatory government report on yearly emissions’ numbers; working to protect drinking water in his riding and surrounding watersheds; advocating to end sprawl by freezing urban boundaries; calling for a moratorium on gravel mining permits, advocating for government action to address the financial and human costs of climate inaction, and working across party lines to advance environmental solutions. He has also served on the boards of FarmStart, Green Enterprise Ontario, and the Toronto Food Policy Council, as well as the Rotary Guelph Environment Committee. In his earlier career, he founded two organic food businesses and co-founded Local Food Plus, a non-profit that championed local sustainable food.

Sandy Shaw was elected as an MPP in 2018 and has served as the NDP critic for Environment, Conservation and Parks and Finance and the Treasury Board. As a legislator, Sandy has brought forward motions to protect Ontario’s water and grow the Greenbelt and the number of protected areas across the province, and introduced a Private Members Bill to close loopholes in the disclosure of spills in Hamilton’s Cootes Paradise, an environmentally sensitive Lake Ontario wetland. She regularly convenes town halls and events in her riding to discuss and raise awareness of environmental concerns, has helped marginalized residents streamline air quality complaints to regulators, collaborated with Indigenous leaders to draw attention to water rights and has been an active champion of local anti-sprawl campaigns to protect Ontario’s farmland. Sandy previously served as the head of Corporate Social Responsibility for FirstOntario Credit Union.

Peter spent seven years as a Toronto city councillor before entering and serving in the provincial legislature since 2006. As the Official Opposition's spokesperson on Energy and the Climate Crisis, Peter has advocated for action on climate action, to reduce toxic chemicals, for mercury clean-up at Grassy Narrows, for expansion of renewable energy, and against the end of Ontario’s former cap and trade program. He is an active environmental champion in the legislature, for example through introducing Private Members Bill 224, No Time to Waste (A Plan for Climate Action and Jobs), co-sponsored with MPP Karpoche, and Bill 37, the Liability for Climate-Related Harms Act amongst other environmental legislation. Peter has also served as Executive Director of Greenpeace Canada and climate change advisor to then-federal NDP leader Jack Layton. In 2017, he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from Sustainable Buildings Canada for his lifelong commitment to sustainability.

ENDORSEMENT PROCESS

For the 2022 Ontario Provincial Election, we conducted research and sought input and nominations from parties, candidates, environmental organizations and Ontarians. We asked about candidates’ knowledge, experience and leadership in their communities, workplaces and parties for the environment and environmental justice. We also looked at winnability, based on the past three elections and current polls. Endorsements are determined by an Expert Panel, an independent group of provincial environmental specialists with no party affiliations. The Panel focuses on track record and does not look at party platforms, campaign commitments or debate performances. To learn more about our endorsements, check out our FAQ.

Expert Panel

The Expert Panel makes the decisions on who GreenPAC endorses during our provincial and federal endorsement election campaigns. The Panel is made up of credible, independent members who have no ties to political parties and are not on the payroll of any environmental NGOs. Panel members reflect a diversity of views from various parts of the country and areas of expertise.

Meet our 2022 Ontario Endorsement Expert Panel!

Balasubramanian Hari - 4.jpg

Hari
Balasubramanian

Jennifer
Predie

Semie
Sama

Bronwynne
Wilton

ABOUT BRONWYNNE

Cora
Young

Expert Panel

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