Green Party leader Elizabeth May was campaigning in Ontario Sunday, rallying support in Orangeville, Guelph and Waterloo.
Her first stop in Southern Ontario was at the University of Guelph with local candidate Rev. John Lawson. A group of mostly students gathered to hear May speak about her party's platform, including their decision to stay away from attack ads.
"People need to feel that there is somebody ethical in politics," said May to the crowd. "There is a reason to vote, there is a reason to hope."
Green Party supporter and student, Izzy Hirji agrees. "No matter which party it is, if they put those issues – like the environment, like social issues, like the economy – on their platform, we will pay attention. We will get involved. We will vote for them because that is what we want to see. We don't want to see these attacks."
May also discussed voter apathy, including the perceived notion that young voters aren't engaged in the issues. In the last election only 37% of young voters went to the polls.
"The Conservatives especially have not really addressed a lot of the concerns that are consistent with the youth" said student Alan Sovan.
May and the Green Party are hoping campaign stops like the one at the University of Guelph will encourage young people to get out and vote in this election.
May's second stop of the day was in Waterloo with Kitchener-Waterloo candidate Cathy MacLellan. More than 200 people gathered at the old Generation X store on Regina Street North for what the pair called "The Rally for True Democracy in Canada."
Both May and MacLellan discussed a number of issues, including early childhood education, corporate tax rates and May's exclusion from the televised Leaders' Debate.
May's last stop of the day was in Hamilton.
