The Carr years (2000-2006) Green Party of British Columbia

adriane carr, party founder, leader (1983-1985, 2000-2006)

the party s increased poll standing, new position on collaboration longtime rivals , impending electoral success attracted attention of number of prominent environmentalists, led adriane carr, began campaign in 1999 remove party s leadership. group conducted bitter year-long public campaign included unsuccessful lawsuit against party , later-disproven allegations against party s leader , board of directors including fraud, vote-rigging , theft. although group defeated @ party s 1999 convention, triumphed in 2000. shortly thereafter, party elected carr new leader; since 2001, party leader has ceased subject annual review votes, process parker removed. following 2000 convention, of party s elected municipal representatives , other members resigned.

with high-profile changes @ top, party able improve on 9% poll standing @ beginning of 2000 , reached 12% of popular vote in may 2001 provincial election. in spite of significant support, won no seats in provincial legislature - fact has been cited argument against first-past-the-post voting system used in bc elections.

although had sponsored series of resolutions @ party s 2000 convention condemning many saw party s distraction social , governance policy @ expense of work on environmental issues, electoral reform moved top of carr s agenda leader. disagreeing fair voting bc s decision devote movement s energies backing new bc liberal government s plan move forward citizens assembly process had developed in 1997, carr founded rival electoral reform organization called free vote utilize province s citizen initiative legislation (which technically allows citizens force referendums on legislation if gather sufficient number of signatures).

despite facing public condemnation fvbc s loenen, free vote recruited hundreds of volunteers province-wide effort, building far larger citizen organization either ecco or fvbc. gained support of many leftists, including official endorsement of bc nurses , other unions. campaign faced share of difficulties, such leaked internal memos party s organizing chair explaining organizers knew petition drive fail, using build party s organizational base. although campaign submitted enough signatures in 4 of province s 79 ridings, free vote successful in mobilizing new support reform. appears have hardened party s support single model of proportional representation (mixed-member, closed-list) , public condemnation of others.

following failure of preferred free vote, carr focused energy on lively province-wide campaign opposing 2010 winter olympic games bid. once games awarded bc, party unable find province-wide issues resonated voters. between 2003 , 2005, party s presence notably low key carr returned constant touring mode had characterized parker s first term.

in 2005 provincial election, gpbc s vote declined 9% province-wide 12% 4 years previously. despite being rated highly debate performance media commentators, carr s performance poorly rated public , own vote share declined 25% in home constituency of powell river-sunshine coast, 17% behind victorious ndp candidate. in constituencies of vancouver-burrard, west vancouver-garibaldi , kelowna-mission did party s popularity increase.

these measures, seems, insufficient quiet increasing internal dissatisfaction leadership. prior first annual convention following reinstitution of practice requiring leaders step down , run succeed each electoral cycle (this, along annual confidence votes had been repealed in 2001), carr announced resignation on september 24, 2006. predicted familiar carr s long-standing relationship newly elected green party of canada leader elizabeth may, carr accepted paid position of deputy leader of green party of canada , ran lost anfederal candidate in riding of vancouver centre.