Grice overjoyed Greens will join leaders’ debate

The federal Green party candidate in Vancouver Quadra says he high-fived his campaign staff when he received word that Green leader Elizabeth May has been allowed to participate in the televised leaders’ debates.

Dan Grice told the Straight that he then went to the downtown campaign office of Adriane Carr, and hugged the Green candidate for Vancouver Centre.

“This has been a wild week for us,” Grice said by phone. “It just proves the power of the people.”

Canada’s main broadcasters confirmed Wednesday that May will have a place in the debates.

Three parties opposed May’s inclusion, with the Conservatives saying that she is an ally of the Liberal party. But Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe didn’t say that he’ll boycott the debates if May is included. The NDP and then the Conservatives eventually backed down. As a result, the networks changed their original decision not to invite May.

According to Grice, the pressure brought on by thousands of Canadians dismayed by May’s being shut out of the debates “forced [Conservative Prime Minister Stephen] Harper and [NDP leader Jack] Layton to change their minds”.

Grice said he believes that May’s participation in the debates will boost the Greens’ chances of winning seats in the October 14 election.

“This is a gift to us,” Grice said. “This is the best thing that could happen to us as far as getting seats.”