Elizabeth May, the leader of the Green Party of Canada and MP for Saanich – Gulf Islands, shared that she will not lead the party into the next election.
In an email sent to party members on Aug. 19, May, the only MP under the Green Party banner, shared the news, adding that she does intend to stay on as leader and as a member of parliament as the party soon begins their upcoming leadership review.
Elizabeth May, the longtime leader of the Green Party of Canada, says she plans to step down after the next federal election. In an email to party members, May said she’ll remain leader and MP for now to ensure stability and focus on growing the caucus. She's led the party since 2006, except for a brief period after 2019.
"We have big plans for the fall 2025 session of parliament. My voice, as the sole Green MP in the House of Commons, is stronger as Leader. I intend to grow our parliamentary caucus before stepping down, just as I intend to focus on the climate crisis, on justice and peace in conflict-ridden areas around the world, and on the deepening struggles of Canadians of all ages to afford life’s necessities," she said in the email.
The party will release more information regarding the mandatory leadership review in the future, she says, however she hopes to stay in her position for right now to avoid what she says is "something that the party doesn't need right now, which is internal instability."
May has been the leader of the party for over 15 years, from 2006 to 2019, and again since November 2022 after Annamie Paul stepped down.