Eyebrows were raised when Green party candidate Dick Hibma polled a strong second in the Bruce-Grey- Owen Sound riding of southwestern Ontario in 2008.
It is the second largest cattle producing riding next to Lethbridge and on the surface does not look like a natural hotbed for Green issues.
Many of the farm operations are large and export-oriented while the Green agricultural policy stressed local and organic production.
Yet the Green candidate attracted more than 13,000 votes, a distant second to Conservative winner Larry Miller but more than the combined vote of the Liberal and New Democratic Party candidates.
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Emma Jane Hogbin, the riding’s Green candidate for the May 2 election, is not surprised. She expects to gain strong voter support again, and it is not really because of the party’s agricultural policy.
“It’s not so much about the environmental side of our message here,” the website development consultant said.
“I think what appeals here is the small-c conservative side of the Green party. We are very neighbourhood and neighbour focused. We believe that if you do a good turn for someone, it will come back to you.”
The Green party does promote small local production, farmers’ markets and government support for producers who want to convert to organic. That is part of her message in this election campaign.
“Of course we are in favour of family farms rather than agri-business. We favour supporting local food and supply management,” said Hogbin.
“But I honestly don’t see that as our main appeal. I think people see in us as the conservative approach to family and community that is where they live.”
She said the television network decision to exclude leader Elizabeth May from this week’s party leaders’ debate is also helping.
“The people of this riding are good, fair-minded people and they don’t think that is fair,” she said.
“People are raising it with me. I think it is helping our campaign.”
