Green Party of Canada leader Jim Harris is expected to announce his resignation later today, according to various media reports.
Harris has been at the helm of the party since 2002, and was instrumental in helping the Greens change their image from a single-issue fringe party, into that of a multi-faceted and pragmatic party that appealed to a much larger percentage of the electorate.
Under Harris’ leadership, the party received much higher support in the 2004 and 2006 federal elections, culminating in a 4.49% popular voting share in the recent 2006 election.
Harris also controversially steered the party toward a more economically-prudent stance, creating an unique mix of policy from across the left-right political spectrum. Many felt this was a betrayal and not representative of the majority of the party membership, and more a reflection of Jim Harris and his closest supporters.
Favourites to replace Harris at the party and leadership convention on 24-27 August include David Chernushenko and former Sierra Club of Canada executive director Elizabeth May.