Parkdale home to Green Party's newest leader

Parkdale home to Green Party's newest leader. The new leader of the Green Party of Ontario, Mike Schreiner. Staff photo/ERIN HATFIELD

"Any farmer that works with the soil and runs a business that is so dependant on the weather elements and so many things that are outside of your control, you come to really appreciate how important a healthy environment really is for our economy, our communities and our health and well being," he said.

Schreiner said the GPO understands how you can connect a whole range of issues - from the economy to social justice, equity, prosperity and healthcare, it's all connected to a healthy environment. That is why the Parkdale resident decided to take on the role of leading the party.

"I feel like the Green Party is the one political party that is putting forward a compelling and comprehensive vision of how we build a prosperous green economy that creates tomorrow's jobs today," he said.

The 40-year-old entrepreneur moved to Toronto in 1995 for love, he said and married his wife Sandy one year later.

Schreiner and his wife have two daughters, Isabelle, 10, and Beata, 4, who both attend school in the neighbourhood.

"I fell in love with Ontario and with Toronto. It's a beautiful place, great people," he said. "So my wife and I decided to raise our family here, start a business here and live the rest of our lives here. Now I have decided to get involved in politics here."

After moving to the city Schreiner started a company called Toronto Organics, buying from local producers and wholesalers and making door-to-door deliveries.

He sold most of his interest in the company in 2005 and then played a part in starting the not-for-profit Local Food Plus, which worked to bring farmers and consumers together to promote financially, socially and environmentally sustainable local food systems.

"I have really focused my time on building a green, socially responsible business and raising my family, but in 2004 I started getting involved with the Green Party." he said.

With his interest in issues of environmental and social sustainability from a small business perspective, Schreiner said he felt the Green Party best represented his values so he started getting involved in meetings and helping out local candidates.

"Eventually because of my background and expertise in food and rural issues they asked me to be their issue advocate for agriculture, food and rural affairs," he said. "Then I became the co-chair of the platform committee for the 2007 election."

Schreiner decided to make the move from a volunteer to candidate this past spring when he was the candidate for the Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock by-election. Schreiner came third - ahead of the NDP.

"I realized during that by-election that I really enjoy politics and I love meeting people and talking about the issues," Schreiner explained. "The opportunity to go into cafes or church basements or whatever and just have an excuse to sit down and talk to people about the issues that concern them."

He was elected Leader of the Green Party of Ontario (GPO) during a nomination meeting in London, Ontario recently.

Schreiner was the only candidate running to replace outgoing leader Frank de Jong who lead the party for 16 years.

Schreiner said there were three interested candidates at the leadership debate in August, but after the first debate the other two candidates decided not to go forward.

"I think part of it was there was a lot of support for me, but I think also, part of it was, it is a big commitment to take on because we don't have a seat and we don't have a lot of financial resources," he explained

Schreiner has committed to doing it full time and said his past experience in life and business has positioned him well for the role.

"In some respects I think the Green Party at this point in its evolution, although it's the fastest growing political party in Ontario...it is still a bit of a start-up and still requires somebody who has experience in building successful organizations to come in and help build capacity in the party," he said, adding he brings that to the table.

As leader of the GPO, Schreiner said his three priorities are: building a prosperous green economy, fostering sustainable communities and promoting the health and well-being of all Ontarians.

Schreiner said he doesn't know where he will run in the 2011 provincial election, but will make that decision based on what is best for the party from a strategic standpoint.

"One thing that my wife and I have agreed on is that if I don't run in this riding that I will make sure whatever riding I do run in I will have some sort of commitment to living there," he said.

The ridings the GPO tends to do the best are the ridings along the Niagara Escarpment in southern Ontario, he said.