Green Party Co-Leader Jonathan Pedneault Resigns After Election Defeat, Elizabeth May Stands Alone in Parliament

Montreal (Rajeev Sharma):  Jonathan Pedneault, co-leader of the Green Party of Canada, has stepped down from his leadership role following a disappointing federal election performance that saw the party secure just 1.2 per cent of the national vote and only one seat in the House of Commons.

In a statement shared online, Pedneault acknowledged his inability to win a seat and announced his resignation, effective immediately. “Twice now, I have failed to convince my fellow citizens to send me to Ottawa,” he wrote. “I therefore hereby submit my resignation.”

Pedneault came in fifth in Montreal’s Outremont riding, garnering 4,539 votes. The seat was won by Liberal Rachel Bandayan, who secured a commanding 26,024 votes.

Having served as co-leader alongside Elizabeth May since February, Pedneault expressed gratitude for her continued leadership. “I am grateful for Elizabeth’s leadership and know that her knowledge and experience will be needed to help the party learn and grow,” he stated.

Elizabeth May comfortably retained her Saanich-Gulf Islands seat in British Columbia with 39 per cent of the vote, making her the only Green MP elected this cycle.

Despite the party’s electoral setbacks, Pedneault urged supporters to continue their work. “Never forget that the work you do, even when it doesn’t show up in seats, matters profoundly to the people watching, to the people listening, and to the people who will come after us,” he said.

The Green Party’s future direction remains uncertain, as it now faces another leadership transition and renewed questions about its electoral viability on the national stage.