MacDougall acclaimed as new N.B. Green Party leader

Jack MacDougall, a former provincial Liberal leadership candidate, has been acclaimed as the New Brunswick Greens' new leader, the party announced Thursday.

MacDougall, a former executive-director of the provincialLiberal Party who challenged Shawn Graham for the leadership in 2002, joined the Green Party after it was formed and became an adviser to the executive council.

MacDougallacknowledges he "is not the best person to lead the party into the future since he is unilingual and has never been elected to public office," according to the statement.

But MacDougall said he will use his experience as a community leader to start building the party.

"We have no money, no associations on the riding levels, no candidates' office, staff or anything like that,"he said in an interview.

The Green Party does not have constituency associations in any of the province's 55 ridings, so MacDougall said he now needs to pull together 55 candidates, a communications plan, a platform and an electionstrategy in the next 12 months.

Premier Shawn Graham issued a statement, congratulating MacDougall and wishing him the best as the party prepares for next year's general election.

"As a long-time political worker, leader and activist, Mr. MacDougall will bring his strong organizational background to the task of building the Green Party in our province," he said.

"As party leader, Mr. MacDougall will certainly help give the Greens a stronger base and voice in our democratic system."

Graham also said he looks forward to working with MacDougall through the political process to "continue to advance green issues as a province."

As a veteran political organizer, MacDougall said he understands the task that now confronts him as a party leader.

"It is certainly my objective to have a full slate of candidates. It's a very tall order, I'm aware of that."

MacDougall said the Greens will not talk about winning the next provincial election but use the campaign as a "beginning."

He admits the chances are slim that the Greens will elect an MLA in the upcoming election.

"The odds are long, but it all depends on how we present our message," he said.

The new Green Party leader said he intends to run in Fredericton-Nashwaaksis, the riding where he lives.

"I think probably 99 per cent [I will run in] in Fredericton-Nashwaaksis, let's say I plan on it," MacDougall said.

He said he would step aside to run in a different riding, if another candidate emerged in that riding. The new leader said he needs to find 55 candidates, so he plans to be flexible on where he runs.

Experienced political organizer

But he said his aim is to spend about two years getting the party well organized before handing theleadership over to someone else.

Janice Harvey, the Green Party's president, said MacDougall adds the political experience that all political parties need in a leader.

"It is often the case, however, that few people involved in new parties actually have that experience," Harvey said in a statement.

"The executive council is thrilled that Jack is willing not only to advise but to lead the party at this critical point in our development."