Elizabeth May supports P.E.I. Green candidates at rally in Charlottetown

About 200 Green Party supporters filled a room at the Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown on Monday nightfor a campaign rally with federal party leader Elizabeth May.

May was in Charlottetown as part of a series of campaign stops in the maritime provinces.

May spoke broadly about the Green Party's election platform, emphasizing environmental issues facing the countryand the planet.

"This is the fight of our lives. It's the fight for our kids and our grandkids. And I'm driven by that."

Hopes to repeat provincial Green success

With the success of the provincial Green Party on P.E.I., May hopes there could be momentum to elect Green candidates federally, as well.

In the recent provincial election, the Greens won eight seats in the legislature, forming the official opposition.

"Everywhere we make a breakthrough, every place that Greens do well, encourages voters for Greens to do well everywhere else," May said.

"It overcomes a psychological barrier."

When it comes to issues affecting Islanders, May highlighted a number of Green Party campaign promises, including focusing on sustainable agriculture, abolishing tuition fees, and implementing a nationalpharmacare program.

"Prince Edward Islanders are unique in many ways, but there are national programs that will really make life more affordable here. And at the same time, we want to stick up for rural and remote communities," May said.

Maritime tour

Earlier Monday, May made campaign stops in Fredericton and Moncton, N.B. In Fredericton, she called for new and stronger supports for mental-health care in Canada, including new aspects of mental illness related to climate change caused by natural disasters, extreme weather anddisplacement.

The party also said it would create a new national dementia strategy,and establish a new funding program within Health Canada to create new peer-led LGBTQmental-health programs and counselling.

May will be in Halifax on Tuesday.

The federal election will be held on Oct. 21.

More P.E.I. news