OTTAWA – The eighth book by Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada and MP for Saanich–Gulf Islands, will debut this Saturday, October 4 at a launch event in Sidney, BC.
Canada's first and only "Book Town", Sidney boasts 12 independent booksellers in a community of only 11,000 people.
Who We Are: Reflections on My Life and Canada (Greystone Books) is both a personal memoir and a political mission statement, drawing on Ms. May’s diverse experiences as an environmental activist, lawyer, Leader of the Green Party of Canada, and MP.
Ms. May will be on a national book tour over the fall with events in cities across Canada, including Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax.
"This book is an argument for our future, the future of our children, and our grandchildren and generations beyond. It is about how diminished democracy undermines our best hope to avoid the worsening of the climate crisis, accelerating to threaten human civilization itself. It is a book about how we can make a difference."
-- Elizabeth May, from the introduction to Who We Are: Reflections on My Life and Canada
Advance Praise for Who We Are: Reflections on My Life and Canada
“Most observers acknowledge that Elizabeth May is Canada’s most effective MP, combining service to her constituents and causes with an uncommon respect for Parliament and democracy. Now her book, “Who We Are”, reveals another dimension: a tough and thoughtful activist, zealous, but with a gift for pragmatic compromise and accomplishment.”
-- The Right Hon. Joe Clark
“Democracy cannot function if the power of debate is not valued. Elizabeth May’s contribution to many of Canada’s great debates is one that all of us should recognize. As the environment becomes an ever more pressing global issue, our country’s ability to tackle the challenges of climate change will rely on a healthy democracy – and in this book, Elizabeth makes a strong case for why and how Canada must step up.”
-- The Right Hon. Paul Martin
“Elizabeth May is without doubt the most impressive party leader in Canada today --superhumanly hardworking, dedicated, smart, witty, and fearless when speaking truth to power and to the public. Who We Are reminds us she is also a fine writer. May’s insider story takes us into her own remarkable life and her profound connection with the lives of others on this planet: great and small, human and not. A fascinating and inspiring book.”
-- Ronald Wright, author of A Short History of Progress
More details on the book tour are available at greenparty.ca/book-tour