Green candidate to support Liberals for election

LONGUEUIL, Que. - A Quebec candidate for the Green Party withdrew Thursday from the campaign for next Tuesday's election and threw her support to the Liberals.

Danielle Moreau, who is running in Longueuil-Pierre-Boucher riding, says she made the decision to rally behind her Liberal rival Ryan Hillier because she can't win.

Moreau said in an interview with The Canadian Press that she took the decision without informing Green Party Leader Elizabeth May.

"We must be realistic," said Moreau, who is fighting her first election even though she has been a Green Party member since 1993.

"What I want is that (Prime Minister Stephen) Harper is out," she said.

"I looked at my riding, at what I can do. . . .If I can get 10, 12 per cent of the votes, it's good but it will not be enough. I looked at the NDP and it is the same situation as me."

Moreau's decision comes as speculation remains about whether Green Leader Elizabeth May is planning to encourage her supporters in close ridings to vote Liberal in order to prevent a Tory win.

There has been talk of a deal between the Liberals and the Greens since Liberal Leader Stephane Dion said there would be no Liberal candidate running against May as she tries to win Central Nova riding from Conservative Peter MacKay.

Dion and May have denied any other deals.

Moreau said she hopes the Liberals' environmentally friendly Green Shift plan will have an impact.

Moreau said she is not happy to leave the race and wants to see the Greens become a political force for the next election.

She said May would "probably approve of my choice in my riding because she does not want Mr. Harper to stay in."

Hillier praised Moreau in a statement and said she is "the perfect illustration of the inclusive leadership style of Mr. Dion."

"I want to stress the political courage shown," Hillier said. "Ms. Moreau is standing up for her beliefs by addressing the major issues instead of partisanship."

The riding was represented by a Bloc Quebecois member before the election call. The incumbent did not seek re-election.