Greens should investigate Annamie Paul's racism claims, says leadership contender

OTTAWA -

The Green activist who came second to Annamie Paul in the last leadership race says he is being urged by many to stand again.

Dimitri Lascaris, a Montreal-based lawyer and activist, is "vacillating" about whether to throw his hat into the ring in the race for party leader.

The Greens saw their support plummet in the election, returning just two MPs after months of infighting and sniping at Paul.

Lascaris says it is important for the party "not to dwell on the past year."

He wants independent consultants to investigate Paul's claims that she experienced racial bias while leader, and says the Greens have "challenges when it comes to diversity."

Paul is the first Black, Jewish woman to lead a federal party in Canada and has said she suffered discrimination.

Many Greens have posted messages of support for Paul, who announced her decision to resign as leader on Monday.

Courtenay Howard, who came third after Paul and Lascaris in the last leadership race, tweeted that it meant a lot to have a "strong, intelligent, articulate woman on the stage." The Yukon doctor has ruled herself out of the race to succeed Paul.

Several leading Greens, including Mike Morrice, the new MP for Kitchener Centre, have also ruled themselves out of the race to succeed her.

A spokeswoman for Elizabeth May has said the former Green leader would consider stepping in as a temporary caretaker if she is asked to by the troubled party.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 29 2021.