Elizabeth May
Elizabeth May – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes
Explore the life, activism, and political career of Elizabeth May (born July 9, 1954) — Canadian environmentalist, lawyer, author, and long-serving leader of the Green Party. Learn about her milestones, beliefs, and memorable quotes.
Introduction
Elizabeth Evans May (born July 9, 1954) is a Canadian politician, environmentalist, lawyer, and writer. She is known for being the first Member of Parliament elected under the Green Party banner in Canada, and for her long-standing leadership role in the Green Party of Canada.
Through her activism, political work, and public voice, May has shaped discourse on environment, democracy, and the role of citizen engagement in Canada.
Early Life and Family
Elizabeth May was born in Hartford, Connecticut, U.S., to Stephanie (Middleton), a sculptor, pianist, writer, and anti-nuclear activist, and John Middleton May, an accountant with ties to New York and England.
In 1972, her family moved to Margaree Harbour, Nova Scotia, where they purchased and operated a schooner, Marion Elizabeth, as a gift shop and restaurant.
She has a younger brother, Geoffrey.
May relinquished her U.S. citizenship in 1978 as part of the process of embracing Canadian citizenship.
She later married John Kidder (brother of actress Margot Kidder) in 2019.
Her daughter, Victoria Cate May Burton, was born in 1991.
May is a practising Anglican, and at one point studied theology with the intention of becoming ordained, though she later withdrew from the program due to scheduling demands.
Education & Early Activism
May’s educational trajectory:
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She briefly attended St. Francis Xavier University but did not complete her degree there.
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She then enrolled at Dalhousie University, from which she obtained a law degree in 1983.
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She also undertook theology studies at Saint Paul University / University of Ottawa, but later withdrew.
Her early activism began in Nova Scotia. She and local community members actively opposed aerial spraying of insecticides in forests. Over time, she filed legal challenges to prevent spraying, culminating in court actions and local activism.
Due to litigation over spraying, her family had to make significant sacrifices to cover legal costs.
Career & Achievements
Environmental Leadership & Legal Advocacy
From 1989 to 2006, Elizabeth May served as Executive Director of Sierra Club Canada, building it into a national environmental advocacy force.
She has been involved in environmental law, policy work, and public interest advocacy roles, including representing environmental and consumer groups in legal and regulatory arenas.
May also worked in government as Senior Policy Advisor to Canada’s Environment Minister (Thomas McMillan) in the mid-1980s, participating in negotiations, including on the Montreal Protocol for ozone protection.
She resigned from that policy position in protest when environmental assessment processes were bypassed in dam permitting.
Political Career & Parliamentary Service
In 2006, May ran for leadership of the Green Party of Canada, and won, becoming the party leader.
She contested federal elections, and in 2011 was elected as Member of Parliament for Saanich—Gulf Islands, becoming the first federal MP under the Green Party banner.
She retains her seat and has been reelected in subsequent federal elections.
One of her notable legislative achievements: in 2012 she introduced Bill C-442, a private member’s bill establishing a national framework for Lyme disease research and response. In 2014, it became law, marking the first Green Party legislation passed at the federal level in Canada.
May has also been active in parliamentary debates, often vocally opposing bills she perceives as threats to civil liberties or environmental protection (e.g. opposition to Bill C-51).
In 2022, after internal party changes, she resumed leadership of the Green Party, initially in a co-leadership with Jonathan Pedneault, before he resigned and she became sole leader again.
In August 2025, she announced her intention to resign as leader and not lead the party into the next federal election.
Honours and Recognitions
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Officer of the Order of Canada (2005)
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United Nations Global 500 award for environmental achievement
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Numerous parliamentary awards: “Parliamentarian of the Year,” “Hardest Working MP,” “Best Orator” in various years.
May is also the author of several books, including Who We Are: Reflections on My Life and Canada, which was a Globe and Mail bestseller.
Historical & Political Context
Elizabeth May’s political life spans critical shifts in how environmental issues are integrated into mainstream politics:
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The rise of climate change as a central concern in national debates
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The challenge of third parties gaining traction in Canada’s parliamentary system
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Tensions between economic development (e.g. resource extraction, pipelines) and environmental sustainability
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Debates about democratic reform and citizen engagement in modern Canadian governance
Her career intersects with more awareness of environmental rights, indigenous consent in resource projects, and the push for stronger democratic institutions in Canada.
Legacy and Influence
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Pioneer of Green politics: As the first Green MP in Canada, she proved that the party could win at the federal level
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Bridge between activism and governance: She demonstrates that environmental advocacy can translate into legislation and policy work
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Voice for democratic reform: May frequently critiques the concentration of power in party leadership, weak accountability, and low citizen involvement
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Mentor and role model: Especially for women and environmentalists entering politics, her long tenure and public profile offer a model of sustained commitment
Her presence ensures that environmental concerns remain integral rather than peripheral in Canadian political debate.
Personality, Beliefs & Style
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Courage & principle: She has been willing to resign positions, take unpopular stances, and protest publicly (e.g. civil disobedience) in defense of her convictions.
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Engaged, vocal style: May is known for speaking truth to power, often in energetic, direct fashion.
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Humility & personal faith: Her Christian faith plays a role in her values, though she frames it in terms of social justice and stewardship.
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Pragmatism: While deeply idealistic, she often works within systems to enact change, drafting legislation, negotiating amendments, and engaging in parliamentary strategies.
Famous Quotes of Elizabeth May
Here are several representative quotations attributed to Elizabeth May, reflecting her environmental, political, and democratic convictions:
“I will never shrink from speaking truth to power.”
“You should never even ask if a campaign is winnable, because the question is not answerable. No-one can predict the course of the future.”
“The greatest level of hostility and venom, really, is between parties closest to each other on the political spectrum.”
“We Canadians think that Canada is a modern, well informed democracy … without noticing that we are rapidly heading in the same direction [as America].”
“If you have never taken the train across Canada, you really should put it on your life list … Meanwhile, I get to sit back and watch for moose from the dome car as we roll through the lake-dotted vastness of the boreal forest.”
“When Dante described the circles of Hell, he clearly forgot the one where a hungry pixie sits on one's shoulder for eternity.”
These quotes show her ability to mix serious political insight with brightness and personal observation.
Lessons from Elizabeth May
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Persistence matters
Gaining foothold for a minor party in a large political system takes years of consistent work and credibility. -
Align values and action
May doesn’t just talk about environment and democracy — she litigates, legislates, protests, and leads. -
Courage in unpopular choices
At various points, she resigned roles, opposed her own side, and embraced controversy — rather than retreating for convenience. -
Bridge advocacy and governance
Effective change often requires both external pressure and internal institutional work. -
Speak clearly and relationally
Her mix of stories, direct quotes, humor, and moral framing helps her connect with a wider audience. -
Roles evolve — stay adaptive
She has moved among activist, advisor, author, legislator, and party leader roles over decades — adjusting as contexts shift.
Conclusion
Elizabeth May’s life is a testament to sustained conviction meeting political opportunity. From grassroots environmental battles to shaping federal policy, she has expanded what is possible for Green politics in Canada.
Her legacy lies not only in the offices she held or the bills she passed, but in the enduring presence of environmental and democratic principles in Canadian public life.
If you’d like, I can compile a reading list of her books or major speeches, or compare her environmental approach to other political figures. Would you prefer I prepare that?