Sep 26, 2008 - 12:29 PM

By Jennifer O’Meara

COBOURG - Green Party leader Elizabeth May’s cross-country whistle stop train trip rolled into Cobourg on Friday, Sept. 26.

The Green Party has rented a train car from VIA Rail for the tour. Ms. May kicked off her cross-country train trip with a rally in Vancouver on Sept. 21. The Green Train left Sunday afternoon and arrived in Toronto on Wednesday night. The second part of the tour began on Friday, Sept. 26, with a trip from Toronto to Montreal.

Northumberland-Quinte West Green candidate Ralph Torrie met Ms. May at the Cobourg train station. He boarded the Green Train and took it to Belleville with the party leader.

“I really wanted to ride the train with Elizabeth May and I hope everyone else will too, symbolically speaking, by voting Green,” said Mr. Torrie.

Ms. May got into the Cobourg station at 8:15 a.m. She was met by Green Party supporters holding placards and a Dixie-land band. She got off the train briefly to talk with the crowd and greet Mr. Torrie.

“I’m so proud to have someone with the record and the integrity and the brilliance of Ralph,” said Ms. May. “When the Greens get elected to Parliament I need Ralph with me. He can explain to the slow learners in Parliament that saving energy means saving money.”

Ms. May said the Green Party platform is what Canada needs for an environmentally-friendly future.

“This is a commitment to invest in our country, so we can leave to our kids the planet we have enjoyed all our lives,” said Ms. May. “That’s our moral obligation.”

Mr. Torrie also spoke about his party’s support of the arts in Canada. He said a vibrant arts community in the area draws tourists into Northumberland-Quinte West, bringing people in who buy art, see plays and concerts. They stay in local hotels and eat in local restaurants while they are here.

“We’re here this morning to support our local artists. It is important to our economy,” said Mr. Torrie.

Ms. May’s Cobourg train station appearance was the only stop in the local riding.

The leader decided to campaign by train during the federal election instead of criss-crossing the country with a private airplane. The Green Train will produce a fraction of the emissions of a plane and highlight the importance of rail infrastructure, the party states.

From Montreal, the Green Train is en route to Atlantic Canada. It will arrive in Halifax, NS, on Saturday, Sept. 27. Ms. May will then return to her nearby riding of Central Nova.

“If I were Peter MacKay down there, I’d be shaking in my boots,” said Port Hope resident Tom Lawson, a party supporter and previous Green candidate.

When asked how she was enjoying her train ride across the country, Ms. May said “It’s awesome. Take the train, see the country.”

After the train pulled out of the Cobourg station, the Dixie-land band kept playing and Green supporters milled about the station platform talking and collecting placards.

“It’s always exciting to see that woman, she’s so much fun,” said Mr. Lawson.

Judy Smith Torrie, Mr. Torrie’s wife, said she was happy with the number of people that came out to greet Ms. May.

“We’re really enthusiastic supporters of Elizabeth May and we can’t wait until she’s in the debate,” said Ms. Smith Torrie. “We’re sure the Canadian public will be impressed with her.”

Ms. May has won a spot on the national television candidate debates on Oct. 1 and 2.