Jonathan Pedneault is resigning as co-leader of the Green Party after failing to secure a seat in Monday’s federal election.
Pedneault made the announcement in a written statement posted to his social media accounts where he says that he failed to translate the party’s ideas, passions, and visions.
“I recognize that we were not able to breakthrough in a way that could shift the course of our country, and that is a responsibility I must carry,” he wrote. “I therefore hereby submit my resignation as co-leader of the green party of Canada, effective immediately.”
Pedneault was running in the Montreal riding of Outremont, where Liberal cabinet minister Rachel Bendayan picked up the win for a fourth time.
This is the second federal election Pedneault failed to win a seat. Former green party MP Mike Morrice also failed to secure re-election in his riding of Kitchener-Centre.
Elizabeth May, who will now lead the party alone, is the only Green Party candidate to win a seat in the federal election, in Saanich-Gulf Islands in B.C.
Pedneault thanked May for her guidance, and remained hopeful that the Green Party will continue to remain resilient despite its small force.
“The road ahead will not be easy. But the Green Party has never been about one person, or even two, it has always been about the people, the land, and the generation to come,” he said.
Pedneault’s resignation has left supporters feeling saddened as they already grapple with the party’s devastating defeat in the election.
“Voted Green because of him. He was the only candidate talking about climate change and its economic impact despite Trump and the tariffs,” a Reddit user said.
“I feel like he just had to give it time. The Greens have their problems, they are part responsible for their results, but a change in leadership maybe isn’t needed… I’ll miss him for sure,” a Reddit user said.
“Hopefully we will see you back soon,” an X user said.
Some social media users now wonder what this resignation means for the party.
“Their future as a party seems very untenable,” one user said.
“I wonder what Elizabeth May does now… she can’t leave the Greens for the foreseeable future now if they want to continue as a party,” another Reddit user said.
It was a tough campaign for the Greens who failed to secure a full slate of candidates, and as a result were not invited to participate in a televised leaders debate.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh also failed to win seats in their ridings, resulting in Singh announcing his resignation.
The Liberal Party will now enter its fourth term as government after securing a minority.
