October 11, 2007 (Owen Sound, ON) – Shane Jolley, a bike shop owner in Owen Sound, ON, recorded the strongest result of any Green Party candidate in Canadian history with a relatively close second place finish yesterday according to the Sun Times. In yesterday’s provincial election, Jolley recorded 15,018 votes (33%) versus 21,151 (46%) for winner Bill Murdoch of the Progressive Conservatives. The Liberals finished third in the riding with about 15% of the vote. In the week leading up to yesterday’s provincial election it was speculated that Owen Sound would become the Green Party’s first ever election win in Canadian politics.

Jolley, the owner of Jolley’s Alternative Wheels on 2nd Avenue East, spent two weeks riding around the riding this summer, asking voters what was on their minds. Whereas Green Party candidates often run only to spotlight local environmental issues, Jolley ran the campaign to win.

“Congratulations to everyone on a fantastic campaign. We hope to see you Saturday October 13th at the Bayshore in Owen Sound at 7PM for a celebration of our achievements!” writes Jolley, on his website at www.shanejolley.com/. The website features videos of Jolley’s views on agriculture, the environment, and democracy. Pedal was unable to reach Jolley by telephone at either his bike shop or campaign office today.

Dalton McGuinty’s Liberals pulled 42.2% of the vote across the province winning 71 seats and a second majority government while the Greens pulled about 8% of the popular vote. The Conservatives with 31.6% of the vote ended up with 26 seats while the NDP with 16.8% have 10 seats.