Greens hope to double party support

The Green party, which garnered 4.3 per cent of the popular vote in the last federal election, said its top goal is to get its first MP elected to the House of Commons.

Deputy leader David Chernushenko also said he hopes to double the party's support.

He said that like the last election, the Greens will run a candidate in each of the 308 ridings. The support the party received in 2004 entitles it to more than $1 million in public funds for the Jan. 23 campaign.

Chernushenko said he doesn't mind if voters choose the Green party simply because it is a "none of the above" choice in relation to the other parties.

"And, undoubtedly, there will be some Canadians who will vote for the Green party because we're 'none of the above.' They're right. And we're proud of it. Because we bring a fresh, honest approach to Canadian politics and we are none of the above."

Party Leader Jim Harris was in Europe on a speaking engagement when the Liberal government fell Monday. He will officially launch the party's campaign Wednesday in Toronto before heading to St. John's, Charlottetown and Montreal.

Harris ran last time against NDP Leader Jack Layton and incumbent Liberal Dennis Mills in Toronto-Danforth, but has shifted to Beaches-East York, another Toronto riding, for this election.