Annamie Paul, LLB ’95, new leader of the Green Party of Canada

By Common Law

Communication, Faculty of Law

Faculty of Law - Common Law Section
Politics
Alumni
Annamie Paul, LLB ’95, new leader of the Green Party of Canada
Congratulations to University of Ottawa Common Law alumna Annamie Paul, LLB ’95, who became the leader of the Green Party of Canada on October 3rd, 2020. She is the first Black person and first Jewish woman to be elected as the head of a national political party in Canadian history.

Before her political career, Paul focused her career on international affairs -  Director for a leading conflict prevention NGO in Brussels,  an Advisor at the International Criminal Court, and  a Political Officer in Canada’s Mission to the European Union. Paul co-founded and co-directed BIPP HUB, an innovation hub for non-profits working on global challenges and has served on the Board and advised a number of NGOs.

Throughout the years she remained involved with her alma mater and participated in the creation of the Common Law Honour Society, and other committees with then Dean Bruce Feldthusen.

In an interview on October 4, 2020 with CTV, Paul stated that

“Many things moved me last night, but one of them were the people writing to me, telling me that they were watching the broadcast live, with their children and seeing something that had never been done before,” she said.

“It’s going to make it easier for all of those kids to imagine themselves in these roles, and that’s a beautiful thing.”

Paul will be running in an upcoming byelection in Toronto Centre, the riding previously held by Bill Morneau, former finance minister who resigned in September. Voters will head to the polls on October 26.

Congratulations, Annamie Paul, on changing Canadian political history!