Last week, Elizabeth May, who is resigning as executive director of the Sierra Club of Canada after 17 years, announced she’s considering running for the Green Party of Canada leadership. Today, she expanded on why.

She joins David Chernushenko, a current deputy leader and former Ottawa Centre candidate, who’s been twice endorsed by the Ottawa Citizen.

This is great news for the party (read: country, planet), because both May and Chernushenko are well qualified for the job — albeit for different reasons. In a perfect world I’d have them as co-leaders, since they have complementary strengths. I remain hopeful that whoever comes second in the leadership race (assuming it’s one of them) may offer to serve as deputy leader, and have that offer accepted.

So keep an eye on this one. The next leader is almost certain to be included in the televised leaders’ debates, which will automatically make the Green Party an even more significant player. And a word to the wise: if you want to vote for the next leader, you need to join the party by June 27th.