There are a number of stock quotes that Greens are fond of throwing around. For example, Gandhi’s “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win,” was often heard during the last election.

The Green Party of Canada was formed in the early 80s, so we spent a long time at stage one. It was only in the past two elections (2004 and 2006) that we graduated to stage two.

Now, with major newspaper editorials and other forms of attention, our actual policies are under serious attack for the first time. I didn’t realize this until I felt what it was like to be in a party that people take seriously, but up until now most criticisms took the form of dismissal (eg, “they’re a fringe party”). Now when people attack our ideas, they do it with a seriousness that was absent before.

Welcome to stage three everybody. Stage four isn’t far away.