Charlottetown, PE - The Green Party of Prince Edward Island announced today that two candidates, Hannah Bell and Matthew MacFarlane, have been approved to participate in the 2025 Leadership Contest:

Hannah Bell has held leadership roles in public administration, nonprofit management, and policy development, focusing on social equity and economic sustainability. She was Executive Director of the PEI Business Women’s Association and Community Lead for Startup Canada in PEI. Elected as a Green MLA in 2017 and re-elected in 2019, she served as Critic for Finance, Climate Action, and Housing, and chaired the Public Accounts Committee. During her time as an MLA, Bell sponsored six pieces of legislation which became law, including a renoviction moratorium and the Poverty Elimination Strategy Act. She now works as an independent consultant and remains involved in community organizations, policy advocacy, and grassroots initiatives. Hannah Bell holds an MBA in Innovative Management from UPEI, a diploma in Computer Science, and certificates in Project Management and Climate Leadership. She resides in Charlottetown with her daughter Ava and mother Judith.

Matthew MacFarlane is a lifelong resident of Prince Edward Island's South Shore area, currently serving as the MLA for District 19, Borden-Kinkora, since February 2024. Prior to his election, he practiced law for two decades with Key Murray Law, offering services in administrative and regulatory law, municipal law, property and real estate law, and wills and estates. MacFarlane's community involvement includes serving as Co-Chair of the South Shore Health and Wellness Centre and President of the Atlantic branch of the Kidney Foundation of Canada, where he advocated for improved healthcare access, including the establishment of a provincial renal clinic at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. He has also been active in organizations such as the PEI Woodlot Owners Association, Island Nature Trust, South Shore Chamber of Commerce, and South Shore Watershed Association. MacFarlane holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Studies from the University of Prince Edward Island (1997) and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Ottawa (2000). Before returning to PEI, he worked as an advisor in the Senate of Canada and the Department of Foreign Affairs. He resides in Augustine Cove with his wife, Johanna.

“We are so pleased to have had two excellent candidates step forward with an interest in leading our party into a new chapter,” said Kathy Low, President of the Green Party of PEI. “Green Party members and indeed all Islanders can look forward to getting to know these two candidates better in the coming months. It will be an opportunity for both candidates to share their own priorities, hopes and dreams with us at this critical juncture in Prince Edward Island.”

“I want to extend my congratulations and best wishes to the successful leadership candidates. I am looking forward to an exciting contested leadership race where Party members can hear the candidates’ visions for the Green Party and the Island as a whole.” said Karla Bernard, Interim Leader of the Green Party. “This leadership race shows the momentum Greens are building across the Island as we continue listening to Islanders and putting their interests at the heart of everything we do.”

The Leadership Contest will end on June 7th, 2025 when party members will elect the next Leader at a leadership convention.

A series of online and in-person events will be announced to give party members and the general public an opportunity to get to know the candidates and their leadership visions for the Green Party and Prince Edward Island.

In order to be included on the ballot on June 7th, leadership candidates are required to meet certain thresholds under the party’s Leadership Contest Rules. This includes meeting the fundraising threshold of $10,000 with the first $5,000 due to be raised by April 10, 2025 and the second $5,000 due by May 8, 2025. Candidates must also collect the nominations of at least 50 members in good standing by May 8, 2025 with at least five members from each county.

Information on how to become a member of the Green Party of PEI, and how to donate or nominate a candidate is available on the Green Party of PEI website.

All current party members in good standing, and new members whose memberships had been purchased no later than May 8, 2025 will be eligible to vote in the leadership contest. Green Party of PEI membership is open to anyone who lives on PEI, is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, supports the mission and values of the party, and makes a minimum contribution of $10.

Please refer to the Leadership 2025 Contest Rules for more information.