Struggling with money trouble and internal conflict, Green Party cuts staff

Layoffs are once again hitting the Green Party as party brass look to shave costs in an organization facing persistent financial and political problems.

Three senior party officials who were granted anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about internal matters saidthe party istemporarily laying off half of its staff,effective today.

The sources said Green Party executive director Dana Taylor metone-on-one with affected workers throughout the day to inform them.

Green Party Federal Council president Lorraine Rekmans and Green Party Fund co-president Corinna Serdalater confirmed to CBC's Power & Politics that 11 people are being laid off.

WATCH| Green Party senior leaders speak about the struggles facing their party

Email to Green Party members says 11 staff given temporary layoff notices

3 years ago

Duration 9:06

Green Party Federal Council president Lorraine Rekmans and Green Party Fund co-president Corinna Serda join Power & Politics to discuss the layoffs and the party's fiscal situation, as well as the party's internal friction.

The layoffswill affect staff in the office of leader Annamie Paul and in communications and mobilization a partial repeat of temporary layoffs announced last June.

Paul who announced last month she would resign and has little influenceover the layoffs remains in the top spot as she negotiates with Green executives about compensation for costs incurred during her legal battles with the party, sources say.

On top of financial issues, the Greens fared poorly during the recent federal election. They held on totwo seats in the House of Commons but saw theirshare of the popular vote tumble to two per cent capping a year marked by power struggles, bitter feuds and New Brunswick MP Jenica Atwin'sdefection to the Liberals.