Rainbow Votes 2025

5 things to know about Jonathan Pedneault

What you need to know about Canada’s only openly queer federal political party leader

By Mel Woods • March 26, 2025 4:14 pm EDT

Mark Carney isn’t the only fresh face on the campaign trail in the 2025 Canadian federal election.

While the rookie Liberal leader has garnered plenty of attention, another leader is entering his first federal election after recently taking the helm of a major political party—and he’s openly queer.

Senior editor Mel Woods breaks down five things you need to know about Green Party of Canada co-leader Jonathan Pedneault.

With the 2025 Canadian federal election underway, Xtra is bringing back our weekly pop-up election newsletter, Rainbow Votes. Subscribe now for free exclusive reporting, analysis and opinion in your inbox every Thursday.

More From This Contributor

Senior editor Mel Woods is an English-speaking Vancouver-based writer, editor and audio producer and a former associate editor with HuffPost Canada. A proud prairie queer and ranch dressing expert, their work has also appeared in Vice, Slate, the Tyee, the CBC, the Globe and Mail and the Walrus.

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Video, Politics, Video, Explainer/FAQ, Rainbow Votes 2025, Canada

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