Green Party ads aim to 'change the channel'

The Green Party of Canada entered the unofficial pre-election campaign Monday with its own ads (in English and French) attacking ... attack ads.



Unlike the Conservatives, whose ads have been showing up on national networks and in prime time for weeks now, the Greens are relying on a viral campaign rather than a big media buy to get their message out, however. The party's website suggests supporters share the videos via social media websites.

(UPDATE: Green Party Leader Elizabeth May says the party has bought limited time to air the ad on CBC, CTV and French-language TVA this week, The Canadian Press reports.)

It will be interesting to see the uptake. Despite repeated claims that Canadians are tired of attack ads, don't like them etc., much evidence remains that they work.

The Conservative poll numbers, for example, have mostly risen since the release of new ads targetting Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff began airing during such popular fare as hockey broadcasts and the Grammys. Or maybe the increase in voter support can be explained by the Conservatives' one "positive" ad showing the prime minister hard at work at the nation's business.

Perhaps the Greens hope they have hit upon the golden formula: turning the attack ad on itself.

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