Quebec Green Party leader officially launches bid to replace Elizabeth May

Alex Tyrrell is throwing his hat in the ring to become the next leader of the federal Green Party.

The leader of Quebec’s Green Party, who officially launched his campaign on Wednesday morning in Montreal, said he wants to put forth an “eco-socialist” platform.

“I’m running for the leadership because I believe that the Green Party of Canada has the potential to unite and galvanize the Canadian left around principles of environmental protection and social justice,” he said.

He is hoping to succeed Elizabeth May, who stepped down in November after having led the party for 13 years. Her resignation came shortly after the Greens snagged three seats in the House of Commons — the highest number of seats ever won for the party.

Tyrrell, 32, is joining the leadership race as the provincial party he’s been in charge of since 2013 is fraught with internal tensions.

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Activists have claimed Tyrrell wasn’t being transparent about the party’s finances. The Concordia University graduate has denied the allegations, calling them false and defamatory.

He said on Wednesday it was under his leadership that the Quebec Greens flourished and that the party adopted a progressive platform. As a result, Tyrrell said people from across Canada have been contacting him to run for leader of the Green Party.

“Over the past few weeks, I’ve been overwhelmed by the amount of support and encouragement that I have received from Green Party members from across the country,” he said.

READ MORE: Green Party wins historic 3 seats in election dominated by climate change

If he is chosen to be the Green Party’s next leader, Tyrrell said his first task will be to prepare for the next federal election by recruiting a young team of candidates.

“We really have to rebuild the party from the ground up and put a dynamic team of candidates forward with a bold platform,” he said.

The Greens have a leadership convention scheduled for the fall in Charlottetown, P.E.I.

4:09 What’s next for the Green Party without Elizabeth May as leader

— With files from Global News’ David Lao and the Canadian Press