Federal Green party leader Annamie Paul resigned on Monday after learning of the party's intent to launch a leadership review following the 2021 federal election.

Paul said she received an email from the party council that it intended to launch the review, which would determine the short-term future of her time as leader.

She made her resignation official in a press conference on Monday, highlighting the party’s struggles during the last two years and the challenges she faced as leader.

"I am beginning the process of stepping down as Green Party Leader. When I was elected into this role, I broke a glass ceiling. I didn't realize that when I did, the shards would fall on my head, leaving a trail of broken glass that I would have to crawl over," Paul said to the media.

"We need to view the quest towards equity and justice as a relay and not a sprint. I took the baton as far as I could — all the way to the debate stage. I’m counting on the next person to take it from where I am handing it off, and to bring us closer to the finish line.

"Many thanks to all those who have supported me, to whom I will be forever grateful. I will find other ways to be of service."

Paul ran for the Toronto Centre riding seat a third time in 2021, placing fourth with about 8.5 per cent.

During the 2020 byelection, she gained about 32 per cent of the vote, and placed second to the Liberals’ Marci Ien. There was initial hope that Paul would challenge for the riding again, which is a traditionally safe seat for the Liberals.

However, her time as leader were affected by party infighting and blocked funding by the party council for the federal election campaign.

Instances include a controversial Facebook post from party senior advisor Noah Zatzman about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict calling out MPs Jenica Atwin and Paul Manly, Atwin crossing the floor to join the Liberals and the blocked funding that reportedly limited the Greens' election campaign nationally.

With the limited funding, the Greens were unable to run a full slate of candidates and more than half of Paul's staff were laid off. She was forced to campaign almost exclusively in Toronto Centre during the election’s 35 days without a campaign manager.

Paul further highlighted the party's internal division, calling on the Greens that supported her leadership to continue rebuilding the party, as well as those who attempted to undermine oust her.

"For those Green party members, and there are many because I have met the very best people in my life through the Green party, I want to say that there is a struggle that is going on for the soul of the party," Paul said. "For those of you that want to see the Green party fulfill its promise and its values, then there is work to do."

Paul addressed members who did not support her and made efforts to remove her from leadership prior to the federal election.

"To those Green party members who have taken great pleasure in attacking me and calling for assaults against me, and calling for organization against me, and suggesting that I am part of a conspiracy against the party, you may take small comfort in this for a moment, but please know that there are many more people like me than there are you, and you will not succeed in the end."

If Paul went through the leadership review process, she would need at least 60 per cent of support from party members to stay on as leader, according to the party's rules and mandate.

Paul replaced long-time Green Party leader Elizabeth May during the party’s leadership election in 2020.

Paul is the first Black Canadian and first Jewish woman to lead a party.

More details to follow.

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