Letter to Andrew Scheer RE: Obstruction of S-203 in the Senate

March 15, 2018 Dear Mr. Scheer, I am writing to ask you to end the Conservative senators’ obstruction of Bill S-203, the Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act. Their procedural delay of this legislation disappoints the tens of thousands of Canadians who wish to see a vote on this bill, and reflects poorly ...

Lyme Disease Update – Federal Framework Released

Dear Friends and Supporters, I am writing to inform you that Jane Philpott, Minister of Health, has tabled the Federal Framework on Lyme Disease in Parliament. For many of us, this road has been a long and difficult one. For me it started almost ten years ago when I met Brenda Sterling in Pictou County, Nova Scotia. I wondered ...

Update on Electoral Reform – Disappointment in Parliament

Dear Friends and Supporters of Electoral Reform, A disappointment in Parliament on Wednesday, when the Liberals used their majority to defeat a motion to accept recommendations from the Special Committee on Electoral Reform. It was a slim majority in a vote of 159-146, with two courageous Liberal MPs Nathaniel Eskine-Smith and Sean Casey voting with integrity ...

Reforming the Standing Orders of the House of Commons – A Green Approach

On April 3rd, 2017, Elizabeth held a press conference and released a report detailing a number of changes which could be made to the rules and procedures governing the House of Commons in order to improve the democratic legitimacy, sustainability and functionality of Canada’s Parliament. Video footage of the press conference can be viewed here. ...

Letter to Minister Dion re: Appointment of Michael Lynk

The Honourable Minister Stéphane Dion Minister of Foreign Affairs House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6 April 1, 2016 Dear Minister, I am writing to urge you to support the appointment of Professor Michael Lynk as a United Nations Advisor to the Human Rights Council. I have known Professor Lynk ...

Letter to Prime Minister Harper and German President Barroso on CETA

Dear Prime Minister Harper, Dear President Barroso, With this letter we would like to express our serious concern over provisions in the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) that could undermine the environment, worker’s rights, public services and consumer standards, and the democratic fabric upon which our countries are based. Within the CETA, extra-judicial investor rights through ISDS would ...

Letter to Minister Chris Alexander on Adopted Children from Congo

The Honourable Chris Alexander Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Justice Building 306 House of Commons Ottawa, ON   K1A 0A6 September 15, 2014 Dear Mr. Minister, I am writing to you on behalf of one of my constituents, Sarah Johnson. Ms. Johnson has asked that you immediately review and issue Canadian visas to 12 children in ...

Letter to US Secretary of State John Kerry Regarding the Keystone XL Pipeline

Mr. John Kerry Secretary of State U.S. Department of State 2201 C Street NW Washington, DC 20520 March 7, 2014 Dear Mr. Secretary, I am writing you as a Canadian Member of Parliament and the Leader of the Green Party of Canada. I am writing to urge that you reject the proposal from TransCanada to ...

Letter to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs

Mr. Joe Preston Chair Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs October 29th, 2013 Dear Mr. Preston, We are writing to respectfully request that members of your committee reject the motion put forth to significantly reduce the rights of individual Members of Parliament. The motion to require that members, who are either independent or are ...

Letter to the Standing Committee on Finance

Mr. James Rajotte Chair Standing Committee on Finance October 29th, 2013 Dear Mr. Rajotte, We are writing to respectfully request that members of your committee reject the motion put forth to significantly reduce the rights of individual Members of Parliament. The motion to require that members, who are either independent or are members of recognized ...