Arnold Chan’s Final Words in the House of Commons

A Clarion Call for Democracy Mark Holland, the Member for Ajax, paused debate on Bill S-2 yesterday to deliver a moving reflection on his twenty-plus years of friendship with the late Arnold Chan. Following this, he read the speech Arnold had hoped to give himself, outlining the challenges that Canada’s democratic institutions face in the ...

Speaking in support of a Canadian Jewish Heritage Month

Elizabeth May Mr. Speaker, I want to let my friend know that I am pleased to see this piece of legislation come forward. I hope it will have, and I believe it will have, unanimous support in this place. I was trying to search my archives to see if I could find proof of this, ...

Fixing Bill S-3 in order to guarantee rights equally between Indigenous men and women

Elizabeth May Madam Speaker, it is an honour to rise in this place to put my views forward following the member for Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou. He said exactly, in much clearer, more passionate language and with greater depth of experience, the reasons that I am also putting forward amendments to try to repair Bill S-3, so that ...

Changing the Standing Orders of the House of Commons in order to improve parliamentary democracy

Elizabeth May Mr. Speaker, yesterday I spoke to the issue of prorogation, because we now have a historic opportunity to ensure that prorogation will never again be used improperly, and I said that the motion fails to eliminate that possibility. I was about to close on the subject of prorogation by suggesting to the House, ...

Recognizing and addressing the injustices, embedded racism, and deeply discriminatory aspects, of the Indian Act

Elizabeth May Mr. Speaker, I am rising to speak to this bill but doubt very much that I will use a full 10-minute or 20-minute slot. I realize that debate is on the verge of collapsing. I only wish to say more than I was able to say earlier in questions and comments. It is ...

MP Arnold Chan delivers moving speech on elevating debate in the House of Commons, recognizes Elizabeth

On June 12th, Liberal MP Arnold Chan, who has been battling cancer, stood and delivered a moving speech in the House of Commons, appealing to parliamentarians to elevate their debate and practice, and to citizens to value their democracy. He also gave a gracious “shout-out” to Elizabeth (starting at 07:23). Both his full speech and ...

Parliament: Bill C-46 – Raising issues surrounding cannabis consumption and impaired driving legislation

Elizabeth May C-46. This bill presents a number of complicated and novel problems for lawmakers. I will say first that I will vote for this bill at second reading. It should get to committee. There are many things in here that we need to move ahead with. I hope that my speech can reflect on ...

Parliament: Tribute to Rona Ambrose

Elizabeth May Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my colleague and friend. I met the member for Sturgeon River—Parkland 11 years ago. I was not in politics yet. I was executive director of the Sierra Club Canada when I first sat down at a table opposite the current interim leader of the ...

Elizabeth’s Earth Day Speech at ‘Protecting Our Islands,’ on Gabriola Island

On Earth Day, April 22nd, 2017, Elizabeth and Sheila Malcolmson (MP, Nanaimo-Ladysmith) participated in ‘Protecting Our Islands,’ a public meeting and fundraiser to assist with the First Nations court challenge of the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion project. The event was organized by Island Residents Against Tanker Expansion. Please see below, for video footage of her ...

TEDx Stanley Park: Electoral Dysfunction and Reform

Why does Canada use a voting system that allows the minority of voters to elect a majority government? How does 39% of the vote translate into 100% of the power? How does a voting system that allows a micro-targeted riding-by-riding campaign style lead to negative campaigning, toxic politics and a hyper-partisan, never-ending campaign replacing governance? ...