On National Aboriginal Day, systemic discrimination continues for Indigenous Peoples

(OTTAWA) - As Canada gears up to celebrate its 150th anniversary, also known as the 150th anniversary of Confederation, many Indigenous peoples in Canada will be struggling with unresolved human rights abuses, including a lack of clean drinking water, discrimination against Indigenous children, and an inquiry into the unexplained deaths and disappearance of hundreds of Indigenous ...

Statement on World Refugee Day 2017

(OTTAWA) – Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada (MP, Saanich-Gulf Islands), released the following statement for World Refugee Day: “The consequences of conflict and climate change continue to push the world’s refugee crisis to previously unseen levels,” said Ms. May. “The United Nations reports that nearly 66 million people – refugees, internally ...

Statement on World Day to Combat Desertification

(OTTAWA) – Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada (MP, Saanich-Gulf Islands), released the following statement on World Day to Combat Desertification: “On March 21, 2017, Canada officially once again became a party to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, following the short-sighted decision under Stephen Harper to leave the convention. I ...

Elizabeth delivers a speech to German Greens, calling on them to reject CETA

Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada (MP, Saanich-Gulf Islands), received a standing ovation following a speech at the Annual General Meeting of Bündnis 90/Die Grünen (Alliance 90/The Green Party) – also known as the German Greens – in Berlin on Saturday. Ms. May spoke against the ratification of the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic ...

Statement on committee’s recommendation of a right to a healthy environment in response to Canadian Environment Protection Act review

(OTTAWA) - Elizabeth May released the following statement regarding today’s report of the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development: “In reviewing the Canadian Environment Protection Act (CEPA), the cross-partisan standing committee has recommended that parliament recognize the right to a healthy environment. This is a significant breakthrough for a country that has not previously recognized this ...

Statement on World Oceans Day 2017

(OTTAWA) – Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada (MP, Saanich-Gulf Islands), released the following statement on World Oceans Day: “Threats to our oceans are increasing due to the adverse effects of climate change including the rise in ocean temperatures, ocean and coastal acidification, deoxygenation, sea-level rise, the decrease in polar ice coverage, coastal erosion, ...

Statement on World Environment Day and Canadian Environment Week

June 04, 2017 (OTTAWA) – Elizabeth May (MP, Saanich-Gulf Islands) recognizes World Environment Day and Canadian Environment Week: Ms. May, said: “World Environment Day celebrates the efforts of those who work for a healthier environment. In 2015, when global nations came together to celebrate their commitment to climate action with the Paris Agreement, there was much reason ...

Donald Trump fails to understand Paris Agreement

Elizabeth May, released the following statement in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement that he intends to pull the U.S. out of the Paris Agreement: “Today’s announcement by President Trump was made to pacify his base. It does not change the Paris Agreement. It only confirms what we already knew – that as long ...

DFO quietly cuts funding to key Pacific salmon programs

Elizabeth May is alarmed at reports that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) is cutting key programs that help protect Pacific salmon runs. According to a leaked internal memo, three elements of the Salmonid Enhancement Program (SEP) are being cut without proper consultation, and include: the education and community support programs; the resource restoration components, and Steelhead ...

Statement on Lyme Disease Awareness Day 2017

Elizabeth May release the following statement ahead of Lyme Awareness Day, part of Lyme Disease Awareness Month: “Thanks to the tireless advocacy of researchers, doctors, patients, awareness of Lyme Disease has spread in recent years. However, thousands of Canadians continue to suffer from this debilitating disease, while other advanced countries move ahead with progressive and ...