PBO report on carbon tax misses target, says Elizabeth May

OTTAWA – Today’s Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) report Closing the Gap: Carbon pricing for the Paris target is mislabelled, says Green Party Leader Elizabeth May (MP, Saanich-Gulf Islands). “When the PBO and others refer to Canada’s commitment to achieve the Paris target, they are actually referring to the target established by Stephen Harper in 2015 ...

Advisory Council’s $15 billion single-payer pharmacare recommendation step in right direction, timeline unacceptable

OTTAWA – The Liberal government’s advisory council today recommended the establishment of a $15 billion universal, single-payer public pharmacare system. The plan would create a new drug agency to oversee a national list of prescription medicines. Initial coverage of some common and essential prescription medicines is slated to begin in January, 2022 with an expanded ...

Overcoming substantial obstacles, ‘Free Willy’ bill finally passes

OTTAWA – Bill S-203, the Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act cleared its final hour of debate at third reading and was passed in the House of Commons today. Bill S-203 was introduced by former Senator Wilfred Moore in December 2015 and then sponsored by Senator Murray Sinclair. After much procedural delay, it ...

All Canadians must work together on MMIW recommendations, says Elizabeth May

OTTAWA — Green Party Leader Elizabeth May said today that she accepts the key findings of the inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous woman, including that the ongoing impacts of colonialism amount to a genocide. “We need a fundamental shift and that shift must begin with dignity for all Indigenous peoples,” said Ms. May. “Every ...

Elizabeth May “extremely disappointed” in the B.C. Court of Appeal ruling today

May 24, 2019 Ottawa — Elizabeth May (MP, Saanich-Gulf Islands) expressed dismay at the B.C. Court of Appeal’s ruling on the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion. “I am extremely disappointed that the court did not recognize the right of B.C. to regulate environmental risks, as a separate area from the NEB’s overall regulatory authority,” said Ms. ...

Elizabeth May calls out Senate committee for not proceeding with Bill C-48

Elizabeth May calls out Senate committee for not proceeding with Bill C-48 May 16, 2019 OTTAWA — On Wednesday, the Senate committee on transportation recommended against proceeding with Bill C-48, which would enact an oil tanker moratorium along the northern coast of B.C. C-48 would enshrine in law a tanker ban that was honoured by ...

The Green Wave gathers momentum as Paul Manly sweeps to victory in Nanaimo-Ladysmith!

SIDNEY, B.C. — Green Party Leader Elizabeth May (MP, Saanich Gulf-Islands) hailed the dawn of a new era in federal politics after Green candidate Paul Manly’s historic victory in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith by-election today. The Vancouver Island riding has traditionally been an NDP stronghold. The win doubles Green Party complement in the House of Commons, where ...

Statement on Ramadan

OTTAWA — The sighting of the new moon this evening will herald the beginning of Ramadan, a sacred observance that will continue for 30 days, ending at sundown on June 4 with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr. “The holy month of Ramadan is an important spiritual observance for Muslims everywhere,” said Green Party Leader Elizabeth ...

Statement on UN World Press Freedom Day

May 03, 2019 OTTAWA — It’s been a deadly year for journalists. The Committee to Protect Journalists reports that 58 journalists died on assignment, and 37 of those were murdered. The brutal murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Kashoggi illustrates the impunity with which authoritarian governments operate, and the lengths they will go to silence ...

Statement on Passover 2019

OTTAWA – The Green Party of Canada extends wishes for “Chag Pesach sameach!” / “Happy Passover!” to those celebrating the eight-day festival beginning at sunset. Passover commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people from 400 years of slavery in Egypt. During this sacred time, families and friends gather for traditional seder dinners to celebrate hope, ...