(OTTAWA) March 8, 2016 – Today in the House of Commons, Green Party of Canada Leader Elizabeth May (MP, Saanich-Gulf Islands) will vote against a motion to support the government’s military contributions against Daesh (ISIL) in Iraq and Syria.
“While I support an end to our direct participation in ineffective, destructive air strikes, and an increase in humanitarian and diplomatic aid for some of the 4.6 million people displaced by these conflicts, I cannot support a motion in which Canada continues to prop up a bombing campaign using Canadian refuelers,” Ms. May said.
“We need to work with our international partners to cut off Daesh’s funding and address the radicalization of Canadians at home and abroad. I await a more robust debate on Canada’s contribution to the Middle East region, and hope we can return to our previously proud role as a peacekeeping nation.”
Lisa Barrett, Green Party International Affairs critic, said respect for international law and international conventions is not only the baseline for moral activity but is, in fact, the foundation of a just and secure world.
“This is why we opposed the bombing of Iraq and Libya and now oppose any Canadian role in supporting further bombings of Syria,” Ms. Barrett said.
“International humanitarian law is clear under The Hague and the Geneva Conventions, especially under the principles of distinction and proportionality to protect civilians. Canada has the experience and talent to provide the parties to this proxy war with support on the ground through recognized international humanitarian organizations like the International Committee of the Red Cross, and as mediator to broker an end to the conflicts.
“We can rebuild Canada’s previously respected role by leading with peace-building, peacekeeping, and international diplomacy,” Ms. Barrett concluded.
Watch Ms. May’s full statement in the House of Commons on the fight against Daesh here.
Good Sunday Morning – January 24
January 24th, 2021
Good Sunday Morning – January 10
January 10th, 2021
Good Sunday Morning – Jan 3
January 3rd, 2021
Good Sunday Morning – December 13
December 13th, 2020
Good Sunday Morning – December 6
December 6th, 2020
Good Sunday Morning – November 29
November 29th, 2020
Greens raising alarm on rapid erosion of public transportation across Canada
January 25th, 2021
Green Party urges focus and collaboration as MPs return to Parliament
January 24th, 2021
Greens join in multi-party press conference to mark the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons coming into force
January 21st, 2021
Green MPs Elizabeth May and Jenica Atwin recognized in Maclean’s 12th annual Parliamentarians of the Year awards
January 13th, 2021
Green Party condemns steady erosion of civil liberties in Hong Kong
January 6th, 2021
Green Party Leader Annamie Paul calls on Prime Minister to Convene Emergency First Ministers Meeting on the Humanitarian Crisis in Long-Term Care
January 5th, 2021
‘Twas just weeks before Christmas…
December 9th, 2020
Elizabeth asks Environment Minister to close Basel Convention loophole
December 9th, 2020
Elizabeth’s statement on the 50th anniversary of the Royal Commission on the Status of Women
December 7th, 2020
Green Caucus letter to Mins. Bains and O’Regan re: Small Modular Reactors
November 9th, 2020
Green Caucus stands in solidarity with pro-democracy protests in Bulgaria
September 14th, 2020
Constituency Office
1-9711 Fourth St
Sidney, BC V8L 2Y8
Phone: 250-657-2000
800-667-9188
Fax: 250-657-2004
E-mail: elizabeth.may.c1a@parl.gc.ca
Parliament Hill Office
518 Confederation Building
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
Phone: 613-996-1119
Fax: 613-996-0850
E-mail: elizabeth.may@parl.gc.ca
Jobs & Volunteering
Click here for the latest opportunities