Week in Review: September 21 – 25 (le français suit)
This week, Green MPs Elizabeth May and Paul Manly travelled to Ottawa to participate in debate on the 150th Speech from the Throne on Wednesday, September 23rd. The speech marked the opening of a new session of the 43rd Parliament. MP Jenica Atwin joined virtually from her riding in Fredericton. She stayed there in solidarity with Mi’kmaw lobster fishers who are defending their constitutional right to earn a moderate living in Saint Mary’s Bay, Nova Scotia, and who are facing hostility from non-Indigenous fishers.
Greens pushed the government to include stronger climate action and a commitment to end poverty in the Speech from the Throne. Specifically, they demanded a doubling of Canada’s climate target, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 60% relative to 2005 levels by 2030. They also asked for the financial relief programs rolled out by the government in response to COVID-19 to transition into a Guaranteed Livable Income. Green MPs held a press conference before and after the Throne Speech, communicating their expectations and reactions, respectively. The caucus is encouraged by some aspects of the Speech from the Throne, but maintains that stronger climate action is needed. They are still deciding how they will vote. The Liberals need the support of one of the three main opposition parties to avoid a vote of non-confidence, which would trigger an election.
In her questions this week, Elizabeth pressed Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, to remove toxic fish factories, commonly referred to as “fish farms”, from the oceans before September 30th, the date specified by the Cohen Commission of Inquiry into the Decline of Sockeye Salmon in the Fraser River. She also reminded the government that developing a national Pharmacare plan must remain an urgent priority. Finally, she clarified that Canada’s debt to GDP ratio is better than some parties claim. Canadians should not be afraid of government spending during this time.
Last week, Elizabeth held a series of community meetings in her constituency. Two were held virtually, the third was a physically-distanced, in-person meeting in Sidney. (Click here if you missed it.) Paul co-hosted a national town hall on Guaranteed Livable Income with Coalition Canada: Basic Income. Hundreds of people from across the country attended, and a statement by one of the expert panelists was quoted in the Huffington Post. The intention of the event was to raise public awareness prior to a lobbying week that Coalition Canada has planned for October.
MPs Elizabeth May and Paul Manly hold a press conference regarding the Speech from the Throne
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Key Moments
Question Period and Member’s Statements
Statements and Press Releases
Press Conferences
In Their Own Words
Petitions
E-petitions open for signature
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
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