Green Caucus Week in Review | 05/19-05/22

Green MPs were deeply saddened to hear the news of the Snowbirds crash in Kamloops on Sunday, and mourned the death of Captain Jenn Casey. This tragedy so strongly hitting the Nova Scotia community follows the Cyclone crash and, of course, the devastating mass killings that occurred in several parts of the province originating in Portapique. Once again, the Green caucus extends its deepest condolences to the people of Nova Scotia.

In Tuesday’s virtual parliament, Elizabeth presented a petition raising the ongoing opioid crisis, and pointed out that the opioid crisis has killed far more Canadians than COVID-19. Jenica asked the Finance minister when the new budget would become public. She also raised the issues of funding for the Native Women’s Association of Canada, legislation that restricts gay men’s ability to donate blood, and whether the government would prevent the impending closure of Alberta’s only French language post-secondary institution.

During the in-person session of the Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic on Wednesday, Paul responded to a statement by Maryam Monsef, the Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development. Paul spoke about the disproportionate impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on women. The majority of frontline health workers are women, who overwhelmingly bear the double burden of supporting children and elders at home. Paul also cited the Moose Hide Campaign, a grassroots initiative which reminds men to hold each other accountable in preventing violence towards women and children.

On Wednesday, Elizabeth spoke to a national conference sponsored by the Humane Society on a panel with other Members of Parliament focusing on the gaps in animal welfare legislation in Canada. If not for the pandemic, Elizabeth was to have received an award from Jane Goodall for her work in banning the keeping of whales and dolphins in captivity.

On Thursday, Paul held a press conference concerning Canada’s international obligations. This came in light of Minister of Environment Jonathan Wilkinson’s announcement that Canada’s climate goals will be postponed due to the pandemic. Paul spoke for Greens when he called on the government to honour its international climate agreements, warning that the climate crisis cannot be postponed. He also urged the government to reinstate a moratorium on arms exports to Saudi Arabia, and to join other countries in urging Israeli PM Netanyahu not to annex occupied territories of the West Bank.

Paul has finished his turn in Ottawa, and returns to Nanaimo at the end of the week. Jenica will take his place, travelling to Ottawa with her whole family to represent the Green Caucus until the end of June.

MP Paul Manly wears a Moose Hide square outside Centre Block

Elizabeth May Paul Manly Jenica Atwin

---

Key Moments

• Paul Manly: COVID-19 has increased inequality
• Paul Manly: Small businesses, municipalities, and more are still falling through the cracks

Question Period and Member’s Statements

• ​Jenica Atwin: Will the government commit to core funding for the Native Women’s Association?
• Jenica Atwin: Why has the three month deferral for gay men who want to donate blood not been deferred?
• Jenica Atwin: Will the government help the Franco-Albertan community and save the Saint-Jean campus?
• Jenica Atwin: When will we see the updated budget?
• Paul Manly: GLI would be a more dignified way to help Canadians struggling with poverty
• Paul Manly: Will executives be held accountable for abandoned oil wells?

---

Statements and Press Releases

• Greens urge federal government to show leadership internationally
• Green Party Statement on International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
• Green MPs call for more information on proposed changes to firearm laws

Press Conference

• Press Conference: Paul Manly on Canada’s international obligations

In Their Own Words

• Jenica Atwin: Webinar with Green Party of Ontario leader Mike Schreiner
• Elizabeth May: Good Sunday Morning - May 17
• Paul Manly: Life Jackets for Life

​

---

Petitions

Petitions tabled by Green MPs this week

• Uphold and commit to the implementation of UNDRIP, cease Coastal GasLink construction on Wet’suwet’en territory, schedule talks between the Wet’sutwet’en nation and federal and provincial governments
• Declare a public health emergency due to overdose deaths in Canada (opioid crisis)
• Issue a statement condemning the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) persecution of Falun Dafa practitioners
• Ban the sale and/or manufacture of animal tested cosmetics and their ingredients in Canada

E-petitions open for signature

• e-2509 Top Up Wages for Essential Workers (closes May 22)
• e-2389 Reduce Water Pollution by Microplastics (closes May 22)
• e-2525 Eliminate Fossil Fuel Subsidies (closes June 15)
• e-2447 Open Competition for Research Funding (closes June 23)
• e-2450 Legalize the Transportation of CBD Products Across the Canadian Border (closes June 26)
• e-2416 Mandatory Labelling of Food Containing GMOs (closes July 4)
• e-2471 Grant the RCMP Funding for Body Cameras (closes July 16)
• e-2534 Amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (closes August 14)
• e-2565 Request that Israel Immediately Lift the Blockade on Gaza (closes September 4)
• e-2583 Implement a Guaranteed Livable Income (closes 19 August)

​

---

Resources

Contact Your MPs

• Elizabeth May (Saanich – Gulf Islands): 250-657-2000, elizabeth.may@parl.gc.ca
• Paul Manly (Nanaimo – Ladysmith): 250-734-6400, paul.manly@parl.gc.ca
• Jenica Atwin (Fredericton): 506-452-4110, jenica.atwin@parl.gc.ca

From Your MPs

• Paul Manly - Federal Support Programs
• Elizabeth May - COVID-19 Information and Resources​

Coronavirus Information & Resources

• Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
• Government of Canada COVID-19 information – Updates, travel advisories, prevention, self-assessment
• World Health Organization

International Travel Information from the Government of Canada

• Financial help for Canadians outside of Canada affected by COVID-19: Avoid non-essential travel outside of Canada
• Government of Canada Official Global Travel Advisory
• Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Travel advice

Important Contact Information

• Federal Service Requests (CRA, CPP, SIN, Service Canada, Passport)
• Government of Canada COVID-19 Information: 1-833-784-4397
• If you are in quarantine and are seeking to waive the one-week EI sickness benefits waiting period: 1-833-381-2725 or via teletypewriter (TTY): 1-800-529-3742
• Emergency and travel assistance for Canadians abroad: 1-613-996-8855 or sos@international.gc.ca
• Labour Program: 1-800-641-4049 (toll-free) or via teletypewriter (TTY): 1-800-926-9105

​

Print this page