Green Caucus Week in Review 07/20-24

Week in Review: July 20 – 24 (le français suit)

This week, MPs were called to the House earlier than expected on Monday to debate Bill C-20. Debate lasted for two days and the bill was passed on Tuesday. The passage of this bill expands the eligibility criteria for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and extends it until December 21, 2020. It also makes a one-time payment of $600 available to Canadians receiving disability benefits, and extends certain legal deadlines in response to the pandemic.

Jenica drove from New Brunswick to attend the in-person meeting in the House to debate this bill. In her question, she asked the Minister of Finance how the upcoming budget would account for the climate crisis. In her response to the bill, she blamed partisan politics as the reason why Canadians with disabilities waited so long before finally receiving financial aid, and she challenged her colleagues to do better. She also called for a Guaranteed Livable Income as a safety net for all Canadians, and pressed the government to begin virtual voting so that Parliament can continue to pass legislation during the pandemic while keeping MPs, their staff and communities, safe.

On Wednesday, Jenica participated in a rally outside Parliament for rent relief for Canadians. Then, during the session that afternoon Jenica recognized the incredible work of Canada’s Public Service through the pandemic and the rising urgency of backlogs across government departments. Canadians lives are on hold waiting for decisions from Service Canada, the CRA, Veterans Affairs, Immigration and Refugees Canada, and other federal departments. She urged the government to equip and empower federal employees to get through these backlogs and get Canadians the help they need.

This week, Elizabeth was able to question witnesses by Zoom in two committees, participating in the Finance Committee hearings into the WE Charity scandal, as well as hearings in the Fisheries Committee on the threats to Pacific Salmon. She was also interviewed on CTV regarding the WE scandal.

Early this week Paul met with representatives from Clean Prosperity, a non-profit group advocating for increases to the carbon tax and direct payment rebates, so all Canadians can see the benefit. On Wednesday he met with Nanaimo lawyer Robert Laurie, who is on the legal team of Therapsil, a non-profit coalition of healthcare professionals, patients, and advocates working to help palliative care patients obtain legal access to psilocybin-assisted therapy for end-of-life anxiety and distress. Thursday afternoon Paul was invited to participate in the second session of the Young Canadians Parliament, an event designed to encourage Canadian youth to become self-advocates for political action on issues that impact them. Paul has two more upcoming Community Conversations scheduled on July 29th and August 5th. Visit his website for details.

The next scheduled sitting of the House will be held on August 12. Until then, thanks for reading the Green Caucus Week in Review.

Key Moments

• Jenica Atwin: Response to bill C-20
• Jenica Atwin: Canada’s public service has saved lives during the pandemic, but employees need more resources to better help Canadians

Question Period and Member’s Statements

• Jenica Atwin: How will the budget account for the climate crisis?

Statements and Press Releases

• It’s time to make Parliament work – and vote remotely, say Greens
• Greens call for charges against Meng Wanzhou to be dropped
• Green Party calls for a clear plan to help students left high and dry by the WE scandal

In Their Own Words​

• Paul Manly on the Lynda Steele Show: Green Party wants Meng Wanzhou charges dropped
• Good Sunday Morning – July 19
• Good Sunday Morning – July 12
• Elizabeth May on the WE scandal (CTV)

 

Petitions

E-petitions open for signature

• 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)
• e-2615 Divest CPP from fossil fuel investments (closes October 3)
• e-2667 Ensure the human rights of Palestinian children (closes November 3)

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