Green Caucus Week in Review 08/10-14

Week in Review: August 10 – 14

This week, Jenica Atwin represented the Green Caucus in Ottawa for the third of four scheduled summer sittings. No new legislation was tabled. Instead, MPs engaged in an extended question period.

Jenica began the day with a statement in response to the tragic explosion in Beirut last week, calling for support from Canada to aid Lebanon in its recovery.

She then covered a wide range of issues in her questions. She challenged the Minister of Health to protect reproductive rights in New Brunswick by saving Clinic 554 from going under financially, and pressed for the Official Languages Act to receive a long-awaited overhaul. She also called for the Minister of Official Languages to adopt gender neutral language in all internal documents and both official languages, and asked the Minister of Labour to support businesses as they transition to e-commerce in response to the changing realities caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, praising the Minister of Public Safety’s announcement of an inquiry into the shooting in Nova Scotia, Jenica called on the Minister to reflect on the equally recent, and equally unjust killings of Indigenous people at the hands of police, and launch an inquiry into how legal and law enforcement systems have failed Indigenous peoples in New Brunswick.

Jenica closed the day with a speech. She mused on how families and particularly students are weathering this pandemic, with parents being asked to juggle childcare and full-time work, and youth facing a school year filled with risks and uncertainties. Her thoughts were very well received by her colleagues, who engaged her in questions afterwards.

Last week Paul hosted his sixth Community Conversation. He talked with Aaron Stone, Mayor of Ladysmith, about what it means to build back better after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The next scheduled sitting of the House is August 26th. Until then, stay safe, and thank you for reading the Green Caucus Week in Review.

MP Jenica Atwin speaks to the press outside West Block on Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Elizabeth May Paul Manly Jenica Atwin

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Key Moments

• Jenica Atwin responds to the explosion in Beirut
• Jenica Atwin: When we see something wrong, we do something about it. When someone’s voice can’t be heard, we amplify it
• Jenica Atwin: Family and youth in the pandemic (full speech + questions)

Question Period and Member’s Statements

• Jenica Atwin: Will the government intervene and save clinic 554 in New Brunswick? 
• Jenica Atwin: Will the government use gender inclusive language in its internal documents?
• Jenica Atwin: Will the government support businesses in their transition to e-commerce?
• Jenica Atwin: When will the government modernize the Official Languages Act?
• Jenica Atwin: Will the government launch an inquiry into how legal and law enforcement systems have failed Indigenous peoples in New Brunswick?

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Statements and Press Releases

• Economic recovery plans must address Climate Emergency, say Greens
  Greens urge swift action to help Lebanese navigate government resignation and rebuilding of Beirut
• Cut losses and end Site C dam fiasco, says Green Party of Canada
• Harms outweigh benefits in Roberts Bank Terminal 2 expansion, says Green MP Manly
• Indigenous Representatives must be at the table when it comes to police reform, says Green Party
• Greens support motion to designate August 1st as Emancipation Day in Canada
• Greens applaud decision to hold full public inquiry into Nova Scotia mass shooting
• Greens call on federal government to immediately suspend Canada’s asylum agreement with the U.S.

In Their Own Words​

• Global News: Fredericton, police force mark 2 years since shooting
• Elizabeth May: Climate Apocalypse Now: Venus, Anyone? (Policy Magazine)
• Elizabeth May: Good Sunday Morning - August 9​
• Elizabeth May: Good Sunday Morning - August 2
• Elizabeth May: Good Sunday Morning - July 26
• Paul Manly: Quoted in Environment Minister says he needs to convinced shipping terminal won’t harm endangered killer whales (National Observer)
• Paul Manly: Roberts Bank Terminal 2 cannot be justified
• Keeping up with Jenica Atwin (Catalyst)
• Join Team Nanaimo-Ladysmith in the Race Across Canada

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Petitions

E-petitions open for signature

• e-2534 Amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (closes August 14)
• e-2759 Make August 1st Emancipation Day (closes August 22)
• e-2565 Request that Israel immediately lift the blockade on Gaza (closes September 4)
• e-2734 Collect race-based data on police use-of-force (closes August 13)
• e-2583 Implement a Guaranteed Livable Income (closes August 19)
• e-2693 Create a National Electrical Grid Strategy (closes September 21)
• e-2615 Divest CPP from fossil fuel investments (closes October 3)
• e-2729 Accomodate environmental sensitivities (closes October 19)
• e-2667 Ensure the human rights of Palestinian children (closes November 3)
• e-2708 Hold Turkey accountable for human rights violations (closes 26 November)

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