Green Caucus Week in Review | 05/10 – 05/14

Between virtual parliaments on Tuesday and Thursday, in-person parliament on Wednesday, and hours of virtual committee meetings, the Green caucus was spread thin and working hard. The on-going furor over Elizabeth’s comment that “oil is dead” led to further articles and debates in media. On Tuesday, Elizabeth raised issues about keeping science public to prevent Big Pharma from gaining billions from an eventual vaccine, about when the Gun control legislation will be tabled for study, and what can be done for non-profit seniors homes who continue to work hard while their costs soar.

Wednesday was a full day in Ottawa for MP Paul Manly. Paul held a press conference detailing how investing in green infrastructure is the best bet for re-starting our post-pandemic economy. Paul also attended an in-person sitting with a reduced number of Parliamentarians in Ottawa to debate Bill C-16, An Act to amend the Canadian Dairy Commission Act. This bill had to be passed to ensure that dairy products would not be dumped as demand crashes. Paul’s speech was a strong call to “re-localize” our agriculture and local businesses, including tourism. Green MPs pressed the government on more financial help for seniors, making more small business owners eligible for the Canada Emergency Business Account, and more. On Wednesday, Green MPs participated in a webinar hosted by the Green Party of Canada, entitled “what kind of world will emerge post COVID-19?”

 

MP Paul Manly and Green Caucus Chief of Staff Debra Eindiguer walk to West Block

Elizabeth May Paul Manly Jenica Atwin

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Key Moments

• Paul Manly: We must localize food production in Canada

Question Period and Member’s Statements

• Elizabeth May: The non-profit seniors housing sector needs help
• Elizabeth May: The government should avoid making the COVID-19 vaccine for profit 
• Elizabeth May: Will the government table the gun ban legislation for first reading? 
• Paul Manly: Spouses stranded abroad should be able to return to Canada 
• Paul Manly: Environmental regulations should be reinstated in Alberta 
• Paul Manly: Will the government make dividend income eligible under the CEBA?
• Elizabeth May: How much would it have cost the govenrment to check every CERB application? 

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Statements and Press Releases

• Greens stress post-COVID-19 recovery stimulus most effective when developed with climate in mind
• Green MPs condemn Israeli plan to annex more Palestinian land

Press Conference

• Press Conference: Green infrastructure investments will get more Canadians back to work and support our climate action targets

In Their Own Words

• Elizabeth May responds to John Ivison: The oilsands are not worth investing in (National Post)
• Elizabeth May: Yes, Oil is dead. Just read the writing on the wall. (National Observer)
• Elizabeth May Letter to the Editor, May 14 (Times Colonist)
• Elizabeth May: Good Sunday Morning, May 10th

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Petitions

• 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)

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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

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