December 07, 2017
(OTTAWA) – Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada (MP, Saanich-Gulf Islands), submitted five amendments to Bill C-55, An Act to amend the Oceans Act and the Canada Petroleum Resources Act, which went through clause-by-clause consideration at the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans this morning.
Two of Ms. May’s amendments were passed by the committee: an amendment to add that ecological integrity be used as a criterion to establish a Marine Protected Area, and an amendment to ensure that within networks of protected areas, each individual MPA has clearly identified objectives, and that the network of protected areas covers diverse habitat types, biogeographic regions, and environmental conditions.
“I am grateful for the changed approach in this parliament to accept more Green amendments,” Ms. May said. “I am very encouraged that the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans has signaled that he will accept the Green amendments made to C-55. And we will see them become law.