I know some readers dislike the mention of religion, but I have always found it fascinating that our three mono-theist religions of the tribes of Abraham lead to the same set of conservation practices in the spring of the year.

The pre-Easter Lenten season is forty days of fasting and denial of certain treats, while Muslim friends have the thirty days of Ramadan of daily fasting between sunrise and sundown, and Passover eschews the leavened bread of non-Passover meals.

Pretty obviously, religious observance has a long tradition of helping adherents get through the lower supplies of stored grains and other foods set aside from the previous fall’s harvest. Our extremely privileged lifestyle of the Twenty-First Century industrialized world has abundance disconnected from the growing season. Doing without is a part of many religions. However, the current dominant religion of our society, Econotheism, the worshipping of the economy and consumerism, wants nothing to do with self-denial. We live in a society that wallows in conspicuous consumption.

If we could apply notions of shared restraint for the collective good we could get rid of dependence on Russian oil with the simple steps I have mentioned before in the Ten Point Plan of the International Energy Agency.

Linking a war effort to energy conservation is not a new concept. In the Second World War, propaganda posters attacked the waste of gas implicit in the solo driver without passengers: “When you ride alone, you ride with Hitler.” No surprise, social media has adapted it to “you drive with Putin.”

On another note, our community meetings are going so well in Saanich-Gulf Islands. We have visited with communities in Brentwood Bay, Cordova Bay, Gordon Head, Salt Spring Island, Pender Island and Sidney. We are careful in keeping doors open for ventilation, with masking and distancing for the attendees. Next week we have a Green Party gathering on Tuesday from 7-9 at Shoal Centre in Sidney for Amita Kuttner’s “Reconnection Tour.” I’ll be joining them for that. See below for the full list of the Reconnection Tour Vancouver Island events.

Then I am back at community meetings. (Note that our April 20 meeting with Adam Olsen has been canceled. Hope to reschedule that one soon.) April 21 on Mayne Island, April 22nd is Earth Day and I will join a Peace Walk event in Ganges that day, then April 23rd on Saturna and April 30 on Galiano.

Please keep your fingers crossed for me as I hope to build all party support for my private members bill, C-226 to create a programme for Environmental Justice. My bill goes to the House for the beginning of Second Reading Debate on April 26. I plan to get back to Victoria to speak at City Council on Thursday, April 28th to urge it to support the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Please join me on May 15th with the Victoria Chapter of Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan for a Red Pashmina walk on to raise funds and awareness for our sisters in Afghanistan, as well as in refugee camps in neighbouring countries. It will be a 3 km walk from the legislature along the inner harbour, up Government St to Bastion Square and back to Douglas St.

We must not forget the appalling abuse of the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan. Catherine Lang writes very powerfully about the issue here:

https://calgaryherald.com/opinion/columnists/lang-the-threat-to-women-and-girls-in-afghanistan-has-not-changed-only-our-interest-has?fbclid=IwAR3Oj-J3vFLLErQf9l7Sg1OBoUISix8NOBhMcneE6kLS9WtVNzOBsnTCi1g

Sharing my latest article on Canada’s climate failures: https://www.policymagazine.ca/budgeting-for-climate-disaster/

For now, I wish you the happiest of Easters… whether you worship or not. Enjoy the time off work! I know I am!!

With love, peace and joy!

Elizabeth

P.S. Upcoming events

TUESDAY, APRIL 19
7 to 9 P.M.

Sidney, BC
Town Hall with Amita
SHOAL Centre
10030 Resthaven Dr
Sidney, BC
RSVP

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20
7:30 to 9:30 P.M.

Victoria, BC
Town Hall with Amita
Burnside Gorge Community Centre – Activity Centre
471 Cecelia Road
Victoria, BC
RSVP

THURSDAY, APRIL 21
7 to 9 P.M.

View Royal, BC
Town Hall with Amita
Six Mile Pub + Eatery
494 Island Highway
View Royal, BC
RSVP

FRIDAY, APRIL 22
7 to 9 P.M.

Duncan, BC
Town Hall with Amita
Cowichan Community Centre – Heritage Hall
2687 James St
Duncan, BC
RSVP

SATURDAY, APRIL 23
7 to 9 P.M.

Nanaimo, BC
Town Hall with Amita
Beban Park Social Centre
2300 Bowen Rd
Nanaimo, BC
RSVP

SUNDAY, APRIL 24
7 to 9 P.M.

Courtenay, BC
Town Hall with Amita
Florence Filberg Centre – Evergreen Lounge
411 Anderton Avenue
Courtenay, BC
RSVP

MONDAY, APRIL 25
7 to 9 P.M.

Powell River, BC
Town Hall with Amita
Dwight Hall – Supper Room
Walnut St
Powell River, BC
RSVP

Saanich-Gulf Islands Greens
https://sgi.edagreens.ca/

The post Good Sunday Morning – April 17 appeared first on Elizabeth May.

Central Saanich

• DATE: Friday, April 8
• TIME: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
• VENUE: Central Saanich Cultural Centre – 1209 Clarke Road, Brentwood Bay, BC V8M 1P8
• Please note that due to provincial health protocols, proof of vaccination will be required upon entry to this Community Meeting

Gordon Head

• DATE: Saturday, April 9
• TIME: 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM
• VENUE: Auditorium at Gordon Head Recreation Centre – 4100 Lambrick Way, Victoria, BC V8N 5R3

Salt Spring Island

• DATE: Sunday, April 10
• TIME: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
• VENUE: Fulford Hall – 2591 Fulford-Ganges Road, Salt Spring Island, BC V8K 1Z4

Cordova Bay

• DATE: Tuesday, April 12
• TIME: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
• VENUE: CB 55+ Association – 5238 Cordova Bay Road Victoria, BC V8Y 2L2

Pender Islands

• DATE: Wednesday, April 13
• TIME: 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
• VENUE: Pender Islands Community Hall – 4418 Bedwell Harbour Road Pender Island BC V0N 2M1

Sidney

• DATE: Thursday, April 14
• TIME: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
• VENUE: Mary Winspear Centre – 2243 Beacon Avenue, Sidney, BC V8L 1W9

Sidney – Cancelled

• Joint Community Meeting with MLA Adam Olsen, Saanich North and the Islands
• DATE: Wednesday, April 20
• TIME: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
• VENUE: St. Elizabeth’s Church – 10030 Third Street Sidney, BC V8L 3B3

Mayne Island

• DATE: Thursday, April 21
• TIME: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
• VENUE: Mayne Island Community Centre – Felix Jack Road, Mayne Island, BC V0N 2J2

Saturna Island

• DATE: Saturday, April 23
• TIME: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
• VENUE: Saturna Recreation and Culture Centre – 104 Harris Road, Saturna, BC V0N 2Y0

Galiano Island

• DATE: Saturday, April 30
• TIME: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
• VENUE: Galiano Community Hall – 141 Sturdies Bay Road Galiano Island, BC V0N 1P0

The post Community Meetings – Spring 2022 appeared first on Elizabeth May.

Happy Canada Day from Elizabeth May!

The post Happy Canada Day from Elizabeth May! appeared first on Elizabeth May.

Joyeuse Saint-Jean-Baptiste! Partout au pays, dans les défilés colorés et les fêtes animées, on souligne la Saint-Jean-Baptiste : Fête nationale du Québec.

Cette journée nous célébrons les contributions que la langue française et la tradition québécoise nous apportent. Elles sont essentielles pour notre pays diversifié.

Cette journée marque aussi le début de l’été. Soyez sage et proftez-en bien!

Et encore, je vous souhaite une bonne Saint-Jean.

The post Elizabeth May vous souhaite une bonne Saint-Jean! appeared first on Elizabeth May.

Elizabeth loves the opportunity to meet consistuents, give them an update on the previous Parliamentary session and respond to any questions the town hall participants might have. Over 1,300 individuals were able to participate and listen to her candid responses.

Didn’t have a chance to attend any of the town halls? Don’t live in the riding? Over 70 videos were taken and are linked below.

The next series of town halls will occur in September 2014. Be sure to sign up to Elizabeth’s eNewsletter (on the right-hand side of your screen) to find out when they’re happening as they are booked!

The post Winter 2014 Town Hall Videos appeared first on Elizabeth May.

Unbelievably, I managed to speak in Dawson City, drive the five hours back to Whitehorse (arriving at 3am) to sleep a few hours and get to the airport before 6am for the flight to Vancouver to join the inspiring March for Residential School Reconciliation in Vancouver. That march, 70,000 strong in the pouring rain, was not to be missed.

From there on to Montreal and Ottawa.

As I write, I am about halfway through the tour, with Calgary, Winnipeg, Brandon, Toronto and Vancouver yet to go. Having discovered that there is a real thirst for opportunities to discuss the threats to our democracy, I will keep trying to reach all parts of Canada, with a Saskatoon event in November and hoping to reach Edmonton, Newfoundland and Labrador as well.

What is striking is that in most locations the Town Halls On Democracy are standing room only. In Whitehorse, as the Old Fire Hall filled up, the mayor told me that he usually invites his family to make sure the hall looks less empty. As it was people were turned away.

In Halifax, my daughter was told she couldn’t get in, as the hall was full. She had to plead her way in to sit on the stairs explaining she promised her mother she’d be there! Fredericton also was a capacity crowd, and what was supposed to be a ‘meet and greet’ at noon in Moncton, turned into a town hall as 60 people showed up with questions.

Some of the same questions are asked everywhere. Here are the top 5 Democracy Questions on the National Tour:

1. Why do Members of Parliament stand for being told how to vote and what to say? Those of us who move in and out of the ‘Ottawa bubble’ take for granted that the daily reality of all the MPs in the major political parties being required to maintain a slavish adherence to the leader’s instructions (celebrated in the media as ‘message discipline’). Yet, Canadians are shocked and that shock leads to asking ‘why?’ I explain that MPs do what they are told, with rare exceptions like former NDP MP Bruce Hyer and former Conservative MP Brent Rathgeber, who chose to sit as independents. If they don’t, they are punished.

2. How are they punished? What could happen to an MP who stands up for what they believe? The range of punishments go from refusing to allow that MP to speak in the House, ask (or answer) questions, or travel outside the route of Ottawa to riding and back, all the way to demotions (losing a committee chairmanship as did Mark Warawa, Conservative MP from Langley BC, when he complained about the Whip not allowing him to make a Members Statement), to the ultimate in complete character assassination and career annihilation. Which Stephen Harper did to his one-time Cabinet minister Helena Guergis; telling the public that the Ethics Commissioner and the RCMP had been called in about crimes hinted at only darkly and never explained—neither orgainzation found anything. Thrown from Cabinet and her party and not allowed to run again, when Guergis went to court to clear her name, she receiving a court ruling that the relationship between the Prime minister and his cabinet was covered by Royal Prerogative and the court cannot intervene.

3. How can a treaty as important as the Canada-China Investment Treaty be signed by the Prime minister without Parliament debating it? Concern about this treaty has reached many Canadians. The fact that it has not yet been ratified should give us all greater resolve to keep pressing Cabinet (the body that has the power to ratify) to refuse it in its current form. And to support the Hupacasath First Nation court challenge.

How this can be done without consulting Parliament? Previous prime ministers would have taken it to the House for debate and a vote. However, that was only a tradition of courtesy. Nothing required it. Treaty making falls under (you guessed it) Royal Prerogative. Harper has taken to tabling all treaties for 21 sitting days, something his administration advertises as a step toward greater parliamentary review. So while previous administrations voluntarily submitted treaties to a debate and a vote, Harper requires the tabling—but with no debate or vote.

4. Where are the checks and balances? How is it that the powers of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) can keep growing without any controls? Our Westminster Democracy was premised on respect for traditions, and principles. Such principles as we are governed by are only by consent of the governed. It was established on the fields of Runnymede in 1215, that even a king has to consult the commoners. South of the border, after a revolution, the government structure built in checks and balances between Congress and the president.

In our Constitution, the Prime Ministers Office does not exist. Parliament is supreme; a prime minister reports to Parliament, not the other way around. Canadian checks and balances are unwritten; they depend on respect for Parliament. MPs need to uphold this respect and stand up to abuse of Parliament, but don’t. So the checks and balances are only going to come from public debate and pressure on all parties to dismantle the power structure called PMO.

5. What do we need to do? Electoral reform—get rid of First Past the Post (go to www.truemajority.ca to join the conversation). Doing so will reduce the hyper-partisanship driving many of the threats to democracy. Remove requirement in the Elections Act for leaders of parties to sign candidates’ nomination form (the only real threat wielded by a leader). Cut the budget to PMO. Restore functioning of parliamentary committees to review legislation. Return control of the public purse to Parliament. Return to evidence-based decisionmaking. Rebuild our historic and respected non-partisan professional civil service and bar the illegitimate interference in its work by partisan PMO operatives. This is a short list, but a good place to start!

The post Cross-Canada Townhall Road Trip appeared first on Elizabeth May.

Elizabeth loves the opportunity to meet consistuents, give them an update on the previous Parliamentary session and respond to any questions the town hall participants might have. Over 780 individuals were able to participate and listen to her candid responses.

Didn’t have a chance to attend any of the town halls? Don’t live in the riding? Nearly 90 videos and over 100 photos were taken over the course of the two weeks.

The next series of town halls will occur in January 2014. Be sure to sign up to Elizabeth’s eNewsletter (on the right-hand side of your screen) to find out when they’re happening as they are booked!

The post Summer 2013 Town Hall Videos appeared first on Elizabeth May.

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Ms. May looks forward to meeting her constituents and hearing about their concerns and priorities. As well, Ms. May would like to update constituents about her actions and work in the House of Commons on their behalf.

Since her election, Ms. May has held two sets town halls a year in every part of her riding — 8 locations in all.

In this clip, Ms. May talks about the concentration of media ownership in Canada.

For more information on this and other issues, please visit her MP website at www.elizabethmaymp.ca.

The post Salt Spring Island Town Hall – Concentration of Media appeared first on Elizabeth May.

These town halls are an opportunity for Elizabeth to meet her constituents and hear about their concerns and priorities. As well, she updates constituents about her actions and work in the House of Commons on their behalf.

These clips are from Elizabeth’s town hall in Sidney in January 2013.

Omnibus Amendments

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Pipelines

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FIPA

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Highlights from the Fall Session

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The post Sidney Town Hall Videos appeared first on Elizabeth May.

These town halls are an opportunity for Elizabeth to meet her constituents and hear about their concerns and priorities. As well, she updates constituents about her actions and work in the House of Commons on their behalf.

These clips are from Elizabeth’s town hall in Saanich in January 2013.

Constituent Work

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Fall Session Highlights

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The post Saanich Town Hall Videos appeared first on Elizabeth May.