Elizabeth May’s Week in Review – June 23, 2017

Welcome to Elizabeth May’s parliamentary week in review! This weekly e-newsletter recaps her work in Parliament when the House is in session. At the links below, you can watch videos of Elizabeth’s interventions in the House, keep up with her media releases, and read articles she has written. 

On Wednesday, after a final few nights of sitting until midnight, the House of Commons adjourned for the Summer. Elizabeth will spend July and August connecting with constituents and attending some events outside of the riding.

This newsletter covers Elizabeth’s work in the House from June 16, 2017 to June 23, 2017.


Key Moments in the House

Question Period

– Will the government do more to support families and individuals living with autism?

Debate

– Respecting first nations’ rights, as well as the voices of elected representatives and regional governments, on Bill C-17

Changing the Standing Orders of the House of Commons in order to improve parliamentary democracy

– Fixing Bill S-3 in order to guarantee rights equally between Indigenous men and women

On this bill to end gender discrimination in the Indian Act, Elizabeth put forward amendments in the House – as did Romeo Sanganash – to fully eliminate discrimination. The amendments were similar to Sen McPhdedron and Murray Sinclair’s efforts.   The amendments were defeated, bu‎t the Senate has now refused to pass the bill, as the government is insisting it do, before a court imposed deadline of July 3.

Speaking in support of a Canadian Jewish Heritage Month

– Protecting Canadians’ rights at the U.S. border


Elizabeth delivers a speech to German Greens, calling on them to reject CETA

Elizabeth received a standing ovation following her speech highlighting the problems with the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), during the Annual General Meeting of the German Greens in Berlin last Saturday.

Her speech can be viewed at the link below:


In the Media

Policy Magazine: The Slow Pace of Parliament

Island Tides: Movement for Oceans


Public Statements

Statement on World Day to Combat Desertification

Statement on World Refugee Day 2017

On National Aboriginal Day, systemic discrimination continues for Indigenous Peoples


Petitions

Elizabeth introduced the following petitions to the government this week:

  • Institute a national AIDS strategy, using the proven principle of treatment as prevention.
  • Discontinue the sale of bottled water for personal consumption in any federal government institutions where potable water is available.
  • Engage in the the United Nations negotiations towards a global disarmament treaty to rid the world of the threat of nuclear war.
  • Institute a permanent ban on crude-oil tankers not just along the north coast, but along the west coast of Canada to protect British Columbia fisheries, tourism, coastal communities, and natural ecosystems.
  • Reinstate and extend the eco-energy retrofit program, which was cost-effective and delivered immediate reductions in greenhouse gases.

Read the governments’ responses to petitions Elizabeth has introduced here.


Community Newsletter

June 2017 Newsletter – Canada 150 


Have Your Say

Poverty Reduction

The Government is currently consulting Canadians on poverty reduction. We encourage you to find out more and participate online by clicking here

Elizabeth’s submission to the Poverty Reduction Consultation can be viewed or downloaded here.

Deadline: June 30

Renegotiating NAFTA

The Government is currently consulting Canadians on the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement with the United States and Mexico. 

We encourage you to find out more and participate online by clicking here

Elizabeth’s submission is pending, but we look forward to providing it to you soon. 

Deadline: July 18


Committee Briefs

Brief Submitted to the Expert Panel Reviewing Environmental Assessment Law

Brief Submitted to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change for the “Let’s Talk Parks Canada” Consultation

Brief Submitted to the Standing Committee on International Trade for the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement Consultation

Brief Submitted to the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities in Response to their Review of the Navigation Protection Act

Brief Submitted to the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans in Response to the Review of Changes to the Fisheries Act

Brief Submitted to the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development on the Canadian Environmental Protection Act


Private Members’ Bills

Elizabeth May has introduced the following bills:

Bill C-269: This bill will abolish mandatory minimum sentences for all crimes of except murder and treason.

Bill C-258: This “Think Small First” bill would require that every new bill introduced in the House undergo an assessment to determine how the bill would impact Canadian small businesses.

Bill C-259: The Open Science Act would require all federal departments to make all publicly funded scientific research available to Canadians on their websites.

For a list of private members’ bills Elizabeth May has seconded, please visit elizabethmaymp.ca


Recent Events 

Saturday, June 17th:


Upcoming Ev​ents

Friday, June 23rd:

Sunday, June 25th:

Friday, June 30th:

Saturday, July 1st: 

Sunday, July 2nd:

Thursday, July 6th:

​Friday, July 7th:

Saturday, July 8th:

Sunday, August 6th: 


As always, the support of the Green Party of Canada has been invaluable in enabling Elizabeth to hold the government to account on such a large number of issues. For more information on their work, or to get involved, please visit: https://www.greenparty.ca/