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
– 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:
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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
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 Events
Friday, June 23rd:
Sunday, June 25th:
Friday, June 30th:
- Join Elizabeth as she serves up dinner at the Thrifty Foods Picnic in the Park
- Join Elizabeth as she speaks at the Opening Ceremonies for Sidney Days 2017
Saturday, July 1st:
- Join Elizabeth at the Sidney Lions Pancake Breakfast
- Come out and see Elizabeth as she marches in the 2017 Sidney Canada Day Parade
- Join Elizabeth as she cuts the cake at the 17th annual Salt Spring Island Canada Day Show & Shine
- Join Elizabeth at the Galiano Island Canada Day Jamboree
- Join Elizabeth at the Saturna Island Canada Day Lamb BBQ
- Join Elizabeth for dinner at the Pender Island Legion's Canada Day BBQ dinner
- Join Elizabeth as she speaks at the Canada 150 fireworks display on Salt Spring Island
Sunday, July 2nd:
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Join Elizabeth at the Church of Victoria's Canada 150 service at the BC Legislature
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Join Elizabeth at the 2nd annual Rotary Crab Fest on Salt Spring Island
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/