Elizabeth May’s Week in Review – June 9, 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.

Due to a Liberal motion last week, the House of Commons is now sitting until midnight for the remainder of the parliamentary session. This has meant many very long days for Elizabeth, who nonetheless remains committed to being in the House to speak to each of these issues on behalf of her constituents.

This newsletter covers her extensive, and now often late-night, work in the House from June 2, 2017 to June 9, 2017.


Key Moments in the House

Debate

– US “exit” from the Paris Agreement + questioning continued tariffs for solar energy

– Raising concerns over (L)iberal use of time allocation, especially on omnibus bills

Critiquing Bill C-44, an omnibus budget bill that limits parliamentary debate

– Questioning whether passengers’ rights are adequately protected when airlines oversell flights

– Questioning Canada’s lack of engagement in nuclear disarmament negotiations

– Challenging the government to take concrete and meaningful steps to meet our Paris obligations


UN Ocean’s Conference

This week, in addition to her work in the House, Elizabeth participated as a member of the Canadian delegation to the UN’s Ocean Conference.

Listen to her thoughts on the vital connection between Canadians and our oceans, at 1:30 in the video below:


In the Media

Hill Times: The Liberals’ climate plan? A chocolate cake diet


Public Statements

Statement on World Environment Day and Canadian Environment Week

Statement on World Oceans Day 2017


Petitions

Elizabeth introduced the following petitions to the government this week:

  • Ban the trade and sale of shark fins which is contributing to the rapid extinction of many species of sharks.
  • Press the People’s Republic of China to stop discrimination against the practitioners of Falun Dafa and Falun Gong.
  • Label products if they contain genetically modified organisms, so that citizens and consumers will be able to make an informed choice about the products they buy.
  • Oppose the Matamec Explorations Inc. rare earth mining project in order to protect the unique, ecological, cultural, and historical value of the Kipawa Lake system

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


Community Newsletter

April 2017 Newsletter – Earthquake Preparedness


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


Have Your Say

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

We will be sharing Elizabeth’s brief on the topic with you soon. In the meantime, you can read about the Green Party of Canada’s plans to end poverty here, and to implement a guaranteed livable income here.

Deadline: June 30


Recent Events

Thursday, June 1st – Elizabeth jointly hosted the Turning Parliament Inside Out – Book Release

Sunday, June 4th – Elizabeth delivered a keynote address at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Annual Conference in Ottawa

Tuesday, June 6th – Thursday, June 8th – Elizabeth was at the United Nations in New York City as part of the Canadian Government’s delegation for the United Nations Ocean Conference


Upcoming Ev​ents

Saturday, June 17th – Elizabeth will deliver a speech at the Annual General Meeting of the Green Party of Germany

Friday, June 23rd – Join Elizabeth on the Southern Gulf Islands for the third annual Tour des Îles

Sunday, June 25th – Join Elizabeth as she marches in the 37th annual Toronto Pride Parade


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/