Week in Review: December 11-15
Welcome to Elizabeth May's parliamentary week in review! This weekly e-newsletter recaps her work in Parliament when the House is in session. Using 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.
The House rose on Wednesday, concluding business for 2017. Elizabeth spoke at length on Bill C-66, suggesting ways to make more robust reparations for historically unjust convictions related to the government's LGBT Purge. She challenged Prime Minister Trudeau during Question Period. Elizabeth also gave an end of session press conference on Tuesday to review the government's work in 2017 and to offer resolutions for 2018.
This will be the final Week in Review of the year. Please stay tuned for the next issue on February 2, 2018!
* If you are having trouble viewing this email, please view online at: https://elizabethmaymp.ca/category/news/week-in-review/
Key Moments in the House
Speech
Question Period
Debate
Press Conference
Current Issues: Site C Dam
Many subscribers responded to last week's issue noting there was no mention of the Site C dam approval. Please know that last week's newsletter was prepared on Friday, Dec. 8, but owing to technical difficulties with the server, it did not send until this Tuesday. There was no way to adapt the newsletter to reflect the BC government's heart-rending decision on Monday to go ahead with Site C.
Elizabeth made the following statement in response to the announcement:
“The NDP government in British Columbia has betrayed its supporters who have worked for years to stop Christy Clark’s boondoggle. The decision is hugely irresponsible from a fiscal, environmental, legal and economic standpoint. Like Muskrat Falls in Newfoundland and Labrador, this $15 billion disaster will continue to sink into red ink to generate power at a price no one can afford. The facts regarding the Site C dam were reinforced by the recently-released B.C. Utilities Commission final report. The report confirmed that the project will be outrageously expensive for ratepayers and taxpayers, is entirely unnecessary, and will put the future prosperity of the province in serious jeopardy.”
Tune In!
Saturday, December 16 at 9 AM (9:30 NT) and midnight (12:30 NT)
Listen to Chris Hall interview Elizabeth May on CBC The House about the Site C Hydro Dam decision and the end of the Parliamentary session.
MP Facebook Page
Today we launch Elizabeth's MP Facebook page! Visit the page for regular updates on Elizabeth's interventions in the House, statements to the press, and publications. Constituents will get the latest information on events Elizabeth will attend in the riding. Mark the upcoming town halls on your calendar!
Be sure to check out the Green Party of Canada on Facebook, too. They post the latest news on all the issues Greens stand for – from resisting pipelines to national pharmacare. Lots of great information and campaigns to get involved with across the country!
In the Media
- "Senate passes bill to remove mention of 'barbaric cultural practices' from Harper-era law"
(Marie-Danielle Smith, National Post, Dec. 12) - "Environment Canada stands by 'bizarre' joint statement on natural gas"
(Elizabeth McSheffrey, National Observer, Dec. 12) - "Sydney Tar Ponds: Clean up or cover up?"
(Michelle Moore, watertoday.ca, Dec. 14)
Public Statements
- Statement on International Human Rights Day
- Approval of the Site C Dam is an Outrage
- Statement on Hanukkah
- A statement condemning Trump's reckless move on Jerusalem, Canada's weak response
Petitions
Elizabeth introduced the following petitions to the government this week:
- Publicly request the government of the People's Republic of China to cease the assault, persecution, and discrimination against practitioners of Falung Dafa and Falun Gong.
- Address climate change as an intergenerational threat by ensuring that meaningful steps are put in place, and very soon, to meet the Paris targets.
Note: Elizabeth presents petitions once the deadline for signatures has passed. After presentation in the House, the government has 45 calendar days to table a response. You may read the governments' responses to petitions Elizabeth has introduced here.
View and sign open e-petitions currently sponsored by Elizabeth here.
Learn about the e-petition process or create one of your own here.
Community Newsletter
December 2017 Newsletter – Truth & Reconciliation
Committee Briefs & Responses
Submission to the Consultations on the Proposed Excise Duty Framework for Cannabis Products
Submission to the Canada-Pacific Trade Consultations
Brief Submitted to the NAFTA Renegotiation Consultation
Brief Submitted to the Minister of Food and Agriculture Canada for "A Food Policy for Canada"
Response Submitted to the Consultations on Tax Planning Using Private Corporations
Response Submitted to the "Environment and Regulatory Reviews: Discussion Paper"
Brief Submitted to the Expert Panel Reviewing Environmental Assessment Law
Private Members' Bills
Elizabeth May has introduced the following bills:
Bill C-387: This bill will establish a legislative framework for a national passenger rail service.
Bill C-269: This bill will abolish mandatory minimum sentences for all crimes 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
Sunday, December 10
Friday, December 15
Upcoming Events
Tuesday, December 19
- Elizabeth serves Christmas dinner at Our Place in Victoria
- Join Elizabeth at the 2017 Greens Solstice Party at Our Lady of Fatima Parish Hall
Monday, January 15
Tuesday, January 16
Wednesday, January 17
Thursday, January 18
Friday, January 19
Saturday, January 20
Tuesday, January 23
Wednesday, January 24
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/