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Good Sunday Morning on World Oceans Day! This week, the smoky haze from prairie fires finally reached the nation’s capital. On June 5th, World Environment Day, the early evening sun, a surreal, apocalyptic orange ball, hung over Parliament Hill. We have seen that spooky sun over Sidney in previous years of smoky fire seasons. But MPs stopped to take pictures as we headed back to Parliament for debates until midnight. As it happened, that evening I hosted a major event, drawing nearly forty MPs and Senators, from four parties, Indigenous leaders and environmentalists from key national groups, to hear a major address—a warning from scientists—from David Suzuki. Thanks to David Suzuki for emailing me and offering this amazing opportunity to inspire the new Parliament and my incredibly brilliant Chief of Staff, Debra Eindiguer, who acted fast, secured the best large reception hall on Parliament Hill and got the word out. Debra brought David into the House just before QP and when NDP MP Leah Gazan (by pre-arrangement with me, thanks Leah!) noted it was World Environment Day and David Suzuki was here, he received a standing ovation from all the Liberals, NDPer, Bloc MPs in the House and even seated polite applause from Conservatives. It was a good moment. The Minister of Environment came to the podium at our event after the territorial acknowledgement from Algonquin Elder Claudette Commanda, the Hon. Julie Dubrusin, our new Minister for Environment and Climate Change, introduced David. Also present was the new Secretary of State for Nature, survivor of the Ecole Polytechnique shootings, Nathalie Provost. David pulled no punches, telling us clearly that we could no longer “sugar coat the truth”. We face the risk of extinction within the lifetime of our grandchildren if we do not act fast.
(front row, me, kneeling Patrick Bonin* (new Bloc Quebecois MP, former Greenpeace climate campaigner), Eric St. Pierre *(Liberal MP, also with an environmental background as ED Trottier Fdn), Lib MP Adam van Koeverden, Lib MP Peter Schiefke (in his 20s toured with Suzuki), Jaime Battiste, Lib MP from Cape Breton, Indigenous M’ik maq, second row standing, Secretary of State for Nature, *Liberal MP Nathalie Provost, Bloc MP Andreanne Larouche, Quebec Independent Senator Marie-Francoise Megie, Alana Hirtle * NS Liberal MP, Jacques Ramsay, *Lib MP, Minister of Environment Julie Debrusin, David Suzuki, Dominique O’Rourke *Liberal MP, Emma Harrison *Liberal MP Peterborough, Ginette Lavack, *Lib MP Winnipeg, Shannon Miedema *Liberal MP Halifax, Independent Senator Mary Coyle (also chairs Senate climate caucus), Tatiana Auguste, *Liberal MP Terrebonne – this is the one vote margin riding with a court challenge. Haitian born Tatiana is 24, Independent Senator Sandra Pupatello, Independent Senator Rosemarie Moody, TOP row, former Cabinet Minister Lib MP Ahmed Hussen, Tim Watchorn, *Lib MP Que, Bruce Fanjoy, *Liberal MP who beat PP in Carleton, and at far end of top row, Ernie Klassen,* Liberal MP from White Rock BC and new Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries. Also present, but missed group photo, Gord Johns, NDP MP for Courtney Alberni, Ryan Turnbull, Lib MP Whitby. We may have the right set of circumstances to get a focus on climate in this Parliament. On Tuesday night, thanks to a motion from Leah Gazan (again thank goodness she is one of the surviving seven NDP MPs), we had an emergency debate on the terrifying wildfires. I got the speaking slot at 11:40 pm. Link to my speech here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pybfh01Xfvs New PM Mark Carney clearly wants to act fast—building projects in the “national interest”. So far he has said nothing about acting fast to avoid catastrophic climate change. On Friday the Liberals tabled Bill C-5, a bill in two parts. Part 1 is all about labour mobility between provinces and recognizing accreditation of professionals (no issues with that!). But Part 2 is the “Build Canada Act” and that one is an anti-environmental mess. Of course, it might prove to be a big fat nothing. Everything hinges on a Cabinet decision in choosing nation-building projects. If no fossil fuel infrastructure or nuclear power plants get the golden ticket, if Cabinet only approves sensible projects that actually have the free, prior and informed consent of Indigenous Peoples, then we can breathe a sigh of relief. But whatever Cabinet decides is not restricted by criteria in the Act. It is wide open to political discretion. What the legislation permits could be absolutely devastating if Cabinet decides paving a six-lane highway from Vancouver to the tip of Cape Breton Island is “nation-building”, (of course, not a real prospect), the bulldozers will be rolling before we can get to court. It seems less like traditional legislation than like a remake of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”. Eager and greedy children (with apologies to premiers in this metaphor) rip open the Willy Wonka bars in hopes of finding the Golden Ticket. Only the lucky few will find the one, the permit that anoints their project as empowered to smash any existing hurdle to building fast. I read the bill when it was still under embargo on my flight back from Ottawa. Here is the resulting quick analysis with help from the wonderful Laurie MacMillan, once part of Paul Manly’s campaign team and now director of communications for the Green Party, with helpful advice from Stephen Hazell, brilliant environmental lawyer who is one of Canada’s leading experts on environmental assessment: New “national interest” bill hands Cabinet sweeping powers to fast-track projects, sideline Indigenous rights and environmental protections, Greens warn OTTAWA — A new federal bill billed as a fix for environmental assessment is in fact a blank cheque for Cabinet to push through projects without proper oversight, the Green Party of Canada warns. “This is not environmental assessment — it’s a political playbook,” said Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, MP for Saanich-Gulf Islands. “It gives the federal Cabinet sweeping discretion to fast-track projects while weakening Indigenous rights and environmental protections.” Under the proposed law, Cabinet alone will decide which projects are deemed “in the national interest.” The law would give ministers the power to bypass key planning requirements and timelines — and rewrite rules for individual projects at any time. Safeguards for nature, sustainability and biodiversity are conspicuously missing. “This is the first time in 40 years that Canadian environmental assessment law has been written to serve political deals first and environmental responsibility second,” said May. The bill also sidelines Indigenous rights. Even where Indigenous communities’ constitutionally protected rights may be harmed, the bill requires only that they “must be consulted” — while giving full veto power to the Canadian Energy Regulator over pipeline approvals. “That is an appalling double standard,” said May. Other concerns include: • Sweeping regulation-making powers allowing Cabinet to change rules for any project at any time. • Bypassing of planning phases and timelines for designated national interest projects. • Weaker oversight from Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada, which do not receive the statutory powers granted to energy regulators. • A five-year sunset clause, designed to drive fast project approvals with little transparency or accountability. • A new Office of Major Federal Projects Coordination, with no clear reporting lines or ministerial accountability. “This is not how we should be building a sustainable, resilient, and just Canada,” said May. “We believe in nation-building — but the right way: through transparent, accountable decisions that respect Indigenous rights and protect our environment.” — 30 — BACKGROUNDER The federal government’s new legislation on “national interest” projects marks a profound departure from Canada’s 40-year history of evidence-based environmental assessment. Rather than improving the process, it grants the Cabinet sweeping political discretion and sidelines vital environmental and Indigenous safeguards. 1. Canada’s past approach to environmental assessment
2. Erosion of the system
3. What the new bill proposes
4. Impacts on Indigenous rights
5. Additional concerns
6. Green Party position The Green Party supports national-interest projects when approached in a transparent, just, and environmentally responsible manner. Priorities include:
However, this bill undermines those goals by prioritizing political discretion over sound planning, Indigenous rights, and environmental responsibility.” As you can tell I am not impressed with what we are seeing from the new government. The first bill of substance released in this parliament was two days earlier for “strong borders” Here is our summary and release on that omnibus bill: Green Party Raises Alarm Over Liberal Border Bill’s Civil Liberties and Refugee Rights Implications OTTAWA — Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, MP for Saanich-Gulf Islands, is raising serious concerns about the federal government’s first bill in this new 45th Parliament. Dubbed ‘The Strong Borders Act,’ Bill C-2 was introduced Tuesday as an omnibus bill combining legislative changes to more than a dozen existing laws. C-2 proposes sweeping changes to Canada’s immigration and border enforcement laws, the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, anti–money laundering regulations, and legislation governing surveillance and intelligence gathering. May warns that without thorough study and extensive amendments, the bill risks trampling civil liberties and undermining Canada’s international obligations to refugees. “This is a deeply worrying start to the Liberal government’s legislative agenda,” said May. “Bill C-2 includes unprecedented powers to freeze out people who yesterday would have had access to refugee protections and now find that access barred and the doors locked. These are not minor tweaks. These are serious shifts that threaten basic rights and fairness.” Among the most concerning provisions are new restrictions that disqualify potential refugee claimants who have been in Canada for more than one year from seeking asylum, even if their circumstances have changed due to new threats or political upheaval in their country of origin. These changes would prevent “Sur place” refugees—individuals whose need for protection arises only after they arrive in Canada—from accessing protection and deny many their right to a full hearing before the Immigration and Refugee Board. “This bill effectively slams the door on people who followed the rules,” said May. “International students and other temporary residents who waited in good faith are now being told they’ve lost their chance retroactively and without due process. It’s unfair, and it may be unconstitutional.” May also criticized the bill’s structure as an omnibus package combining unrelated reforms to immigration, policing, surveillance, and Coast Guard operations. She called for the legislation to be divided so that each component can be reviewed by the appropriate committee. “Sections dealing with refugee rights should be reviewed by the Immigration Committee with testimony from refugee lawyers,” said May. “Security and surveillance provisions belong with the Justice Committee. Fisheries-related measures should go to the Fisheries and Oceans Committee. Anything less risks rubber-stamping complex and unrelated provisions without proper scrutiny.” While the bill includes new authorities for the Canadian Coast Guard, such as enhanced domain awareness in Arctic waters, May warned that no new resources have been committed to support those responsibilities. She highlighted current shortages in patrol capacity, noting that a single vessel is responsible for the vast region between Cornwall, Ontario, and the Quebec-Maine border, and that British Columbia’s coastline also lacks adequate coverage and the ongoing problem of inadequate pay for experienced members of the Coast Guard. “If the government is serious about enforcement, it should invest accordingly,” said May. May is urging MPs from all parties to support splitting the Omnibus bill to allow for amendments that protect individual rights, uphold international law, and allow for proper legislative review. In debates I was able to ask that question. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHI2ZqtHxtE So far, my call for splitting the bill is supported by all parties, except the Liberals. I do not want to see this minority Parliament coming down to hyper-partisan divides, but I am genuinely concerned and deeply disappointed in this government. We shall see. Maybe these are trial balloons to be able to tell the Alberta and fossil fuel lobby “we did our best” but parliament would not bend to our will… And then the Liberals could pitch, we need a majority government. All the more reason I am so relieved it is a minority parliament. But it seems if Carney is courting any party to give him the majority of votes, it is not the Bloc, Green or NDP MPs, it is the Conservatives. If you won a “golden ticket” and your new MP is a Liberal, time to call their office and ask to see proof of commitment to Indigenous reconciliation and a climate plan, NOW. We have not a moment to waste to empower the climate concerned Liberals to be loud! Thanks ever so much, and until next Sunday! Find love and joy in every moment! Please send your feedback on this newsletter to [email protected]. Saanich-Gulf Island Greens publish two newsletters:
To subscribe to one or both of these go to sgigreenparty.ca/signup_2020. Click here to unsubscribe from one or both newsletters. Our archive of past editions is at sgi.edagreens.ca/news-events. Saanich-Gulf Islands Greens |
Elizabeth MayMP for Saanich and Gulf Islands
