Week in Review: April 20 – 24 (le français suit)
Submissions to MP Jenica Atwin’s Earth Day challenge
This week was profoundly difficult for many many Canadians affected by the mass shooting in Nova Scotia. Green MPs hold Nova Scotians in their hearts, and send their deepest condolences to the family and friends of those lost.
“Our hearts are breaking for everyone impacted by this tragedy,” said Jenica Atwin (MP, Fredericton). “In small maritime communities like Portapique and my home community of Rusagonis, we know our neighbours and we look out for one another. Such a senseless, violent, hateful act is utterly incomprehensible. I join all New Brunswickers, and indeed all Canadians from coast to coast to coast, in sharing our deepest condolences with our neighbours to the East. Our hearts are with you today.”
During a weekend wrought with this tragic news, MP Paul Manly travelled to Ottawa for the return of Parliament on April 20th. Paul came to represent the Green voice in the House of Commons on behalf of his fellow MPs.
On Monday, Paul was the first MP to speak. He raised a point of privilege arguing that the privileges of many MPs were violated by meeting regularly when so many provinces are in quarantine. It appeared to the Green caucus that the pressure to have face to face Question Periods was more about partisanship than responding to the COVID19 pandemic.
Members of Parliament debated the feasibility of resuming Parliament during the pandemic, and voted that a virtual Parliament will sit on Tuesdays and Thursdays in a modified form, including question period and an in-person sitting of a reduced number of MPs on Wednesdays. Parliament will sit in this capacity until May 24th for now, resuming on Tuesday, April 28th, with the Thursday sessions starting on May 7th.
This week also marked the 50th anniversary of Earth Day!
Key Moments
- Paul Manly asks that Parliament follow public health recommendations and adjourn the House
- Paul Manly: Question Period should be done in a virtual Parliament at this time
- Paul Manly: Will the government increase funding for aboriginal friendship centres?
- Paul Manly: The Canada Emergency Response Benefit is not enough, we need Guaranteed Livable Income
- Paul Manly: We need to protect oil and gas workers, let’s start by cleaning up the oil sands
Question Period and Member’s Statements
- Paul Manly thanks front-line workers during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Paul Manly asks the government when they will implement a guaranteed livable income
Statements and Press Releases
- COVID-19 has exposed serious vulnerabilities in food security at home and abroad, warns Green MP Manly
- Underfunding and racism have left Indigenous communities vulnerable to COVID-19, says Green MP Atwin
- Greens disturbed by latest report on Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions
- Green Party lauds commitment to fund environmental remediation of oil and gas industry
- Green caucus rejects proposal for regular sittings of parliament during pandemic
- Green Party proudly defends rights and privilege of members of parliament
- Green Party extends profound condolences to Nova Scotians
In Their Own Words
Petitions
- e-2395 Public Climate Finance for Developing Countries (closes April 27)
- e-2389 Reduce Water Pollution by Microplastics (closes May 22)
- e-2525 Eliminate Fossil Fuel Subsidies (closes June 15)
- e-2447 Open Competition for Research Funding (closes June 23)
- e-2450 Legalize the Transportation of CBD Products Across the Canadian Border (closes June 26)
- e-2416 Mandatory Labelling of Food Containing GMOs (closes July 4)
- e-2471 Grant the RCMP Funding for Body Cameras (closes July 16)
- e-2534 Amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (closes August 14)
Resources
Contact Your MPs
- Elizabeth May (Saanich – Gulf Islands): 250-657-2000, [email protected]
- Paul Manly (Nanaimo – Ladysmith): 250-734-6400, [email protected]
- Jenica Atwin (Fredericton): 506-452-
4110, [email protected]
From Your MPs
- Paul Manly – Federal Support Programs
- Elizabeth May – COVID-19 Information and Resources
Coronavirus Information & Resources
- Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
- Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
- Government of Canada COVID-19 information – Updates, travel advisories, prevention, self-assessment
- World Health Organization
International Travel Information from the Government of Canada
- Financial help for Canadians outside of Canada affected by COVID-19: Avoid non-essential travel outside of Canada
- Government of Canada Official Global Travel Advisory
- Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Travel advice
Important Contact Information
- Federal Service Requests (CRA, CPP, SIN, Service Canada, Passport)
- Government of Canada COVID-19 Information: 1-833-784-4397
- If you are in quarantine and are seeking to waive the one-week EI sickness benefits waiting period: 1-833-381-2725 or via teletypewriter (TTY): 1-800-529-3742
- Emergency and travel assistance for Canadians abroad: 1-613-996-8855 or [email protected]
- Labour Program: 1-800-641-4049 (toll-free) or via teletypewriter (TTY): 1-800-926-9105