MP Paul Manly during Tuesday’s virtual parliament
This week Canada’s Parliament met virtually during the first meeting of the Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic. Despite some technical difficulties, ultimately the virtual session with around 177 MPs from across the country was a success. MP Paul Manly and MP Jenica Atwin participated from home, while Elizabeth travelled to Ottawa to be part of the reduced number of MPs that sat in person on Wednesday, April 29 to debate Bill C-15, An Act respecting Canada emergency student benefits.
Both in the virtual session and in person, Green MPs asked many important questions about how the government is responding to the pandemic. They asked about preventing corporations that use tax havens from receiving bailouts with public money; the future of the Canadian oil and gas sector; and how the government will help seniors, international students, and evacuees from the Fort McMurray floods.
Elizabeth May outside West Block. Photo by David Kawai for Bloomberg
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Key Moments
- Jenica Atwin: Let’s start planning a just economic recovery
- Elizabeth May on Canada’s economic response to COVID-19
Question Period and Member’s Statements
- Jenica Atwin: Corporations who have not paid taxes should not receive public funding
- Jenica Atwin: What will be the future of Canada’s oil and gas sector?
- Jenica Atwin: Will there be any help for international students?
- Elizabeth May: What is the government doing to help seniors?
- Elizabeth May: How will the government safely house evacuees from Fort McMurray?
- Elizabeth May: Has the PM considered an All Party Cabinet Committee on COVID-19?
- Elizabeth May: International students need financial help during COVID-19
- Elizabeth May on how Canada is paying for COVID-19 measures
Statements and Press Releases
- Green Party urges municipal bailout to help with property tax and service cost deferrals
- Green Party MP Atwin calls out misogyny, calls for a national action plan to address gender-based violence
- Green Party Statement on International Workers’ Day
- The Green Party is deeply saddened by news of yesterday’s Cyclone helicopter crash
In Their Own Words
- Jenica Atwin discusses virtual House of Commons sittings on CPAC April 28
- Elizabeth May: Good Sunday Morning April 26
- MP Jenica Atwin on CTV’s National News (starts at 22:19)
- Elizabeth May’s consultation submission on offshore drilling east of Newfoundland and Labrador
- Elizabeth May: Working from Zoom: Adventures in Cyberdemocracy, Policy Magazine
- Paul Manly Online Town Hall Meeting 04/25/20 (starts at 30:17)
Petitions
- e-2509 Top Up Wages for Essential Workers (closes May 22)
- 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’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