This week was dominated by conversation about systemic racism and violence towards Indigenous peoples in Canada.
On Tuesday, MPs responded to the tragic news of the remains of 215 Indigenous children found at a former residential school. Elizabeth read a speech delivered by MLA Adam Olsen (Saanich North and the Islands) in the BC legislature after this discovery.
In adjournment proceedings, Jenica revisited a debate on Black civil servants seeking compensation for years of discrimination in the workplace. “These are not dark chapters in Canadian history,” she said. “These realities are woven throughout the whole story, and the consequences continue to play out today.”
For her statement on Friday, Elizabeth marked the one-year anniversary of the killing of Chantal Moore by police in Edmundston. A year after the young Indigenous woman was killed, Elizabeth said, her family still has no answers.
On Thursday, Jenica spoke to Bill C-8, which would implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #94. In her speech she pointed out how slowly the government has been to implement the Calls to Action. She encouraged all Canadians to read them, and stated that the onus should be on the government to speed up its work.
Questions and statements
In question period this week, Paul asked the government to crack down on big banks, credit card companies and payday lenders who are exploiting Canadians and small businesses during the pandemic.
For Canada’s Environment Week, Elizabeth asked the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to improve Bill C-12 Canada’s Net-Zero Climate Accountability Act. She asked why her amendment to ensure that climate targets and plans must be based on science as opposed to merely “taking the science into account,” was rejected.
On Thursday Paul made a statement calling attention to Motion M-90 for a national ban on gas fracking, which he put forward on Wednesday.
Questions and Statements
Paul Manly: Rein in exploitative corporations to protect Canadians during the pandemic
Elizabeth May: Canada should improve Bill C-12 during Environment Week
Jenica Atwin: The government must recognize its responsibility to address racism in all its forms
Paul Manly tables motion to ban fracking
Jenica Atwin: Onus should be on the government to complete the TRC’s 94 Calls to Action
Elizabeth May: The government is failing to address the climate crisis
Elizabeth May’s statement one year after the killing of Chantel Moore
Discovery of the remains of 215 Indigenous children at former residential school
Petitions
e-3159 Ban new strip mines in the Rocky Mountains (closes June 5)e-3383 Clarify the safe operation of the DND Rifle Range (closes June 6)
e-3433 Cancel the $19 billion competition to purchase the 88 new combat aircraft (closes 18)
e-3353 Create and fund the National Council of Tree Science Research (closes June 21)
e-3330 Establish a National Council of Reconciliation (closes June 28)
e-3164 Implement a national living wage (closes June 29)
e-3348 Canada’s alleged political interference in Haiti (closes July 29)
e-3408 Work with First Nations to immediately halt old-growth logging (closes September 8)
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