Week in Review: September 21 – 25 (le français suit)
This week, Green MPs Elizabeth May and Paul Manly travelled to Ottawa to participate in debate on the 150th Speech from the Throne on Wednesday, September 23rd. The speech marked the opening of a new session of the 43rd Parliament. MP Jenica Atwin joined virtually from her riding in Fredericton. She stayed there in solidarity with Mi’kmaw lobster fishers who are defending their constitutional right to earn a moderate living in Saint Mary’s Bay, Nova Scotia, and who are facing hostility from non-Indigenous fishers.
Greens pushed the government to include stronger climate action and a commitment to end poverty in the Speech from the Throne. Specifically, they demanded a doubling of Canada’s climate target, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 60% relative to 2005 levels by 2030. They also asked for the financial relief programs rolled out by the government in response to COVID-19 to transition into a Guaranteed Livable Income. Green MPs held a press conference before and after the Throne Speech, communicating their expectations and reactions, respectively. The caucus is encouraged by some aspects of the Speech from the Throne, but maintains that stronger climate action is needed. They are still deciding how they will vote. The Liberals need the support of one of the three main opposition parties to avoid a vote of non-confidence, which would trigger an election.
In her questions this week, Elizabeth pressed Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, to remove toxic fish factories, commonly referred to as “fish farms”, from the oceans before September 30th, the date specified by the Cohen Commission of Inquiry into the Decline of Sockeye Salmon in the Fraser River. She also reminded the government that developing a national Pharmacare plan must remain an urgent priority. Finally, she clarified that Canada’s debt to GDP ratio is better than some parties claim. Canadians should not be afraid of government spending during this time.
Last week, Elizabeth held a series of community meetings in her constituency. Two were held virtually, the third was a physically-distanced, in-person meeting in Sidney. (Click here if you missed it.) Paul co-hosted a national town hall on Guaranteed Livable Income with Coalition Canada: Basic Income. Hundreds of people from across the country attended, and a statement by one of the expert panelists was quoted in the Huffington Post. The intention of the event was to raise public awareness prior to a lobbying week that Coalition Canada has planned for October.
MPs Elizabeth May and Paul Manly hold a press conference regarding the Speech from the Throne
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Key Moments
- Elizabeth May pays tribute to the late John Turner, former Prime Minister of Canada
- Paul Manly: Would the leader of the NDP support a ban on fracking?
Question Period and Member’s Statements
- Elizabeth May: When will the government remove toxic fish factories from the ocean?
- Elizabeth May: Canada’s debt to GDP ratio is better than we think
- Elizabeth May: Pharmacare must remain a priority
Statements and Press Releases
- Greens encouraged by some aspects of Speech from the Throne but caution stronger climate action will be needed
- MP Atwin calls on federal government to respect Indigenous fishing rights
- Green support for the Speech from the Throne tied to flattening the climate curve and eliminating poverty
Press Conferences
- Green Party Presents its Throne Speech Expectations – September 23rd, 2020
- Green Party reacts to the Throne Speech – September 23rd, 2020
In Their Own Words
- Elizabeth May – The Throne Speech Matters, Now More Than Ever (Policy Magazine)
- Elizabeth May – Good Sunday Morning, September 20th
- Paul Manly – Decriminalization will save lives
Petitions
E-petitions open for signature
- e-2827 Support an amendment to the Rome Statute (closes October 2)
- e-2615 Divest CPP from fossil fuel investments (closes October 3)
- e-2783 Declare a public health emergency due to overdose deaths in Canada (closes October 10)
- e-2794 Put a price on carbon (closes October 13)
- e-2797 Cancel prison agribusiness (closes October 13)
- e-2729 Accomodate environmental sensitivities (closes October 19)
- e-2776 Divest CPPIB from open-net pen aquaculture (closes 24 October)
- e-2667 Ensure the human rights of Palestinian children (closes November 3)
- e-2837 Eliminate commercial anchorages in the Southern Gulf Islands (closes November 14)
- e-2708 Hold Turkey accountable for human rights violations (closes November 26)
- e-2828 Reject the Roberts Bank Container Terminal 2 Project (closes December 2)
- e-2836 Implement a GLI for all Canadians (closes December 14)