Elizabeth MayFor many retirees from the military, the RCMP, judges and other federal positions, there is a bizarre, arbitrary prohibition for pensions to be continued to the surviving spouse.…
In the spring of 2012, the Prime Minister surprised Canadians, including his own caucus, when he proclaimed from the high perch of Davos, Switzerland that Canadians’ pension system…
RRSPs are terribly tax inefficient. For the $8.5 to $12.1 billion in annual net tax expenditures (around 30% of total contributions), the median value of RRSP assets by…
This issue of my outreach newsletter to you, my constituents, is focused on the issues facing seniors. This is my 60th year (the year in which I will…
Twice a year I host a series of town halls throughout Saanich-Gulf Islands. It’s a fantastic opportunity for me to hear first-hand what’s on your mind, be it…
Staying healthy takes good nutrition and exercise. To rescue democracy we need to exercise our democratic muscles, and get issues out in the daylight. The boldest step would…
The Senate of Canada, unelected and lacking in legitimacy to exercise the powers it has in theory, was supposed to function as a body for “sober second thought.” …
We think we know it. We take it for granted. However, the influence of US politics and the creeping erosion of our parliamentary system leads me to believe…
STEP ONE: Growing power of political parties One of Canada’s leading experts on democracy is Prof. Peter Russell, Professor Emeritus at the University of Toronto. His slim volume,…
I believe that the best way to stay in touch with voters is direct and face to face. Every year, twice a year, I am available at town…
No. They go to an arbitration. Three international lawyers hear the case, usually in a hotel room. There are no appeals. There is no access to a Canadian…
Chapter 11 of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was the first investor-state agreement in the world. There is much to learn from analysis of this new…
NAFTA can be exited with six months written notice; the investment treaty with China is in force for 15 years, then Canada or China could give a one…
No. Even though Australia does not have an investor-state treaty with China, they lead the globe in Chinese investment. In 2012, investment from China to Australia stood at…
While investor-state agreements are sometimes associated – or even confused – with free trade agreements, they are not the same. A trade agreement opens up areas, or sectors,…
Why should Canadians care about investor-state treaties? One of the issues that was frequently raised in the last round of town hall meetings I held with constituents in…
November 11th is a day to remember that soldiers die believing they were sent for a reason, a noble cause, to defend, to liberate. Women and men of…
We need a National Agricultural and Food Policy which: Improves Food Safety Amending the Canadian Food Inspection Agency mandate to remove any obligation to promote Canadian agri-business, ensuring…
Twice a year I host a series of town halls throughout Saanich-Gulf Islands. It’s a fantastic opportunity for me to hear first-hand what’s on your mind, be it…
Conservative MP talking points continually insisted that the budget for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency had increased. Not so: Elizabeth May: Mr. Speaker, we were told by the…
Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a bacteria found in bowels of warm-blooded animals. If it contaminates food, it can cause serious illness or death; E. coli in XL…
I received news on October 30th from Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz that the Centre for Plant Health on the Saanich Peninsula will remain open. Needless to say, I…
Everywhere I go in Canada, there is a movement for local food – healthy food – food security. Nowhere is that movement stronger than here in Saanich-Gulf Islands.…
On February 6th, Queen Elizabeth marked the 60th anniversary of her accession to the Throne. Only once before have we celebrated such an occasion, with her great-great-grandmother, Queen…
Society has focused on treating acute health problems after they arise, and failed to place sufficient priority on preventing illness in the first place. The World Health Organization…