Elizabeth May (Saanich—Gulf Islands)
2021-02-18 10:40 [p.4214]

Madam Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for Wellington—Halton Hills and all members in this House who have taken a stand on this issue, particularly through an open letter initially coordinated through the hon. member from the Bloc Québécois, with members from all parties signing it.

I want to put a difficult question to the member for Wellington—Halton Hills. I obviously agree with him that we are seeing a genocide in the Uighur population, but sometimes when I speak to retired senior members of our foreign civil service, there is a tremendous concern that being more aggressive in our communications about the People’s Republic of China could result in more difficulty in gaining the release of Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig.

Could my hon. colleague for Wellington—Halton Hills reflect on this?

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(OTTAWA) – Elizabeth May released the following statement on the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia:

“In Canada, we pride ourselves on our openness and diversity, yet we recognize there is still much to overcome as a society. Today was chosen to commemorate the day in 1990 when homosexuality was finally removed from the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases. Since that time, Pride parades have become staple annual events in cities across Canada and the world.

“Like hundreds of thousands of Canadians, I look forward to participating in Pride celebrations each year. The positive energy I experienced last summer at both Toronto and Victoria Pride parades was incredible. These events continue to motivate me as an MP to champion LGBTQ2+ rights.

“This year, we turn our thoughts to the horrific reports from Chechnya, where gay and bisexual men have been subjected to torture and imprisonment for their sexual orientation. These human rights violations have been roundly condemned by the international community, and we call on Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland to use all diplomatic channels to deliver Canada’s strong rebuke of these atrocities.

“All members of the Green Party of Canada stand united on the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.”

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“Tolerance lies at the core of the Canadian and United Nations Charters, as well as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In the context of rising global tensions due to an unprecedented refugee crisis, tolerance is more important than ever at home and abroad. Extremism, misogyny, anti-semitism, xenophobia and racism have no place in a healthy democracy,” said Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada (MP, Saanich-Gulf Islands).

Joe Foster, GPC Human Rights Critic said: “Personal views and preferences are part of what make us human. As Canadians, we share common values of peace, justice and human rights, even though we come from many cultures and ethnic backgrounds. The richness of our country is based on how well we embrace and celebrate these differences, not just tolerate them.”

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“I join Canadians and nations around the world in recognizing International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination,” said Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada (MP, Saanich – Gulf Islands).

“The Green Party is committed to working towards a culture of nonviolence and peace between states, inside societies and between individuals as the basis of global security. We believe that security should not rest mainly on military strength, but on co-operation, sound economic and social development, environmental safety, and fundamental respect for human rights – including the elimination of racial discrimination. Though not without our faults, Canada remains a multicultural beacon on the world stage. Greens stand against racism in all forms, and continue to strive for a world free from racial discrimination.”

Joe Foster, Green Party Critic for Human Rights, said:

”Greens around the world not only support, but embrace respect for diversity as one of our key values for global well-being. This is best expressed in the United Nations’ Preamble of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: ‘Recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.’”

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I congratulate Cindy Blackstock for her heroic work pushing this forward against a Conservative government that did nothing but obstruct, spending $5.3 million to deny that it was discriminating against First Nations children, even retaliating against Ms. Blackstock personally.

I am hopeful that the new government will swiftly follow the order to ‘take measures to immediately implement the full meaning and scope of Jordan’s principle.’

First Nations children continue to suffer from generations of wilful and reckless discrimination by successive governments. I am committed to working with the government and First Nations to end this awful discrimination and move towards reconciliation.”

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“I am deeply concerned that government officials have refused to release its own assessment on the state of human rights in Saudi Arabia,” stated May. “In this past election, Canadians made it clear they wanted “real change” and that’s what Canadians voted for – a transparent and accountable government instead of the veil of secrecy we witnessed under the Harper Conservatives. This government must now keep its word and honour those commitments.”

Deputy Leader, Bruce Hyer added, “I find it equally disturbing that the government has decided to proceed with the sale of weaponized armoured vehicles to Saudi Arabia given that, this month alone, we have witnessed the execution of 47 people by the Saudi government, including Shia Muslim cleric Sheik Nimr al-Nimr. In 2015, over 151 people were executed in Saudi Arabia.”

Under the government’s own federal arms export regulations, it is prohibited to export weapons to countries that have “a persistent record of serious violations of the human rights of their citizens.”

“Although I understand that there are jobs associated with the production and sale of these armaments, it is not the Canadian way, nor does it remotely reflect Canadian values,” said Hyer.  “We need to be assured that the Saudis will not use these weapons against their own citizens.  Releasing the report will help determine the probability of this happening.”

“Today, I call on the Prime Minister to reconsider this decision, stay true to his commitment of transparency, and release the government’s report on Saudi Arabia’s human rights record for all Canadians to see,” concluded Elizabeth May.

The post Elizabeth May Supports Amnesty International Call to Release Canada’s Report on Saudi Arabia’s Human Rights Record appeared first on Elizabeth May.

“Canada played a lead role in the negotiation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In the current climate of Islamophobia, with U.S. Republican Donald Trump setting a new low for hate rhetoric and the abuse of human rights, with a Sri Lankan woman sentenced to death by stoning in Saudi Arabia, it is critical that Canada fight for human rights around the world. Let us be the nation that becomes the Amnesty International in the family of nations,” stated Elizabeth May, MP (Saanich-Gulf Islands).

This year’s Human Rights Day is also devoted to a year-long campaign to mark the 50th anniversary of  both the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which were adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1966. The two Covenants, together with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, form the International Bill of Human Rights.

“While considerable progress has been made in the past, much remains to be done in order to secure equality and human rights for all citizens. As a country, we must ensure that our most vulnerable and underrepresented populations are protected, and that all citizens are treated with respect and dignity,” concluded May.

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“On behalf of the Green Party, I would like to welcome all of the refugees to their new home,” said May. “The strength of our country has always been our diversity, and we must ensure these new Canadians – many of them having fled the most brutal and violent of conditions – feel safe and at home here in their new communities.”

“If we work together, I have no doubt that we can successfully welcome every single one of the 25,000 Syrian refugees who will arrive in Canada in the coming months. I can say from my experience of helping refugees in Saanich-Gulf Islands that communities come together at times like these, it is what makes me continually proud of being a Canadian, and why I know we can rise to this unique challenge, as we have in the past,” concluded May.

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The plan would see Finnish citizens receive 800 Euro a month (C$1,170 at current exchange rates).  Although full details won’t be released until November 2016, the new program will allow Finland to eliminate many other earnings-based social programs, including unemployment insurance.

During the 2015 election campaign,Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada and MP (Saanich – Gulf Islands), released the Green Party’s plan to make a Guaranteed Livable Income (GLI) a reality for all Canadians. The plan would consolidate various federal tax credits and transfers for all Canadians. However, the Green Party’s plan would not impact Employment Insurance, Canada Pension Plan, child care, social housing or prescriptiondrug benefits.

The Canadian Medical Association endorsed basic income this past summer in a letter to Ontario’s Health Minister, signed by 200 physicians  which called for a pilot project. The Liberal Party endorsed a priority policy resolution to implement a basic income supplement pilot program in at least one Canadian town or city, though the current government has not yet said whether they will implement this idea.

“It’s encouraging to see that the Finnish government is committed to implementing a basic income strategy for their citizens,” stated Elizabeth May. “As I said during the election, I believe that a Guaranteed Livable Income will help the steadily increasing numbers of people trapped in the low-wage economy, and especially Canadian youth who struggle with part-time employment.

“Our plan is about more than reducing poverty – it will reduce the crime rate, improve educational opportunities, and increase access to healthcare, to name a few benefits to Canadians. A Guaranteed Livable Income makes sense for all Canadians, while saving billions of taxpayer’s dollars.”

“The Green Party has another proposed mechanism to supplementa basic income to every Canadian, called Carbon Fee & Dividend,” stated Deputy Leader Bruce Hyer, who has long championed a Carbon Dividend. “The Green Party and Citizens Climate Lobby proposal will set fees on fossil fuels where they come out of the ground or across the border. Not a penny would go to government. The fees raised would be revenue neutral, and would go to every Canadian on an equal per capita basis, regardless of income. The higher the fees, the faster that both CO2 emissions and poverty will be reduced.”

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