But it was a very hard week for Canada. Many things to share with you on this Sunday.

Before diving into the bad news, let’s take a moment to celebrate that the BC government finally agreed to defer logging in Fairy Creek old growth! I am linking here to the excellent and cautious statement from the BC Greens. https://www.bcgreens.ca/b_c_greens_respond_to_old_growth_logging_deferrals_in_fairy_creek_and_central_walbran

But most of the week’s news was very painful. First, last Sunday, was the devastating and brutal murder of nearly an entire family in London, Ontario. I know London well. Thanks to the strength of Green support in London North Centre in the 2006 by-election, to that date, the Green Party got its best result by far. I came in second with 26% of the vote. In the course of that by-election, I got to know amazing members of the city’s Muslim community. I would never have believed such an act of hate and violence would be possible in that community. It hit hard.

Three generations of one family were deliberately run down.

Salman Afzaal, 46, his wife Madiha, 44, their 15-year-old daughter Yumna, and the children’s 74-year-old grandmother were killed. Only little Fayez, 9 years old, survived the attack and remains in hospital. Parliament opened Monday with a statement from the Prime Minister, followed by leaders of all the parties, and me as parliamentary leader for Greens.

“Our hearts are broken. Our minds are numb.”

On Tuesday, the leaders gathered in London for a vigil. Annamie Paul spoke on behalf of Greens. “At the end of the day, what we can do to remember those who have been lost, is to say that hate will not win.”  https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2021/06/08/vigil-underway-at-london-mosque-to-honour-muslim-family-killed-in-what-police-say-was-hate-motivated-attack.html

On Monday, June 7th another heartbreaker for me was the release of the decision in the killing of Chantel Moore. Chantel was killed June 4^th 2020 by an officer from the Edmundston NB police. Lacking a police oversight body in New Brunswick, the investigation into the killing was undertaken by the Bureau des enquetes independante du Quebec (BEIQ). I had hoped, as had her family, that the long delay between the conclusion of the investigation by the Quebec police watchdog (December 2020) and its release by the New Brunswick prosecutor, was an indication that charges would be laid. Instead, the New Brunswick government concluded that the officer would not be charged, because there was no prospect of a conviction. The facts do not support this. I spent some time reading the report. It took a long time because it was so hard to read. But it came down to this: There is no evidence of the immediate events before and during the time Officer Jeremy Son killed Chantel Moore. There is no video evidence. No audio evidence. It is his word only.

He claims he feared for his life as a petite 26-year old came at him with a knife. But no knife was found in her hand- nor near her body. A small steak knife was found under a flattened carboard box- but it had no fingerprints. He shot her four times at close range. The whole thing is deeply distressing. It screams out injustice.

Recently, a Quebec Court found that the BEIQ had, in another case, taken mistakenly, due to bias, covered for the police word in a killing.  This agency has a history: https://montreal.citynews.ca/2021/06/09/family-awarded-30000-court-rules-quebec-police-watchdog-statement-wasnt-impartial/

I made it the subject of my last question in Question Period on Friday – my last question until the House resumes in September. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fClbONSjRpw

And then we come to the long nasty slog of the Net Zero Climate Accountability Act, C-12. We finally finished the clause by clause review. I realized none of my amendments would be considered at all – because of the Liberal NDP pact. https://www.nationalobserver.com/2021/05/28/opinion/climate-emergency-weak-climate-change-act-being-steamrolled-through-parliament

So I decided to withdraw a bunch of my amendments to speed things along, and then the Conservatives did the same. Despite some small tweaks, the bill remains massively deficient. This was the moment for the Liberals to demonstrate the government grasps the climate emergency. They have failed to do so. Here is a brief climate debate just as the clause by clause wrapped up.
Elizabeth May: Canada’s climate targets must be stronger

So it was a hard week without having yet mentioned the worst part. Our little Green caucus has done so much good work together. And we have been – and remain – very close friends. It has been amazing working with Paul Manly and Jenica Atwin. Both hard-workers and excellent MPs.

Jenica’s decision to cross the floor and join the Liberal Party is a huge blow to our party, our candidates gearing up for the next election, and to all our members. Paul Manly and I are heart-broken.

I hope we can find ways to pull together and push on. Canada needs the Greens. We exist to make the difference the planet needs.

You will hear many things about the circumstances. No doubt lots of rumours and theories will be shared. Please let us take some time to reflect and review and see what lessons can be learned. Give us a bit of time.

From the bottom of my heart, I ask you to stay with us while we get ourselves to a place of consensus where we can share next steps.

Much love,

Elizabeth

P.S.

Reminder for tomorrow night- Monday June 14^th at 7 pm BC time. Green Book Club with me and Seth Klein. We will be discussing his wonderful book, The Good War. This is the right link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYsduGpqD0qGNKiG8VpjCYXgIJU-lGifxaq

And PETITIONS!!

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-3496 Call for a National Day of Mourning so that all Canadians take the time to reflect and extend a hand of support, understanding, and love to all those in need; and

1. Work with other levels of government to enact the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, beginning with a National Day of Mourning with support for communities, to raise awareness, healing, and understanding for all Canadians.

https://petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-3496  (closes July 9)

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)

Subscribe to Good Sunday morning at
http://www.sgigreenparty.ca/

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Question Period

Following the release of a report into the killing of Indigenous woman Chantel Moore, Elizabeth asked the government why information in the report did not add up to the police officer’s story.

Questions and Statements

The post Green Caucus Week in Review – 06/7 – 11 appeared first on Elizabeth May.

So, deep breath, and apologies for gaps.

Let’s start with today. June 6^th. We have been asked by Kukpi7 Roseanne Casimir, Chief of the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc, to join in prayer at 10 am today. It is Kukpi7 Roseanne’s work that led to hiring an expert in underground radar readings to uncover the preliminary results she released May 27^th. Through my dear friend and former Green Victoria candidate Racelle Kooy (who is now living back in her home territory) that I heard of the call for a National Day of Prayer. https://www.castanetkamloops.net/news/Kamloops/336047/Mourners-encouraged-to-take-part-in-day-of-prayer-on-Sunday-following-discovery-of-Tk-emlups-remains

The most powerful statement yet has been my MLA’s words in the BC Legislature. Adam Olsen’s speech drew widespread attention, including in this insightful column from Rob Shaw that noted how hard the NDP tried to defeat Adam last fall. https://theorca.ca/resident-pod/when-the-unimaginable-is-all-too-imaginable/ In the federal Parliament we held a late night debate in which all I tried to do was read as much of Adam’s speech into the record as I could. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-vBW9pUQEQ

The pain and loss (especially for Indigenous peoples, but also for settler culture allies) is real and deep. Indigenous friends have suggested that we pause. That we stop and postpone the political debate, inevitable finger pointing, and instead just  listen and mourn together for those dear children, their souls, their families and for the many more not yet accounted for. We are heading down a long road. And we cannot let this be a “news story” where we turn the page and fail to take on the work that we are required to do. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission set out a path. It will not an easy one. Let us pray. Whether we believe in God or not, let us mourn.

On Friday, I marked the anniversary of the killing of 26-year old, Nuu-Chah-Nulth woman Chantel Moore with a statement in parliament. On June 4, 2020, Chantel was killed by a police officer in Edmundston, NB.  As I made the statement, our extraordinary Green MP Jenica Atwin joined Chantel’s mother, Martha Martin, at a ceremony in Fredericton to mourn her death and demand justice. In solidarity, national Green leader Annamie Paul issued a strong statement with specific recommendations to end the threat of death by “wellness check.”

https://www.nationalobserver.com/2021/06/04/news/cries-for%20action-one-year-after-chantel-moore-killed-police (This link is behind a pop-up paywall.)

Although the Quebec policy inquiry review was submitted on her death in December, the family still has no answers as to why a tall, muscular cop felt so threatened by a small Indigenous woman that he shot her at least five times. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/chantel-moore-indigenous-police-shooting-1.6052529

Say her name and keep demanding #justiceforChantel.

For the rest of this little Sunday letter, the good news first.

The TMX (formerly Kinder Morgan) pipeline suffered a serious blow with the news that its insurer will not renew the policy. Lloyds of London was the first global insurer to decide to reject fossil fuel infrastructure from their policies.  The Canadian Energy Regulator – CER (which used to be called the NEB) attempted to assist the Crown corporation now building TRMX with our money by agreeing to an outrageous request from TMX to keep the name of its insurers confidential. So we only found out Argo Insurance was an insurer when it announced this week it would not renew the TMX policy.  David Snowden, senior VP of group communications at Argo Group US, wrote “This type of project is not currently within Argo’s risk appetite.”

Charlene Aleck of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation Sacred Trust Initiative urged more insurance companies to refuse to insure this risky project: “In addition to fuelling the climate crisis, this pipeline represents an ongoing violation of Indigenous rights. The lack of free, prior and informed consent is a material risk that most insurers have not fully captured, and that needs to change. We are calling on the rest of the Lloyd’s syndicates, as well as AIG, Chubb, and Liberty Mutual, to follow Argo’s path.”

https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/insurance-provider-for-trans-mountain-pipeline-says-it-won-t-renew-policy-1.5454981

Looking for more good news is hard.

I am so grateful to my dear friend and colleague Paul Manly (Green MP for Nanaimo-Ladysmith) and his chief of staff Ilan Goldenblatt. They are at Fairy Creek this weekend to let the land protectors know we strongly support them.  I am still trying to sort my own logistics to join them.  Meanwhile, once again, I need to give a huge shout out to Adam Olsen for his work in exposing the cynical, colonial, patronizing approach of the Horgan government toward the Pacheedaht First Nation. Under what was supposed to be a commitment to respect Indigenous sovereignty, the government has engineered a despicable agreement that Adam outlines here: https://www.cheknews.ca/opinion-forest-agreement-betrays-premiers-commitments-on-indigenous-reconciliation-812114/

Please read the details, but Adam’s bottom line conclusion says it all: “The BC NDP is effectively using BC Liberal policy to put Indigenous Nations in the centre of conflicts and use the language of reconciliation to cover for their inaction.”

Meanwhile, back in Ottawa, the C-12 clause by clause process will likely wrap up tomorrow with no Green amendments passed. The deal between the Liberals and NDP for modest improvements are indeed improvements. The main item is the insertion of a 2026 “interim greenhouse gas emissions objective.”  But the first milestone year remains 2030, the advisory committee is multistakeholder and not expert or independent (despite a sleight of hand amendment to say the non-independent body will provide “independent advice,”) with no carbon budgets and no legally enforceable method to hold any minister to account. Meanwhile, the government is still subsidizing fossil fuels and committed to TMX.  Here is my question to Minister Wilkinson asking him to explain why my amendment to base government action on science was rejected:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVciiBgRLc8

I am heartened by growing support from 350.org and Leadnow to oppose the ReconAfrica proposed oil and gas project in Namibia, near the UNSECO World Heritage Site at the Okavango Delta.  Thanks to nearly 900 people who signed the petition I presented this week (and especially to local activists Vicky Husband, Doug Funk and Shelagh Levy):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=td1ecRdMcYk

Speaking of Shelagh, I am really excited for our next SGI-Green book club event featuring Seth Klein and his wonderful book “The Good War.” Seth and I will explore how we get societies to move on climate as though our lives depended on it, which they do. Join us on Tuesday, June 14^th, 7 pm BC time.  Please register in advance for this event here.

And for a really exciting book event involving my daughter Cate, dear friends Sylvia Olsen (“Growing up Elizabeth May”), Lynne Quarmby (her new book “Watermelon Snow: Science, Art and a Lone Polar Bear”) and Anu Rao (whom some of you will know thru Seachange, with her book “One Earth: People of Colour Protecting our Planet”) plus an activist I do not know, but am excited to hear, Nafeesa Alibhai, check out “Story Telling for Change” – coming up next Saturday morning June 12th: https://www.banyen.com/events/Storytelling-for-Change

This week marks the start of midnight sittings in parliament to try to push through as much legislation as possible before we break June 23^rd for summer recess. Please help me by signing petitions listed below and join in the events I have included here.  One great event I should have promoted more was the Twenty Year Anniversary of Fair Vote Canada!  I have not had so much fun for ages. We had over 400 attendees for Judy Rebick, Andrew Coyne, Hugh Segal and me.  Watch it here video and recommit to fighting against FPTP every chance we get!

Keep Calm and Carry on!!

Much love,

Elizabeth

PS another cheer for Paul Manly! Paul made a statement calling attention to Motion M-90 for a national ban on gas fracking, which he put forward on Wednesday.

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 June 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)

Saanich-Gulf Islands Greens
http://www.sgigreenparty.ca/

The post Good Sunday Morning – June 6 appeared first on Elizabeth May.

Elizabeth May (Saanich—Gulf Islands)
2021-06-04 11:03 [p.7966]

Madam Speaker, I rise this morning on a very sombre occasion. It is June 4, the first anniversary of the killing of a beautiful young mother and member of the community of the Nuu-chah-nulth. Chantel Moore was killed a year ago today. As I speak here, the hon. member for Fredericton is with Chantel Moore’s mother at a memorial service in Fredericton.

It has been a year since Chantel Moore was killed. We know the name of her killer. He is a member of the Edmundston, New Brunswick police force. He killed her on the threshold of her home. She was shot five times. This was in the course of a wellness check.

I am wearing yellow. It was Chantel Moore’s favourite colour. Her mother would like us to wear yellow for all of the indigenous people who have been shot, killed and injured by police forces across Canada.

Since Chantel’s killing, two more members of the same indigenous nation have been shot by the RCMP. This must stop. Let us fight for Chantel Moore, her memory and the truth.

The post Elizabeth May’s statement one year after the killing of Chantel Moore appeared first on Elizabeth May.

Elizabeth May (Saanich—Gulf Islands)
2021-06-01 20:44 [p.7798]

Madam Chair, to my hon. colleague and parliamentary secretary, it is a hard thing to acknowledge as settler culture Canadians that our entire society has been built on dispossessing indigenous peoples of their lands. The residential school system was part of the institutionalized racism and genocide to break down the culture, the societies and civilizations that were here before European settlers.

I am wondering if the hon. member would return to the question, and I know it is a tough question, that was just asked by the member for Vancouver East. Can we admit that we are the beneficiaries of a genocide?

Pam Damoff (Oakville North—Burlington)
2021-06-01 20:44 [p.7798]

Madam Chair, when we think about how our country was founded, we see it was founded on racism, and it was founded on colonialism. As a result, indigenous peoples not only had to deal with this 150 years ago but also continue to deal with it today. We see systemic racism in policing. We see systemic racism in our health care system in Canada. Often we look south of the border and seem to think that we are better than people who live in the United States, and we are not.

The racism and colonialism that continues to exist in Canada is unacceptable. All Canadians have to take responsibility for that, and all of us have to take action to make sure that we end the racism and colonialism that continues to exist today.

The post Can we admit that we are beneficiaries of genocide? appeared first on Elizabeth May.

With the possibility of a fall election looming, the government must push through important legislation before the end of June.

Green MPs have been monitoring legislation and submitting amendments to ensure that the bills are strong and meaningful to their constituents.

Elizabeth will host a virtual Community Meeting for constituents of Saanich – Gulf Islands this Friday, May 28th at 7:00 pm PDT. See the end of this newsletter for more details.

This week and last

Paul responded to the Budget Implementation Act, Bill C-30. He noted positive elements in the budget, such as plans for affordable childcare and increased funding for the creation of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas. Ultimately, however, he stated that the budget does not adequately address today’s challenges. He called for more protections for old-growth forests and better post-pandemic recovery support for Canada’s small and medium sized business.

In adjournment proceedings, Paul elaborated on why GDP is a poor measure of success. He advocated for adopting a model that measures environmental and social factors in addition to economic activity, like the Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI).

Elizabeth responded to the Prime Minister’s official apology to Italian-Canadians interned during the Second World War.

Elizabeth put forward 37 amendments to Bill C-12, Canada’s Net-Zero Climate Accountability Act. This is more than the NDP and CPC amendments combined. Last week Elizabeth questioned the Minister of Environment about Bill C-12 at committee, listing the keys areas where the bill needs to be made stronger to keep global average temperature increase to 1.5 degrees C.

In light of the most recent conflict between Israel and Palestine and preceding the ceasefire, Paul and Elizabeth signed a letter along with 21 other MPs from 4 parties (all except the CPC) and 2 Senators, asking Trudeau to do more to protect human rights and international law. The letter was sent through the Canada – Palestine Parliamentarian Friendship Group, of which Paul is Vice President.

National Day of Truth and Reconciliation

On Friday, Jenica responded to Bill C-5, which would establish a National Day of Reconciliation. She called attention to the recent discovery of the remains of 215 children buried on the site of a former residential school in Kamloops, BC. “Apologies, payouts, even days of recognition, will never be enough,” she said. She laid out how Canada’s genocide of Indigenous peoples matches the UN’s definition section by section. And she called for more action from the government: more work towards reconciliation, and more action on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

Questions and Statements

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Elizabeth May (Saanich—Gulf Islands)
2021-05-14 10:17 [p.7231]

Madam Speaker, I am torn on this matter and I am going to be very candid with the minister. I am rarely less than decisive. I fully support the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, but the process by which we come to this place has left indigenous communities, first nations, Métis and Inuit, divided on the matter. The right path, the right way to vote, is not at all clear to me, and it certainly is the case that we cannot wait any longer to take the steps we need to take for reconciliation.
There are a number of very significant first nations policy analysts and a number of legal analysts who are on both sides, and of first nations themselves that say they were not consulted in the development of Bill C-15. It is therefore really important that we hear the different perspectives and we ask the hon. minister if he does not regret that there was—

Hon. David Lametti (LaSalle—Émard—Verdun)
2021-05-14 10:18 [p.7231]

Madam Speaker, I agree with the member’s observation that it is rare that she is less than decisive on a matter. I always appreciate her opinions and I take this question very seriously.
Yes, in a minority government context, we consulted as many indigenous leadership groups in a variety of forms as we possibly could. As I said, they had an impact on the original Romeo Saganash bill before tabling. We continued to consult, and they had an impact on the bill at committee. I commit to the hon. member that I will continue to consult as many indigenous leadership groups as I possibly can, in particular in the development of the action plan as we move forward.

I would just point out to her that although there is disagreement, there is an increasing trend, particularly after the last set of amendments in committee, to be supportive of the bill on the part of indigenous leadership.

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Monday was International Women’s Day and I had a chance to celebrate women in politics across party lines. One very young NDP MP, our current Liberal Finance Minister and one retired Progressive Conservative. You might not be able to find three women in politics as different from each other as are Mumilaaq Qaqqaq, Chrystia Freeland and Pat Carney. All have faced additional obstacles because they are women. Former Senator Pat Carney, who is now one of my constituents, accomplished much in a very male dominated world. It is clear to me that the progress of women everywhere must be celebrated by women everywhere. I had been tempted to focus on the Green Party and all of our “firsts” – first woman leader of a federal party (1988 Kathryn Cholette), only party to ever elect more women than men to a caucus (federal and Prince Edward Island!) and, of course, first party with a woman black leader- 2020 Annamie Paul). But women need to support each other across party lines. Here it is in 70 seconds:     www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RUJlCFM14kWorld

And with my once a month chance to ask a question in Question Period, I was torn about what my largest priority should be. I really couldn’t escape the reality that virtually all of Question Period had been dominated by questions about our Minister of Defense and what he has known – or not known – about the charges of serious sexual misconduct by former Chief of Defense Staff General Vance. Is that the most important issue? No one had asked about the death of another Indigenous man killed by RCMP during a “wellness check”,  and that gave me a chance to remind parliament about the death of Chantel Moore.

We had a big Green Party first on Wednesday as Paul Manly achieved unanimous consent on his motion in support of UK pensioners resident in Canada. I have tried for unanimous consent and never achieved it! Paul did a lot of work lining up support across party lines. But still, I held my breath. All it would take was one MP saying “nay!” and the motion could not have passed. There was a lot of cheering – me at home on my own! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9U9c5FmbaU0

My Wednesday morning started early (4:30AM) with an inspiring meeting of the Global Greens COP26 Working Group. I had the worst time zone issue- Australian Greens were joining after midnight, and we had participants from Burundi, Kenya, Egypt, Lebanon, Colombia, Venezuela, the US, UK, Sweden, Germany, India and so many more! It was a far more focused discussion of the climate crisis than once parliament opened. On Wednesday afternoon, we had our first return to debate on the Climate Accountability Act, C-12. It had not been on the Order Paper since December. Choosing a Wednesday (with only half day sittings) means that we are still far short of the number of hours we need before the bill goes to a Second Reading vote. After that, it will go to committee for study. As of now, I have not had any opportunity to speak to the bill. Nor have Paul or Jenica. My only way to participate is through debate in very brief questions. Brevity led to being very blunt in this question. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLwt9A7GYuE

Thursday was the one year anniversary of the World Health Organization declaring COVID19 a pandemic, so governments around the world marked the day with sombre memorials. In parliament, each leader spoke and I had my turn as parliamentary leader of the Green Party. I implored my colleagues to act as though we were operating in a proportional representation country – to act as though there were no political parties. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AnV72VDPJM

With only one question a month in Question Period, I have to look for other ways in debates to raise issues on behalf of constituents. On Friday, we were debating changes to employment insurance to improve benefits in light of COVID. I have been trying to find a way to raise the issue of the lingering illnesses of many who are no longer experiencing acute COVID symptoms but are not well – generally described as “long haulers.”  One of their concerns is that the EI rules require they be looking for work which they are too sick to do, so I seized on that connection to explain the issue and press the government for answers. And I mentioned the petition I am sponsoring for a constituent, herself a long hauler. Unfortunately, and comically, the parliamentary secretary somehow misunderstood the question and thought I was asking about long-distance truckers! On my zoom screen I watched as my colleagues began to laugh. They all knew what I was talking about. The next MP to speak, pointed out that my question had been about the many Canadians who may no longer test positive for COVID, but are not recovered. (Because that was Friday, I do not have video of it yet. Maybe I’ll share it next week.) Being a long-hauler is no joke, but that was a pretty unbelievable exchange. Here’s the petition again. Please sign! https://petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-3229

Meanwhile, in the real world beyond the zoom world of parliament, some good news. Thanks to UBC’s Dr. Tara Martin who spotted the significance – ecological and cultural — of a nearly 10 acre island near Sidney Island in the Haro Strait. SISȻENEM has been restored to Indigenous ownership. The W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council made it possible. The Land Conservancy played a key role, as did the anonymous donor found by Dr. Martin.  Inspiring! https://news.ubc.ca/2021/02/26/sis%C8%BCenem-transfer-to-w%CC%B1sanec-first-nations/

Lastly, I am very happy to ask you to sign and share this petition. I have written in GSM about the Canadian oil company ReconAfrica with its plans to frack and disrupt one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, the Okavango Delta along the Namibia-Botswana border. Please help us get this petition widely distributed. And Thanks to Vicky Husband for her work as the petition’s sponsor!

https://petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-3256

Have a great week! Stay well and safe!

Love,

Elizabeth

PS

Please join me on March 18^th for a 350.org Town Hall on Just Transition! https://350.org/canada/jt-townhall/

Policy magazine asked me to do a book review of Bill Gates’ new climate book so here you go, https://policymagazine.ca/can-billionaires-save-the-world-what-bill-gates-gets-wrong-and-right-about-climate-change/

But now I am reading Michael Mann’s new book, The New Climate War, which is far FAR better!

You can subscribe to Good Sunday Morning by visiting the Saanich-Gulf Islands Greens website:
http://www.sgigreenparty.ca/

The post Good Sunday Morning – March 14 appeared first on Elizabeth May.

Elizabeth May (Saanich—Gulf Islands)
2021-03-09 11:59 [p.4729]

Mr. Speaker, this is my first opportunity to take the floor to express appreciation to the hon. member for Abbotsford for his very good motion that is positive in its focus and one that I will personally support.

To my friend from Skeena—Bulkley Valley, I share his concern about regional air routes and also about affordable ground transportation, particularly in light of the findings of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, which found that the proximate cause of their vulnerability and exposure to violence and risk as indigenous women and girls in remote areas of Canada had to do with the lack of affordable ground transportation.

Would he like to comment on that?

Taylor Bachrach (Skeena—Bulkley Valley)
2021-03-09 12:00 [p.4729]

Mr. Speaker, it is something I touched on in my speech. In my former role as a mayor, we worked very hard with the province to put in place inter-community transit service, and we did so at a time when Greyhound still existed. While we gained a small step forward for northern communities along the Highway of Tears, we were left with a huge gap when Greyhound pulled out entirely.

Today I would say that things have never been worse when it comes to the affordability of and access to inter-city regional ground transport. It is something we need to improve upon if we are going to resolve these grave issues of murdered and missing indigenous women.

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