@ElizabethMay responds to Budget 2012

For more than 13 hours, NDP MP Peter Julian responded to the budget leaving no time for input from other MPs or parties. As the finance critic continued to read tweets in the House, the Green Party leader weighed into the stream:

1. @parliament_nil The role of Official Opposition is not to read 140 character messages out loud. Substance on this outrage needed. #cdnpoli
2. @parliament_nil @MPJulian Half of debate time is now elapsed and I am worried other MPs, incl NDP MPs, will never speak. #CPC #HoC
3. @zoe_brooks I wish this was constructive. There is so much wrong with the budget; reading tweets is superficial treatment. #cdnpoli
4. You may notice in twitterverse, since I can’t speak on budget, maybe Peter Julian will read out some facts from my tweets. #cdnpoli
5. Budget 2012: no funding to maintain PEARL High Arctic atmospheric lab at Eureka on Ellesmere Island. #cdnpoli #antiscience
6. Budget 2012: No $$ for climate science. Nat Research Council “refocus on business-led, industry-relevant” science. #cdnpoli #antiscience
7. Budget 2012: No $$ to save EcoEnergy retro-fit programme. #cdnpoli
8. Budget 2012: MORE money to oil and gas industry. $165 million new for pipelines, tankers, off-shore drilling (and soem mining). #cdnpoli
9. Budget 2012: National Round Table on Environment and Economy killed. Cost less than new spending to harass enviro groups. #cdnpoli
10. @dgardner @SusanDelacourt Harper and co only attack Kevin Page, PBO. He does deserve the thanks of Canadians.
11. Budget 2012: $107 million to AECL for medical isotopes, after giving away the rest of AECL. #cdnpoli
12. Budget 2012: federal support for oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of St. Lawrence without promised env review. #cdnpoli
13. Budget 2012: Delivering the last nails in the coffin of Can Environmental Assessment Act. #cdnpoli
14. @SaveEC Yes. This is in addition to the existing $1.2 billion in oil sands subsidies. #cdnpoli
15. Budget 2012: “Deeper Canada-China Ties” section makes no reference to human rights. #cdnpoli
16. Budget 2012: CIDA cut $320 million by 2014-15. 10% cut from overseas aid. #cdnpoli
17. Budget 2012: food safety cut $56 million from Can Food Inspection Agency. #cdnpoli
18. Budget 2012: Reduced resources to deal with immigration and refugee back-log. $13 million IRBC cut. #cdnpoli
19. Budget 2012: dumb on tourism. Cutting $14 million Can Tourism Commission. #cdnpoli
20. Budget 2012: Further eroding Cdn diplomacy. $80 million projected in selling off official residences. #cdnpoli
21. Budget 2012: total cuts to Foreign Affairs (not incl CIDA) $169.8 million. #cdnpoli
22. “Budget 2012: cuts to Heritage. CBC cut 9% ($115 mill) Telefim cut $10 mill, Libraries and Archives cut $9.6 mill. NFB cut $7 mill #cdnpoli
23. Budget 2012: No climate change discussion; zero funding. $99 mill to deal with 2011 flooding. No ref to climate change. #cdnpoli
24. Budget 2012: No programmes for youth. – even with youth unemployment at 14%. Killing Katimavik. #cdnpoli
25. Budget 2012: food safety, new money 4 food emergencies $51 mill to CFIA, HC and Public Health; $50 mill LESS 4 routine inspection. #cdnpoli

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I had the pleasure of working with the member before either of us entered federal politics. I know of her struggles for pay equity and the great work she did through PSAC and other national unions.

I recognize that I am now losing the only other woman leader of a federal political party. I do not want to make the member for Toronto Centre nervous, but I certainly hope it will not be long before there is another woman leader of a federal political party in this place.

All of us know the member for Hull—Aylmer took the reins as interim leader in times that could not be more difficult, more emotionally draining, more challenging. I do not know that anyone could have done it better. I give her my congratulations.

I extend thanks from all of us for maintaining the discourse in a way that was both respectful and inspiring. I am glad she is not leaving this place. It can almost sound like we are saying goodbye, but we are not. However, those of us in this chamber who value integrity, passion and commitment are grateful that she served as she did as interim leader.

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Thomas Mulcair, Brian Topp, Nathan Cullen, Peggy Nash, Paul Dewr, Martin Singh, and Nikki Ashton have been vying to be Leader of the NDP after the sad loss of Jack Layton to cancer in August.

“It is wonderful to have vibrant leadership contests that engage the Canadian people and especially young people.  I have great admiration for all of the candidates and appreciate their willingness to pour their energy into this race,” said May.  “My hope is that the attention this race has received will motivate more people to be informed and engaged in our political process.”

“Many congratulations to Mr. Mulcair on his win.”

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