It is not about strategic voting (how could it be since I am proposing the NDP and Greens do not run a candidate?) It is not about “helping” any party or candidate.

It is about the voters in Etobicoke Centre. It is about restitution. 

In tort law, the idea of restitution is that after a wrong (a tort) has been done the person who has been damaged should have restitution. And “restitution” means that the wronged person should be restored to the position in which they found themselves before the wrong occurred.

A by-election ordered by a court having found that errors in the voting process invalidate the earlier result is highly unusual.  It is nothing like a by-election created by an MP resigning or dying. In those cases, there is a whole new election. There is no “wrong;” no one is damaged; no one needs to be restored to the position in which they found themselves had the wrong not occurred.

But a by-election created by a court action is altogether different.

On May 2, 2011, the voters in Etobicoke Centre went out to vote. They cast their ballots in a way that (at least the Federal Court) found would have resulted in the Liberal incumbent being re-elected. Due to irregularities, that is not what occurred. 

If the Supreme Court orders a by-election, should anyone be thinking of how to make restitution to the voters? To put the voters back in the situation in which they found themselves on May 2, 2011, in a by-election, more than a year later, is there a fairer way for partisans to step back and help justice to be done?

I may be wrong. But, at least now you know why I think I might be right.

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However, I have enjoyed the “me-firstism” of every party. The Conservative Party wants to take credit for the fact our banking system withheld the recession so well. The New Democrats, apparently, feel they are responsible. I would like to add, as leader of the Green Party of Canada, we had absolutely nothing to do with protecting our banking system. 

We all owe a thanks to previous Liberal finance minister, Paul Martin.

Kevin Lamoureux: Mr. Speaker, I guess I might have spent a bit too much time at the beginning of my comments trying to clarify the record. I genuinely believe that, in reviewing and listening to a lot of the debate of the bill, individuals like Paul Martin, the former minister of finance, and Jean Chrétien did protect the industry by ensuring we had those regulations in place.

My concern was not as much as trying to assume credit for those two individuals, but rather that we do not try to rewrite history when others members stand and try to assume the credit when it is not true.

The post Financial System Review Act (Bill S-5) appeared first on Elizabeth May.

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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.

The post Member for Hull—Aylmer (Nycole Turmel) appeared first on Elizabeth May.

Saanich-Gulf Islands representative Elizabeth May is one of five Canadian MPs to receive all-star status and compete for votes to sit in the “hot seat” for political affairs show #FAQMP’s season finale.

The show, which airs Monday evenings on ichannel, incorporates public interest by selecting participants and asking them questions according to the input received on its website.

“Throughout the season we’ll interview the most popular MPs, using the questions you’ve sent,” promotional material for the series promises.

View the full original article >>

The post Elizabeth May makes all-star status on political affairs show appeared first on Elizabeth May.

The award will be presented at a luncheon co-hosted with the Canadian Club Ottawa on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at 12 noon in the Ballroom of the Fairmount Chateau Laurier. Ms. May will speak about her role as Leader of the Green Party and her experience making history as Canada’s first Green Party Member of Parliament.

Past EVE Award recipients include: the Rt. Honourable Kim Campbell, Hon. Belinda Stronach, Hon. Anne McLellan, Hon. Flora MacDonald, Hon. Frances Lankin, Hon. Carolyn Bennett, Her Worship Hazel McCallion, and Hon Leona Aglukkaq.

Tickets for the event may be purchased at: http://www.canadianclubottawa.ca/en/events/tickets.html

The post Equal Voice to Honour Elizabeth May with 2011 EVE Award appeared first on Elizabeth May.