This week, the Speaker of the House ruled on Elizabeth’s Point of Privilege from last week. The Point of Privilege asked that the Speaker help resolve the situation of Greens being blocked from asking questions on Wednesdays when the Prime Minister answers all questions. Unfortunately, the Speaker ruled against Elizabeth’s request. The current situation is intolerable as Green MPs are now down to one question per month in QP. The Green Caucus pushes for every possible opportunity.
Elizabeth debated the failures of Canada’s climate policies in adjournment proceedings. She called out the government for skipping a commitment made in the 2015 Paris negotiations to improve Canada’s target in 2020. The government continues to pretend it did not make that pledge.
MPs also debated Bill C-7, the legislation on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD), which recently returned to the House of Commons with amendments from the Senate. In debate, Jenica asked her fellow MPs to be cautious about stoking fears based on untruths about the bill. Green MPs asked the government to commit more funding for mental health and palliative care. Elizabeth noted particularly how a Guaranteed Livable Income is essential to ensure that all Canadians can live with dignity.
Elizabeth, Paul and Jenica wore pink shirts to support anti-bullying on Pink Shirt Day, Wednesday.
On Thursday, Paul sought the Unanimous Consent of the House to pass his motion on Affordable Housing. He asked the government to crack down on the commodification of the housing market before hundreds of thousands more Canadians become homeless.
Later that evening in adjournment proceedings, Jenica pressed the government further on its leadership role in combatting gender based and intimate partner violence. She gave the government some tangible suggestions to start making progress for women, girls, and all who are facing violence at home.
On Friday, Paul put forward amendments to improve Bill C-18, the Canada-United Kingdom Trade Continuity Agreement Implementation Act. This transitional agreement replicates the Canada-EU trade agreement (CETA) and carries over CETA’s flaws. Paul emphasized the importance of transparency and public consultation as the government begins negotiating Canada’s new trade relationship with a post-Brexit UK.
Jenica, Elizabeth, and Paul wore pink shirts to support anti-bullying on Pink Shirt Day.
Key Moments
- Paul Manly: How can we protect small vacation booking businesses from going under?
- Jenica Atwin: When talking about Medical Assistance in Dying, words matter
- Elizabeth May: Let’s keep GLI in the conversation about Medically Assisted Dying
- Paul Manly seeks unanimous consent to pass motion on affordable housing
- Paul Manly puts forward sunset clause amendment on Canada – UK Trade Agreement
- Paul Manly proposes amendments for greater transparency in the Canada – UK trade agreement
Question Period and Member’s Statements
- Elizabeth May: We are almost out of time to avoid more than 1.5 degrees global average temperature increase
- Jenica Atwin: Our generation has the power to end gender-based violence
In Their Own Words / Media
Petitions
- e-3071 Discontinue GDP measurement and shift to a wellbeing economy (closes Feb 27)
- e-3108 Enhance Canadians’ access to holistic health services and natural products (closes March 3)
- e-3094 Reduce dependency on China (closes March 8)
- e-3184 Make Bill C-12 a world-class climate law (closes March 20)
- e-3177 Condemn discrimination in Poland (closes March 20)
- e-3058 Ban fracking, transition to renewable energy (closes March 21)
- e-3206 Include long-term care in the Canada Health Act (closes April 25)
- e-3014 Modernize the complaints review panel of the Canadian Judicial Council (closes May 7)
- e-3075 Halt all transfer of Canadian made weapons to Saudi Arabia (closes May 27)
- e-3138 Make Election Day a paid holiday when it falls on a weekday (closes May 29)
- e-3159 Ban new strip mines in the Rocky Mountains (closes June 5)