Week in Review: February 25 – March 1
Welcome to Elizabeth May’s parliamentary Week in Review! This weekly e-newsletter recaps her work in Parliament when the House is in session. Using the links below, you can watch videos of Elizabeth’s interventions in the House, keep up with her media releases, and read articles she has written.
This was an explosive week in Ottawa. As you have likely already heard, former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, the Hon. Jody Wilson-Raybould testified at the House of Commons Justice Committee about the SNC-Lavalin affair. Wilson-Raybould’s testimony was powerful, courageous and was delivered with the utmost integrity. During this committee meeting, Elizabeth had the opportunity to ask questions about the Clerk of the Privy Council’s role in this affair.
In Question Period, the day after Wilson-Raybould’s testimony, Elizabeth called on the government to fire the Clerk of the Privy Council. The Clerk’s conduct in the SNC-Lavalin affair was an unprecedented breach of the non-partisan nature of this role. This political interference carried out by the Clerk has shaken Canadian’s faith in our institutions. Elizabeth participated in an Emergency Debate until past midnight on the SNC-Lavalin affair.
On Thursday, Elizabeth held a press conference calling out the Alberta government on their misleading ‘Keep Canada Working’ campaign. To learn more visit www.greenparty.ca/en/keep-canada-working. In the House of Commons Elizabeth pressed the government to fix the ‘gold diggers’ law and spoke about treating all prisoners with respect.
Last week Elizabeth delivered the annual Viscount Bennett Memorial Lecture at the University of New Brunswick. Her speech, 1.5° to Stay Alive – Honest Hope in Dangerous Times, focused on what we need to do as a global community to change course and avoid catastrophic climate change. This speech can be found here.
Parliament is on break for the next two weeks. Elizabeth will continue traveling across Canada as part of the Community Matters Tour visiting British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatewan and Manitoba.
For further updates on Elizabeth’s activities, you can follow her on Facebook, @ElizabethMayMP and on Twitter, @ElizabethMay.
* If you are having trouble viewing this email, please view it online here: elizabethmaymp.ca/category/publications/week-in-review-publications*
Key Moments in the House
Question Period:
In the House of Commons:
- Bill C-77: When will the government eliminate the “gold digger” clause?
- Bill C-83: We must treat all prisoners with respect
- Emergency Debate: Holding the government to account over the SNC-Lavalin affair
Press Conference:
Past speeches:
Statements and Press Releases
- Elizabeth May renews call for independent inquiry into SNC-Lavalin affair
- Elizabeth May calls out misleading claims in Alberta government’s “Keep Canada Working” campaign
- Elizabeth May sets off on the western leg of the Community Matters Tour
In the News
- Green Leader Elizabeth May calls upon Trudeau government to fire the clerk of the privy council, Michael Wernick
(The Georgia Straight, Charlie Smith, March 1)
- Green Party accuses Alberta government of misleading Canadians in Trans Mountain campaign
(Global News, Slav Kornik, February 28)
- Lawyer for SNC-Lavalin was Trudeau’s pick for Indigenous consultations on Kinder Morgan: Elizabeth May
(Global News, February 28)
- Jody Wilson-Raybould called ‘courageous’ and a ‘hero’ for ‘stunning’ testimony
(Vancouver Sun, Nick Eagland, February 28)
- ‘Do not dispute the truth’ of Wilson-Raybould: Elizabeth May
(Global News, February 28)
- Elizabeth May brings open ears to Prince George
(My PG Now, Ethan Ready, February 28)
- Federal Green leader Elizabeth May to visit Kamloops
(Kamloops Matters, Tereza Verenca, February 27)
- ‘Monstrosity’: Green Party’s May would close down Northern Pulp
(The Chronicle Herald, SaltWire Network,
February 27) - Nanos survey finds Canadians believe Elizabeth May is most ethical party leader
(CTV News, Mary Nersessian, February 26)
TUNE IN: Sunday, March 3 to watch Elizabeth on CTV’s Question Period with Evan Solomon
Petitions
Elizabeth presents petitions once the deadline for signatures has passed. After presentation in the House, the government has 45 calendar days to table a response.
You may read the governments’ responses to petitions Elizabeth has introduced here.
View and sign open e-petitions currently sponsored by Elizabeth here.
Learn about the e-petition process or create one of your own here.
Community Newsletters
September 2018 – Immigration and Refugees
Committees, Briefs and Responses
Submission to Fisheries and Oceans Canada on Proposed Regulations on Rebuilding Plans
Submission to the Cannabis Legalization and Regulation Branch on Edible Cannabis
Submission to the Consultations on the Initial Environmental Assessment of the New NAFTA
Submission on the External Review of the Critical Habitat Section for Resident Killer Whales
Submission to the Consultations on an Amendment to Aquaculture Regulation
Submission to the Transport Canada Parliamentary Consultation
Submission to the Consultations on the Federal Carbon Pricing System
Submission to the Consultations on the Federal Leaders’ Debates
Submission to the Consultations on Health Canada’s Proposed Approach to the Regulation of Cannabis
Submission to the Consultations on the Proposed Excise Duty Framework for Cannabis Products
Submission to the Canada-Pacific Trade Consultations
Brief Submitted to the NAFTA Renegotiation Consultation
Brief Submitted to the Minister of Food and Agriculture Canada for “A Food Policy for Canada”
Response Submitted to the Consultations on Tax Planning Using Private Corporations
Private Members’ Bills
Elizabeth May has introduced the following bills:
Bill S-203: This bill will outlaw the cruel practice of keeping whales, dolphins and porpoises in captivity.*
Bill C-401: This bill will lower the voting age to 16.
Bill C-387: This bill will establish a legislative framework for a national passenger rail service.
Bill C-269: This bill will abolish mandatory minimum sentences for all crimes except murder and treason.
Bill C-258: This “Think Small First” bill would require that every new bill introduced in the House undergo an assessment to determine how the bill would impact Canadian small businesses.
Bill C-259: The Open Science Act would require all federal departments to make all publicly funded scientific research available to Canadians on their websites.
For a list of private members’ bills Elizabeth May has seconded, please visit elizabethmaymp.ca.
* Indicates that the bill is a Senate Public Bill
Upcoming Events
March 2
March 4
March 5
March 7
March 8
March 10
March 12
March 13
March 15
- Elizabeth Attends a Brandon-Souris EDA Fundraising Luncheon
- Elizabeth Speaks at Brandon University
- Brandon Community Matters Town Hall
March 16
Green Party of Canada – Community Matters Tour
Starting in February Elizabeth will kick off a national tour starting with visiting communities across Eastern Canada in her role of Leader of the Green Party of Canada in advance of the 2019 federal election. What matters to you? How would you improve our democracy? What can we all do together to secure our future, for humanity, for the natural world?
Come share your priorities, concerns, and vision for Canada’s future at a Community Matters Town Hall near you.