“It’s time to restore a civil, dignified, and respectful Parliament”
(OTTAWA) – Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada and MP (Saanich – Gulf Islands), welcomed the decision of new Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to appoint a Cabinet reflecting gender parity for the first time in Canadian history.
"This is more than symbolism. Just as Norway's prime minister, Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland did in appointing a Cabinet with gender balance in the early 1980s, Prime Minister Trudeau is striking a significant blow for women's equality. Decades after Prime Minister Brundtland's first Cabinet, Norway has equal numbers of men and women in government, and beyond - in corporate board rooms and in decision-making more broadly. This degree of women's equality in Norway would simply never have happened without Gro Brundtland taking a stand in the early 1980s."
“I welcome the new government and look forward to working with Mr. Trudeau and the cabinet to start repairing Canada’s international reputation at the upcoming climate negotiations,” said Ms. May. “Climate action will be on the agenda at the G-20 and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, even before the opening of the deadline negotiations on climate at COP21. Mr. Trudeau’s decision to invite opposition party leaders and provincial leaders is a refreshing change, when compared to the divisive practise of the previous Conservative government.”
Ms. May urged the incoming government to act swiftly to repair the immense damage to federal law and policy created over the past 10 years.
In the next Parliament, the Green Party will work to:
· Repeal Bill C-51, the so-called “Anti Terror Bill;”
· Establish new climate change reduction targets at the United Nations Conference of Parties (COP21) in Paris;
· Convene a federal/provincial/territorial conference on Lyme Disease (Bill C-442), to develop better strategies for prevention, treatment, and research;
· Repeal C-24, which allows the Minister of Citizenship to revoke citizenship;
· Restore funding to CBC-Radio Canada and cancel its planned sale of assets;
· Invest in First Nations, Métis, and Inuit education;
· Expedite refugee acceptance into Canada;
· Restore the long-form census;
· Re-join the Kyoto partners by re-ratifying the Kyoto protocol;
· Re-open and restore funding to the National Aboriginal Health Organization and the First Nations Statistical Institute;
· Establish an inquiry into the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women;
· Un-do the damage done by the "Fair Elections Act."
“It’s time to restore a civil, dignified, and respectful Parliament,” concluded Ms. May. “Today, should mark the beginning of a new era in Canadian politics. I know the Green Party will continue to be a strong voice against bad trade deals like the TPP and dangerous pipeline and tanker schemes. I do hope that despite our differences with the Liberal Party agenda we will find opportunities to work across party lines."
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For additional information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Julian Morelli
Director of Communications
Green Party of Canada
cell: (613) 614 4916
office: (613) 562 4916 (224)
julian.morelli@greenparty.ca