Ottawa, ON – As Parliament resumes, the Green Party of Canada is urging the federal government to act on multiple crises impacting Canadians each day.
"We need to be honest with Canadians about the coming storms - whether from extreme climate events or economic volatility. Coupled with the war in Europe, as Parliamentarians we have to demonstrate an ability to face poly-crises,” said Elizabeth May, Member of Parliament for Saanich-Gulf Islands.
A new study warns the planet is reaching nine critical tipping points, two of which are happening in Canada, that will lead to major, irreversible damage if drastic measures aren’t taken immediately.
“Poilievre's bumper sticker solutions are worse than those of the Liberals - but no other party in parliament understands that the window on a livable world is closing in months - not decades. We need to give Canadians solutions they can believe in."
Ms. May is continuing work on her Private Members Bill C-226, an act to develop a national strategy to assess, prevent, and address environmental racism and to advance environmental justice. The bill passed second reading in the House of Commons in June of this year.
Kitchener Centre MP Mike Morrice is focusing his efforts to address housing affordability by ending the commodification of the country’s housing supply through a new Private Members Motion (PMM). He is also presenting a petition signed by thousands of people across the country.
“Institutional investors should invest in the stock market, not in our housing supply,” said Kitchener Centre MP Mike Morrice. “We need to push back on large corporate investors who are taking over our neighbourhoods, resulting in increased housing costs for both renters and homebuyers.”
Morrice’s PMM will ask the government to end financial incentives for corporate investors that leave young people and low-income people unable to access affordable housing in their communities.
Morrice is also proud to be part of cross-party efforts to fast-track the reintroduction of the legislation required for a new Canada Disability Benefit and will continue to push for wide eligibility and quick action on funding the benefit.
“It is unthinkable that in 2022 we still have over a million Canadians with disabilities living in legislated poverty. The governing party must demonstrate that it’s serious about funding this benefit, having dangled it in front of the disability community for over two years now. Poverty didn’t take a summer recess.”
Interim Leader Amita Kuttner says after hearing from thousands of Canadians during their months-long national Reconnection Tour with Greens from coast to coast to coast, there were key themes that stood out.
“It was concerning to hear, but unfortunately not a surprise, that people are worried about access to basic necessities: food, water, shelter, and healthcare,” said Dr. Kuttner. “Instead of temporary solutions that only work for a few, we need long term and transformative solutions for local self-sufficiency and community empowerment.”
“We need to be co-solving crises and getting ready for future issues as they continue to develop. If we don't get to the root of the causes, and don't provide support for those who need it, any reprieve will be temporary.”
For more information please contact:
Fabrice Lachance Nové
Press Secretary
514-463-0021
media@greenparty.ca
Rosalind Horne
Senior Communications Advisor
MP Mike Morrice
226-749-2198
Debra Eindiguer
Chief of Staff
Office of Elizabeth May, MP
613-240-8921