July 11: Srebrenica Remembrance Day in Canada

Michael Bernard — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 09:54:09 -0400

OTTAWA--The Green Party of Canada urges the Government of Canada to declare July 11th as Srebrenica Remembrance Day in recognition of the 14th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina in July of 1995.

Elizabeth May, Leader of Canada’s Greens, said, "We must remember and grieve the 7,000 Muslim men who were forcefully removed from the U.N. sanctuary at Srebrenica and murdered during the last Balkan War. We must also remember how and why the international community failed to protect them in order to understand why the principle of Responsibility to Protect (R2P) - properly applied rather than misused - can save many lives and avoid much heartbreak."

On January 15, 2009, the European Parliament adopted a resolution commemorating the victims and declared July 11th as Srebrenica Remembrance Day throughout the European Union. The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives also adopted resolutions in 2005 commemorating the victims.

Joe Foster, Human Rights Critic for the Greens, stated, ”It is hoped that this act of remembrance will lead to greater efforts being made through diplomatic sources to avoid confrontations of this nature that always result in innocent people being victimized leaving scars on all sides of the conflict which take generations to heal.”

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Contact:
Michael Bernard
Communications Officer
Green Party of Canada
613-562-4916 ext. 244
(c) 613-614-4916
michael.bernard@greenparty.ca

Isotopes, Wind Power and the Tar Sands: the Raitt Tapes

Michael Bernard — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:29:43 -0400

OTTAWA-- In the wake of a media storm over missteps by Minister of Natural Resources Lisa Raitt, Environment Minister Jim Prentice has announced a federal carbon-offset scheme. "From the lost tapes uncovered by the Chronicle Herald, it would appear that the Alberta tar sands project for Carbon Storage and Sequestration got priority and robbed the extension earmarked for wind energy in the budget. Due to the leak, Prentice has rushed his carbon offset scheme to a public announcement," said Green Leader Elizabeth May. "After over three years without any regulations to meet weak climate change promises, Jim Prentice rushed to make a cap and trade announcement yesterday."

Nova Scotia's Chronicle Herald, first reported on Lisa Raitt's comments that money in the federal budget originally meant for wind energy was instead allocated to the tar sands, “My suspicion is, what I told you, that Jim took the money for his clean energy plan. They said ‘Ah, they don’t need it’,“ said Raitt. The comments were made on the same tape as her unfortunate reference to the isotope crisis as 'sexy'.

Perhaps wanting to be seen as supporting action on climate change, given that the majority of Canadians are waiting for policies on this important issue, Minister Prentice has now announced a draft tradable carbon credit system, involving offset projects to counter greenhouse gas emissions.

"We will review the proposal in detail," continued May. "While it is good to have some sign of progress, this approach is not economy-wide and cannot meet the needed reductions in our emissions fast enough to avoid runaway global warming."

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Contact:
Michael Bernard
Communications Officer
Green Party of Canada
613-562-4916 ext. 244
(c) 613-614-4916
michael.bernard@greenparty.ca

Green Party of Canada Congratulates Nova Scotia Greens

Michael Bernard — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:42:08 -0400

OTTAWA – Green Party of Canada congratulates the Green Party of Nova Scotia and Leader Ryan Watson on the Party’s result in the Nova Scotia provincial election. The Nova Scotia Greens ran a full slate of 52 candidates, including more women candidates than any other party, and received support from 2.33 percent of the voters.

Despite being unfairly excluded from the leaders’ debate and counted out by the mainstream media, the Green Party of Nova Scotia successfully held on to its support from the last election and proved that Greens are a force that is here to stay in Nova Scotia. The federal Greens congratulate Leader Ryan Watson, each and every courageous Green candidate and the volunteers who contributed to this result.

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Contact:
Michael Bernard
Communications Officer
Green Party of Canada
613-562-4916 ext. 244
(c) 613-614-4916
michael.bernard@greenparty.ca

Green Party Gravely Concerned Over Suspension of Civil Liberties and Use of Military Force in Peru

Michael Bernard — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:39:11 -0400

OTTAWA--The Green Party is gravely concerned with the chosen actions of Peruvian President Garcia to end indigenous protests in the Amazon. "This is not the first time President Garcia has suspended civil liberties and there is ample evidence that this recent suspension will not be the last," said Green Party Human Rights Critic, Joe Foster. The Canada Free Trade Agreement with Peru, Bill C-24, has recently passed third reading in the House of Commons. We encourage the Senate to do everything in its power to address this crisis and prevent Bill C-24 from attaining Royal Assent. It is time for the Senate to take a stand and fulfill its obligation as a true chamber of sober second thought.

At the heart of the crisis in Peru is the struggle for indigenous rights and the future survival of the Amazon Rain Forest. Indigenous peoples in Peru have been protesting for years over the nature of development on traditional land in the Amazon forest and the fact that they have not been consulted. Canada remains one of only a handful of countries that refuse to sign the UN declaration on Indigenous rights and Canadian provisions on the protection of the environment are in fact even weaker than those proposed in the U.S. free trade agreement with Peru.

Chapter 17 - Article 1702: Agreement on the Environment (Canada/Peru FTA)

"(c) conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity and protection and preservation of traditional knowledge;"

The Green Party asks how we can trust the Peruvian government to honour such clauses when it suspends the civil liberties of aboriginal people. How can the government of Canada be trusted to honour such clauses or defend them when it refuses to sign the UN declaration and continues to prevent the advancement of aboriginal rights here in Canada?

"The Green Party has opposed the FTA with Columbia and with other Central and South American countries. We remain opposed to pursuing corporate free trade agreements that do nothing in reality to alleviate poverty and advance human rights. In light of the Peruvian government's continued use of excessive force and brutality we see once again that this is true", said Stephen LaFrenie, Green Party International Cooperation/CIDA critic.

"Canada cannot fail to honour its commitments to uphold the highest human rights standards in international and domestic law. We call on Canada to do the right thing." added Lorraine Rekmans, Green Party Aboriginal Affairs critic.

The Green Party of Canada believes only trade agreements that work seriously to address poverty, labour rights and human rights should be the focus of the Canadian government in order to achieve a true moral economic prosperity for Canadian businesses in the global economy. At the same time we are equally concerned with reports of abductions and killings of police officers by protesters as reported by Amnesty International. "We are also calling for a neutral investigation, through the U.N. if necessary, into the deaths on both sides of the conflict as well as allegations of illegal disposal of bodies by Peruvian authorities" said Eric Walton, International Affairs Critic for the Greens.

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Contact:
Michael Bernard
Communications Officer
Green Party of Canada
613-562-4916 ext. 244
(c) 613-614-4916
michael.bernard@greenparty.ca

Accountability Takes Another Hit with Changes to MP Conflict-of-Interest Rules

Michael Bernard — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 10:02:12 -0400

OTTAWA--The Green Party of Canada is stunned with the news that MPs approved changes to the House of Commons conflict-of-interest code after a secret committee meeting, with the result that cash and benefits they receive from political parties and riding associations will be exempt from public disclosure. “This is bizarre,” said Green Leader Elizabeth May. “Money to public office holders from any source must be public. The potential for abuse in this new system is stunning.”

The Harper government has been accused of a lack of transparency and accountability before, but all four parties were in on this new deal. The Green Party is now the only party that is willing to stand firm for government accountability.

“Canadians should be demanding an explanation from their MPs as to why this change was accepted and why it was not brought up for debate and a vote in the Commons,” said Adriane Carr, Deputy Leader of Canada’s Greens. “It is moves like this that lead to more cynicism and apathy on the part of voters. We are fed up with secret deals and closed door meetings that have no place in a democracy.”

Currently, the House of Commons conflict-of-interest code requires MPs to disclose all gifts and benefits valued at more than $500. The new change, accepted after committee meetings that were closed to the public, removes any obligation to report money or goods and services obtained from a political party or riding association.

“We were promised an open and transparent government and we are not anywhere close to getting that,” said May. “Instead we seem to have a government out of control and refusing to learn from the lessons revealed by the spending excesses of the UK Parliament. They must realize that what they have done is wrong – otherwise, why keep the meetings secret?”

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Contact:
Michael Bernard
Communications Officer
Green Party of Canada
613-562-4916 ext. 244
(c) 613-614-4916
michael.bernard@greenparty.ca

Statement by Green Leader Elizabeth May on the Lisa Raitt Tapes

Michael Bernard — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 13:04:01 -0400

OTTAWA—Elizabeth May, Leader of Canada’s Greens, addressed the Lisa Raitt Tapes at a press conference this morning, “Ms. Raitt must retender her resignation immediately. The insensitive nature of the conversations on those tapes was truly appalling. ‘Nuclear leaks’ and ‘cancer’ are truly national concerns, certainly not ‘sexy’ political stunts,” said May. “The so-called secret documents leaked on Chalk River, which had information that for the most part should have been public knowledge, is an issue of a completely different nature. However, the tape recordings of Raitt show that she, along with her government, are not fit to take on such serious issues. Any government minister responsible for the nuclear industry should have public safety the top priority. When a radioactive leak occurs in a reactor it shows an appalling lack of judgment to see it as an opportunity for personal advancement.”

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Contact:
Michael Bernard
Communications Officer
Green Party of Canada
613-562-4916 ext. 244
(c) 613-614-4916
michael.bernard@greenparty.ca

MPs Dropping Ball on Climate, say Greens

Michael Bernard — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 12:51:23 -0400

OTTAWA--Green Party Leader Elizabeth May is horrified today after reading research that shows Canadian MPs’ questions about climate change in the House of Commons made up only a measly 3.7% of all questions asked. “It is the responsibility of the Opposition parties to ask questions in the House about issues of concern to Canadians and they are missing one of the biggest concerns of all – climate change,” said May. “In fact, the number of questions on climate is dropping into oblivion in the House.”

During the period between Earth Day, April 22, and World Environment Day, June 5, only 39 questions were asked by the opposition on the topic of climate change: 25 by the Bloc, 9 by the Liberals and 5 by the NDP. Over a thousand questions were asked in the House of Commons during that time period. Canadian’s concern about climate change, as demonstrated in the World Wildlife Fund’s March poll found that 52% of all adult Canadians (52%) participated in Earth Hour as a call to action on climate change, is being ignored.

“I attend Question Period on a regular basis,” said May, “and I am appalled at the lack of attention to such a critical issue facing our country. The climate crisis continues to worsen while the parties in the House ignore the issue.”

Evidence for worsening climate change may be the number of severe and unprecedented weather events that have happened in recent months.   Impacts of changing weather patterns include:

·   As of April 28, 18% of the contiguous U.S. was in moderate to exceptional drought;

·   A massive wildfire scorched nearly 8,100 hectares (20,000 acres) in South Carolina's coastal area on April 22-24, resulting in the state's worst wildfire in nearly 30 years and causing an estimated $16 million in damage;

·   In April, the Zambezi River reached its highest level since 1969, affecting nearly 700,000 people in Zambia, and 344,000 people in Namibia, including 92 fatalities;

·   In normally semiarid northeast Brazil, April brought the worst deluge in more than 20 years, causing floods and mudslides that have driven more than 186,000 people from their homes;

·   In British Columbia, numerous record highs have been set all over the province so far this June, with Lillooet recording a sweltering 37.1 C, breaking the record set in 1937, and Squamish, reaching 36 C, a 20-year high;

·   Nova Scotia also saw record breaking temperatures throughout May;

·   Meanwhile, Winnipeg is enduring a June cold spell with record low maximum temperatures not seen since 1992.

“Canada’s coasts are experiencing record-breaking high temperatures, while our agricultural belt is suffering a cold spell,” said Ms. May. “People are justifiably concerned that these changing weather patterns are linked to climate change and they want their elected representatives to sit up and take notice.”

Canada is also seen as being in the back of the pack during UN climate change negotiations in Bonn, Germany, which wind up on June 12th. Activists on the ground are accusing Canadian negotiators of trying to block progress and ensure that any goals set are the lowest possible.

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Contact:
Michael Bernard
Communications Officer
Green Party of Canada
613-562-4916 ext. 244
(c) 613-614-4916
michael.bernard@greenparty.ca

World Oceans Day

Michael Bernard — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:53:31 -0400

OTTAWA--It is World Oceans Day, but unfortunately Canada’s environmental policies seem to be sinking into the depths, said the Green Party of Canada. Officially recognized by the United Nations this year, World Oceans Day has been unofficially celebrated in Canada since the Rio Summit in 1992. This year’s theme is “One Ocean, One Climate, One Future”, highlighting the links between the degradation of our oceans and the destabilization of the climate.   Canada is bordered by three of the world’s oceans and has a particular responsibility in protecting the earth’s life source.

“The ocean waters of the planet are reaching the saturation point where soon the maximum absorption of carbon dioxide will be reached. Already we are seeing the ocean waters warming and becoming more acidic, showing that the impact of human use of fossil fuels is extensive and pervasive,” said Amy Collard, the Green’s Natural Resources Critic. “These are massive changes that need urgent action on the part of the world’s governments before it is too late.”

The goal of World Oceans Day is to remind citizens from all parts of the country that everyone is connected to the ocean and that our daily actions have an impact on ocean waters and creatures worldwide.

“On World Oceans Day, we are reminded that unfortunately our federal government still has policies in place that are allowing serious over-fishing, habitat destruction, accumulation of toxic chemicals and perhaps most urgent of all, failing to halt the increase of fossil fuel emissions,” said Green Leader Elizabeth May. “As Canadians across the country celebrate this important day, they know that we can and must do better to protect our oceans, the lifeblood of the planet.”

The Green Party of Canada has proposed that the federal government:

•   Sign and ratify the global treaty to ban bottom trawling.
•   Strengthen the Fisheries Act to require evaluation of threats to fish stocks and include provisions to protect fish stocks and the marine environment and make protection of critical stocks and habitat mandatory;
•   Give funding priority to small-scale projects to restore and enhance wild fish stocks, especially with aboriginal peoples and traditional fishing communities using traditional technologies.
•   Enforce sustainable harvesting technologies such as long lines, cod traps or significantly modified mobile gear and monitor results to ensure the return of healthy stocks and biodiversity.
•   Extend permanent bans on oil and gas exploration and development in ecologically sensitive areas, particularly the coast of British Columbia and the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
•   Introduce effective carbon abatement legislation ahead of COP15 in Copenhagen.

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Contact:
Michael Bernard
Communications Officer
Green Party of Canada
613-562-4916 ext. 244
(c) 613-614-4916
michael.bernard@greenparty.ca

Greens Make Gains in Elections for European Parliament

Michael Bernard — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:21:03 -0400

OTTAWA – Greens leader Elizabeth May is congratulating European Greens on making significant gains in elections for European Parliament. Fifty Greens from across the EU were elected – nearly a 25 percent increase over the 41 seats won in 2004. The Greens are the fourth largest parliamentary group in the European Parliament.

“On behalf of Greens in Canada, I congratulate the Greens in Europe on this tremendous result,” said Greens leader Elizabeth May. “Europeans – like Canadians and citizens around the world – are abandoning the old-line parties and turning to the Greens because we offer realistic and workable solutions for the challenges we face globally and in our communities.”

The Greens more than doubled their seat count in France, and made additional gains in Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands and Sweden. Green Parties exist in nearly 100 countries around the world and have elected representatives to national, state and local governments.

“Countries where Greens have been elected are the ones creating high-paying jobs, closing the gap between rich and poor and reducing wasteful spending and consumption,” said Ms. May. “We know the solutions advanced by the Canadian Greens will work because they have worked in countries around the world. Despite Canada’s outdated electoral system, we are ready to elect Green MPs in the next election and begin the task of developing the green economy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving communities and quality of life for Canadians.”

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Contact:
Michael Bernard
Communications Officer
Green Party of Canada
613-562-4916 ext. 244
(c) 613-614-4916
michael.bernard@greenparty.ca

Due Process Deserved for Abdelrazik

Michael Bernard — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 11:02:05 -0400

OTTAWA--The Green Party of Canada is calling on the Harper government to abide by the Federal Court ruling and bring Canadian citizen Abousfian Abdelrazik home from Sudan. "The Canadian government has kept this man from his family for six years, all on the basis of a vague suspicion," said Green Leader
Elizabeth May. "Will they drag this out even longer by appealing the Federal court ruling or will they finally act with integrity and issue Mr. Abdelrazik a passport so he can come home?"

"The Government of Canada has no evidence that Mr. Abdelrazik poses any threat to national security," May continued. "Our own government is trampling this man's rights based on information most likely gained through torture. The situation is shocking and the government must end the game they are playing with this man's life."

Mr. Abdelrazik was arrested in Sudan in 2003. He was held, possibly tortured, and finally released by the Sudanese secret police. He has never been charged with any crime and has had no trial. The Canadian government refuses to give him travel documents to return home, forcing him to live at the Sudanese embassy for the past year while his family awaits his return to Montreal.

On Thursday, a Federal Court judge ruled that the Harper government is violating Abousfian Abdelrazik's constitutional rights and must fly him home immediately.

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Contact:
Michael Bernard
Communications Officer
Green Party of Canada
613-562-4916 ext. 244
(c) 613-614-4916
michael.bernard@greenparty.ca