Landmark Victory Against Sludge

OTTAWA–The Green Party of Canada sends hearty congratulations to the small village of Elgin, who won a large victory in a court case against dumping industrial sludge onto agricultural land.  “This ruling and others like it that safeguard the health and safety of communities should help all municipalities protect themselves from sludge and other horrors,” said Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada.

Elgin, located in Southern Quebec, passed a bylaw three years ago forbidding the spreading of sludge on agricultural land and had to defend the bylaw in court.  Recently, a judge found the bylaw to be legal, on the basis of the 2001 precedent-setting Hudson Supreme Court Case, another hard-fought battle which protected the rights of municipalities to enact bylaws against the cosmetic use of pesticides.

“This is a victory for the Precautionary Principle, which should be a key part of any Canadian policy, as it states that we do not use a lack of evidence of harm as a reason to go ahead, instead the burden of proof is shifted to those who wish to take an action,” said Elizabeth May.  “It is a very important mind shift in the way that we govern in this country.”

The Green Party of Canada is very pleased that the courts in Canada have upheld the rights of municipalities to protect the health of their residents against environmental threats, whether from pesticides, sludge, or whatever is of concern in communities.

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Contact:
Debra Eindiguer
Press Secretary
(c) 613-240-8921
debra@greenparty.ca
www.greenparty.ca

Landmark Victory Against Sludge

Mental Illness Awareness Week

OTTAWA — Prevention and treatment of mental illness in Canada is an issue that deserves more attention, says the Green Party of Canada.  Mental Illness Awareness Week is an important reminder to Canadian policy makers of the seriousness of mental health to Canadians.  The Green Party acknowledges that mental illness is a disease, like any other disease such as cancer, and thereby requires a concerted national strategy for prevention and treatment.

 “The Green Party would undertake a full cost accounting of the costs to society of mental illness as a means to demonstrate that devoting resources to early treatment and prevention is by far more cost-effective than the current approach by politicians of ignoring or scrimping on services available to the mentally ill and their families,” said Marike Finlay-de-Monchy, Green Party Mental Health Critic. “This would be our first step towards a comprehensive Canadian Mental Health Strategy.”

 Among the collateral costs of mental illness are: breakdown of the family unit, failure at school, failure to earn a living, juvenile and adult delinquency, addiction, and physical illness, not to mention the costs of wasted human potential.  Of special importance is the crisis in mental health suffered in First Nations communities, as evidenced by the high rate of adolescent and young adult suicide.  More recently it has been estimated that at least 15% of students in Canadian universities suffer from mental illness.

 “An estimated 20% of Canadians 65 and older are living with a mental illness and up to 80% or 90% of nursing home residents have some form of mental illness or cognitive impairment. The Green Party supports growing awareness, support and treatment for Canadians of all ages with mental illness and addictions,” explains Green Seniors Critic Valerie Powell.

 The Green Party also acknowledges that growing up and residing in healthy, socially just and equitably functioning communities will promote mental health.  Protecting the natural environment and insisting on preserving the right for all Canadian citizens to use nature as a facilitating space will in the end have positive implications for the mental health of generations to come.  

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Contact information:
Debra Eindiguer
media@greenparty.ca
613.614.4916

Mental Illness Awareness Week

Elizabeth May on Green Leadership

Elizabeth May on Green Leadership

Greens Urge Support for Bill C-428

OTTAWA–The Green Party of Canada has examined the private members’ bill put forward by Member of Parliament Dr. Ruby Dhalla. “In our view, this bill is a positive initiative and reasonable step to reduce poverty in seniors,” said Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada.

“We are very concerned about the poverty rate among seniors, “said Human Rights critic Joe Foster. “The requirement for a three year residency period, the same amount required for Canadian citizenship, is reasonable and ensures that claimants are legitimately relocated to Canada, generally as part of family reunification.”

The Greens note that the entitlement to an OAS pension for those who had only three years residency would be far less than for a Canadian who had 40 years residency.  While a Canadian with 40 years residency would receive $516.96, a new Canadian senior with three years residency would only receive $38.77/month.  Both groups may also qualify for Guaranteed Income Supplements. For a low income single senior with three years residency, the combined pensions would be an estimated $690/month, while for a 40 year resident, the OAS and GIS combined would be $1,169.47/month.

The bill was previously nearly through the Parliamentary process when the 2008 election was called and was supported by the Liberal, NDP, and Bloc Committee members.  Its key elements were also recommended by the Special Senate Committee on Aging.

“We believe that no Canadian senior should live in poverty.  With an estimated cost of $400 million/year, this expense is affordable and may have significant cost saving impacts in our health care system,” noted Elizabeth May. “We urge MPs to support Bill C-428.”

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Contact:
Debra Eindiguer
Press Secretary
(c) 613-240-8921
debra@greenparty.ca
www.greenparty.ca

Greens Urge Support for Bill C-428

Greens Call on Minister to Keep Staff in Lighthouses

SIDNEY — The Green Party of Canada is calling on Fisheries Minister Gail Shea to permanently reverse the decision of de-staffing thirty-six lighthouses on the east and west coasts of Canada. We congratulate Minister Shea for recently agreeing to put on hold this decision until further study has been conducted. We urge the Minister to make this short term decision permanent.

“Putting machines in place of people in these critical lighthouses is not a safe decision,” said Green Leader Elizabeth May.  “The areas affected are some of the most rugged coastline in Canada and the lighthouse keepers play an important role, providing safety services, security and also spotting any pollution problems.”

“Automated equipment will never be as reliable and accurate as an experienced lighthouse keeper,” said Green Leader Elizabeth May. “These people are relied on by their communities, by airlines and shipping companies, by fishers, tourist operators and boaters.  The impact of this decision is widely felt.  Any sort of cost saving the Ministry expects will be an illusion.  Lighthouse keepers are worth far more than their salary.”

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Contact:
Debra Eindiguer
Press Secretary
(o) 613-562-4916 x 239
(c) 613-240-8921
debra@greenparty.ca

www.greenparty.ca

Greens Call on Minister to Keep Staff in Lighthouses

Canada Fossilized Again

OTTAWA — On October 2, 2009, the fifth day of the Bangkok Climate Negotiations, Canada received its third Fossil of the Day Award from the Climate Action Network. The Climate Action Network (CAN), a coalition of 450 NGOs, gives out the awards to countries blocking progress in reaching international agreement on how to deal with climate change.  This Fossil Award comes to Canada after our negotiators continue to block agreement on using 1990 as a base year for measuring green house gas emissions.

“Receiving these awards (at the last conference of the parties in Poznan, Poland, Canada received the “Colossal Fossil Award” as worst country during the whole of the negotiations) is a black mark on Canada’s international reputation,” said Green Leader Elizabeth May.  “But even worse, it means that our government’s position is blocking real progress on this extremely urgent issue.”

The Harper government has set a 2020 target of 20% greenhouse gas reductions from 2006 levels – a target that has received substantial criticism for not meeting the suggested levels set by scientists of the International Panel on Climate Change. “Prime Minister Harper has been manipulating the base year ever since he came to power.  It has permitted him to convince some Canadians that he is doing something while he’s allowed emissions to rise faster than ever.  But that sort of maneuver can’t fool international climate negotiators, and Canada has been called out on it before,” said Green Climate Change Critic Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu.

The Canadian government has so far resisted using 1990 as the base year because Canada’s emissions have risen substantially since that time, which means it would be more difficult to reach emissions targets.  Mr. Harper blames inaction by previous Canadian governments for failing to reduce emissions.  Canadian emissions were falling slightly between 2004 and 2006, but rose sharply in 2007, the latest year recorded.  Canada’s emissions now stand at a record high.  According to the David Suzuki Foundation, Canada now emits more than all 760 million inhabitants of Africa.

“Rumours of a Canadian cap-and-trade system are still just that and while we are waiting for real leadership and action, we instead see our negotiators causing problems at international climate meetings,” said. Mugnatto-Hamu.  “Our government’s plan is currently too weak to even meet its own very unambitious targets.

Canada also received a Fossil Award during the opening day of the Bangkok session, when Prime Minister Harper missed an opportunity to address the UN, choosing instead to visit a Tim Horton’s in Oakville.  The Bangkok Climate Negotiations will continue to October 9.

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Contact:
Debra Eindiguer
Press Secretary
(c) 613-614-4916
debra@greenparty.ca
www.greenparty.ca

Canada Fossilized Again

September 21st: Global Climate Wake-Up Call

VICTORIA–Green Leader Elizabeth May will participate in the September 21st Global Climate Wake-up Call by attending a Victoria screening of The Age of Stupid, hosted by the BC Sustainable Energy Association.

Launched simultaneously in hundreds of cities worldwide, The Age of Stupid is a film designed to engage people in the issue of climate change. 

“Film is an incredibly potent medium for learning about the impacts of climate destabilization and The Age of Stupid really hammers home how quickly time is running out,” said May.  “It can’t be emphasized enough how critical the UN Climate Summit in Copenhagen this December will be to finalize a binding international treaty to massively cut greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.  It will be absolutely shameful if the Canadian delegation stands in the way of this treaty.”

There are already hints that the Canadian government will not be onside with the hoped for language of the treaty.  Former Manitoba Premier Gary Doer, once named by Business Week magazine as one of the top 20 international leaders who are combating climate change, seemed to change his tune on climate just before being awarded the post of Ambassador to the US.  In a speech at the NDP convention, this Canadian leader, who was the first to endorse the Kyoto Protocol, referred to the international treaty as a “Trojan Horse” that threatened jobs in Canada, a familiar reprise of the Harper government position.  Doer was appointed Ambassador two weeks later.

“The new administration in Washington has expressed their willingness to take action on climate change but we wonder how much pressure has been put on our Ambassador Gary Doer to undo those first steps,” said May.  “It is essential that richer nations like Canada and the US be leaders in committing to greenhouse gas cuts, and that we help poorer nations like India to do their part.  Doing nothing is not an option.  Global days of action like September 21st show how strong the will of the citizenry is for action on climate change.”

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Victoria Screening of The Age of Stupid

When: September 21, 2009 6:30pm to 9:00pm (Doors at 6:30pm, Welcome and Introductions at 6:45pm, Film at 7pm)
Where: Cineplex Odeon Theatre, 780 Yates St, Victoria, BC

Contact:
Debra Eindiguer
Press Secretary
(o) 613-562-4916 x 239
(c) 613-240-8921
debra@greenparty.ca
www.greenparty.ca

September 21st: Global Climate Wake-Up Call

The Debate on Debates: Canadians want Greens in!

OTTAWA– A new poll conducted by Angus Reid Strategies shows that 73% of Canadians are in favour of including Elizabeth May in the debates, with support strongest in British Columbia.

The Green Party of Canada is still waiting for an answer from Canada’s broadcast consortium as to whether Leader Elizabeth May will be invited to the next round of federal election debates.  The Greens sent a formal letter to the broadcast consortium asking for confirmation that May will be allowed into the debates, but no answer has been forthcoming.

Given the outrage expressed by the Canadian public during the last election when May was excluded, the Greens expect the decision to be favourable.  A recent Canadian Press Harris-Decima survey indicated that just over 40 per cent of Canadians would like to see Green Party Leader Elizabeth May win a Commons seat. Almost a million Canadians voted Green in the last election.  With this level of support, May deserves to be heard in the Leaders’ debates.

“Democracy demands that the choice of such a large number of voters be heard in the debates,” said Catharine Johannson, Political Campaign Director for the Greens.  “Let’s hope the consortium does the right thing this time around.”

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Contact:
Debra Eindiguer
Press Secretary
(o) 613-562-4916 x 239
(c) 613-240-8921
debra@greenparty.ca
www.greenparty.ca

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table_Debate1.xls-1.pdf	45.68 KB

The Debate on Debates: Canadians want Greens in!

Green Party’s ‘Your Best Green Ad Contest’ Inspirational

OTTAWA—The Greens’ web commercial contest has come to a close and a team of Algonquin College students represented by director Brandon Brule has been declared the winner with their video, ‘Vote Green, Make a Difference’.  

“Considering the millions of dollars the other political parties are spending on their uninspiring campaign ads, the Green Ad Contest has been a breath of fresh air,” said Green Leader Elizabeth May. “It is amazing what our young filmmakers and artists can create with little resources, but with big imaginations.”

Runners up in the contest were Kevin O’Donnell for his ‘My Green Ad’ and Liz Johannson’s team effort, entitled, ‘You Can Do More than Hug a Tree’.

The Green Party thanks all of the contestants who submitted videos, as well as our panel of professional judges for participating in the contest.

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View the winning videos on the Greens’ Youtube Channel:

http://www.youtube.com/canadiangreenparty
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=61001F8825F04B03

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

Green Party’s ‘Your Best Green Ad Contest’ Inspirational

World Rivers Day, September 27th

OTTAWA–Today the Green Party of Canada is celebrating World Rivers Day, an annual global acknowledgment of the incredible importance of the planet’s rivers. Many Canadian events are planned for this day, joining with the millions of people around the globe raising awareness about the need to protect rivers.  Everything from paddles to music festivals to films to clean-ups to public discussions will celebrate rivers.

“It is amazing and encouraging to see the immense level of support and concern flowing out of Canadians for our river systems,” said Green Party Leader Elizabeth May.  “The citizenry is taking the lead and taking action on behalf of rivers.  It is truly inspiring.”

World Rivers Day sprung out of BC Rivers Day, started in British Columbia in 1980. When the numbers of people participating in Rivers Day events swelled to over 100 000, a grassroots movement was begun and has now spread to over thirty other countries.

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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 Rivers Day, September 27th

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