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Anne will attend 2010 GPC National Convention Toronto, Aug 16-22, 2010
MEDIA RELEASE
August 11th, 2010
For Immediate Release
Green Party members vote overwhelming support for Elizabeth May
OTTAWA - In the highest turn out of members for voting on council elections, resolutions and policy motions, 85% of Green members have voted support for and confidence in the current leader, Elizabeth May.
The membership also voted by a wide margin to revise the constitutional rules regarding a leader's term, moving from fixed 4 year terms, to a mandatory leader review following every federal election. Any leader not receiving 60% support, would have to step down to allow a leadership race.
Under Green Party rules, the change from fixed terms to a mandatory review required a 60% level of support to be considered passed. The motion received 74% support.
"I am very grateful to our members for such a heartening expression of support. Working together, we can and will change Canadian politics, with elected Green MPs," said Elizabeth May.
The GPC will meet at its Biennial General Meeting in Toronto August 20-22.
Canada out of step Elsewhere in the world, national oil companies are the major players in global oil and gas development. In fact, private international companies control less than 10% of the world's oil and gas resources. Seventeen of the top 20 oil and gas companies in the world are publicly-owned. Several of these national companies from countries such as Norway, China, Korea, and Abu Dhabi are active in developing Alberta's tar sands. And these countries reap the rewards of owning their resources! E.G. Norway $443 B (US)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Government_Pension_Fund_of_Norway
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Silent on International Day of the World’s Indigenous People |
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PRESS RELEASE
August 11, 2010
For Immediate ReleaseSilent on International Day of the World’s Indigenous People
OTTAWA - Monday marked the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. This day was flagged every year during the International Decade of Indigenous Peoples beginning in 1994 as declared by the United Nations. This occasion was to be used by the UN to draw attention to indigenous
issues and societies. The day represents an opportunity for governments, non-governmental organizations and other interested groups to organize activities which raise awareness about indigenous peoples and their cultures.
Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo marked August 9th by calling on Canada to endorse the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and to work with First Nations peoples to implement the Declaration.
“I am surprised that the newly appointed Minister of Indian Affairs, John Duncan did not make any public statements acknowledging the day, especially since the Government of Canada announced in its Speech from the Throne in March that it would consider signing the UN Declaration on the rights of Indigenous Peoples,” said Green Party Leader Elizabeth May.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights noted in his speech Monday that there is no room for complacency when it comes to acknowledging the rights of Indigenous peoples. "The lack of any public statement by the Honourable John Duncan does seem complacent,” said Green Party Aboriginal Affairs Critic, Lorraine Rekmans.“Indigenous peoples in Canada are still living under historical patterns of oppression that infringe basic human rights. The long delay in this government’s efforts to comply with the B.C. Court of Appeal ruling is a prime example,” said Rekmans.
The government was ordered to correct a law that violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The B.C. Court of Appeal ruled in April 2009 that two sections of the Indian Act discriminate against aboriginal women. The court gave the federal government an extension to comply with their order by July. Now the federal government has asked for another extension until January 2011. The B.C. Court of Appeal has agreed to that request, but warned the federal government that a violation of the Charter of Rights is a serious matter that must be dealt with quickly.
"I hope Minister Duncan’s silence yesterday is not indicative of things to come,” said Rekmans. “This portfolio is one of the key issues in Canada and Indigenous leaders are anxious to hear what this new Minister’s thoughts are. This international day is a reminder of how far there is to go to bring justice and dignity to the lives of Indigenous peoples. It’s also a reminder that Canada appears reluctant to move forward on these issues by its silence and refusal to sign the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples."
"I marked the day by reflecting on the gaps in Canadian policy. I hope that Canada is faithful to its commitment to human rights and decides to fully implement the Declaration. This must be the focus of the Minister’s attention." |
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For additional information, please contact us using the online form or phone EDA CEO Anne Faulkner at 519-426-7414. |
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1984 GPC founder passes away |
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OTTAWA - Founding member of the Canadian Federal Green Party, Jim Bohlen, passed away on Monday at the age of 84. An ardent environmental activist known for his anti-nuclear campaigning, Jim had a profound impact on the growth and structure of the Green Party of Canada.
Jim was a Green Party candidate in the riding of Vancouver Quadra during the 1984 federal election. The fledgling Green Party ran a slate of 59 candidates that year, garnering National Party status only a year after the Party was founded.
“He was one of the original Greens who was way ahead of his time on key issues such as organic agriculture, renewable energy and Green politics," said Deputy Leader Adriane Carr. " Jim was an amazing man who stayed true to his principles. He will be missed."
"Jim played a key role in establishing Sierra Club of Canada," said Leader Elizabeth May. "I was honoured to know him as a Sierra Club activist and as a Green."
Mr. Bohlen is survived by his wife, Marie and three children. |
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Vision Green presents a well-researched analysis of critical environmental, economic and social challenges facing Canadians from coast to coast to coast, and presents practical solutions that can be achieved if there is the political will and leadership to take forward-looking action. It was developed by our Green Cabinet and was informed by experts, activists and citizens who participated in policy workshops held across Canada.
All the proposals are based on policies approved by the membership of the Green Party of Canada. Our solutions are realistic because they follow “best practices” already in place in parts of Canada and around the world. These practices are cost-effective, deliver results, and benefit people, the economy and the environment.
The Green Party’s down-to-earth solutions will work in Canada because they have worked around the world. Many have been successfully applied in Europe, where Greens are elected at all political levels, including the European Union and national parliaments. Countries where Greens have served in government are the countries creating new high-paying jobs while simultaneously meeting targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They are the countries where the gap between rich and poor is small and the standard of living is high. These countries don’t trade off the environment for the economy. Their economies and environmental laws are both strong. Green Party solutions are rational because the Green Party, unlike other parties, understands the scientific reality of limits to growth set by the carrying capacity of our planet. We must work within these limits. Otherwise, we will exhaust resources, degrade our environment and put our economy, health and children’s future at risk. Many people find it hard to position the Green Party on the old political spectrum. We believe in sound fiscal management and strengthening our economy while ensuring that it is sustainable. Does that mean we are “right wing”? We believe that government must provide needed social services while protecting our environment and the rights of women, minorities and disadvantaged people. Does that make us “left wing”? We don’t think so. More and more people are simply thinking of the Green Party as the party of the future. The Green Party is different from other parties in another important way. We will never place the pursuit of power above principle. We will not allow partisan politics to get in the way of good ideas and needed action. We agree with Canadians who say it’s time for parties in parliament to stop bickering and get on with the job of governing, combating climate change and taking better care of our environment, our health and our economy. The Green Party of Canada, founded in 1983, is now a major force in Canadian politics. Nearly one million Canadians voted Green in the 2008 federal election. More than one in ten Canadians are now saying they plan to vote Green. Green directions point to more jobs, more time with family and a livable world, now and for our children and their children. |
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1. Maximize efficiency
The central driving principle of Green Economic Policy is maximizing efficiency. Green Party economic policies aim to improve the efficiency of resource and energy use by a factor of four. http://www.greeneconomics.ca/pub/1851
Based on the most recent budgets, the United States will outspend Canada on renewable energy by a factor of almost 14.
2. Get the prices right
To get there from here, market distortions created by a failure to internalize externalities must be removed. In other words, we must get the prices right. The single most significant government policy tool to advance or retard economic sustainability resides in the fiscal framework. The Green Party commitment to Green tax-shifting will: - Reduce income taxes;
- Reduce payroll taxes; and,
- Introduce a carbon tax, sending a clear economic signal that wasting energy and resources implies real costs.
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