Rally for democracy with Elizabeth May

 

With Canadian democracy at risk and broken politics at Queen's Park, the role of the citizen has never been more important.

 

Join Green Party of Canada leader Elizabeth May and Green Party of Ontario leader Mike Schreiner to learn about threats to Canadian democracy like the so-called "Fair Elections Act", the difference one MP is making, and how you can act for change.  

 

Elizabeth May has been voted Hardest Working MP and Parliamentarian of the Year.

 

Where: Red Chevron Club, Banquet Hall 

34 Elizabeth St, Guelph, ON, N1E 2X2 

 

When: Friday, May 2 • 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

 Friday, May 2, 2014 - 18:30 - 19:30

54th Tibetan Uprising Day - Yonge Dundas Square Toronto

To mark the 54th Tibetan National Uprising Day on March 10, 2013, several thousand Canadian Tibetans in the GTA took part in a massive protest rally in Toronto in front of China's Consulate-General on St. George St. The protest rally was followed by a Tibetan Cultural rally at Yonge-Dundas Square. Leaders from various political parties and the Tibetan community addressed the public gathering at Yonge-Dundas Square. Here is the speech by Mark Daye of the Green Party of Ontario.

Tibetan Uprising Day

The Green Party of Canada is observing the 54th Tibetan Uprising Day this Sunday. On March 10th 1959, the people of Tibet rose against China's illegal rule. Thousands of Tibetans were massacred and His Holiness the Dalai Lama had to flee into exile. It will be an honour for me to attend on behalf of Green Party of Canada Leader, Elizabeth May.

To mark the 54th Tibetan National Uprising Day on March 10, 2013, around 3000 Canadian Tibetans in the GTA will take part in a massive protest rally in Toronto that will start at 10:00 am in front of China's Consulate-General at 240 St. George St. The protest rally will be followed by a Tibetan Cultural rally on Yonge St. starting at 11:00 AM from the Bloor St. and Yonge St. intersection to reach Yonge-Dundas Square by 12:00 noon. Leaders from various political parties and the Tibetan community will address the 3000-strong public gathering at Yonge-Dundas Square. The rally will also carry 99 dummy coffins draped in the Tibetan national flag to remember and to show respect to those Tibetans who have died so far through self-immolation in Tibet.

After the Communist Party of China came to power in 1949, China began its invasion of independent Tibet. By 1959 the People's Liberation Army of China and its military garrison controlled Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet. The Communist Party of China began its rule of Tibet, bringing irreparable destruction to Tibet's rich culture and unprecedented loss of human lives through the ruthless implementation of authoritarian Communist rule all over Tibet.

The desperation of Tibetans has led to over 107 self-immolation suicides in recent years. The situation in Tibet is an international crisis. Harper’s Conservatives recently created the Office of Religious Freedom: will it remain silent on the Tibetan question? If protecting religious minorities is really a ‘foreign policy priority’ for Canada, now is the time to send the Office’s ambassador to Tibet. 

Green Leader Elizabeth May, Member of Parliament for Saanich-Gulf Islands.

Not able to bear the loss of national independence, loss of individual freedom and destruction of rich cultural heritage including freedom of religion, on 10th March 1959 the Tibetan people rose up against Communist China's rule in Tibet. This national uprising was suppressed with use of brute military force of the People's Liberation Army of China. Although many thousands were massacred during the uprising and Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama was forced to flee to India in exile, the Tibetan people's struggle for freedom continued with same resilience and hope. Since 2009, 107 Tibetans inside Tibet have burnt themselves alive through self-immolation to convey a strong message to China and to the world that Tibetans are as determined and committed as they were in 1959 to seek freedom, justice and equality. Through these peaceful means Tibetans also wanted to send a strong message to China that Tibetans are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to be free, to be treated fairly and to be treated equally without discrimination in the land of their birth. Tibet, today, remains one of the most oppressed and discriminated place on earth.

Tibetans will dress in their traditional Tibetan provincial and regional costumes and accessories to showcase their rich and unique cultural identity. In this cultural rally Tibetans will also exhibit their unique spiritual and Buddhist rituals and practices.

This is an opportune time for China’s new leader to act on his recent expression supporting democracy. There can be no democracy without respect for Human Rights. Recognizing the leadership presently in exile as the legitimate leaders of the Tibetan people and upholding the earlier negotiated autonomy within China would prove China’s new direction to the world. 

~ Joe Foster, Human Rights Critic for the Green Party of Canada.

Last week, Lobsang Sangay, exiled Tibetans’ political leader, called on Canada’s ambassador for religious freedom to investigate in Tibet.

Community behind Green Leader run in Guelph

Community behind Green Leader run in Guelph

Schreiner will put Guelph first at Queen’s Park

Guelph, ON - Surrounded by community members and supporters from across the province, GPO leader Mike Schreiner today kicked off his campaign to represent Guelph as Ontario's first Green MPP.

 

“Guelph is the most forward looking community in Ontario. We need to bring the kind of leadership this community shows to Queen’s Park,” says Schreiner. “As MPP for Guelph, I will put the people of Guelph ahead of partisan political games. I will not play politics as usual.”

 

"We are at a crossroads in Ontario," says Schreiner. "Successive NDP, PC and Liberal governments have failed to tackle the big challenges. We now face financial, environmental and democratic deficits. Ontario deserves better. Guelph deserves better.”

 

Schreiner’s run in Guelph also has the support of Canada’s first Green MP, Elizabeth May. “Mike Schreiner will make a great MPP. Queens Park is suffering from a distressing lack of fresh ideas and cooperation in the public interest," says May. "As Leader of the GPO, he will be heard. As the first Green MPP in Ontario, he will bring new ideas to the table. The people of Guelph have a unique opportunity to put themselves -- and the province -- first by electing Mike Schreiner.”

 

Schreiner, a 43-year old father of two, started his career in the Guelph region as an entrepreneur and advocate in the local food movement. As co-founder of WOW Foods, an award winning local organic food delivery company, Schreiner worked for over 10 years to connect local farmers with consumers and to foster strong local economies.

 

Following in the footsteps of Elizabeth May’s election last year, Guelph is well poised to make history and elect Ontario’s first Green MPP. 

 

Schreiner is standing for nomination at a meeting that will take place December 4th at 7:30pm at Innovation Guelph. 

 

Schreiner achieves 92% approval rating from GPO membership

GPO Leader Mike Schreiner achieved a 92% approval rating this weekend at the party’s convention held in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

“I am honoured to have the overwhelming support of the membership,” said Schreiner. “We are a unified team with the same goal: to give Ontarians an alternative to the stale politics-as-usual at Queen’s Park that is failing to tackle the big challenges facing our province.”

Schreiner’s approval rating of 92% is impressive compared to that of other party Leaders. Tim Hudak achieved 78.7% approval rating from Progressive Conservatives in February and Andrea Horwath achieved 76.4% approval from the Ontario NDP in April.

In his address to delegates on Saturday, Schreiner rallied members in anticipation of the call for a by-election to replace Elizabeth Witmer (PC) in Kitchener--Waterloo.

“On May 2, 2011, voters elected the first Green MP in Canadian history. Elizabeth May has shown how powerful one voice can be in the House of Commons,” said Schreiner. “In Ontario, the balance of power hangs on one seat. By voting Green in Kitchener—Waterloo, voters have the opportunity to put the community’s needs ahead of party interests and send a strong message to Queen’s Park that we can get politics back on the rails in Ontario.”

Schreiner will be visiting the riding to speak to members in Kitchener--Waterloo on Thursday to begin preparations for the by-election that is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

What doesn’t the Harper government want you to know?

As it turns out, apparently the Harper Conservatives want to keep you from knowing quite a bit. 







The Conservative Party ran on a platform of open responsible and transparent government, but at their current rate they will soon be the most secretive on record.
“Secret meetings”, somewhat of a tradition in majority governments, are becoming more and more regular at the House of Commons.  

Lately, government committees are holding a large percentage of their meetings in camera, denying the public access to what was discussed and decided.
In a number of recent articles, Elizabeth Thompson compared the number of secret meetings held under the liberal and conservative majority governments.

While the Liberals were ahead, the Conservative Government, at their current rate, will soon hold the record as the least transparent government in recent history.

The top three most secretive committees according to Thompson’s article are,

1. The Standing committee Procedure and House affairs which has spent a record 62.7 percent of its time in camera
2. The Standing Committee of Public Accounts at 50 percent
3. The Standing Committee for the Status of Women at 42 percent.

While the Liberal and Conservative governments bicker over who has hidden more from Canadians, the Green Party is the only party asking why they are hiding at all?

Under the leadership of Elizabeth May, we are working to ensure these secret committees are held to account.  Take action in demanding an open, transparent, accountable government today, by to writing Prime Minister Harper, and challenging he follow through on his promise of a transparent government.

The text below is the letter I just sent to Prime Minister Harper. Please feel free to copy my letter and write to the Prime Minister yourself and demand open and accountable government.

Dear Prime Minister Harper,

The Conservative Party ran on a platform of open responsible and transparent government, but at the current rate your government will soon be the most secretive on record.

“Secret meetings”, somewhat of a tradition in majority governments, are becoming more and more regular at the House of Commons. 

Lately, government committees are holding a large percentage of their meetings in camera, denying the public access to what was discussed and decided.

Canada should be a leader in democracy and I write to you to demand an open, transparent, accountable government.

You ran on a promise of transparency and accountability and Canadians expect you to follow through on your promise of a transparent government.

Regards, Mark Daye

James sentence should be appealed

OTTAWA - The Green Party of Canada is joining the calls for the Manitoba government to appeal the Graham James sentence.  The former junior hockey coach was sentenced to a paltry two years for sexually abusing the young boys under his care.

“We are very concerned that this light sentence will have a profound effect on other victims who may never come forward, since they do not appear to be taken seriously,” said Green Leader Elizabeth May, MP for Saanich-Gulf Islands.

“This man could be out of prison by the end of the year.  The punishment does not seem to fit the crime.”

“We also hope that treatment will be in place along with his punishment.  The victims deserve to know that everything possible is being done to ensure this pedophile will not harm another child,” said May.

Green Cleaning Solutions for Dirty Politics

TORONTO -The robocalls scandal shows the need for a wider clean-up of our electoral system, says the Green Party of Canada.  “First of all, we need to have a public commission of inquiry into the robocalls scandal and get to the bottom of it.  But we also need to look at wider issues including the investigative power of Elections Canada, the increasing use of negative election tactics, and whether more teeth need to be added to the Elections Act,” said Green Leader Elizabeth May, MP for Saanich-Gulf Islands.

Green candidate in the ongoing Toronto-Danforth by-election Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu agreed, “The robocalls scandal involves such a volume of complaints and is so widespread, it should now be turned over for a full public inquiry.  Then we need to make sure that Elections Canada can handle any future complaints.”

The Green Party is suggesting that the resources and powers of investigation for Elections Canada be expanded and rules added to the Elections Act to specifically prohibit impersonation of any government body or political party in phoning or communicating by any means with voters.

“It is sad that this is what we have come to in Canada.  This scandal shows that we can not afford to be complacent.  We must act to protect the most fundamental right of voting,” said May.

The Greens have also suggested a ban on TV advertising by political parties and third party groups to reduce the increasingly negative tone in elections.  “Negative advertising is proven to turn people off voting.  Now the robocalls are adding to the lack of confidence in our political system.  This is an alarming trend that we must turn around,” said Mugnatto-Hamu.

In addition, to better engage voters, leaders’ debates should be taken out of hands of the media consortium and handled by an independent body that would ensure the inclusion in debates is based on fair rules.

“Above all, Canadians object to unfairness.  What we need to do now is restore Canadians’ faith in our electoral process and take action to restore fairness and transparency in our elections,” said May.

Green Party Leadership Challenges Ontarians to Reject Politics as Usual

Toronto – Green Party of Ontario Leader Mike Schreiner was joined by Green Party of Canada Leader and Canada’s first elected Green MP Elizabeth May Friday morning at Queen’s Park for a press conference discussing the campaign and upcoming Provincial Leaders’ Debate.

“Politics as usual isn’t working,” said Schreiner. “Attack ads and hyper- partisan politics have interfered with the progress of Ontario long enough. Only the Green Party is presenting a fresh perspective in this election.”

Elizabeth May, recently elected as the MP for Saanich Gulf Islands, was on hand to show her support for the Green Party Ontario campaign, the largest in the provincial party’s history.

“The Green Party of Ontario is the only clear choice for voters who are disappointed with the current political discourse,” said May. “There are questions that need to be asked and only the Greens have the courage and conviction to ask them. This is why, in the interest of democracy, in the interest of intelligent debate, Mike Schreiner needs to be included in the televised Leaders’ Debate.”

The media consortium has not yet responded to the inquiries from the Green Party of Ontario’s request for inclusion in the debates.  In the 2007 general election, the Green Party of Ontario received 354,897 votes, 6 times that of all the minor parties combined. The Greens are running a full slate of 107 candidates across the province and are polling in tight races in several key ridings.

The party has launched the petition website LetMikeSpeak.ca and non-partisan campaigns have been launched on Facebook calling for the inclusion of the Greens. Recently, TVO’s The Agenda announced the Green Party of Ontario would be covered equally with the other parties during the campaign.

“Things in Ontario need to change,” concluded Schreiner. “A vote for the other parties will only result in more of the same. If you think fairness integrity and respect for our communities belongs in Queen’s Park, you think just like we do. It’s time for change. It’s time for Green.”

To find our more about the Green Party of Ontario’s 5 Point Plan please visit: www.itstimeforgreen.ca

Elizabeth May Answers the Debate Questions

Unfortunately, at the end of the day, the executives of the big five TV networks decided their opinion mattered more than yours, more than the over 120,000 Canadians like you who signed the petition.

However, while they can keep Elizabeth May off their own airwaves, they can’t silence her. You said you want to hear what Elizabeth has to say on the issues being debated, and you can.

Tonight during the debate, from 7-9 p.m. Eastern time, Elizabeth May will respond to the questions put to the other leaders. You can watch that live in real time on the web site of the Vancouver Sun:

www.vancouversun.com/news/decision-canada/debate.html

Immediately following the debate, at 9:00 p.m. Eastern time, Elizabeth May will hold a press conference, which you can watch via live streaming video: www.greenparty.ca/live

And be sure to follow Elizabeth’s real time comments in her blog and on Twitter.

Blog: www.greenparty.ca/en/blog/7
Twitter: @ElizabethMay

Debate Restriction

Anthony Jenkins; The Globe & Mail

Vote Green On May 2nd

Elizabeth May's Platform Release Speech. April 7, 2011 - Toronto, ON

Rallying For Democracy: From Coast to Coast

With Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada
The broadcasting elite have shut Green Party Leader Elizabeth May out of the televised Leaders’ Debates. They don’t want you to hear Elizabeth May speak about climate change, youth engagement, respect for veterans, first nations issues, and women’s rights.

Is this true democracy? Is this really happening, in our Canada?

The majority of Canadians believe Elizabeth May should be in the debates. She was there in 2008. She must be there in 2011.

Join us and rally for democracy!

Toronto

When: Thursday April 7th from 17:30-19:30
Where: This is London Club, 364 Richmond Street West Toronto, ON M5V 2L7
Visit the Facebook event here >>

Montreal

When: Friday April 8th from 17:00 – 19:00
Where: Newtown, 1476 Crescent St, Montreal, QC (Métro Peel)
Visit the Facebook event here >>

Halifax

When: Saturday April 9 from 12-1PM
Where: Sackville Landing, 1655 Lower Water Street, Halifax, NS
Visit the Facebook event here >>

Hamilton

When: Sunday April 1oth from 17:30-18:30
Where: TBA
Visit the facebook event here >>

Vancouver

When: Monday April 11th from 12.00-13:00
Where: Vancouver Art Gallery (Georgia St. side), 750 Hornby Street, Vancouver BC

The Globe Editorial Cartoon: Alternative Energy Sources...

Brian Gable. The Globe & Mail

A Debate History Lesson

Surely by now you've hear all about the decision by the elite media consortium to exclude Green Party of Canada leader Elizabeth May from the televised debates coming up next week (English, April 12th and French April 14th).  

 Click here to help!

This decision shows a disgusting lack of regard for the Canadian people and for our democracy. The  current powers that be have come up with all sorts of lame reasons why the Greens are not allowed, the main one being that the Green Party of Canada held no seats at the time that parliament fell because the Conservatives were held in contempt, a first for the Commonwealth, by the way.

Here are a few examples from the past, which, in my opinion help to illustrate that the media consortium has it's own agenda.

In the 1988 federal election the Bloc Quebecois did not exist. Gilles Duceppe was elected in a by-election two years later ...as an independent, not as a Bloc candidate. Despite having no seats in Parliament, no official recognition from the Speaker and only 75 candidates out of 295 ridings, the Bloc Quebecois was included in both the French and English debates. The Bloc has never fielded a candidate outside Quebec but continues to participate in debates in both official languages.

In the 1988 general election, the Reform Party ran 72 candidates, received 276,000 votes and won no seats. By the time of the 1993 election, the Reform Party’s only sitting member was Deborah Grey following her win in a 1989 by-election. Reform did not have Official Party status and did not win a seat in the 1988 election but Preston Manning participated in the 1993 leaders’ debate, based on the 11,154 votes Deborah Grey received in a 1989 by-election with a 47 per cent turnout. In 1993, the party ran only 207 candidates.

In 1979, the Social Credit Party was excluded from the debate despite the fact that it had 11 seats in Parliament at the time of dissolution. And in 1997, both the NDP and Progressive Conservatives were included in the debate despite not having Official Party status.

 Click here to help!

It's Time... Vote Green!

Federal Court judge denies Elizabeth May her bid to join leaders' debates

Federal Court judge denies Elizabeth May her bid to join leaders' debates

Green Party files court challenge over debate snub.

From the CBC
The Green Party of Canada has filed an application with the Federal Court of Appeal to challenge a broadcast consortium's exclusion of leader Elizabeth May from the election campaign's televised leaders debates.
The party is requesting a judicial review of CRTC regulations that say the consortium of Canadian broadcasters, including CBC/Radio-Canada, is not required to include all leaders of political parties in debate programs.
On Tuesday, consortium decided to exclude May from the English and French debates, which are scheduled to be held on April 12 and April 14 in Ottawa.

Elizabeth May Press Conference Friday.

31 March 2011 - 2:58pm
 
VICTORIA / OTTAWA – Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green party of Canada, will hold a join press conference on Friday, April 1, with Linda Keen, former President of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Association.

The press conference will be held jointly with Ms. May in Victoria and Ms. Keen in Ottawa.

Ms. May and Ms. Keen will be addressing the broadcast consortium's recent decision to ban the Green Party's leader Elizabeth May from the televised debates; April 12th (Eng.) & April 14th, (Fr).

Elizabeth May barred from televised debates, AGAIN!

Elizabeth May has been denied entry into the televised leaders’ debates.

Instead of speaking up to defend true democracy, other party leaders seem relieved—perhaps due to the glowing reviews Elizabeth received after her first appearance in the 2008 debates.

What kind of democracy excludes a party with the support of one million of its citizens?

What kind of democracy allows a handful of TV executives to decide that a party that only runs candidates in one province has more right to be in a national leaders’ debate than a party with candidates in every riding?

In the last election, your voices won Elizabeth her rightful place in the debates. We can’t believe that we have to ask you to rally on her behalf yet again. But we do.

Here’s what you can do:

• Vote in CBC’s poll on whether Elizabeth should be invited to the leaders’ debates
• Donate to support Elizabeth’s battle for inclusion
• Sign our petition
• Send a text message to the Chair of the Media Consortium, Mr. Troy Reeb of Global TV on his cell phone at 647-261-3752
• Email the news directors of consortium members CBC, CTV, Global, TVA
• Email party leaders Stephen Harper, Jack Layton, Michael Ignatieff and Gilles Duceppe
• Forward this message to your friends and family

With your help, Elizabeth will show Canadians why Greens belong in the House of Commons. And why there’s no debate that she belongs in the debates.
Thank you for taking part in our fight for true democracy in Canada.