SoVote

Ms. Elizabeth May (Saanich—Gulf Islands, GP)

Oct/6/23 12:11:32 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation is still waiting to find out from the Canada Energy Regulator the reasons it gave in to the TMX pipeline and approved a new route that violates a key commitment to enter the territory of the first nation. Without reasons, the first nation cannot pursue its court remedy. One thing they do not have to wait for is construction to begin through the most sacred areas of their territory, known as the Pípsell. The Pípsell area is essentially for that community what the Garden of Eden is for people in the Judeo-Christian tradition. Will the government instruct the Crown corporation to stop destruction of the Pípsell at least until reasons are provided and legal remedies can be pursued?

138 words

Context: House Hansard - 231 - Oct/6/23

Ms. Elizabeth May (Saanich—Gulf Islands, GP)

Oct/6/23 12:23:58 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise today to present a petition of great concern to the constituents of Saanich—Gulf Islands. The petitioners put to the House that indigenous peoples have, from time immemorial, shown stewardship for the lands and waters of what we now call Canada, and that indigenous knowledge is an important, critical component in responding to the climate crisis. They also point out that the lands and territories of first nations are where the old-growth forests, the original forests, are still found, but in dwindling percentage of the original forest cover. Therefore, in pointing out that the long-term needs of responding to the climate crisis include protecting old-growth forests, the petitioners call on the federal government to work with indigenous governments and indigenous peoples for the shared stewardship and conservation, and the immediate halt of all logging of ancient forests in this country for climate biodiversity and for indigenous reconciliation.

159 words

Context: House Hansard - 231 - Oct/6/23

Ms. Elizabeth May (Saanich—Gulf Islands, GP)

Oct/6/23 12:52:04 p.m.
Watch
Re: Bill C-49

Mr. Speaker, to my hon. colleague from South Shore—St. Margarets, let us just distinguish on the last point that was being made between who started a fire, whether it was a lightening strike or somebody who threw a cigarette butt out a window, and the fuel load in place that causes the wildfires. He knows this perfectly well because we have talked about this. We share many things, including a history in Nova Scotia. The month of May in Nova Scotia is historically wet and cold. One could not start a forest fire there if one tried most years for many years. However, year after year, recently, and very recently because of climate change and global warming, the month of May in Nova Scotia has been hot and dry. This year, for the first time, we had extensive wildfires because of climate change. Regardless of who lit the match that hit the fuel load, it was hot and dry and ready to catch fire because of climate change. As to the earlier points, the bill we are debating right now, Bill C-49, I am sure he will recall that it was our mutual friend, the late Pat Carney, who negotiated the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act and the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Act. The difference between tidal power and offshore wind is that offshore wind is a fully developed technology and ready to implement. We are still working to try to develop tidal power as it is not yet fully formed. It has not yet solved the threats to fisheries.

270 words