Happy Monday! After a holiday hiatus, the Hill Times is back this week, and so is Spin Doctors. Our question today is the following:
“What will be your leader’s top priorities in 2012?”
The Greens had a record year in 2011. Elizabeth May became the first Green MP elected to serve in Parliament, and in a few short months, she proved that just one MP can have a major impact in an Ottawa dominated by talking points and party discipline. But 2012 promises to be even better!
This year, May will prioritize several major policy initiatives as well as procedural reforms in the House of Commons.
Substantively, May’s number one priority is to keep Canada in Kyoto. The vast majority of Canadians want action on climate change, and the Conservative plan to withdraw from the legally-binding Kyoto process jeopardizes our planetary future and puts our own economic prosperity at risk. We have an obligation to protect our planet and insulate our economy against economic shocks brought on by a changing climate. Canada needs a real economic shift to green jobs, and May will push for this.
On the procedural side, you can expect May to seek reforms to rescue our democratic institutions from the Conservative abuse of process. She will work hard to persuade the government that amending legislation after first reading is not a political or partisan loss – it’s a normal part of the legislative process, consistent with the obligation MPs owe to Canadians to do due diligence and “get it right”.
Finally, May will continue to work for more respect and decorum in the House by building bridges with MPs from all parties.
Happy new year to all!
Scridb filter