OTTAWA – The Green Party welcomes Chrystia Freeland as the first woman to serve as Canada’s Finance Minister.
"It is incredible that in 153 years of our national existence, today is the first day our finances have been entrusted to a woman,” said Green Party parliamentary leader Elizabeth May (MP, Saanich-Gulf Islands). “Chrystia Freeland has a strong understanding of finance and economic theory, as is clear from her published works. We welcome her appointment."
Greens will continue to press for a strong focus on the climate emergency in all federal investments to re-start our economy. "We know we are not out of the woods yet,” said Ms. May. “Canadians are increasingly concerned about getting students back to school safely. We must continue in the spirit of non-partisan, cross-jurisdictional cooperation to expand outdoor education and use additional available space from those spaces kept empty by COVID, such as convention centres. "
Addressing the planned prorogation of parliament, Greens urge the Trudeau administration to allow existing parliamentary committees to do their work. "Proroguing in a month could make sense to establish a parliamentary reset,” said Ms. May. “We will need to hear a defensible rationale for prorogation, but given the pandemic reality it is not hard to argue that the December 5, 2019 Speech from The Throne has been outpaced by COVID. That does not mean that the need for legislation on medical assistance in dying, police reform, and climate accountability is no longer urgent."
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For more information or to arrange an interview:
John Chenery
647-213-2060
john.chenery@greenparty.ca