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Dear Friend,
It's March - and I'm remembering how at this time last year I and
many others were working feverishly to prepare for an election we knew
was just on the horizon. The 26th of this month will mark the
anniversary of the day the inevitable call came, and we embarked on
the most intense four weeks of our lives which results, today, in
getting to see our eight MLAs together making a difference, like in
the photo at right. Read on to see some of the other things our MLAs
have been working on this month.
If March a year ago was all about the election, this year it is all
about grassroots Green democracy! Not only will we host our
first-ever policy convention at the end of this month
(which I urge you to register for before March 12 so that we
can guarantee you lunch!), but Monday will see the founding of the Stratford Green Regional Association. This
morning, I'm off to Hunter River for a District Association Learning
Event with volunteers from across the province looking to make a
difference by forming grassroots teams in their communities. Please
get in touch with us if you'd like to get involved in or help start a
Green team in your district!
Have a great weekend, and don't forget to "Spring Forward" your
clocks tonight (and check that your smoke detectors are charged up
while you're at it)!
Jordan Bober
Executive Director
(interim)
In this newsletter:
- Spring Convention March 27 & 28
- Official Opposition realigns caucus to address climate
commitments
- From the desks of Green MLAs
- Upcoming events
- Stratford Regional Association
Only 3 weeks to go until the
Green Party of Prince Edward Island's Spring 2020 Convention, which
will takes March 27th & 28th at the Loyalist Country Inn in
Summerside.
Official Opposition realigns caucus to address climate
commitments
 “We must begin the hard and exciting work needed to
meet targets set in the Climate Leadership Act,”
said Honourable Peter Bevan-Baker, Leader of the Official Opposition.
“We must dedicate expertise and resources to provide the bold
leadership required as we transition PEI to a prosperous and
sustainable economy. With this goal in mind, our caucus is drawing
upon its internal strengths to help shape policy for the most
responsible path forward.”
This realignment will see economic growth critic responsibilities
shared between Lynne Lund, Critic for Environment, Water and Climate
Change, and Hannah Bell, Critic for Social Development and Housing.
Ole Hammarlund will apply his expertise in architectural design to
produce a special report on net zero standards for new construction
and existing infrastructure.
>> Read more
here
From the desks of Green MLAs
Here are recent blog posts, statements and media releases by our
Green Official Opposition Caucus:
Current policy and programming by the Department of Agriculture
is leading many to ask: what is its purpose? Is it to administer crop
insurance and claims? Or, is it to provide vision and
leadership?
I am disappointed to see this PC government taking a page out
of the old Liberal political playbook. Both the Green and Progressive
Conservative Parties, in a response to public disappointment with the
previous government, promised to do politics better. For Greens, a
central part of that pledge means spending tax dollars with care and
full accountability.
Rushing the delivery of a poorly laid out plan will do more
harm to an already overburdened system. Our children and childcare
providers are too valuable and too important for such a careless
risk.
 Period Poverty - Karla Bernard,
February 12, 2020
For women living in poverty, improvising is a norm, a way of
life. Many will stay home from work and other activities when they are
not able to obtain menstrual products. This affects them in ways that
often prevents them from reaching their full potential.
It is important to note, when you become a Minister, Islanders
do not expect you to stop asking questions. Islander expect you to
actually start asking more questions. Islanders need assurance the
work and integrity of responsible governance is taking place.
Can government finally address the issue of internet
connectivity in a very real and meaningful way? What are the details
of its plan? What speeds can we expect and when will Islanders be
connected from tip to tip? Islanders want to know. Government has
promised transparency and connection. Give us the details.
In order for us to be successful, all participants must be
equally represented, fully active, and meaningfully engaged in our
collective efforts to achieve reconciliation. Our approach must be
fully inclusive and respectful of our Indigenous partners – it must
include their knowledge, their wisdom, their values, their needs, and
their teachings. As they have wisely taught us “Nothing about us
without us.”
How can we better support Islanders who are struggling with
addiction? First, we need to meet them where they are with compassion
and without blame. We need to truly listen. We need to put ourselves
in the shoes of those who are struggling. Only by doing so will we
gain the understanding we need to address the barriers facing those in
recovery.
With its expanded rights and regulatory clarity, I believe the
draft legislation is a solid starting point to improve the housing
situation and the oft-fraught relationship between both tenant and
landlord. I encourage every Islander to engage in this important
consultation so all viewpoints are presented and understood.
Lynne Lund writes about the need and opportunity to apply a
climate change lens to much more of what we do - from how we run
government departments to the kind of economic development we
encourage.
The Green Caucus has been hard
at work to improve the lives of Islanders. If you haven't already, be
sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter and
Instagram.
And check out their new website at www.peigreencaucus.ca
for blogs, videos and more!
Charlottetown Potluck - Thursday, March 12, PEI Farm Centre
Let's celebrate the waning days of winter by getting together
for a good old-fashioned community potluck! All are
welcome.
Learn more and RSVP here: www.greenparty.pe.ca/charlottetown_potluck_200312
April Fools' Comedy Cabaret in District 22 - April 1, Evermoore
Brewing Co., Summerside
BREAKING NEWS:
Summerside named new capital of Prince Edward
Island
PEI's second city is due for an upgrade. In a surprise move,
the PEI government has said that: "...effective immediately, all the
important stuff is going to be happening in Summerside." The King
government has also announced that the Prince Edward Island
Legislative Assembly will be moving into its new location at Evermoore
Brewing Co, effective April 1, 2020.
Calling all April Fools! District 22 is pleased to
host an April Fools’ Comedy
Cabaret on this silliest of
days. Hosted by Adam Bassett and Ernie Noye.
Performances by Jamie Dooks, Alex Clark and
Geoffrey Charlton, Anna Keenan, Chad
Mann, Peter Bevan Baker and more.
Take a break from the ever-so-serious world of
Island politics and join us for an evening of decidedly
imponderous but certainly not imprudent satire, music and
fun.
Stratford Regional Association founding
meeting March 9th, 2020
Do you live in the Stratford & area districts 5 or 6? If so,
please join us for the founding of the first-ever Stratford Regional
Association, which will take place on Monday, March 9th at 6:30pm at
Stratford Town Centre.
More information and RSVP
here.
This is where we tell you about events in the community
that line up nicely with the Green Values of Living Within Our
Ecological and Financial Means, Local Self-Reliance, Grassroots
Democracy, A Just Society, Active Citizenship and Self-Determination,
and A Culture of Peace.
Shifting Gears: Create a Shared Vision for a Bike-Friendly
Future - March 11 6-9pm, PEI Brewing Co.
Our friends at Bike Friendly Charlottetown have brewed up a great
event to get everyone involved in designing a bike-friendly future for
the city. Check out this event on
Facebook!
Get daily updates from the Green Party of PEI - follow us on
Facebook, Twitter or Instagram today!
We can't do any of this without
your support!
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Pain and hopeless felt in mental health &
addiction
