Dear Friend,
We are now in the second month of the most challenging time in the life of most Canadians.
Everything about our lives, what we thought of as "normal", evaporated in something like the blink of an eye.
I wish there was a more personal way to check in with you. To really ask "How are you doing? How can we help?"
Since March 14, other than a very intense Easter weekend trip to Parliament, I have been working from home – seeing almost no one. Yet, I do not think I have ever worked harder. The government of Canada has flattened its hierarchy and moved to working seven days a week. We really are in an "All hands on deck!" moment.
I work with groups of other MPs and civil servants, some on the team trying to get Canadians home from over 40 countries – and cruise ships – around the world. Another group works to develop financial supports and another works on the public health response. Your Green MPs are working in all these groups. Paul and Jenica and I speak almost every day to try to keep up and support each other in the toughest cases.
Luckily, my husband and I are well. He has taken on the role of carefully distanced "hunter-gatherer" as I am too busy with my MP workload to leave the computer and phone. I walked the dog to the bank machine yesterday (the first time out of the apartment in days) and spotted a few people I knew on empty streets. Everyone in Sidney is practising social distancing. I look forward to 7 p.m. every night to share a community moment from my balcony, banging pots and pans in support of our front-line workers. And then back to work.
You will not be surprised to know that we remain vigilant in support of key Green goals. Behind the scenes, we are pressing for the adoption of a Guaranteed Livable Income, recognizing that the COVID-19 pandemic makes the case that everyone needs supports, without jumping through hoops. We are pressing key ministers to get started now on a post-pandemic plan for resilience and recovery to ensure that Canada shifts away from fossil fuels as quickly as possible. And, of course, we are active in blocking any idea of a large bailout to big oil and gas while supporting much needed help to fossil fuel workers. Today's fossil fuel announcement from the government reflects the hard work we have done to keep the focus on workers and cleaning up orphan wells. We need a Just Transition Plan as proposed in Green Party Mission Possible and in any Green New Deal. In a strange way, I hope that the way Canadians have embraced public science in this pandemic and our "all hands on deck!" response will permanently change attitudes such that we listen to climate science with the same resolve to save lives.
I am sure, as Greens, you are doing all you can to help those most at risk in our communities. Please support your local food banks and shelters.
Thanks and stay safe!
Elizabeth May
MP for Saanich-Gulf Islands