Dear Friend,

On August 29th, Greens held a lovely gathering at the aptly-named Village Green microbrewery in Cornwall. It was so great to be able to connect in person again!

Holy rainy Labour Day weekend! We hope you're keeping dry out there!

Since our last newsletter, Canada has been thrust into a federal election (see below to learn more about the federal Green candidates and other important voting information), and as though that is not enough excitement, we are also preparing for a by-election in Cornwall-Meadowbank almost immediately the federal election is through. More on that below too - including how you can help!

Meanwhile, our Green Caucus has been actively doing its job of holding the government to account and is preparing for the Fall Sitting of the Legislature, to start on October 19th. Learn more in this newsletter about what our MLAs have been talking about and the ideas they are working on, including the first draft of a new bill being circulated by MLA Trish Altass to combat the persistent pay gap between men and women: the Pay Transparency Act.

Happy long weekend, and happy reading!

Jordan Bober
Executive Director 

In this newsletter:

• Getting ready for the D16 by-election
• Help shape the Fall Conference
• Green Caucus updates
• Upcoming Events
• Federal Election information
• Green Gear from Hannah Bell!

We know... there's a federal election going on, and already we're talking about a by-election! But there's good reason for this, because reporter Kerry Campbell reported on Twitter last month that he spoke with the Premier, who confirmed his intentions to call the by-election in District 16 Cornwall-Meadowbank between the federal election (Sept 20) and the start of the fall sitting (October 19th). 

With that being just enough of a window to squeeze a by-election into, there is a sizeable chance of D16 finding itself in a by-election within mere days of the federal election wrapping up.

The Green Party of PEI has been preparing for this by-election for a while, so we'll be ready whenever it comes. Right now, here's where we need your help:

1. Nominations for the by-election are expected to close very soon! Click here to learn more and nominate yourself or someone else.

2. We still need a few members in good standing to help with screening applicants, and to join the Appeals Tribunal in case it is needed. Screening applicants is an important job but is not expected to take much of your time. Click here for more information and to volunteer!

3. TOMORROW, Sunday September 5th, starting at 10am, we are doing a flyer drop in Cornwall to help spread the word about how Greens have been working for them on top issues of concern, like health care, the environment and affordable housing. Please join us if you can!

As we continue to work on a great Fall Conference experience for you on October 2nd, a reminder that we would love your input on the conference programming. 

Do you want to see more social time, policy discussions, panel discussions, free discussions on the Green Party of PEI's future, or is there something you might like to learn more about? 

Please help shape the programming for this conference by responding to this short survey: https://forms.gle/7jnjrxU3mvzZt2DD7.

Thank you!

The Green Official Opposition Caucus has been actively taking positions and making proposals on issues affecting Islanders right now: the response to COVID-19, the housing crisis, and mental health care. It has also submitted its requests to the government for the Fall Capital Budget, and Trish Altass has published the draft of a bill she is working on, the Pay Transparency Act. 

Read on below to see what Green MLAs are saying!

COVID-19 Response

HANNAH BELL: Responsible government means being responsible

The $50 million COVID contingency fund included in the PEI government 2020/2021 spring budget was primarily meant for healthcare, childcare, and safe school reopening – all areas of the utmost urgency to Islanders. To date, there are no details on how, and if, any of those funds have been spent to help Islanders. This lack of a timely update and transparency is raising concerns and red flags.

MICHELE BEATON & STEVE HOWARD: Joint statement on King government’s inconsistency of guidance to protect Island’s vulnerable populations

The approach for protecting this residents of long-term care homes lies in stark contrast to how the King government is handling the safety of another vulnerable Island population – our children. There is no child under 12 that is vaccinated on PEI, yet government is delaying or refusing to put in place measures that will protect them and ensure their continued health and safety.

Statement from Peter Bevan-Baker on lack of leadership by King government in Back to School Plan 2021-2022

Not only does it seem that the King Conservatives are either unwilling or unable to make the necessary, and difficult, decisions to protect the dignity, safety, and health of students and vulnerable youth—their decision to release that plan without an opportunity for the media to ask for details show they are also unwilling to be accountable for their decisions.

STEVE HOWARD: Lack of communication and delay regarding a return to school plan for COVID leaves families anxious

Last week during the COVID-19 briefing, Dr. Morrison said the back to school plan for COVID would be released by the end of the week, yet the King government still has not announced any type of plan to keep kids, teachers, and staff safe.

Housing

KARLA BERNARD: King government update on housing action plan shows lack of progress in social housing but an increase in supports to developers and landlords

In the 2021 Housing Progress Report released by the King government last week, it is evident that government is not building public housing at the rate Islanders expect and need.

“The King government’s failure to effectively address the housing crisis has led to some Islanders being stripped of their basic human dignity and security,” said Karla Bernard, Official Opposition Critic for Social Development and Housing.

CBC: Greens say P.E.I. rental registry taking too long

Last week, the government released a report outlining the progress made by its different efforts on housing. Among the initiatives currently in the works, the province reiterated its commitment to conduct a third-party study on what a rental registry would look like on the Island.

But Green Party housing critic Karla Bernard says the Conservatives are taking too long to begin the process. "That's lip service in my mind," she said. "My Old Apartment, they had a rental registry up and running so quickly. And so the government keeps saying 'oh yes we're looking into that, oh yes we're going to do it.' And they've been saying that now for well over a year and a half."

LYNNE LUND: King government ignoring Summerside housing crisis

We know that recently government left available federal money on the table that should have been spent on public housing. When so many Islanders are facing homelessness, and so many more are a step away from facing the same situation, this is unacceptable. Government cannot ignore this crisis any longer. Islanders deserve better.

Mental Health

MICHELE BEATON: King government’s empty promises on mental health is hurting Islanders and costing lives

Islanders are struggling. Islanders are dying. Our family members, our children, our friends are suffering and dying. Mental health and addictions affect nearly everyone. Islanders understand that and they are demanding that government finally do something about it. Premier King is failing Islanders in a most uncaring and unkind way.

Capital Budget

The Green Official Opposition has submitted its requests to the government for the fall Capital Budget - that covers one-time spending on things like infrastructure, as opposed to the regular program spending covered in the spring Operating Budget. The Green requests include:

• The timely construction of the Sherwood and Stratford Schools;
• Better ventilation in Island schools;
• New building for Summerside Harbourside Medical Centre;
• Restorative Care Unit at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital;
• Expansion of childcare facilities;
• Federally approved food inspection facility so more Island businesses can export their products;
• Investment in green infrastructure to address our changing climate and create new opportunities for our agriculture sector;
• Improving and expanding both seniors’ housing and shelter facilities.

Click here for more details.

Draft Bill - Pay Transparency Act

Trish Altass, our Critic for Economic Growth, Tourism and Culture, is consulting on a draft bill she is working on called the Pay Transparency Act.

Modelled on similar legislation recently passed in Ontario, this Act aims to help eliminate the ongoing pay gap between men and women in PEI through measures such as:

• Requiring public job postings to include the salary range for the advertised position;
• Prohibiting employers from inquiring about a prospective employee’s past compensation (to prevent pay discrimination in a previous workplace from informing a worker’s future compensation);
• Protecting employees who discuss their compensation with other employees from reprisals by their employer;
• Requiring larger employers (proposed as employers with 100 or more employees) to file annual pay transparency reports with government to demonstrate they are achieving pay equity.

Learn more about this bill and how to submit your feedback here: https://peigreencaucus.ca/2021/09/pay-transparency-act/

The deadline for feedback on this bill is September 30th.

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 website at www.peigreencaucus.ca for blogs, videos and more!

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!