Emmanuella Lambropoulos

Faster fossil phase-down

The other end of this axis: Slower phase-down, production first

Excerpts repeat calls to act fast, price carbon, and reach net-zero by 2050.

It is time to listen to scientists who are telling us that we cannot exceed the 1.5°C temperature increase and Canada must contribute to that effort. That is why our government will continue to put a price on pollution across the country and work with its provincial partners on further reducing emissions.

Restrict new oil and gas

The other end of this axis: Expand production and export

Excerpts emphasize transition to renewables and pricing pollution over expanding production.

We have to make the transition to renewable energy sources not only because we currently do not have the capacity to rely on renewable energy sources alone, but also because we have to provide support to the people who work in Canada's natural resources sector. As is highlighted in the Speech from the Throne, our government is committing to protecting 25% of Canada's lands and 25% of Canada's oceans by 2025.

Ottawa leads

The other end of this axis: Provinces lead

Excerpt opposes provincial use of notwithstanding clause in language policy and favors federal Charter standards.

How can the federal government include in its bill on language something that includes a notwithstanding clause? For me, that in itself makes it unacceptable to include the language in lines 5 and 6. I would like to further say that Bill 96, since its implementation, has had a very negative impact on the English-speaking or linguistic minority community in Quebec.

Higher taxes and public spending

The other end of this axis: Lower taxes and tighter spending

Excerpts repeatedly endorse new federal spending on benefits, child care, dental care, and housing supports.

We are reducing the tax burden by lowering taxes for the middle class and saving two-income families up to $840 a year, while continuing to offer essential programs, such as child care, pharmacare and dental care. Eight million Canadians are benefiting from the Canadian dental care plan, which helps families save thousands of dollars a year.

Expand public coverage

The other end of this axis: More private delivery

Excerpts support pharmacare and public health measures.

We made help available in some of the big city centres, and with pharmacare, which will eventually be brought forward, we will be able to help people overcome the struggles they have because of overdoses and different health issues.

Public supply and demand controls

The other end of this axis: Market supply and deregulation

Excerpts back the national housing strategy and expanded homelessness funding.

Budget 2017 includes a total investment of $2.1 billion under the national housing strategy to increase funding for the homelessness partnering strategy. We have also committed to work with stakeholders, provinces and territories, and indigenous organizations to revamp the program to better reduce and prevent homelessness.

Higher permanent intake

The other end of this axis: Lower intake

Excerpts praise welcoming refugees and multicultural communities.

The Armenian General Benevolent Union, the Centre Communautaire Sourp Hagop, and the Notre-Dame-de-Nareg community have all welcomed and assisted many Syrian refugee families. Furthermore, not only did Montreal's Armenian community insist that the Armenian genocide be recognized, but it also supported the prevention of other crimes against humanity.

Stronger unions and standards

The other end of this axis: More flexibility for employers

Excerpts endorse feminist budgets and measures to close wage gaps through better access and standards.

I'd like to know what our government is doing to make higher paying jobs more accessible to women in order to help shrink the gender wage gap.

Prevention and restraint

The other end of this axis: Enforcement and sentencing

Excerpt supports repealing mandatory minimums and giving courts more sentencing discretion.

Bill C-5 proposes needed law reform in three areas. First, it would give sentencing courts greater discretion to impose fit sentences by repealing mandatory minimum penalties of imprisonment for some offences in the Criminal Code and all offences in the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Second, it would provide sentencing courts with greater discretion to impose fit sentences by repealing unnecessary restrictions on the granting of conditional sentences of imprisonment.