Joyce – Congratulations to the ‘Hungry for Climate Leadership’ members who fasted for twelve days. Looking forward to your next success!
PARLIAMENT AND SENATE SUPPORT – 42 MPs, 2 leaders, 13 senators
At the time of our closing vigil on Oct 2nd, Gandhi’s birthday, we had 20 MP signatures on our sign board, 17 NDP, plus Green Party Leader and MP Elizabeth May, who signed and joined us in the Fast, Bruce Hyer (independent) and Joyce Murray, Liberal. Others told us they were waiting for the caucus meetings to sign on. So several of us stayed over for Wednesday, the day of caucus meetings. Sylvia prepared 2 scrolls with a mini-photo of the pledge board and a place for MPs in the Liberal and NDP caucuses to sign.
At about 12:30 after the caucus meetings Joyce Murray returned the Liberal scroll to us with 35 signatures – 22 MPs and 13 Senators including Bob Rae’s signature as Leader. There are 35 Liberal MPs so the signature total includes about 65% of the MPs.
Earlier in the week Joyce Murray invited us in for a half hour meeting with her. She is the only MP to do so. Joyce is considering a run for the Liberal leadership based on her record as Environment Minister for three years in BC. She has written a thesis on climate change and understands just what is at stake.
The NDP did not return their scroll to us. We anticipate picking it up at a future date.
Meanwhile we are appreciative of the 18 NDP signatures we have received so far, 17 on the pledge board and one, Peter Julian, on-line.
We did not hear from the Bloc Quebecois yet, and have been in touch to encourage them to follow up on our invitation. We did not hear from any Conservative MPs. The Environment Minister was a no-show. This was not a surprise!
We collected about 400 signatures on 16 petitions, on four different aspects of climate impacts, to be read in the House.
Joyce Murray MP signing the Pledge
