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Elizabeth May's voting history

Photo of Elizabeth May
Current constituency
Saanich—Gulf Islands
Province / Territory
British Columbia
Party
Green Party
Votes cast
2,940
Bills sponsored
20

Overall summary

This Member of Parliament demonstrates a nuanced and independent voting pattern across various legislative domains. Their voting record reveals a tendency to vote against government budget bills and comprehensive spending legislation, suggesting a critical stance towards government fiscal management and expenditure priorities.

The MP shows consistent support for environmental protection, Indigenous reconciliation, and social welfare initiatives. They have voted in favor of bills like C-15 on Indigenous rights, C-235 for building a green economy, and C-64 establishing universal pharmacare. Their voting record indicates a particular interest in healthcare accessibility, criminal justice reform, and climate action.

Notably, the MP has shown a willingness to diverge from party lines on certain issues, especially regarding government spending and security legislation. They voted against bills like C-38, C-59, and the Anti-terrorism Act, 2015 (C-51), while supporting more targeted social and environmental initiatives. This suggests a principled approach to legislation that prioritizes careful evaluation of each bill's merits rather than strict partisan alignment.

The MP's voting history demonstrates engagement with a wide range of policy areas, including environmental justice, healthcare reform, and worker protections. Their support for bills addressing systemic issues like environmental racism C-226 and establishing frameworks for sustainable jobs C-50 indicates a progressive stance on social and environmental policy.

Issues

Economy

  • Inflation and Cost of Living

    The MP has shown concern for addressing cost of living challenges through support of targeted legislation. They voted for the Pharmacare Act (C-64), which aims to reduce financial barriers to prescription drugs, and supported measures like C-78 that provide temporary tax relief for families. The MP also backed C-31, the Cost of Living Relief Act, which provided dental and rental benefits to low-income households. Their voting pattern suggests a preference for addressing affordability through specific social programs rather than broad economic policies.

  • Jobs

    The MP has demonstrated support for job creation initiatives, particularly in emerging and sustainable sectors. They voted for C-50, the Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act, which focuses on creating employment opportunities while transitioning to a net-zero economy. They also supported C-235, which promotes job opportunities in green economy initiatives, especially in Prairie provinces. The MP has shown interest in protecting workers' rights, voting for bills like C-58 that aim to protect workers during strikes and lockouts, and C-636 which sought to improve conditions for those in training positions.

  • Taxation

    The MP has demonstrated a nuanced approach to taxation policy, generally supporting targeted tax measures that provide relief to specific groups or advance social goals. They voted for C-208, which modifies income tax rules for small business and family farm transfers, and supported C-2, which introduced a higher tax bracket for high-income earners. The MP also backed measures like C-323 that proposed GST exemptions for mental health services. Their voting record suggests a preference for tax policies that promote social equity while providing targeted relief.

  • Spending

    The MP consistently votes against comprehensive budget bills and government spending legislation, suggesting a critical stance towards government expenditure. They opposed bills like C-38, C-59, C-55, and C-95, indicating skepticism about government fiscal management. However, the MP does support targeted spending on social programs, environmental initiatives, and healthcare, suggesting a preference for carefully directed expenditure rather than broad spending packages. Their voting pattern indicates a fiscally cautious approach that prioritizes specific social and environmental objectives.

Social Services

  • Healthcare

    The MP strongly supports healthcare accessibility and reform, voting for the Pharmacare Act (C-64) which seeks to establish a universal pharmacare program. They have backed healthcare-related bills like C-277 on brain injury strategy, C-284 establishing a national eye care strategy, and C-211 on PTSD framework. The MP also supported C-323, which aims to make mental health services more affordable by removing GST. Their voting record shows particular concern for mental health, addiction treatment, and expanding healthcare access for vulnerable populations.

  • Childcare

    The MP has shown support for affordable childcare initiatives, most notably voting for C-35, the Canada Early Learning and Child Care Act, which establishes a national framework for affordable childcare. They have also backed measures that provide financial relief for families with children, such as tax breaks on children's items. While childcare does not appear to be their primary focus, their voting record indicates support for making childcare more accessible and affordable for Canadian families.

  • Seniors and Pensions

    The MP has demonstrated consistent support for legislation protecting seniors' financial security and pension rights. They voted for C-319 concerning seniors' pensions, C-253 which protects pension plans during bankruptcy, and C-480 on Guaranteed Income Supplement calculations. The MP also supported C-301, which provides seniors more flexibility in managing retirement funds. Their voting record indicates a commitment to enhancing retirement security and supporting policies that protect older Canadians' financial wellbeing.

Environment

  • Climate

    The MP shows strong support for climate action and environmental sustainability. They voted for C-12, the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, and C-235, which focuses on building a green economy and supporting regions in transitioning to net-zero emissions. The MP also supported C-206 addressing greenhouse gas pricing and C-245 which prioritizes climate change mitigation in infrastructure investments. Their voting record demonstrates a consistent commitment to addressing climate change through legislative action.

  • Environmental Protection

    The MP consistently supports environmental protection measures across various contexts. They voted for bills like C-226 addressing environmental racism, C-267 on water preservation, and C-238 focusing on safe disposal of mercury-containing lamps. The MP also backed C-354, which encourages considering environmental benefits in public works, and C-230 on environmental justice. Their voting record shows a strong commitment to environmental stewardship, particularly regarding water protection, waste management, and addressing environmental inequities.

  • Energy

    The MP supports a balanced approach to energy policy that emphasizes clean energy transition while considering economic impacts. They voted for C-235, which promotes clean energy development across various sectors, and C-63, which provided tax incentives for geothermal energy. The MP has also supported measures in C-32 to phase out certain fossil fuel tax benefits while promoting clean energy alternatives. Their voting pattern suggests a preference for energy policies that support the transition to renewable sources while maintaining economic stability.

Social Justice

  • Reconciliation

    The MP demonstrates strong support for Indigenous reconciliation efforts across multiple bills. They voted for C-15, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, and C-8, which amended the Citizenship Oath to recognize Aboriginal and treaty rights. The MP also supported C-57, which acknowledges Indigenous Peoples' rights in trade agreements, and provisions in various bills that require Indigenous consultation. Their voting record shows a consistent commitment to advancing Indigenous rights and relationship-building.

  • Immigration and Integration

    The MP has shown support for inclusive immigration policies while maintaining a nuanced approach to specific measures. They voted for C-13 on Francophone immigration and C-41, which allows humanitarian services in challenging international regions. The MP also supported C-238, which requires permanent residents in Quebec to demonstrate French language proficiency for citizenship. Their voting pattern suggests support for immigration policies that balance integration requirements with humanitarian considerations.

  • Income Inequality and Poverty

    The MP strongly supports measures addressing income inequality and poverty reduction. They voted for C-223, which proposed a framework for a guaranteed livable basic income, and C-22 establishing the Canada Disability Benefit. The MP also backed C-245, a comprehensive poverty reduction strategy, and C-325 addressing housing rights. Their voting record demonstrates a commitment to reducing economic disparities and supporting vulnerable populations through targeted policy interventions.

  • Reproductive Rights

    The MP has shown some support for reproductive rights through their voting record, though this has not been a primary focus area. They supported the Pharmacare Act (C-64), which includes provisions for universal coverage of contraception, and backed C-32, which expanded medical expense tax credits for fertility-related expenses. Their voting pattern suggests support for reproductive healthcare access within broader healthcare initiatives.

  • Gender and Sexuality

    The MP has demonstrated support for gender equity and LGBTQ+ rights through several votes. They supported C-16 on gender identity protections, C-237 on candidate gender equity, and C-624 regarding national anthem gender neutrality. However, they voted against C-6 on conversion therapy, suggesting a potentially complex position on some LGBTQ+ issues. Overall, their voting record indicates general support for gender-inclusive policies while showing some nuance on specific legislation.

  • Racism

    The MP has shown support for anti-racism initiatives and addressing systemic discrimination. They voted for C-226, which addresses environmental racism, and C-230 on similar issues. The MP also supported C-18, which includes measures to support news outlets serving diverse populations. Their voting record demonstrates awareness of systemic racism and support for legislative approaches to address discrimination, particularly at the intersection of environmental and racial justice.

Security and Defense

  • Crime

    The MP takes a nuanced approach to criminal justice legislation, generally supporting rehabilitation and reform over punitive measures. They voted for C-5, which reforms sentencing and drug possession approaches, and C-83 focusing on rehabilitation. The MP opposed the Anti-terrorism Act, 2015 (C-51) and has been skeptical of security-focused legislation. Their voting record suggests a preference for criminal justice approaches that prioritize rehabilitation, judicial discretion, and addressing systemic factors.

  • Gun Control

    The MP has shown a mixed approach to gun control legislation. They consistently voted against firearms regulation bills in some contexts, suggesting potential reservations about increased gun control measures. However, they also supported C-21, which introduced significant firearms regulations, and voted against bills that might loosen firearm regulations. This suggests a nuanced position that may consider regional perspectives and specific policy details rather than a blanket stance on gun control.

  • Defense

    The MP has shown some engagement with defense and security policy, though with a cautious approach. They voted against defense-related budget allocations, suggesting skepticism towards military spending, but supported C-70, the Countering Foreign Interference Act, and C-22 related to national security. They also backed C-26 on cybersecurity. Their voting pattern indicates a selective approach to defense and security matters, supporting targeted measures while remaining critical of broader military expenditures.

  • Foreign Aid

    The MP has shown limited but positive engagement with foreign aid issues. They supported C-41, which allows humanitarian services in challenging international regions, demonstrating support for international assistance. While foreign aid does not appear to be a primary focus area in their voting record, the available evidence suggests support for humanitarian-focused international engagement.