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Canadian Greens ask MPs to reject upcoming C-52 Bill

Elizabeth May, Canada's Green Party leader is asking MPs to oppose the upcoming C-52 Bill, designed to make it more difficult for consumers to choose natural health products and vitamins over pharmaceutical drugs. She says, "Bill C-51 radically alters the Food and Drugs Act in ways that would allow government to control and restrict natural products, including herbs, vitamins and even foods like blueberries..The text of Bill C051 is rife with Orwellian doublespeak. It is worded to confuse".

Acting Health Promotion speaker Jake Cole adds, "Those who use natural health products to obtain relief from medical conditions are doomed to suffer. The Green Party opposes any move to force pharmaceuticals on Canadians who prefer natural products".

Somerset parliamentary candidate brings new human rights proposal into Green policy

Dr Richard Lawson (a Somerset GP and Woodspring parliamentary candidate) has had his proposal for an "Index of Human Rights in the UN" accepted at the recent Global Greens conference.

Adapted from an idea he read in The Observer, this global index would be available to journalists, politiicans and the general public, to instantly see which countries have the best and worst human rights records.

Canada calls or UN Parliamentary Assembly

Canada Greens Leader Elizabeth May has joined other delegates around the world, by calling for a UN Parliamentary Assembly. She says, "Governments mainly care about advancing their national interests. By contrast, a UN Parliamentary Assembly could help to promote the global common interest". Supported by hundreds of MPs and non-profits around the world, the action also has support from Canadian David Suzuki.

Green MEPs abstain on unfair lobbying laws

Green Euro MPs have abstained on a vote regarding lobbying transparency, because it does not include important proposals to stop overuse of powers for lawyers and religious organisations.

Green MEP Caroline Lucas says, "Lawyers are exempted, which is absurd, given the available evidence on their lobbying power..in addition, religious organisations will not fall under the lobbying rules, though they clearly attempt to influence the decision making process regarding issues that affect their interest".

Dublin councillor asks for City Hall to be made available for weddings

Dublin Green councillor Bronwen Maher has tabled a motion next Monday to ask that Dublin City Hall be used for wedding ceremonies, saying the Dame Street venue is the perfect location. She says the move "would bring Dublin into line with other European cities where couples regularly get married in their local town or city hall".

A recent Green Party motion passed by Fingal County Council now allows marriage ceremonies at Swords County Hall. Bronwen continues, "Dublin City Council should follow Fingal County Council's excellent example, particularly in an age of multi-ethnicity in our city. I look forward to next Monday's debate and hope we can add this beautiul building to the choice of wedding locations for Dublin couples".