FCM Keynote Speaker: Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party

The last morning of the convention saw Elizabeth May of the Green Party speak. Ms May has a folksy way of speaking that is very casual and charming. Some of the highlights of her comments include:

·         $145 billion is urgently needed to address housing, infrastructure and transport;

·         Municipalities need $20 - $30 billion annually to address the infrastructure deficit and growth;

·         “Where’s the money?” Ms. May said the Canadians have become tax phobic and that there is “dead money” around creating room to raise taxes;

·         Ms. May believes that some trade agreements, such as the recent one with China, is a loss of sovereign control over Canada’s economy

·         The speech was concluded with a statement that Canada needed a new vision and Ms. May believed we could achieve it.