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  • Statement by New Democrat leader Jack Layton on Labour Day
    Mon, 06 Sep 2010 12:08:20 +0000

    Today New Democrats across the country honour and give thanks to the millions of workers across Canada who help make our country the best place in the world to live.
    From Nanaimo to St. John’s, Yellowknife to Trois-Rivières, hard-working men and women keep our communities moving, drive innovation and provide the backbone of our economy. Canada is truly blessed with a labour force and a trade union movement that are dedicated and resilient.

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  • Statement by New Democrat leader Jack Layton on Labour Day
    Mon, 06 Sep 2010 05:00:22 +0000

    Today New Democrats across the country honour and give thanks to the millions of workers across Canada who help make our country the best place in the world to live.

    From Nanaimo to St. John’s, Yellowknife to Trois-Rivières, hard-working men and women keep our communities moving, drive innovation and provide the backbone of our economy. Canada is truly blessed with a labour force and a trade union movement that are dedicated and resilient.

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  • New Democrats welcome new approach to abortion funding from CIDA
    Fri, 03 Sep 2010 14:34:01 +0000

    OTTAWA – New Democrat Critic for International Cooperation John Rafferty (Thunder Bay-Rainy River) welcomed Minister Bev Oda’s comments that indicated the Government of Canada will provide funding for safe abortion services in countries where abortion is legal through CIDA’s Maternal Health Initiative.

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  • Stephen Harper failing Northern Canadians: Layton
    Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:02:00 +0000

    YELLOWKNIFE—New Democrat Leader Jack Layton today accused Stephen Harper of failing the needs of Northern Canadians.

    “Whether it’s standing by as our pristine North is polluted, promoting an ill-conceived Northern Strategy or ignoring the calls for a highway along the Mackenzie Valley, Stephen Harper has made it clear that he is not concerned with the problems facing the people of the North,” Layton said.

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  • Tories tuned out as digital TV transition looms
    Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:23:07 +0000

    Canadians still unprepared for the end of Analogue TV: Angus

    OTTAWA- With the deadline for the switch from analogue to digital TV now one year away many Canadians are still unsure how this will affect their television access. 

    “So far the Conservative Government has dropped the ball preparing Canadians for this transition that has been in works since 2007,” said New Democrats Digital Issues Critic Charlie Angus.  “Canadians are completely unprepared for this change in service.  I am hearing from a lot of people who are worried that they won’t be able to watch TV after this goes through.”

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  • Tories attack on police out of line: Angus
    Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:43:18 +0000

    OTTAWA – New Democrat Charlie Angus (Timmins-James Bay) says the Conservative Government has crossed over the line by insinuating that police support for the gun registry represents a threat to Canada's freedom. The suggestion was made in an e-mail note Angus received from Garry Breitkreuz, Conservative Chair of the Public Safety Committee.

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  • New Democrats call for un commission of inquiry on Burma
    Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:24:26 +0000

    OTTAWA – Canada should add its support for the establishment of a UN Commission of Inquiry into alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes committed by the military regime in Burma, says New Democrat Leader Jack Layton (Toronto-Danforth).

    “Canadians have spoken out against human rights violations in Burma – from political repression and forced displacement of civilians to sexual violence, torture and murder,” said Layton. “Violating human rights has been used systematically and with impunity by the Burmese junta and it’s time to establish a UN Commission of Inquiry.”

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  • Layton calls for an end to gun registry divisiveness
    Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:49:50 +0000

    Announces NDP plan to strengthen gun control, respect rural concerns

    OTTAWA – New Democrat leader Jack Layton today called on Prime Minister Harper and Opposition leaders to stop playing cynical political games and work to strengthen gun control and respect rural concerns.

    “Stephen Harper is pitting Canadian region against Canadian region with his all or nothing show-down. This is un-Canadian,” said Layton. “This is the poisonous politics of the United States. Not the nation-building politics of Canada.”

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  • Statement from Jack Layton on the death of Corporal Brian Pinksen
    Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:46:54 +0000

    My thoughts and sympathies are with the family and friends of Cpl. Brian Pinksen of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Newfoundland Regiment, based in Corner Brook, NL. Pinksen, 21, who was injured on August 22nd by an IED, tragically succumbed to his injuries at the military hospital he was being treated at in Germany earlier today.

    Cpl. Pinksen’s passing will come as a blow to the community in Corner Brook, where he is from. The untimely death of such a young man serves as a solemn reminder to us all of the dangers faced each day by our soldiers in Afghanistan.

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  • Gun Registry: Building Bridges
    Mon, 30 Aug 2010 15:11:46 +0000

    Good morning.

    If the measure of a national leader is the ability to bridge divides among citizens, our prime minister fails that standard. I have a very clear example: the ongoing debate over the long-gun registry. This country, truly, is divided. There is no consensus.

    As the Leader of the New Democratic Party, I have listened closely to the frustration of rural Canadians. I have heard the anger.

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  • New Democrats renew call for nuclear disarmament
    Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:30:21 +0000

    OTTAWA – On the first International Day against Nuclear Tests, New Democrats renewed their call for Canadian leadership toward achieving the goal of a nuclear-weapon-free world.

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  • Offshore drilling in New Beluga Park shows broken system
    Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:27:05 +0000

    Tarium Niryutait Marine Protected Area fails to protect Arctic wildlife

    OTTAWA – Yesterday, Mr. Harper announced the creation of a new Marine Protected Area in the Beaufort Sea but failed to mention that the government plans to allow offshore oil drilling within it.

    New Democrat Natural Resources Critic Nathan Cullen (Skeena-Bulkley Valley) suggested that this is clear evidence that our offshore drilling rules need to be overhauled.

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  • Toward an economic vision: Jack Layton’s Speech to the Toronto Rotary Club
    Fri, 27 Aug 2010 16:20:30 +0000

    Your kind of engagement matters a great deal, at this time when so many people are disengaging — from politics, in particular. 41% of registered voters didn’t even cast a ballot in the 2008 election. “A pox on all their houses!”

    We hear that from many Canadians. We hear them lamenting what Parliament has become — the antics, the nastiness. It’s not just declining decorum.

    When citizens look to Ottawa nowadays, I think many see a place that feels disconnected from their lives. Why vote? Why bother?” We hear it a lot.

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  • New Democrats call on Harper to show leadership on Canada’s aging population
    Wed, 25 Aug 2010 14:57:53 +0000

    OTTAWA – New Democrats today renewed their call for the Government to take action on the challenges arising from Canada’s aging population.

    “We have known for some time that we have a rapidly growing community of seniors in this country yet the government continues to drag its feet,” said New Democrat Critic for Senior and Pensions issues, Wayne Marston (Hamilton East-Stoney Creek) “All we have had so far is announcements and re-announcements but no action. Harper seems prepared to let this crisis develop unchecked. Our seniors deserve better.”

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  • Layton demands Conservatives stop stalling and release firearms report
    Wed, 25 Aug 2010 00:41:02 +0000

    OTTAWA – Today, New Democratic Leader Jack Layton called on Prime Minister Harper to stop interfering and let Canadians see the Canadian Firearms Program Evaluation report.  This report, completed in February evaluates the effectiveness of the Canadian firearms program, but has still not been released.

    “This report was supposed to be tabled in May but the government claimed that it was still in translation,” said Layton. “There is no way it takes months to translate a report – they’re stalling for political purposes.”

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  • Conservatives continue to ignore unconventional oil and gas review
    Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:42:16 +0000

    Inaction could harm Canada’s international reputation and harm jobs

    OTTAWA — New Democrats are demanding the Conservative government to immediately start a comprehensive review of regulation of unconventional oil and gas production in Canada they promised in the spring.

    On June 2, Conservatives and opposition MPs unanimously voted for a motion by New Democrat Environment Critic Linda Duncan (Edmonton—Strathcona) to immediately conduct an open public review of relevant federal laws, regulations and policies regarding the development of all unconventional sources of oil and gas. Since then the Conservatives have turned their backs on that promise.

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  • New Democrats welcome new Arctic foreign policy
    Fri, 20 Aug 2010 17:05:49 +0000

    Conservative switch from confrontation to cooperation a good first step

    OTTAWA – New Democrats today welcomed the federal government’s policy shift in the arctic and called for further cooperation among Arctic countries and engagement with Northerners.

    “Today’s announcement marks a major shift from the Conservatives’ confrontational posture on the Arctic,” said New Democrat Foreign Affairs Critic Paul Dewar (Ottawa Centre). “Conservatives are late-comers to cooperation and engagement – but better late than never.”

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  • Government’s slow response to Pakistan ‘shameful’ say New Democrats
    Fri, 20 Aug 2010 16:47:31 +0000

    OTTAWA – New Democrat International Cooperation Critic John Rafferty (Thunder Bay – Rainy River) today criticised the Conservative government’s lack of leadership and slow response to the growing disaster in Pakistan.

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  • Reality check: HST strikes again, inflation rises.
    Fri, 20 Aug 2010 16:11:25 +0000

    Stephen Harper’s new tax has been eating away at Canadians’ wallets; it’s becoming clearer every day as the impacts of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) are reported.

    Today Statistics Canada is reporting an increase in inflation and directly linking the uptick to the HST. What went up?

    • Gas at the pumps up 4.8%
    • Electricity prices up 9.8%
    • Cost of housing up 2.9%

    Of course the housing market not only suffers from inflation but sagging sales numbers too.

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  • Canadians can’t trust Harper to protect strategic industries
    Fri, 20 Aug 2010 13:44:35 +0000

    Any Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan takeover must deliver jobs and investment

    OTTAWA – With the flagship of Canada’s potash industry inching towards foreign sale, New Democrat Leader Jack Layton today called on the prime minister to stop rubber-stamping foreign takeovers and start protecting family-supporting jobs and communities.

    “When it comes to ensuring that takeovers deliver a net benefit to this country, Canadians can’t trust Stephen Harper. Too many past takeovers have meant boarded-up mills, shredded collective agreements, and lost jobs and pensions,” said Layton.

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  • New Democrats demand public review of potash takeover
    Wed, 18 Aug 2010 20:28:33 +0000

    OTTAWA – After approving one job-killing takeover after another, the Harper Conservatives must ensure there is a comprehensive public review of any takeover of Potash Corporation by Australian mining giant BHP Billiton.

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  • Tamil refugees symptom of international failure in Sri Lanka
    Tue, 17 Aug 2010 19:47:33 +0000

    OTTAWA – The arrival of the 490 Tamil boat people seeking refuge in Canada is a symptom of the continued humanitarian suffering in Sri Lanka. It’s time for the government of Canada to rally international efforts to pressure the Sri Lankan government improve living conditions on the ground, say New Democrats.

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  • Reality check: Gilles “I’ll always be there” Duceppe – 20 years and counting...
    Mon, 16 Aug 2010 18:25:02 +0000

    Friday Gilles Duceppe reached his 20-year anniversary as a sitting member of Parliament for the Canadian House of Commons.

    The traditional gift for the 20th anniversary is china, but we doubt any of his caucus colleagues have decided to chip in. But no worries Gilles – your silver 25th Anniversary is within reach!

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  • New Democrats call for second term for Colonel Stogran
    Mon, 16 Aug 2010 18:10:05 +0000

    Veterans Watchdog shouldn’t be punished for standing up for Vets

    OTTAWA – New Democrat Veterans Affairs critic Peter Stoffer today called on the Conservative Government to renew the term of Veterans Affairs Ombudsman Colonel Pat Stogran.

    “Col. Pat Stogran has been a champion and tireless advocate for the rights of both Military and RCMP Veterans and their families,” said Stoffer. “He has acted in the interest of our men and women in uniform and has stood up to the Government when necessary. He shouldn’t be punished for that.”

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  • Statement by New Democrat Leader Jack Layton on India’s Independence Day
    Sun, 15 Aug 2010 13:11:02 +0000

    On behalf of my party, caucus and staff, I extend best wishes to the people of India as they celebrate Independence Day.

    I am proud to represent so many from the Indian community in my riding of Toronto-Danforth. I am especially proud that the Indian community continues to be a jewel in both South Asia and Canada, with its rich history and traditions.

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