EMD shut-down highlights Harper’s failure on jobs
Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:48:33 +0000

LONDON – In another stunning indictment of the Conservatives failed jobs plan, Caterpillar Inc. has announced that the Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD) plant in London has permanently shut its doors after 63 years, putting more than 450 workers out of job. “This is a trend we are seeing across Canada. Companies are taking Harper’s corporate tax cuts and then shipping Canadian jobs overseas” said NDP leader Nycole Turmel. “What this country needs is real job creation. Corporate tax cuts cannot guarantee a single job.” The company locked out workers in December when employees refused to agree to a 50% pay cut. “This decision is about corporate greed” said Irene Mathyssen, MP (London-Fanshawe). “You cannot expect a family to welcome a 50% hit on their income. With corporate profits through the roof, how can the choice be between making drastic cuts to salaries and shutting down the plant? This makes no sense.” When Harper took office in February of 2006, there were 2,127,200 manufacturing jobs in Canada. Today there are 1,743,700 – a total loss of nearly 400,000 manufacturing jobs on Harper’s watch. We have lost over 40,000 manufacturing jobs in the last year alone. “The closing of another plant in London is devastating,” said Mathyssen. “These good paying jobs are vital if we are to keep London a thriving community.” Caterpillar posted record high revenue in its last quarter with a 35% increase. Prime Minister Steven Harper visited EMD’s plant floor in March of 2008, to promote his corporate tax-cut plan. “The federal government has failed to protect the manufacturing sector in London. The tax breaks to companies have not protected any of these jobs” said Mathyssen. “It’s time Stephen Harper admits his inaction on jobs has failed Canadians and it’s time to get to work creating jobs for the people of London.”

NDP calls on Conservative government to take action on marine biodiversity
Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:11:48 +0000

OTTAWA – NDP Fisheries and Oceans critic, Fin Donnelly (New Westminster-Coquitlam) and Deputy critic Phil Toone (Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine) are demanding that the government take action after the Royal Society of Canada Expert Panel released their report today, “Sustaining Canadian Marine Biodiversity.” “As countries around the world take action to deal with threats to the marine environment, the Conservatives are planning deep cuts to science, research and conservation in the Department of Fisheries and Oceans,” said Donnelly. “We are falling far short of progress made by most developed countries, yet this government is intent on gutting the department.” Canada continues to lag behind when it comes to meeting national and international commitments to protect marine biodiversity and in the creation of Marine Protected Areas. The report also cites the government’s failure of the use of the precautionary principle with regards to the fisheries, inaction on climate change, the lack of recovery plans for overfished stocks as well as the negative impacts of aquaculture on the marine environment. “The Conservative government is failing in fisheries management and marine protection,” said Toone. “As this government prepares to make major cuts to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, this damning report should serve as a wakeup call.”

Back down from OAS blunder: NDP to Conservatives
Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:32:45 +0000

OTTAWA – New Democrats are calling on the House of Commons to take a stand against Stephen Harper’s move to balance the Conservative deficit by cutting future benefits for seniors. The NDP opposition motion put forward by MP Lysane Blanchette-Lamothe (Pierrefonds-Dollard) asks the House to not only reject changes to the age of eligibility for Old Age Security, but to commit to a reduction strategy for seniors’ poverty. “We could take practical, affordable steps right now to lift every Canadian senior out of poverty, but instead, Stephen Harper is making the wrong choices and leaving Canadian seniors vulnerable,” said Blanchette-Lamothe. “By threatening changes to the OAS, this government is pitting one generation against the next. We’ve all worked hard and played by the rules. There’s no reason to bankrupt the next generation of Canadians with Conservative reckless cuts.” Pensions critic Wayne Marston (Hamilton East – Stoney Creek) added that budget cuts are all about choices - and Stephen Harper could easily choose wiser. “The Conservatives gave $16 billion in tax cuts to profitable corporations without receiving a single job guarantee. And now, facing a revenue shortfall, they expect Canadian seniors to pay the price,” said Marston. “They have no problem spending $30 billion on their F-35 boondoggle and another $19 billion for their unpopular prisons agenda, but they can’t spare $540 a month for Canada’s poorest seniors. It’s about time they get their priorities straight,” said Marston. Seniors Critic Irene Mathyssen (London-Fanshawe) added that the evidence just isn’t there to support the Conservative claim that OAS funds are unsustainable. “Advice commissioned by the Harper government contradicts these very claims. We need a comprehensive strategy. It’s time for the government to back down from this wrong-headed move. It undermines the old age security that this government is supposed to protect,” said Mathyssen.

The Conservatives must end discrimination of transgendered and transsexual canadians
Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:07:05 +0000

OTTAWA – The Conservative government was grilled today by New Democrat MPs Randall Garrison (Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca) and Dany Morin (Chicoutimi Le-Fjord) during Question Period regarding the recent rule change that requires airlines to deny boarding to transgendered and transsexual Canadians on the basis of their appearance not matching their sex indicated on their ID. Garrison and Morin, New Democrat Critic and Associate Critic on LGBT issues, called on the government to replace these regulations with something that doesn’t discriminate against transgendered and transsexual Canadians. “Transport Canada allows transsexual and transgendered people to travel if they arrive with a medical certificate,” said Garrison, New Democrat Critic for LGBT questions. “This Conservative government is so disconnected from reality that they don’t understand that for many trans people, surgery is either unwanted or too expensive. In these cases, a medical certificate is not an option.” This is a part of a series of recent Conservative statements that call into question basic human right. “Why are the Conservative government’s priorities so skewed? Why are they seemingly finding new ways, every day, to discriminate against LGBT people?” added Morin, NDP Associate Critic for LGBT questions. “I call on the Minister of Transport to correct this discriminatory regulation and allow trans people the right to travel by plane like any other Canadian.”

NDP MPs join National Day of Student Action
Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:36:08 +0000

OTTAWA – Today, New Democrat Post-Secondary Education Critic, Rathika Sitsabaiesan (Scarborough-Rouge River) and Deputy Post-Secondary Education Critic, Matthew Dubé (Chambly-Borduas) joined the thousands of students gathered on Parliament Hill, and across the country, demanding immediate action on post-secondary education funding and student debt. “The success of our country relies on an educated population,” said Sitsabaiesan. “We need to give our students real access to affordable, good quality post-secondary education, not simply access to more loans.” Today’s national day of action is in support of the “Education is a Right” campaign, which calls upon the government to increase funding to education, reduce tuition fees, and address the record high student debt crisis. “We need to help the provinces, territories and post-secondary education partners plan by creating targeted funding separate from the federal social transfer,” said Sitsabaiesan. “Enough is enough,” added Dubé. “Professors, administrators, students, and their families are demanding action on rising tuition fees and the increasing cost of post-secondary education, and this government needs to listen.” In Question Period today, both MPs will demand the Conservatives start giving students the support they require to access education.

Turmel blasts looming Conservative budget cuts
Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:29:45 +0000

GATINEAU – In a speech delivered today, the Leader of the Official Opposition, Nycole Turmel, slammed the impact of looming Conservative budget cuts on the quality of life of Canadians. Turmel, speaking at the annual general meeting of the Gatineau chapter of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, highlighted the potential harm of the Harper government’s looming slashes to the budget. “These cuts will mean a further slowdown of economic growth, while unemployment continues to rise. But above all, they will hurt the ability of Canadian families to obtain the services they need,” Turmel said. As a concrete example, she pointed to long delays in the delivery of front-line services at Service Canada, which is responsible for processing pension and employment insurance claims. The NDP leader also criticized the Conservatives’ enthusiasm for Old Age Security reform. “Retiring at an acceptable age has become impossible […] and too many seniors already live in poverty,” she said. Turmel concluded her speech by reiterating her desire to make the Conservative budget the “fight of her life.”

NDP proposes using gas tax fund to improve infrastructure funding
Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:10:06 +0000

OTTAWA — An NDP motion on investment in infrastructure will be put to vote today in the House of Commons. The motion seeks to encourage the government to index the Gas Tax Fund and increase the transfer of gas tax money by one cent. “This is a concrete solution that would effectively support the work of municipalities to maintain and revitalize our highways, viaducts and bridges. We need infrastructures in good condition to attract investors, stimulate jobs and facilitate the transportation of goods,” explained NDP Transport Critic, Olivia Chow (Trinity-Spadina). Administered by Infrastructure Canada, the Gas Tax Fund was established in 2005. Under this program, the federal government puts five of every 10 cents of the tax on gas into the fund. The NDP proposes increasing this amount to six cents, which would result in $500 million per year in additional revenue for infrastructure. “Our infrastructures are falling apart across the country and it’s urgent we act. Our solution is pragmatic and will allow provinces and municipalities to have regular and recurrent funding to carry out essential work,” added NDP Deputy Transport Critic, Jamie Nicholls (Vaudreuil-Soulanges). The NDP motion also recognizes the need to immediately replace the Champlain Bridge. “The Transport Minister committed to building a new bridge on the St. Lawrence, but he remains vague on the timeline and we don’t know anything concrete about the project. Citizens told us during a public forum we organized in January that they want a bridge quickly, and they want public transit,” explained MP Hélène LeBlanc (LaSalle-Ville-Émard), who tabled this motion.

Statement by New Democrat Leader on Black History Month
Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:53:07 +0000

Black History Month is a wonderful opportunity for Canadians to celebrate the history and accomplishments of the members of the Black community in our country and around the world. This is also an occasion to thank the African-Canadians for the vital contributions they’ve made to improve Canadian society for everyone. As we honour and salute the role the community has played in Canada, it is important to recognize that there is a long road ahead before we can truly claim victory over racism and discrimination. It is the duty of every Canadian to promote fairness and unity for all. One of the ways we can break down barriers and work together is by learning more about one other and the history we all share. During the next 29 days, I urge all Canadians to participate in community activities and to learn more about the rich history of Black people in Canada.

Government must act for First Nations now: Turmel
Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:44:18 +0000

OTTAWA – Today, one week after the First Nations Summit in Ottawa, NDP Leader Nycole Turmel met with National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, Shawn Atleo, to discuss the immense challenges faced by First Nations. Following the meeting, Turmel urged the Conservative government to keep their word and take immediate concrete action to help First Nations. “The government must take immediate measures to improve the situation. If the prime minister visited the reserves, he would see the poverty that exists as well as the deteriorating living conditions and see that his track record is appalling,” said Turmel. The NDP Leader and National Chief Atleo agreed that the first step to rebuilding trust between First Nations and the government was to establish a government to government relationship. “It’s only then that we’ll see real progress. By working together we’ll succeed in resolving the situation. The government says it wants to renew its relationship with First Nations, but its solution is to form a working group. First Nations want action now,” said Turmel. The Indian Act also remains an obstacle to the improvement of Aboriginals’ living conditions. A new fiscal relationship must also be established. “The government must put an end to the status quo. If it wants to show it has the development of First Nations communities at heart and wants to change things, it must act now,” concluded Turmel.

Conservatives must act on housing crisis: Turmel
Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:36:58 +0000

OTTAWA – New Democrat leader Nycole Turmel echoed the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) call today for action to improve the stock of rental housing in Canada today. The FCM released a report calling on the federal government to invest in practical, low-cost options that would increase the housing stock while also creating new jobs. “New Democrats have been demanding action on a national housing strategy for years. This would include targeted, job-creating investments by the federal government in new rental housing,” said Turmel, “and the NDP has repeatedly proposed a retrofit program that helps Canadians lower their utility costs and reduce greenhouse gases, while creating new jobs in our communities.” The FCM’s report, The Housing Market and Canada’s Economic Recovery, outlines three ideas to increase the stock of rental housing: low-cost loans from CMHC for new housing; tax breaks for landlords selling rental housing to other rental housing providers; and an ecoEnergy program for rental housing to bring down utility costs for both tenants and landlords. “Housing is the number one issue in every community across Canada,” said Marie-Claude Morin, NDP Housing critic. “From Western communities that are expanding rapidly because of economic growth, to communities in Quebec that need affordable homes nearer the services families rely on, right across Canada Mayors see a crunch coming.” The FCM points out that there are approximately 50,000 fewer construction jobs since 2007 as a result of lower housing starts. Over the last 15 years only ten percent of all new housing starts were for rental construction, even though renters make up one-third of all households in Canada. “Every year we are losing rental units to the condo market while the demand is high,” said Andrew Cash, deputy NDP Housing critic. “With low vacancy rates and creeping rents, many tenants are finding it harder and harder to find an affordable rental unit. With housing starts slowing down, building new rental units or retrofitting existing ones will provide necessary construction jobs.”

Conservatives compromising RCMP independence: NDP
Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:33:15 +0000

OTTAWA — New Democrats are condemning the Conservative government’s policy requiring all RCMP communications be approved by Conservative Public Safety Minister Vic Toews. “The Conservative’s policy means the RCMP must ask permission from the Minister before doing any media,” said NDP Critic for Public Safety, Jasbir Sandhu (Surrey-North). “This not only muzzles the RCMP but removes the essential arms length distance between Harper Government and Canada’s police force. This is wrong” This unprecedented attempt to control the force will not only affect RCMP communications with media, but also could apply to meetings between the RCMP Commissioner and MPs or senators. “It’s alarming that the elected representatives of Canadians will no longer be able to meet with the Commissioner, unless they get approval from the minister,” said Sylvain Chicoine (Châteauguay-Saint-Constant), New Democrat Deputy Critic for Public Safety. “The government must stop introducing policies that undermine the independence of institutions that are there to protect Canadians from coast to coast to coast.” New Democrats continued to hold the government to account for this decision in a debate in the House of Commons on Monday night. New Democrat Critics for Public Safety will also raise questions about this new policy with the Commissioner when he appears before the Public Safety Committee on Tuesday, January 31.

Statement from NDP MPs Claude Gravelle (Nickel Belt), Opposition Critic for Natural Resources, and Glenn Thibeault (Sudbury), Opposition Critic for Consumer Protection and Sport Minister, on the death 47 year old Stephen Perry
Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:36:11 +0000

After learning the sudden and tragic death of the 47 miner Stephen Perry, yesterday, NDP MPs Claude Gravelle and Glenn Thibeault wanted to express their sincere condolences to the family and friends of the man who had worked for Vale Company in Sudbury for 16 years. “As a former employee of a mining company I know firsthand how dangerous it is to work underground. At the end of the day all a miner wants to do is earn a good living and go home to his family. My heart goes out to his family and his co-workers,” said Claude Gravelle. The accident occurred yesterday while Perry was working in the main ore body at the 4,215-foot level of Coleman mine. “This is an extremely tragic incident, and the second in the last year to affect the region. At this very difficult time, my thoughts and prayers are with the victim`s families, friends, co-workers, and other members of the community as they try to cope with this shocking and devastating loss,” said Glenn Thibeault. The Sudbury area MPs welcome the investigation of the accident and want workplace safety to be the top priority in any final recommendations.

NDP to Conservatives: stop playing games with ecoenergy retrofits
Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:39:42 +0000

OTTAWA – New Democrats are slamming the government for once again pulling the plug on the popular, cost-effective ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes program with no warning. “Thousands of Canadians who were counting on this program are now once again suddenly being told they’re out of luck. It’s mind-boggling. This program is a true no-brainer: it saves families money, creates good local jobs, and reduces energy consumption – and more than pays for itself in economic spinoffs and tax revenues generated,” said Claude Gravelle, NDP Natural Resources Critic. On top of creating huge uncertainty in the energy-efficient retrofit industry, estimates suggest that ending the program now will mean that more than half of the money promised by the government will go unused. “Shutting down the program now makes no sense. As long as funds remain, a goal of retrofitting 250,000 homes should be the minimum – not a cut-off,” added Gravelle. “More public awareness about energy efficiency is welcome, but it won’t make up for ending the retrofit program.” The government’s own numbers show that households that have participated in ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes have saved on average $700 per year per $2000 spent on utilities, reduced energy consumption by over 20 percent, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 3 tonnes per house. “A quarter million Canadians have used the program to save on their energy bills and help the environment. It’s a proven program with great results, which is why New Democrats will continue to fight to make it permanent,” concluded Gravelle.

New Democrats consulting seniors, taking on Harper OAS cuts
Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:52:31 +0000

OTTAWA – On the heels of ominous warnings from Stephen Harper’s government about cuts to OAS, New Democrats met today with the Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP). They discussed how seniors will be affected and worked on the best ways to oppose Conservative cuts to seniors. “Seniors just can’t trust this government,” said New Democrat Leader Nycole Turmel. “At a time when a quarter million seniors are living in poverty, Stephen Harper wants to make it harder for them to retire with dignity. That’s plain wrong.” The meeting, organized by New Democrat Pensions Critic Wayne Marston, explored the implications of the government’s proposed OAS cuts and how seniors can be protected. Turmel, Marston, New Democrat Seniors Critic Irene Mathyssen (London-Fanshawe) and Deputy Critic Alain Giguère (Marc-Aurèle-Fortin) participated. “Mr. Harper didn’t say a word about OAS during the last election and didn’t bother to consult with anyone,” Turmel said. “Instead he dropped this bombshell at a meeting with the world’s elite in Davos. New Democrats do things differently—we want to know what seniors think.” Turmel also plans to meet with other seniors groups, such as the National Pensioners and Senior Citizens Federation. She met with the Fédération des aînées et des aînés francophones du Canada in the fall. “This government dished out a whopping $1.4 billion in corporate tax cuts last year, and now it’s saying there’s no money left for pensions?” Turmel said. “They’ve got their priorities wrong and seniors are going to pay the price.”

Failed Conservative crime policies to cost provinces billions: NDP
Sun, 29 Jan 2012 19:52:44 +0000

OTTAWA – New Democrats are blasting Stephen Harper for forging ahead unilaterally with a multi-billion dollar prisons agenda many provinces have said they don’t want – and can’t afford. “The Conservatives like to talk about working with the provinces and territories, but as we saw with the Health Accord negotiations last week, Stephen Harper has stopped listening to the provinces,” said Jack Harris, NDP Justice Critic and MP for St. John’s East. “Provincial and territorial ministers are united in asking the Conservatives to consult with them on the implementation costs for their omnibus crime bill. But instead of showing leadership, Stephen Harper is walking away and leaving Canadians with the bill for his photo-op prisons agenda.” The Ontario government announced this week that the bill will cost the province’s taxpayers $1-billion, while Quebec estimates prison expansion costs could run as high as $545 million. “In tough economic times, Stephen Harper is not only slashing the services hard-hit families rely on – he’s hitting the provinces with his expensive prisons agenda and letting them deal with the problem. It’s unacceptable,” said NDP MP Françoise Boivin (Gatineau). “The Conservatives should have sat down with the provinces and territories to discuss the cost implications – instead Stephen Harper rammed his misguided legislation through Parliament. They need to go back to the drawing board and let the provinces in on the discussion, before this bill becomes law.”

NDP condemns Canada’s request to keep proceeds from corruption
Sat, 28 Jan 2012 21:45:45 +0000

OTTAWA - New Democrat MP and Official Opposition Critic for Foreign Affairs Hélène Laverdière (Laurier – Ste-Marie) today condemned the Harper government’s request to Tunisian authorities that Canada keep up to 50% of assets seized from family members of the disgraced former President of Tunisia. “I am shocked that the Canadian government would seek to keep this money from the Tunisian people,” said Laverdière. “This money was stolen from the Tunisian people through corruption, and Canada has no right to it.” New Democrats have been calling on the Harper Government to freeze the assets of the Ben Ali family members for over a year, since the arrival of Belhassan Trabelsi to Canada in January 2011. “The government dragged its feet on seizing the assets of corrupt Tunisian officials living in Canada, giving these people time to try to dispose of their assets,” said Laverdière. “Now that Canada has finally done what they promised to do a year ago, they are refusing to release any details about the seized assets and want to keep up to half of the money here. Where is the transparency and accountability?” Laverdière noted that Canada should send any seized assets acquired through corruption back to Tunisia. “The Prime Minister has said he supports the democratic aspirations of Tunisians. First he objected to letting Tunisians living in Canada the right to vote in their elections. Then he tries to keep part of the proceeds from corruption. Canadians are outraged at this blatant disrespect for democracy.”

NDP condemns crackdown on foreign NGOs in Egypt
Sat, 28 Jan 2012 21:39:32 +0000

OTTAWA – Official Opposition Foreign Affairs Critic Hélène Laverdière (Laurier – Ste-Marie) today condemned the actions of Egypt’s military government towards two independent international development agencies, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and International Republican Institute (IRI), and urged the Canadian government to take immediate action. Egypt’s military rulers have banned American and European employees of the two organizations from leaving the country. “Canada must raise this issue immediately with Egyptian authorities,” said Laverdière. “NDI and IRI are both excellent examples of organizations that work to support democracy-building in countries in transition.” Laverdière noted that the crackdown underscores the need for the democratic transition to unfold and for Canada to support the democratic aspirations of Egyptians. “Now is the time for Canada to remember our obligations towards the Egyptian people and to exert diplomatic pressure on Egyptian authorities to uphold the principles of freedom and democracy.”

Statement by NDP Leader Nycole Turmel on International Holocaust Remembrance Day
Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:44:34 +0000

Today marks the 67th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, one of the largest Nazi death camps. The United Nations declared this day as International Holocaust Remembrance Day so that we have the opportunity to honour the memory of Holocaust victims. We will never forget the evil that fuelled the cruel deaths of millions of innocent people. That is why I join Canadians from all walks of life in remembering the tragedies and continuing to fight against intolerance and hatred. Lest we forget.

Natural Resources cuts bad for economy, environment: NDP
Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:46:08 +0000

OTTAWA - New Democrats are condemning the Harper Conservatives for slashing environment-friendly programs and jobs at Natural Resources Canada. “It seems government officials got a memo to slash anything clean or green – or that even has the word, ‘eco’ in it,” said NDP Natural Resources critic Claude Gravelle, reacting to news of new cuts at the department. In addition to cutting the hugely popular ecoENERGY Retrofit program, the department is cutting back on the Clean Air Agenda, ecoTRANSPORT Strategy, Canada’s Forest Sector Initiative, as well as cutting grants to Sustainable Development Technology Canada. “Its utter nonsense for the government to pretend these cuts won’t adversely affect public services or the environment. It’s night and day to compare Stephen Harper’s inaction against what President Obama is doing. While our government stands idly by, Americans are talking about developing renewable energy that’s cleaner, cheaper and creates jobs.” In his State of the Union address Tuesday, Obama said federal investments had helped double reserves of renewable energy, creating thousands of jobs. “Energy efficiency initiatives are crucial for both Canada’s environment and its economy,” said Anne Marie Day (Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles), a member of the Natural Resources Committee. “Federal support for home energy efficiency retrofits makes good economic and environmental sense. It can help curb energy consumption, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create local jobs while providing Canadians with permanent savings on their home energy bills.”

Health committee must stop ignoring health care funding
Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:38:06 +0000

OTTAWA – New Democrats have convened a meeting today of the Standing Committee on Health to address the urgent need to define the federal government’s role in future health care funding. “We are at a critical crossroads in the history of Medicare in this country. Last week in Victoria, the premiers made it clear that they expect more from the federal government. But Conservatives have failed to take the lead in helping plan – and fund – future public health care in Canada,” said New Democrat Health critic Libby Davies. “Provinces, and Canadians, want action now. And the NDP is responding to that call.” NDP members of the Health Committee submitted a letter to the Clerk of the Standing Committee on Health on January 23, 2012, demanding an urgent meeting to discuss this issue. The MPs are reacting to the Conservative proposal to unilaterally cut federal health transfers, which the Parliamentary Budget Officer has said would increase the amount provinces pay for health care and limit the funding they receive from Ottawa. "As members of the Standing Committee on Health, we believe it is our responsibility as federal MPs to deal with this issue immediately," added Davies. "This committee is accountable to the public. We ask the Conservative members of this Committee to listen to Canadians and work with New Democrats to ensure Canada live up to its commitments in the 2004 Health Accord and ensure we have a strong and sustainable public health care system for years to come.”

Statement from NDP MP Fin Donnelly, opposition critic for fisheries and oceans, on Canada’s commercial seal harvest
Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:25:10 +0000

The NDP has a long standing position in support of a humane, market driven and sustainable commercial seal harvest. We also strongly defend the rights of the Inuit to engage in their traditional and commercial seal harvest. And as the industry faces challenges and changes, we must all be focused on working together with those who rely on the seal harvest for their livelihoods to address these very real challenges. New Democrats believe that it is wrong to try and politicize this issue and play divisive partisan games. Conservatives attempting to do so are not helping or supporting sealers and their communities. These out-of-touch Conservative Ministers should be ashamed of themselves for releasing a hypocritical statement that puts wedge politics ahead of the well-being of Canada’s East Coast communities. Just last November, the Executive Director of the Canadian Sealers Association testified before a Parliamentary Committee that “the federal government’s position on seals has been weak,” the Harper government “does not appear to be serious about the issue” and “are either afraid of it or ashamed of it.” As for comments from local Newfoundland NDP MP Ryan Cleary, as he said repeatedly, he fully supports our position. He was doing his job as an MP, raising important issues about the future of this industry in light of the very real challenges it faces. Taking these comments out of context in order to play cynical political games does a disservice to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador and everyone involved in this industry.

Reality check: Conservatives have a consistency problem with the seal hunt
Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:22:23 +0000

Yesterday three Conservative Ministers took time away from important meetings with First Nations leaders to launch a partisan attack on NDP MP Ryan Cleary – an MP known for his strong advocacy for a sustainable and humane seal industry – for pointing out how foreign bans on the seal hunt may one day make the industry unviable. But what have Conservative Ministers said about this? “Mr. Speaker, we are here today for obvious reasons that relate to the recent vote in the European parliament, which, if effected, would place a devastating blow and some would even suggest an end to the seal hunt in Canada...Inuit hunters themselves have said that if this ban goes into place, it would effectively end their market.” – Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade, Hansard, May 11, 2009 Or Conservative MPs? “If this [European Parliament] resolution carries and the seal hunt is dead in Canada, and it will be if this resolution goes to the very end, who will do the cull?” – David Tilson, Hansard, May 5, 2009 And as for Conservatives claiming to be champions of the industry, let’s see what industry representatives have said: “First and foremost, we have always maintained that the federal government’s position on seals has been weak…One of the issues we have with the federal government, and I related this to Minister Fast and Minister Penashue in September, the federal government does not appear to be serious about the issue...” – Frank Pinhorn, Executive Director Canadian Sealers Association. 15 Nov, 2011 “We put forward a proposal to DFO back in 2010, which was never acknowledged. That proposal meant taking industry and participants and using the expertise of all those involved to develop a plan to address the grey seal issue. There was no response.” – Eldred Woodford, President Canadian Sealers Association. 15 Nov, 2011 As usual, Conservatives have one set of rules for themselves and another for everyone else.

Harper must treat First Nations with respect to regain trust: NDP
Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:55:45 +0000

OTTAWA – As First Nations leaders gather in Ottawa for meetings with the federal government, New Democrat Leader Nycole Turmel urged the Prime Minister to work with First Nations, as full and equal partners moving forward. “We all know the critical challenges facing Aboriginal communities,” said New Democrat Leader Nycole Turmel. “We saw it in Attawapiskat as we see it across the country. That is why First Nations are looking to this summit to reset their relationship with the federal government.” “The government must acknowledge that treaties form the basis of their relationship with First Nations,” Turmel said. “It is an issue of trust and respect. Only when this government realizes that it must work in a nation-to-nation relationship with Aboriginal leaders will we start seeing real progress on the critical issues. Everything else flows from that.” New Democrats are calling on the federal government to ensure that any new legislation or measures are developed in full consultation with First Nations. “As National Chief Atleo has stated there needs to be a new fiscal relationship, mirroring the statutory guarantees granted to non-Aboriginal governments and Canadians for education, health, social services,” said New Democrat Aboriginal Affairs critic Linda Duncan (Edmonton-Strathcona). “We will be gauging the seriousness of the Conservative government’s commitments in the upcoming budget.”

NDP REALITY CHECK: About those documents, Tony ...
Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:07:31 +0000

Among the outlandish statements made by Tony Clement about the G8 slush fund, the quote below certainly stands out for particular concern. When asked about the G8 slush fund in the House of Commons, Clement replied: “The facts are that all of those documents were provided to the Auditor General” – Tony Clement, Hansard, December 7, 2011 Interesting. But what did the Auditor General say about this? “We did approach the minister's office to request any documentation that was available in the minister's office or in the constituency office to explain how the projects were selected. We received a small amount of documentation, which wasn't directly relevant to the question of the project selection…” – John Wiersema, Interim Auditor General, Standing Committee on Public Accounts, October 5, 2011 And the documents released yesterday by the NDP show that Clement had files on the 242 project submissions, and the 32 that he was involved with selecting. So when Tony Clement starts trying to split hairs about the difference between ‘choosing’, ‘selecting’ and ‘recommending’ the 32 projects which got funding, does he really think he has any credibility left? If he really does want to clear the air, will he finally now agree to release publically all documents relating to the $50 million G8 slush fund?

Statement by New Democrat Leader Nycole Turmel for Chinese New Year
Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:27:05 +0000

‪Nin Hao. ‪On behalf of the New Democratic Party of Canada, I wish you and your family a Happy New Year as you celebrate the Year of the Dragon. ‪The Dragon is respected in Chinese lore because it represents good fortune. Dragons foster bold ideas, grand gestures, and great ambition. They are confident and fearlessly take on challenges. It’s time to come together around these values once again and make change happen in this special New Year. Again, we wish you and your family the best of health and happiness. Happy New Year! Gung Hay Fat Choy!