NDP MP Irene Mathyssen (London–Fanshawe, Ont.) has put forth a motion to expand the Employment Insurance Act to cover spouses of military and Foreign Service personnel who are relocated abroad. “This is a long-standing issue for military families,” stated Mathyssen. “In 1981, the Royal Commission on Conditions of Foreign Service urged the government to recognize the … Read more
NDP MP and Critic for Environment and Climate Change Linda Duncan (Edmonton Strathcona, Alta.) is calling on the Liberals to move beyond talk and take action on its promised support to Canada’s municipalities to address climate change. Duncan’s comments are in response to a report released by the Columbia Institute’s Centre for Civic Governance that only 28 … Read more
NDP MPs are stunned that the Liberal government, who has undergone months of scandal for shady cash-for-access fundraisers, introduce legislation that fails to place any limits on this unsavoury practice. “This bill does absolutely nothing to limit the use of Liberal cash-for-access fundraisers,” said NDP MP and Ethics Critic Nathan Cullen (Skeena–Bulkley Valley, B.C.). “The Liberals are … Read more
NDP MPs, joined by Mark Farrant, a former jury foreman in a Toronto murder trial, called on the government to make counselling and support services available for jurors who have traumatic experiences through their service. Farrant was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after serving jury duty in a trial involving the grisly murder of a Ryerson … Read more
Following NDP MP Nathan Cullen’s (Skeena–Bulkley Valley, B.C.) cross-country ‘Keep Your Promise’ tour, the NDP Critic for Democratic Reform introduced a motion to adopt the final report of the all-party Electoral Reform Committee. Cullen’s move will force every MP to vote on the Committee’s recommendation of a new, proportional voting system. “Today is an opportunity for … Read more
NDP MP and Fisheries & Oceans Critic Fin Donnelly (Port Moody-Coquitlam, B.C.) condemned the federal Liberal government for disbanding the Coast Guard’s only team of emergency rescue divers as reckless and dangerous. “Cutting the dive team again takes us back over 15 years in terms of preventing loss of life,” said Donnelly. “We are about to … Read more
The Liberal government defeated a bill introduced by NDO MP Pierre-Luc Dusseault (Sherbrooke, Que.) to make labeling Genetically Modified Foods mandatory. “Like most Canadians, I believe that we have a right to know what’s in the foods we’re eating,” said Dusseault, “and I had hoped that my colleagues in the House would feel the same way.” Roughly 80 … Read more
NDP MP Hélène Laverdière (Laurier–Sainte-Marie, Que.) is still wondering if Transport Minister Marc Garneau (Notre-Dame-de-Grâce-Westmount, Que.) supports her Private Member’s Bill to give him the necessary powers to ensure the mobility and safety of citizens throughout the country. “Currently the Railway Safety Act gives the Minister the power to close or modify a railway crossing, but the law … Read more
The Auditor General’s 2017 Spring Reports highlight major problems across multiple departments – notably a failure to provide mental health services to RCMP members. “The Liberals’ refusal to provide information to the Auditor General strikes at the heart of accountability and makes a farce of their promise of openness and transparency,” said NDP MP David Christopherson … Read more
Recent polls conducted in 20 swing ridings, currently held by Liberals, found that more than 70 per cent of respondents want the government to keep its campaign promise to reform Canada’s outdated and unfair voting system. “While cynical politicians have tried to say Canadians don’t care about improving their democracy, the evidence shows people overwhelmingly want … Read more
