New Democrat Pensions critic Wayne Marston (Hamilton East-Stoney Creek, ON) reintroduced legislation to put pensioners first when their former employers go bankrupt. Bill C-331, the Pension Protection Act, moves pensioners to the front of the line of creditors to be paid out during bankruptcy or restructuring proceedings. Marston said this bill is crucial to the … Read more
New Democrats blasted the Harper government for costing Canada thousands of good jobs by failing to lead on research and development funding, and called for a national innovation strategy to bolster high-paying Canadian jobs. With the release of the long-awaited report by the Expert Panel on Federal Research and Development Spending, NDP Science and Technology … Read more
New Democrat Labour critic Yvon Godin (Acadie-Bathurst, QC) has written to the Ethics Commissioner requesting an investigation into possible conflict of interest involving Labour Minister Lisa Raitt (Halton, ON). The complaint revolves around free upgrades that, according to electronic flight records, were authorized directly from Air Canada’s Chief Operating Officer Duncan Dee. According to Godin, … Read more
The NDP want the Conservatives to come clean on their "Internet Snooping Bill." NDP Privacy critic Charlie Angus (Timmins-James Bay, ON) and MP Charmaine Borg (Terrebonne-Blainville, QC) said that unless the lawful access bill is dramatically changed, this legislation will represent an unprecedented erosion of Canadian privacy rights. The full release is available online. Call … Read more
In a meeting with Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter, New Democrat Leader Nycole Turmel (Hull-Aylmer, QC) called on the Prime Minister to protect Nova Scotia fishing communities by ensuring the prompt and safe removal of the oil tanker that ran aground last month. Turmel said the MV Miner is perched in an ecologically sensitive area … Read more
NDP MP Robert Aubin (Trois-Rivières, QC) and NDP House Leader Thomas Mulcair (Outremont, QC) introduced Bill C-315 that harmonizes Canada's Labour Code with Quebec legislation protecting language rights of workers in Quebec. Aubin and Mulcair said they were very proud to introduce this bill that follows up on Jack Layton's promise to Quebecers. Call 613-222-6993. … Read more
The NDP said that the Conservatives have succumbed to NDP pressure and announced the construction of a new Champlain Bridge. But the party said it barely had time to celebrate before the government announced that Montreal families will have to bear the costs every time they use the new toll bridge. NDP Leader Nycole Turmel … Read more
NDP MP Peter Julian (Burnaby-New Westminster, BC) made a statement on the NDP leadership race. Julian said he will not be a candidate for leadership at the party's Convention in March, 2012. Julian thanked five federal caucus members who publicly urged him to run and other MP's who were encouraging him to enter the race. … Read more
The remains of Jack Layton were returned to his hometown of Hudson, QC. Family and friends met in Hudson to scatter his ashes in a family plot alongside the graves of Layton's father and maternal grandparents. His widow Olivia Chow (Trinity-Spadina, ON) said Hudson and the province of Quebec meant a great deal to Layton. … Read more
New Democrat Transport critic Olivia Chow (Trinity-Spadina, ON) gave a major boost to Canada’s cities, joining forces with municipal and industry groups to introduce a national public transit strategy. Bill C-305, An Act to establish a National Public Transit Strategy, is designed to ensure fast, accessible, affordable public transit in cities across the country. It … Read more
