NDP Mental Health and Addictions Critic Gord Johns (Courtenay–Alberni, B.C.) tabled the Mental Health Parity Act yesterday, legislation that would create a framework for provinces and territories to provide public coverage for mental health, addictions and substance-use services. Johns previously introduced Bill C-201, which would amend the Canada Health Act to extend public coverage to … Read more
NDP Parliamentary Leader Don Davies (Vancouver Kingsway, B.C.) introduced Bill C-278, An Act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act, which seeks to to ban MPs from crossing the floor without the approval of their constituents. “Elections are a fundamental expression of democratic choice,” said Davies. “When MPs cross the floor, they unilaterally override the decision made … Read more
Following a ruling by the Permanent Peoples’ Tribunal that the Government of Canada’s current policies constitute an ongoing genocide against Indigenous Peoples, NDP MP Leah Gazan (Winnipeg Centre, Man.) is demanding answers from the Liberal government. In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Mark Carney (Nepean, Ont.) and Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Rebecca Alty (Northwest Territories), … Read more
NDP Foreign Affairs and International Development Critic Heather McPherson and NDP Health Critic Gord Johns issued a statement: “The growing Ebola outbreak is at risk of becoming one of the deadliest in history. Viruses do not know borders – and the entire world is at risk from epidemics like these. Today’s announcement makes it clear that Canada’s … Read more
NDP Leader Avi Lewis, NDP MP Leah Gazan (Winnipeg Centre, Man.) and labour leaders gathered on Parliament Hill to defend workers’ right to strike ahead of debate on Bill C-247, which would repeal Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code. The NDP said the Liberal government has repeatedly used the provision to end legal strikes … Read more
NDP Emergency Preparedness Critic Gord Johns (Courtenay—Alberni, B.C.) said the federal government’s announcement of Canada’s first national aerial firefighting fleet follows years of pressure from New Democrats, wildfire experts and affected communities. “Today’s announcement shows that sustained public pressure works,” said Johns. New Democrats are calling for a comprehensive national wildfire strategy that includes: Expanded aerial … Read more
The New Democratic Party of Canada announced the appointment of former NDP MP Matthew Green as the party’s interim National Director. “Matthew Green has spent his entire political life fighting against injustice and building power from the ground up,” says NDP Leader Avi Lewis. “From his years as a community organizer and city councillor in Hamilton … Read more
NDP Leader Avi Lewis issued a statement: “This announcement marks the Carney government’s official surrender to the oil and gas lobby. By gutting carbon pricing to the point of irrelevance, it has dismantled the last federal climate measure standing. We now have a federal government that no longer even pretends to rein in big corporate … Read more
NDP Leader Avi Lewis issued a statement: “It’s time to build affordable homes, a national network of public grocery stores, electric buses and an east-west clean energy grid. Not massive corporate AI data centres unleashed without any democratic debate. There’s also no real data sovereignty in an AI ecosystem dominated by U.S. tech giants. Telus may … Read more
NDP Leader Avi Lewis announced changes to critic portfolios following the departure of MP Alexandre Boulerice, assigning additional responsibilities to several caucus members. Don Davies (Vancouver Kingsway, B.C.) takes on the labour critic role; Heather McPherson (Edmonton Strathcona, Alta.) adds transport and official languages; Leah Gazan (Winnipeg Centre, Man.) adds environment; and Gord Johns (Courtenay—Alberni, B.C.) adds climate … Read more
