OTTAWA – Today, New Democrat MP Jasbir Sandhu (Surrey North) put forward a motion demanding that Prime Minister Stephen Harper officially apologize in the House of Commons to the South Asian community for the 1914 Komagata Maru incident, in which passengers were prevented from landing in Canada. He is also launching a nation-wide petition campaign to collect signatures from Canadians supporting the apology.

“The tragedy of the Komagata Maru marks a dark chapter in Canadian history,” said Sandhu. “The Conservatives must provide closure on the trauma this has caused in the South Asian community. That is the only way that healing and reconciliation can begin.”

Stephen Harper’s failed attempt to make an informal apology in 2008 at an outdoor festival in Surrey was widely regarded as rude and insincere by the community.

“The Conservatives are continuing to deny an official apology for this incident in the House of Commons and it is very disrespectful,” said Sandhu. “A dignified, official apology for the Komagata Maru tragedy is long overdue. That is why the NDP is bringing forward yet another motion, another demand, for this government to finally do the right thing and apologize in Parliament.”

May 23 will mark the 98th anniversary of the date the ship’s arrival from Hong Kong to Vancouver. Due to the discriminatory “continuous journey” regulation, passengers were prevented from disembarking while the ship remained in Burrard Inlet for two months, and passengers were denied basic necessities, including food and water. The ship carried 376 passengers from India. The NDP first called for an official apology in January, 2007.                

OTTAWA – On the 10th anniversary of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, New Democrats are renewing their calls to end discrimination and hatred against LGBT people. 

“Canada has made great progress in ending discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people; however, the battle is far from won,” said Official Opposition Leader Tom Mulcair. “Too many LGBT Canadians continue to face discrimination at work and in their community, and tragically some even pay for this discrimination with their lives. This is unconscionable and cannot be tolerated in Canada today.” 

The facts are stark. LGBT Canadians still face harassment, discrimination and violence at a rate higher than others demographics. Hate crimes based on sexual orientation remain as prevalent as ever and these crimes are twice as likely to be violent in nature. 

“A good place to start is right here in Parliament. We need to set the example in the House of Commons itself,” New Democrat LGBT critic, Randall Garrison. “We also need to continue to remove the barriers to political participation for members of the LGBT community by adopting policies of inclusion and encouraging further dialogue between members of the LBGT community and political parties.” 

The NDP remains as committed as ever to end homophobia and transphobia with the most diverse caucus ever, including many LGBT MPs.  

OTTAWA - New Democrats today applauded Official Languages Commissioner Graham Fraser’s decision to launch an important study aimed at improving access to justice in both official languages for all Canadians.

The study will examine in detail two issues under federal responsibility that contribute to the institutional bilingualism of the superior court judiciary: the selection and appointment process for the judiciary; and language training for judges appointed to superior courts.

“I’m heartened that this morning an Officer of Parliament is acting where the Government has failed to act,” said NDP Official Languages Critic Yvon Godin (Acadie–Bathurst). “Access to a judicial system capable of rightfully serving its citizens in the official language of their choice is more than just a question of language policy,” Godin insisted, “it is a fundamental right and a question of equality and fairness.”

“When defendants, plaintiffs and lawyers have their day in court in Canada,” added Tyrone Benskin (Jeanne-Le Ber), NDP Deputy Critic for Official Languages, “they deserve every confidence that their trial is fair, whether they choose to proceed in English or French.”

“This study is a crucial step towards a more inclusive, balanced and accessible justice system,” Godin concluded. “The NDP eagerly awaits the results and will continue to ensure respect for Canada’s official languages.”

HALIFAX – The latest round of job cuts handed to front-line workers in the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) severely threaten the sustainability of Canada’s fisheries. The cuts are a direct result of the gutting of environmental protection in the Trojan horse budget bill says the NDP.

 “Yet again, the Conservatives are showing that they just don’t care about real facts and science,” said NDP Fisheries Critic, Robert Chisholm. “These cuts affect biologists, researchers, policy makers, all the people who make decisions based on facts. If the Conservatives don’t agree with something, they just cut and try to make it go away.”

 These cuts affect jobs across Canada – and they also affect key areas of fundamental research on climate change studies and water ecosystem health.

 NDP Deputy Fisheries Critic for the West Coast, Fin Donnelly highlighted the environmental impact of sweeping omnibus budget bill will have.

 “This Trojan Horse bill will kill research. It will gut the Fisheries Act, kill the Experimental Lakes Area program, allow habitat destruction and reduce fish stock monitoring,” said Donnelly. “In the end, Canadians will pay dearly for Conservative environmental mismanagement.”

 The NDP is holding the first in a series of regional hearings on public budget consultations tonight in Halifax. The focus of the public meeting will be the effect of the omnibus budget bill on Fisheries and Oceans.

On this same date, 23 years ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) removed homosexuality from the International Classification of Diseases.

Since then, Canada has made great progress in ending discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people (LGBT). We have obtained protective measures for human rights, legal recognition of same-sex couples and equal marriage rights.     

However, the battle is far from won. Many members of the LGBT community continue to face daily discrimination at work and in the community, to live in isolation and, in extreme cases, unfortunately, to pay for their sexual orientation with their lives.  

Today, my team joins me in inviting all Canadians to denounce prejudice towards LGBT, reach out to them and recognize their positive contribution to promoting an inclusive society. 

Ottawa – New Democrats reacted today to the Human Rights Impact Report of the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement tabled by the government in the House of Commons. The yearly report is an obligation under the agreement signed by Canada and Colombia to monitor human rights in the context of increased commercial and trade links between both countries. 

“The report does not provide any information on the human rights situation in Colombia or Canada, although it sees fit to provide an overview of the economies of both countries,” said Hélène Laverdière (Laurier–Ste-Marie), Official Opposition Critic for the Americas. “This is simply unacceptable. Canada has failed in its analysis. This underscores why such reports need to be produced by independent experts, as recommended by the Standing Committee on International Trade in 2008.” 

Said Official Opposition Critic for Human Rights Wayne Marston (Hamilton East–Stoney Creek), “This government has managed to table a human rights impact assessment that says nothing about human rights, has no assessments and has no record of impacts. It makes no attempt at an overview of core human rights concerns, which are numerous. The disregard, even contempt, displayed by the Conservatives for the institutions of human rights and Parliament is truly breathtaking.” 

"While we all want increased trade, Canadians also want human rights and democratic values respected," said Don Davies (Vancouver Kingsway), Official Opposition Critic for International Trade. "These concepts must be linked, and this report does little to demonstrate that progress has been made. " 

New Democrats argue that the Canadian government’s Americas Strategy prioritizes trade over human rights. The Strategy has led to accusations that the government is overlooking concerns about the human rights record of Canadian extractive industries operating in the Americas. Said Hélène Laverdière, “we have serious concerns about this government’s commitment to human rights in Colombia and the rest of the Americas. This report is yet another example of Canada’s inaction on this file.”

OTTAWA – New Democrats hailed recommendations from the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Olivier De Schutter, who concluded his 11 day visit to Canada today. Members of the Official Opposition urged Conservatives to act quickly on the proposals as soon as possible. 

“Like it or not, the situation is bleak for millions of Canadians. Food security is a right. Hunger and malnutrition are unacceptable anywhere, but especially in a country as wealthy as Canada,” said NDP Aboriginal Affairs Critic, Jean Crowder. 

NDP Agriculture Critic, Malcolm Allen, called on the government to establish a national food strategy. 

“Canadians must have access to safe and nutritious food. The Conservatives are failing to guarantee this basic right – and are even making things worse as they cut funding to the Food Inspection Agency,” said Allen. “We need long term solutions and we need to adopt a national food strategy.” 

Crowder added that immediate attention must be given to First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, which are among the hardest hit by food insecurity. “It’s the least fortunate who must choose between paying their rent and putting food on the table. That’s not a choice Canadians should have to make.”

“The Conservatives must show leadership. The choice is clear, instead of funding their misguided priorities, they must ensure the food security of Canadians.” concluded Allen.  

A NDP motion criticizing the budget bill for weakening environmental protection and rewriting the Canada Fisheries Act was supported by all opposition parties today but failed to pass because it was blocked by the government.

 This budget bill threatens our environment for decades to come. It will cause harm to our lakes, rivers, oceans, ecosystems and fisheries.

 Unfortunately, the Conservatives are trying to hide their intentions from Canadians. Instead of being transparent, they are flouting accountability principles with their massive bill and trying to impose backwards and misguided reforms that will hurt our environment.

 The government is refusing to allow MPs elected by Canadians to do their work by diligently studying this legislation – ignoring parliamentary tradition and limiting debate on the bill. Their lack of ethics and transparency is an affront to Canadians and future generations who will have to carry the burden of these bad decisions.  

 The NDP will not let the Harper Conservatives quietly sneak through these sweeping changes without a fight. We will continue to oppose Conservative proposals that put the health of Canadians, their environment and their economy at risk.

Toronto, ON May 16, 2012– Today Ontario New Democrats launched Moneyblitz, an aggressive grassroots fundraising campaign aiming to raise $200,000 in one day – Thursday May 31st.

“Last October Ontarians elected a minority government. They sent politicians a simple message: work together and focus on the challenges faced by everyday people. Instead, Dalton McGuinty has decided that working together is too much work and has forced a by-election in Kitchener Waterloo,” said NDP Party President Neethan Shan. “We are asking members, supporters, voters and anyone who wants to stop a McGuinty majority to take up this Moneyblitz challenge and raise $200,000 on May 31st.”

New Democrats launched Moneyblitz this week as a grassroots effort to put focus on the imminent by-election in Kitchener-Waterloo. “New Democrats have been the only ones at the table fighting for the priorities of Ontarians. With a by-election on the horizon we are sending a strong message that we want politicians to focus on challenges facing people, not power for themselves” said Shan.

“If people come together on May 31st, giving what we can, we can show them the Orange wave isn’t over,” said Darlene Lawson, the Party’s Provincial Secretary.

OTTAWA – NDP Environment Critic, Megan Leslie, took advantage of Stephen Harper’s meeting with Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, on the subject of shale gas to criticize Conservative inaction on this issue.

 Conservatives still haven’t imposed shale gas regulations that were promised over two years ago and refuse to answer questions from NDP MPs on the issue in the House, said Leslie.

 “The situation is urgent. The federal government plays its part in shale gas exploration and development. But the Conservatives are avoiding all responsibility by attacking environmental assessments in their budget. How can Stephen Harper tell the Polish Prime Minister about regulating shale gas when the Conservatives refuse to do their homework here in Canada?” said Leslie.

 “Canadians are concerned about this issue and it’s time for the Conservatives to act in their interest instead of that of their friends in the oil industry. It’s time they act to protect Canadians against the harmful effects of shale gas,” she said.

 The NDP is calling on the Conservatives to impose adequate regulations on shale gas exploration without delay.

 “The Conservatives must protect our environment and Canadians who are concerned about the risks of water pollution and earthquakes associated with shale gas fracking. There is a reason why this technique is subject to a moratorium in several provinces.”

OTTAWA – Proposed changes to Meat Inspection Regulations (MIR) will leave Canadians wondering if the meat they buy is actually safe, because of the Conservatives’ reckless cutting spree.  Private inspectors, who may not be qualified, will now be able to inspect meat.  Worse, these changes to meat inspection rules also change what meat is acceptable – meaning already-dead meat and crippled animals’ meat will be okay for processing for Canadians’ tables.

 “First the Conservatives will let private inspectors monitor meat, and now they’re essentially allowing road kill-ready meat into the food supply,” said Malcolm Allen, NDP Critic for Agriculture and Agri-Food. “Even scarier is the fact that we won’t know how long animals have been dead before processing – or even that the meat will be inspected at all.”

 NDP Deputy Critic for Agriculture and Agri-Food, Ruth Ellen Brosseau (Berthier—Maskinongé), voiced concerns that these changes have been tried before – with disastrous results. “In the 1970s, Quebec had no meat processing regulations, meaning already-dead and crippled animals’ meat entered the food supply, causing the “rotten meat” scandal. The industry collapsed, and federal regulations were created as a result.”

 The strength of our federal meat inspection rules must not be weakened.  The NDP is echoing the calls of industry workers to keep our meat inspection system regulated, and safe for Canadians.  The Conservative government must stop gambling with Canadians’ health and safety.

OTTAWA – Today, Official Opposition Critic for Consumer Protection, Glenn Thibeault and Deputy Critic Annick Papillon called on the Government to reverse its decision to end independent banking dispute resolution in Canada. Both consumer and small business groups have been near unanimous in their condemnation of the move.

Joined by representatives of the Public Interest Advocacy Center [PIAC] and consumer rights organizationOption consommateurs, Thibeault and Papillon also called on banks to use the independent and impartial dispute resolution mechanism offered by the Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments (OBSI).

“Minister Flaherty’s announcement puts an end to independent banking dispute resolution. The government’s decision gives the banks the power to choose which firms will represent consumers and small businesses who have submitted complaints against the banks,” said Thibeault. “There is no way that these firms can be expected to put the concerns of consumers and small businesses ahead of their own profits, which are dependent on keeping the banks happy.”

OBSI offers consumers and small businesses an independent and impartial way of resolving bank complaints, as well as providing broader public policy services, such as monitoring systemic problems in the banking industry. In reaction, the board of OBSI has stated that they have designed a plan to close down their banking dispute resolution service as they refuse to participate in a ‘race to the bottom’ scenario that the government seems determined to engineer.

“The government is ignoring World Bank recommendations that say multiple competing dispute resolution providers erode fairness and confidence in the banking system,” added Papillon. “The Minister of Finance is undermining his own claims that Canada has the best regulated banking system in the world.”

OTTAWA – New Democrats announced today that they will take the study of the sweeping Conservative budget implementation bill to the public, holding a series of hearings in Ottawa and across the country.

“The Conservatives are trying to pull the wool over the eyes of Canadians,” said Cullen. “New Democrats believe that MPs have a duty to study legislation and that the public has a right to know the results of those studies.”

Starting on Wednesday, May 16 in Ottawa the NDP will have hearings on specific sections of the 400+ omnibus bill. There will be testimony from expert witnesses and the sessions will also be open to the public at large. 

“The government seems scared of oversight and of public scrutiny,” said Cullen. “If the government won’t let us do our job in parliament then we have to take it outside. One way or another we are going to ensure that Canadians know what this government is trying to keep behind closed doors.

In addition to the public hearings the NDP is launching a new website and social media campaign designed to raise awareness of the content of the Trojan horse bill.

The first meeting will take place on Parliament Hill at 12 pm on May 16.  The Ottawa hearings will be followed by sessions in Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, Regina and Vancouver.

One year after the terrible fire that ravaged the Town of Slave Lake in northern Alberta my colleagues in the New Democratic Party join me in saluting the courage and resilience of the town’s inhabitants.  

On May 15, 2011, nearly 7,000 people were forced from their homes by a devastating forest fire. The fire destroyed 40 percent of the town, burned 400 buildings and caused damages estimated at over $700 million. A helicopter pilot, Jean-Luc Deba, lost his life while battling the flames. 

Residents valiantly rolled up their sleeves to rebuild their community. Today, Slave Lake is slowly returning to normal, but there is still much to be done.

The thoughts of all Canadians are with them today.

OTTAWA – NDP Environment Critic, Megan Leslie, took advantage of Stephen Harper’s meeting with Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, on the subject of shale gas to criticize Conservative inaction on this issue.

Conservatives still haven’t imposed shale gas regulations that were promised over two years ago and refuse to answer questions from NDP MPs on the issue in the House, said Leslie. 

“The situation is urgent. The federal government plays its part in shale gas exploration and development. But the Conservatives are avoiding all responsibility by attacking environmental assessments in their budget. How can Stephen Harper tell the Polish Prime Minister about regulating shale gas when the Conservatives refuse to do their homework here in Canada?” said Leslie. 

“Canadians are concerned about this issue and it’s time for the Conservatives to act in their interest instead of that of their friends in the oil industry. It’s time they act to protect Canadians against the harmful effects of shale gas,” she said. 

The NDP is calling on the Conservatives to impose adequate regulations on shale gas exploration without delay. 

“The Conservatives must protect our environment and Canadians who are concerned about the risks of water pollution and earthquakes associated with shale gas fracking. There is a reason why this technique is subject to a moratorium in several provinces.”

65 years ago today, the Parliament of Canada repealed the infamous Chinese Immigration Act.

For 24 years, this act, also known as the “Chinese Exclusion Act,” banned the Chinese from entering Canada.

However, at the end of the 19th century, nearly 17,000 of them had contributed, in extremely difficult conditions and sometimes at the cost of their lives, to the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway.

Today, Canadians of Chinese origin are one of the most important ethnic groups in Canada. They have established strong and prosperous communities in many parts of the country and are present in all spheres of activity.

The anniversary of the revocation of this law, that we mark today, is that of a victory against discrimination and the affirmation of Canada as a welcome home for immigrants.

On behalf of Ontario New Democrats, and from one mom to mothers across Ontario, happy Mother’s Day!

Today’s a day to honour the women whose love and support helped to make us the people we are today. Juggling careers and competing responsibilities is never easy but Moms do it every day and they deserve our thanks.

We can’t forget that from time to time mothers need a helping hand too. When New Democrats reached out for advice on how to make the budget fairer, mothers responded. You told us to protect daycare, to improve healthcare and education, and to make sure that the challenges of tough economic times are shared equally by all Ontarians.

So today I’m saying thank you to my Mom, reminding you to thank yours, and pledging to work hard for all the hardworking Moms over the next year.

QUEEN’S PARK – NDP Finance Critic Michael Prue says Ontario needs to do a better job of creating job following a Statistics Canada reported that Ontario shed 7,700 jobs between March and April.

“Ontario needs to do a better job of creating jobs. While other provinces are seeing real growth in jobs and more people going back to work, Ontario is lagging behind. We can do better,” said Prue. “With more job losses this month, there are now 575,000 people out of work in the province. We’re putting forward positive ideas to put them back to work. Our job creator tax credit would reward companies when they create jobs and put thousands back to work.”

This morning Statistics Canada reported that Ontario lost 7,700 jobs from March to April, and 30,000 more people are now unemployed. The unemployment rate went up from 7.4% to 7.8%. Meanwhile, Canada as a whole gained nearly 60,000 jobs. The province of Quebec gained 23,000 jobs.

Prue noted that the New Democrats’ proposed Job Creation Tax Credit – modeled after a similar initiative by President Obama – would reward employers with tax credit for all full-time new hires. The tax credit would be funded from the existing $2 billion Jobs and Prosperity Fund, so as not add a nickel to the provincial deficit. The New Democrats are also pushing to ensure that Ontario’s natural resources are used to create value-added jobs by ensuring that raw resources are not exported if they can be processed in Ontario.

“People are looking to their elected representatives to work together to find solutions to joblessness. We’re putting forwards constructive and reasonable ideas. Let’s get to work,” said Prue.

GATINEAU – In a speech before members of the Quebec Union of Municipalities today in Gatineau, Official Opposition Leader Tom Mulcair committed to restoring the voice of towns and communities in federal politics.

“For far too long, the federal government has been failing in its responsibility to work with the provinces on issues of importance to municipalities,” he said. “Municipalities have more responsibilities than ever—from economic development to immigrant settlement. But we’re expecting them to fulfill these responsibilities without sufficient funding.” 

Mr. Mulcair cited the Building Canada Fund, which is designed to improve infrastructure but will end in three years. “Municipalities will find themselves without stable and reliable funding. That is why New Democrats will ensure that the government keeps its promise to establish a long-term plan to take over from this program.”

He also underlined the need to combine environmental protection with economic development.

The New Democratic Leader also mentioned some of his party’s achievements on behalf of communities since forming the Official Opposition. It’s thanks to the NDP’s persistence that the Conservatives finally agreed to fund the replacement of the Champlain Bridge in Montreal. He also mentioned the New Democratic proposals for a national public transit strategy and an affordable housing plan.   

Mr. Mulcair concluded: “I look forward to working with the QUM, and municipalities across the province, to build an even stronger and more sustainable relationship—and to guarantee a better future for Quebec towns and communities.”

OTTAWA — In a move that defied common sense, Conservatives voted against a bill to broaden access to preventive withdrawal for pregnant workers tabled by NDP Labour Critic Alexandre Boulerice (Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie).

 Because of the Conservatives’ stubbornness, a pregnant woman who works for a federal company, like an air carrier, and who is placed on preventative leave by her doctor, doesn’t have the same wage protection as another woman in the same situation, but who works for a municipal bus service.

 “Why are the Conservatives refusing to recognize this injustice? Why do they persist in creating two groups of workers with different rights? My bill was fair and would have assisted women and their families. If we want to encourage people to have children, we must provide them with the adequate living conditions to do it,” said Alexandre Boulerice.

 The NDP considers it essential to protect the health and safety of pregnant women. That was the motivation behind Alexandre Boulerice’s bill.

 Bitterly disappointed by the Conservatives’ refusal to support Bill C-307, the New Democrat MP invited them to explain themselves. “The government must tell us why women who work under the Canada Labour Code can’t be as well protected as women working under provincial jurisdiction. The workers deserve an explanation,” he concluded.