Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:52:40 -0700 http://www.fpj.ca/ Canadian Federal Politics Journal en-ca http://www.fpj.ca/images/logo.gif http://www.fpj.ca/ info@whitebark.ca http://www.fpj.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=390 Layoffs will affect Air Canada workers in Montreal, Winnipeg and Vancouver Following today’s lay-off announcement of more than 1,000 Air Canada machinists, New Democrats are proposing measures which would help these workers and their families in these tough economic times. “With our economy still on shaky foundations, we need to make sure that we are proactive to help lessen the damage caused by these layoffs,” said New Democrat Deputy Leader Thomas Mulcair (Outremont). “This isn’t just about 1,000 workers, but a choice by our government to put jobs first in our economic recovery.” Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:52:40 -0700 http://www.fpj.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=389 Following four years of Conservative disinterest in China, Liberals are meeting today to work on Canada’s long-term strategy for China. “China has the world’s third largest economy, the largest population and is growing at full speed,” said Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff. “In order to compete internationally and assert our voice in the Asia-Pacific region, Canada needs a comprehensive plan for engagement with China.” Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:50:15 -0700 http://www.fpj.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=388 The Green Party of Canada is calling for the immediate release of the panel report "2010 And Beyond" on the future of high performance athletics in Canada. The panel, chaired by policy expert David Zussman, toured Canada and received advice from Canada's sports community on how to better support athletes. "The panel report has been on Gary Lunn's desk since October 2009. Now that a very successful Olympics--showing the benefit of investments in high-performance athletes--has closed, it is time to look to the future," said Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada. Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:48:24 -0700 http://www.fpj.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=387 Prime Minister Stephen Harper today congratulated the Canadian athletes, coaches, volunteers and organizers who contributed to making the 2010 Olympic Winter Games held in Vancouver and Whistler a tremendous success: “These Games were Canada’s time to shine. With the hopes of millions of Canadians resting on their strong shoulders, our Olympic athletes more than shone, they swept away records, amazed us with their courage and showed the world the strength of Canadian athletics. “On behalf of all Canadians, I would like to thank the entire national Olympic team for providing us with some of the most exciting moments in Canadian sporting history. Your commitment, dedication, spirit and success at these Games have inspired the nation and will undoubtedly motivate young Canadians to follow in your footsteps. Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:46:43 -0700 http://www.fpj.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=386 Le chef du Bloc Québécois, Gilles Duceppe, a exprimé sa tristesse à la suite du décès de l’écrivaine Madeleine Ferron. Vous trouverez ci-joint le message livré un peu plus tôt par le chef du Bloc Québécois. « Permettez-moi ces quelques mots pour exprimer ma tristesse à la suite du décès de Mme Madeleine Ferron au cours de la dernière fin de semaine. Écrivaine engagée, Mme Ferron est issue d’une famille qui a grandement contribué à la culture et à l’identité sociale des Québécoises et des Québécois. Elle était notamment bien connue pour ses actions significatives pour la protection du patrimoine beauceron. Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:40:25 -0700 http://www.fpj.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=385 The Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, Marc Mayrand, announced today that the registered parties' fourth quarter financial returns for 2009 are now available on the Elections Canada Web site. The chief agent of a registered party that is entitled to a quarterly allowance must submit a quarterly return on the party's contributions and transfers to the Chief Electoral Officer within 30 days of the end of the quarter. Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:33:27 -0700 http://www.fpj.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=384 Prime Minister Harper’s prorogation of the 40th Parliament last December for the reasons he has given sets a dangerous precedent. And the op-ed piece by Paul Benoit in The Ottawa Citizen on January 15th failed miserably in its attempt to refute an earlier article written by 170 university professors who accused the Prime Minister of undermining our system of democratic government. The Professors were right and Mr. Benoit reflects the problem we have with Harper’s bias towards American philosophies. He works with Hill & Knowlton, one of the largest public relation firms in the U.S. In 2009 Harper’s government paid them over $132,000 for their services as “Management Consultants”. Will that op-ed be part of their next bill? Harper states the government needs time to recalibrate. He wants time to develop new policies and programs. But that is what Parliament and its committees are designed to do! Why send the MPs and Senators home when the government is looking for new ideas? Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:32:28 -0700 http://www.fpj.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=383 New Democrat Employment Insurance Critic Yvon Godin (Acadie—Bathurst) is calling on the Minister of Human Resources to help the more than 500,000 unemployed who have still not found work and who have exhausted their employment insurance benefits. “Without an effective job creation strategy, the unemployed will need government assistance. The government cannot simply offload the problem onto the provinces,” said Yvon Godin. “People who are unemployed and without employment insurance benefits still have to pay their bills and pay rent. Since social assistance benefits are just above the poverty line, there is cause for concern about these families.” Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:30:49 -0700 http://www.fpj.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=382 New Democrat Sports Critic Glenn Thibeault (Sudbury) and Deputy Leader Thomas Mulcair (Outremont) called today for a Royal Commission on violence in sports. New Democrats made this demand on behalf of the millions of people concerned about the increase in disgraceful and violent behaviour in sport, and the inability of professional and amateur leagues to solve the problem. “It is high time this issue is taken seriously. League authorities need to explain why a savage attack, which would result in charges of aggravated assault anywhere else, warrants nothing but a few game suspensions,” said Thibeault. Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:30:02 -0700 http://www.fpj.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=381 Liberals are working on Parliament Hill today by hosting a roundtable on international development, with an eye to repairing Canada’s global reputation damaged by the Harper Conservatives. “Under the Harper government, the world has taken a different view of Canada – and it’s not a positive one,” said Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff. “We once had a proud reputation as the most generous, compassionate and giving nation for coming to the aid of the world’s vulnerable. We need to return to that position of prominence, not out of pride, but because helping our global neighbours in need is the right thing to do.” Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:28:26 -0700 http://www.fpj.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=380 Liberal MPs are calling on Prime Minister Stephen Harper to assure Canadians that he won’t change Canada’s long-standing tradition of recognizing women’s reproductive rights and access to contraception as part of his maternal health initiative, and will work in full partnership with the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF). Conservative MP Brad Trost has petitioned the House of Commons to cut Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) funding to the IPFF. Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:27:40 -0700 http://www.fpj.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=379 Black History Month is an important opportunity to celebrate the enormous contributions that Black Canadians have made to Canadian society. "This month, all Canadians can take some time to learn about the history of Black people in our country and how their presence and achievements have influenced our culture," said Green Leader Elizabeth May. February has been officially designated Black History Month in Canada since 1995, growing out of a long history of unofficial celebrations of the contributions of Black Canadians. Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:26:01 -0700 http://www.fpj.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=378 Prime Minister Stephen Harper today filled five vacancies in the Senate. The appointments are another step toward implementing the Government’s tackling-crime agenda and respecting the will of the democratically-elected House of Commons. Appointed are Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu (QC), Bob Runciman (ON), Vim Kochhar (ON), Elizabeth (Beth) Marshall (NL) and Rose-May Poirier (NB). These appointments give the Government a plurality of seats in the Upper House. Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:25:10 -0700 http://www.fpj.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=377 Prime Minister Stephen Harper today underlined the importance of Newfoundland and Labrador’s construction industry in building Canada’s future prosperity as Canada prepares to implement the second phase of its Economic Action Plan. “In executing the first phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the importance of the men and women of the construction industry in Newfoundland and Labrador, and throughout the country, cannot be overstated. As we prepare to launch the second phase, that role will become no less essential,” said Prime Minister Harper in a speech to the Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Association. Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:24:11 -0700 http://www.fpj.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=376 « On pouvait malheureusement s’attendre à ce que le gouvernement fédéral ne respecte pas l’avis des experts en matière de lutte aux changements climatiques, mais jamais on n’aurait pu penser que le gouvernement ne respecterait même pas ses propres objectifs, déjà largement insuffisants par rapport à ceux établis par le protocole de Kyoto », a commenté aujourd’hui le porte-parole du Bloc Québécois en matière d’environnement et député de Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie, Bernard Bigras. Le député du Bloc Québécois se dit ainsi consterné par l’annonce par le ministre fédéral de l’Environnement, Jim Prentice, des intentions de son gouvernement d’adopter une cible de réduction de 17 % d’ici 10 ans de ses émissions de gaz à effet de serre, avec 2005 comme année de référence. Cet objectif d’une réduction des émissions de l’ordre de 20 %, avec l’année de référence de 2006, constitue un recul en rapport avec l’objectif que les conservateurs ont véhiculé jusqu’ici. Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:22:10 -0700 http://www.fpj.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=375 New Democrat consumer protection critic Glenn Thibeault is disappointed that consumers will have to pay for the shortcomings of their government once again. As Finance Minister Jim Flaherty’s 60-day consultation period on his government's voluntary credit card and debit card code of conduct drew to a close yesterday, several business groups lobbied for businesses to be allowed to charge consumers an extra fee to cover rising transaction fees. Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:14:18 -0700 http://www.fpj.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=374 Following the outpouring of generosity towards the Haitian earthquake relief effort, Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff called on the federal government to extend last year’s tax deadline for charitable donations that benefit Haiti. “Canadians have been touched by the sheer magnitude of this crisis, and have given generously to help our friends in Haiti,” said Mr. Ignatieff. “But the need for immediate humanitarian assistance remains staggering, while the task of rebuilding Haiti looms. We should do everything we can to encourage more giving.” Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:12:42 -0700 http://www.fpj.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=373 Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced changes to the Ministry in preparation for a Speech from the Throne and the implementation of Phase II of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. “Just as it was this past year, our priority in the new session of Parliament will continue to be rapid and effective implementation of Canada’s Economic Action Plan to benefit communities, workers and businesses,” said the Prime Minister. “Investments in infrastructure and initiatives to protect existing jobs and create new ones must continue. At the same time, we must look ahead to future challenges. These include restoring a balanced budget once our economy is fully recovered and building our economic future.” Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:10:49 -0700 http://www.fpj.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=372 À l’occasion de l’ouverture du caucus du Bloc Québécois tenu à Québec, le chef du Bloc Québécois, Gilles Duceppe, s’est fait un devoir d’exiger et d’obtenir du Canada qu’il propose, qu’il contribue à définir, à financer et à mettre en œuvre un plan de reconstruction d’Haïti dès la rencontre de Montréal, le 25 janvier prochain. Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:09:19 -0700 http://www.fpj.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=371 Registered political party fourth quarter allowances for the 2009 fiscal year have been paid. These allowances are based on the results of the 40th general election of October 14, 2008. Registered political parties that meet voting thresholds in a general election are eligible to receive quarterly allowances. The current annual allowance, adjusted for inflation, is $1.999 per valid vote ($1.75 x 1.142). This annual allowance is paid in quarterly installments. Sun, 17 Jan 2010 12:09:50 -0700 http://www.fpj.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=370 It is strange that the non-elected Senate in Ottawa appears to be a better watch dog today for our rights and liberties than the elected House of Commons. The top down Harper government introduced a regressive Bill C6, The Consumers Products Safety Act , earlier this session. The Bill provides for unprecedented levels of discretionary power to be wielded by civil servants. Inspectors could search Private Property without a warrant and, without Court supervision, seize private property, destroy private property, take control of businesses and in some circumstances keep seized private property. Sun, 17 Jan 2010 12:07:06 -0700 http://www.fpj.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=369 Today’s government announcement regarding expedited immigration and adoption processes and additional support for Haitian-Canadian families is a commendable step in the right direction, though more changes are needed, according to New Democrat Immigration Critic Olivia Chow (Trinity-Spadina). “The government has announced a number of commendable changes to immigration and adoption policies for Haitian-Canadian families, but we need them to go further,” says Chow. “The government has not changed the policy in order to allow the sponsoring of siblings. This is a very significant part of the changes we asked for. Canadians consider their brothers and sisters as part of their family. We need to help them bring them home.” Sun, 17 Jan 2010 12:05:57 -0700 http://www.fpj.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=368 We need at least 250 Membership Declarations signed during 2010 that the Party Leader can accumulate and submit to Elections Canada to comply with the Canada Elections Act membership laws. The about 700 citizens who signed Marijuana Party Membership Declarations from 2004 to 2009 will be mailed a request with a stamped return address envelope to mail back one of the official Elections Canada Membership Declarations. The first deadline for the Marijuana Party Leader to submit 250 is June 30, 2010. Sun, 17 Jan 2010 12:04:44 -0700 http://www.fpj.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=367 Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff made the following statement tonight regarding the death of a Canadian soldier in Afghanistan: Tonight, I join with all Canadians as we mourn the loss of Sgt. John Faught in Afghanistan. Sgt. Faught, of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, served with the 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, based in Edmonton. He was killed in the line of duty by an improvised explosive device while on a joint foot patrol in town of Nakhoney, located in the Panjwaii district of Kandahar province. Sun, 17 Jan 2010 12:03:41 -0700 http://www.fpj.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=366 Later this month, the Green Party of Canada will be releasing an alternative economic plan, which if followed would rescue Canada from a worsening structural deficit. Originally intended to be released as part of an election platform, the Greens will present an economic plan to get out of the deficit on January 25, the day Parliament should have opened. “Obviously, Canada can not wait any longer for fiscally responsible ideas on how to repair our economy,” said Green Leader Elizabeth May. Sun, 17 Jan 2010 12:02:02 -0700