News

"We can make choices as a government. Government can become important again in providing leadership. We can do things that will be in the best interest of the people we serve and the planet that serves all of us."

OTTAWA – Dan Nystedt’s six-week cross Canada train journey landed here at Parliament today, with the Sault film producer interviewing MP Tony Martin and other advocates for his documentary on short-line rail. 
 

OTTAWA – Local Member of Parliament Tony Martin is supporting New Democratic sub-amendments to the 2010 federal Budget which would effectively cancel the introduction of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) in Ontario.

OTTAWA – New Democrats have moved an amendment to the federal budget calling on help for seniors, shelving the corporate tax handouts, investing in job creation and strengthening our commitment to a clean-energy future.

“Our goal is to make Parliament work for all Canadians but we cannot support the budget as written,” Sault MP Tony Martin said. “We want to shelve the corporate handouts and use the money instead for better priorities for people in places like Sault Ste. Marie Algoma.”

OTTAWA -- Women and men around the world recognize International Women's Day as a time to reflect upon and celebrate women’s social, political and economic achievements, both globally and locally. In this country, much progress has been made since Canadians first marked International Women’s Day in 1977.

Sadly, there is still much work to be done. Women across the world continue to suffer extreme poverty, violence and violations of their basic human rights. 

OTTAWA – Northern Ontario New Democrat MPs are outraged that the Conservative government has reportedly killed FedNor as a separate regional development agency.

“New Democrats have longed campaigned for FedNor to be a stand-alone agency like the others in the country but the Conservatives have not only refused but now appear to have thrown FedNor under the bus,” Sault MP Tony Martin said. “It is the worst possible economic news for northerners and northern communities.”

“Money for ACR, Invasive Species, Great Lakes But Many Wrong Choices” – Tony Martin

Ottawa, ON – NDP Mining and FedNor Critic, Claude Gravelle (Nickel Belt) today called on Industry Minister Tony Clement to commit the necessary long term funds to make FedNor a stand-alone federal development agency similar to the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), the Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD), Canada Economic Development for Québec Regions (IDEA-SME), and the Southern Ontario Development Agency (SODA).

OTTAWA – Self-employed workers in Canada can now register voluntarily for the Employment Insurance plan in order to qualify for parental, maternity, sickness and compassionate care benefits. Yvon Godin (Acadie-Bathurst) encourages the self-employed to register quickly, in order to be able to use this improved system if the need arises.

(Kevin Connor, The Edmonton Sun, March 1, 2010)  NDP Leader Jack Layton is demanding that prime ministers lose the ability to prorogue Parliament.
 
Layton said Sunday that when federal politicians get back to work in Ottawa this week, he'll call for an emergency debate about the issue.
 
Prime Minister Stephen Harper delayed the opening of Parliament until after the Olympic Games in Vancouver.