News

OTTAWA – Deputy NDP Industry Critic, Claude Gravelle (Nickel Belt) moved a motion calling for the immediate reinstatement of the mandatory long-form portion of the 2011 census. The motion passed with a minor amendment.

“Expert after expert made it perfectly clear that Minister Clement’s ideological decision, made without any consultation and against the recommendation of Statistics Canada, would seriously hinder our capacity to collect and analyze critical data on issues affecting countless communities in Canada,” said Gravelle.

Historic vote recognizes human right to water

OTTAWA - New Democrats are applauding today's vote at the United Nations to recognize access to water and sanitation as basic human rights. They also expressed dismay at the Harper government’s refusal to support the resolution.

Centre for American Progress, 2007

Executive Summary
Most arguments for reducing poverty in the U.S., especially among children, rest on a moral casefor doing so—one that emphasizes the unfairness of child poverty, and how it runs counter to ournational creed of equal opportunity for all.

Donald Hirsch, Joseph Rountree Foundation, 2008

This paper:
• includes the findings from three specially commissioned reports and estimates some of the tangible costs resulting from child poverty.

Key points
• Child poverty’s consequences are wide-ranging and long-lasting. Children from low-income families are less likely to do well in school, and more likely to suffer ill-health and to face pressures in their lives that help to explain an association with anti-social behaviours and criminality.

OTTAWA – Who’s minding the store? That’s the question New Democrats are asking after learning the startling fact that the CRTC has no research on the impact of foreign ownership in Canada’s broadcast and telecom industries. New Democrat Culture Critic Charlie Angus says the Harper government’s decision to open the doors to foreign buy-outs was taken without any data or research from the country’s regulator.

“This is an important piece of legislation that will help to promote dignity for all Canadians,” said Chandra Pasma, a policy analyst with Citizens for Public Justice.  “We believe that developing a poverty elimination strategy is something all political parties, all Canadians and all people of faith should support.”

WINNIPEG – New Democrat Jean Crowder (Nanaimo-Cowichan) is challenging the Conservative government to listen to First Nations and change how they deliver education. Crowder made the comments following renewed calls for dialogue at the AFN national convention in Winnipeg.

Not only does this bill speak to a tremendous need in this country, it also reflects significant civil society consultation and multi-party collaboration. Congratulations to Mr. Martin, and thanks to MPs Mike Savage (Liberal) and Yves Lessard (Bloc) for their support of this legislative initiative.

Gouging by wireless companies continues despite soaring profits

OTTAWA – In light of the recent report on the profits of Canada’s largest wireless companies, NDP Industry critic Brian Masse (Windsor West) has renewed his call for the Conservative Government to implement the New Democrat Cell Phone Consumers Bill of Rights.

A recently released Bank of America-Merrill Lynch report shows that Rogers, Bell and Telus still control 95 percent of wireless service in the country and have the highest reported profits in the developed world.

When it is passed, we will have an actual engagement on the federal level in poverty elimination which, combined with work at the provincial, municipal and community level, could create the momentum to make a difference.