2013 05 22
NDP moves to protect independence of key Crown Corporations

The NDP is decrying the Conservatives’ attempt to give political officials direct control over employment decisions at the Bank of Canada, the CPP Investment Board, and the CBC with their latest omnibus bill, Bill C-60.

2013 05 20
Police should investigate 90k payment from Harper top aide

OTTAWA – NDP Ethics critic Charlie Angus has written to RCMP Commissioner Robert Paulson regarding the troubling actions of former Stephen Harper top aide Nigel Wright.

2013 05 17
NDP calls for Elections Canada investigation into Mike Duffy’s campaign expenses
Elections Canada needs to get to the bottom of “double-dipping” allegations

TORONTO – Today, NDP Democratic Reform critic Craig Scott (Toronto-Danforth) sent a letter to Elections Canada asking for an investigation of Mike Duffy’s expense claims from the last federal election. 

2013 05 16
Angus asks Senate ethics commissioner to investigate Duffy payout allegations
Mike Duffy and Stephen Harper’s Chief of Staff Nigel Wright must come clean on contradictions

TIMMINS – NDP Ethics critic Charlie Angus (Timmins--James Bay) has written to the Senate Ethics Officer Lyse Ricard asking for an investigation into accusations of a ‘cash-for-repayment’ scheme involving Mike Duffy and the Prime Minister’s Office. 

2013 05 15
Senate expense scandal spreads to PMO, independent investigation needed
Stephen Harper’s Chief of Staff implicated in allegations of a Mike Duffy cash-for-repayment scheme

OTTAWA – Revelations about an alleged cash-for-repayment scheme developed by Mike Duffy and the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff Nigel Wright are proof that an independent investigation is needed into the Senate spending scandal, according to the NDP. 

2013 05 15
Diluted drugs: Health Canada knew about gaps in oversight

OTTAWA – With recent confirmation that Health Canada rebuffed oversight meeting requests from a chemotherapy drug supplier, and then attempted to blame the provinces, the NDP is asking the Conservatives to stop playing with Canadians’ lives and take action. 

2013 05 14
Charlie Angus asks Senators to make legal opinions public

TIMMINS – Today, NDP Ethics critic Charlie Angus (Timmins – James Bay) released two letters asking Senators to publicly release legal opinions on the residency requirements for sitting in the Senate.

2013 05 14
Conservatives must answer for data breaches

New Democrats are calling on the Conservatives to finally take the privacy of Canadians seriously and investigate the decade long data breaches from government departments.

2013 05 14
Climate change and social development must remain top priorities for Arctic Council

OTTAWA – Canada’s term as the Chair of the Arctic Council must maintain the organization’s focus on environmental protection and social development, said New Democrats today.                                                                                                                 

2013 05 13
New Democrats welcome the formation of garment workers’ union in wake of Bangladesh disaster

MONTREAL – New Democrats welcomed the recent measures adopted by the government of Bangladesh today to allow garment workers to unionize. 

2013 05 13
Clement must crack down on partisan Conservative emails sent to public servants

Official Opposition Treasury Board Critic Mathieu Ravignat (Pontiac) sent a letter to Treasury Board President Tony Clement today demanding an immediate investigation into the possible abuse of public servants’ email addresses by the Conservative Party of Canada.

2013 05 10
Conservatives making it harder for Canadian families to reunite

OTTAWA – New Democrats slammed the Conservatives today for making it harder for Canadian families to reunite with their parents and grandparents abroad. 

2013 05 08
Conservatives attacking basic science because they just don’t get it

OTTAWA – The NDP is concerned that the Conservatives’ overhaul of the National Research Council (NRC) indicates an alarming lack of insight about how science works and will hurt Canada’s science and innovation capacity.

2013 05 08
NDP demands documents on missing $3.1 billion in anti-terrorism funding

OTTAWA – Ahead of tomorrow’s NDP Opposition Day, New Democrat Treasury Board critic Mathieu Ravignat (Pontiac) tabled the following motion today in the House of Commons: 

2013 05 08
Autonomy of Crown corporations must be respected: NDP and workers

OTTAWA — New Democrats and labour unions representing workers at Crown corporations have launched a campaign against sections of Bill C-60, which grant the Treasury Board sweeping powers to intervene in the terms and conditions of employment for workers and managers at Crown corporations. 

2013 05 07
Conservatives knew TFWs were taking Canadian jobs

OTTAWA – New Democrats voiced outrage today after reports surfaced showing how the Conservatives were aware that their changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) were making it easier for companies to bring in foreign labour – at the cost of Canadians’ jobs. Despite the warnings, Conservatives chose to do nothing. 

2013 05 07
Conservatives undermine Canada’s scientific and innovation capacity

OTTAWA – New Democrats slammed Conservative changes to the National Research Council as narrow-minded and short-sighted. The changes will see the NRC focused more on immediate commercial science and lose the once-proud institute’s capacity in long-term scientific and innovation research. 

2013 05 07
Budget Implementation Bill must be divided

OTTAWA – New Democrat Treasury Board critic Mathieu Ravignat (Pontiac) tabled a motion in the House of Commons today to split the Budget Implementation Act (C-60) by removing clauses pertaining to the Financial Administration Act and collective bargaining between Crown corporations and their employees and referring them to the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates. 

2013 05 06
RCMP members speak out: Conservative changes to RCMP Act fail to get the job done

OTTAWA – Today, as C-42 continues to be reviewed by a Senate committee, New Democrats were joined by RCMP members' associations in arguing that the Conservative bill will be inadequate to rebuild public confidence in the RCMP. 

2013 05 03
CBC must remain completely independent: NDP
In honour of World Press Freedom Day, the Conservatives should seize this opportunity to repeal their plan to interfere in collective bargaining.

The Conservative government should take advantage of World Press Freedom Day to withdraw its plan to interfere in the CBC collective bargaining process, said New Democrat Heritage critic, Pierre Nantel.

2013 05 02
Budget Implementation Bill must be divided: NDP

OTTAWA — New Democrat critic for Human Resources and Skills Development Chris Charlton (Hamilton Mountain), tabled a motion in the House of Commons today to split the Budget Implementation Act (C-60) by removing clauses changing the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the temporary foreign workers program and referring them to the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities. 

2013 05 02
Christine Moore tables bill to support volunteer firefighters

New Democrat MP Christine Moore (Abitibi-Témiscamingue) tabled a bill today to support volunteer firefighters across the country.

2013 05 02
Budget implementation bill must be divided

OTTAWA — New Democrat Industry critic Hélène LeBlanc (LaSalle-Émard) tabled a motion in the House of Commons today to split the Budget Implementation Act (C-60) by removing clauses changing the Investment Canada Act  and referring them to the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology.

2013 05 02
New Democrat bill will protect whistleblowers

OTTAWA – New Democrat Treasury Board critic Mathieu Ravignat (Pontiac) tabled a private member’s bill to strengthen the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act today in the House of Commons.

2013 05 01
Budget Implementation Bill must be divided

OTTAWA  — New Democrat Finance critic, Peggy Nash (Parkdale-High Park), tabled a motion in the House of Commons today aimed at dividing the budget bill into several parts so that each one can be properly studied by the appropriate parliamentary committee.

2013 05 01
NDP calls on Auditor General to investigate cuts to CRA

OTTAWA – Alarmed at impending cuts to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), New Democrats are today calling on the Auditor General to open an investigation into the agency’s ability to crack down on tax cheats. 

2013 05 01
New Democrats call for action in the wake of Bangladesh tragedy

OTTAWA — New Democrat Foreign Affairs Critic Paul Dewar (Ottawa Centre) has tabled a motion to conduct a parliamentary study of the tragedy in Bangladesh and take action to prevent similar tragedies in future.

2013 05 01
Peter Julian and Rathika Sitsabaiesan re-elected Chair and vice-Chair of National NDP Caucus

OTTAWA – Today, the MP for Burnaby – New Westminster and Energy and Natural Resources critic, Peter Julian, was re-elected by acclamation as Chair of the national NDP caucus.  

2013 04 30
Blanchette-Lamothe elected chair of status of women committee

OTTAWA –Today, Lysane Blanchette-Lamothe (Pierrefonds—Dollard) was elected new Chair of the Commons Standing Committee on the Status of Women. 

2013 04 30
Inadequate tweaks to foreign worker program fail to save Canadian jobs

OTTAWA – Conservative tweaks to the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program are inadequate and fail to protect Canadian jobs. 

2013 04 30
Auditor General’s Report: Conservatives putting Canadians’ lives at risk
Numerous flaws persist in department management, including National Defence and Canada Revenue Agency

OTTAWA – Conservatives have let search and rescue deteriorate to the point that Canadians’ lives are at risk. The Auditor General’s lengthy document also identifies serious gaps in government performance and monitoring, resulting in the loss of $29 billion in unpaid taxes and unaccounted expenditure of $3.1 billion in anti-terror funding. 

2013 04 29
Budget bill, take three: another year, another omnibus bill
In 115 pages, Omnibus 3.0 changes at least fifty laws

OTTAWA – The Conservatives have once again filled the budget bill with measures which are not related to the budget. Omnibus 3.0 is the Conservatives’ third attempt to evade parliamentary scrutiny on their job-killing agenda.

2013 04 29
Bangladesh tragedy highlights the need for corporate accountability rules

OTTAWA – Following the Bangladesh factory tragedy, NDP Foreign Affairs critic Paul Dewar (Ottawa Centre) is urging the federal government to ensure that Canadian businesses incorporate greater corporate responsibility in their business practises.  

2013 04 29
Health Minister unable to ensure Canadians’ safety
American authorities raising doubts on Canadian drug manufacturer

New Democrats are questioning the ability of the Conservative government to ensure Canadians’ safety, noting that for the second time in only a few months, American authorities are sounding the alarm on the bad practices of a Canadian pharmaceutical company. 

2013 04 26
New Democrats support Canada’s foreign service officers

OTTAWA – Today New Democrats expressed their support for Canada’s diplomats who have been locked in a labour dispute with the Conservative government.

2013 04 26
NDP asks information commissionner to investigate Library and Archives Canada's Code of Conduct

OTTAWA – In the wake of the minister of heritage's visit to Library and Archives, New Democrats have asked the information commissioner to investigate the government's Code of Conduct at Library and Archives, in the context of her ongoing investigation into the muzzling of federal government scientists and experts. 

2013 04 25
Conservative cuts: Toxic anti-inflammatory found in Quebec meat

OTTAWA – NDP Agriculture critic Malcolm Allen (Welland) is alarmed by reports that residue of an anti-inflammatory drug was found in meat destined for sale in Quebec – the drug is so toxic that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has a zero tolerance policy towards it. 

2013 04 25
NDP launches campaign to boycott Sri Lanka’s Commonwealth meeting
Harper leaves the door open to participation in the Sri Lanka meetings

OTTAWA – Official Opposition New Democrats Paul Dewar (Ottawa Centre) and Rathika Sitsabaiesan (Scarborough—Rouge River) have launched a national campaign to pressure the Conservatives to fully boycott the Commonwealth meetings in Sri Lanka unless an independent and international investigation into alleged war crimes are accepted by the government of that country.

2013 04 25
Government must comply with PBO’s information request on National Defence cuts

OTTAWA – Conservatives must comply with the PBO’s information request on cuts to DND, New Democrats demand.

2013 04 24
Tom Mulcair and NDP MPs meet with NS Justice Minister regarding Parsons case

OTTAWA – In the wake of the Rehtaeh Parsons tragedy, Official Opposition Leader Tom Mulcair met with Nova Scotia Justice Minister, Ross Landry and the Parsons family to discuss a proposal for new legislation to criminalise the non-consensual transmission of intimate images.

2013 04 24
NDP urges Conservatives to recognize harmful effects of climate change and take action

OTTAWA – On the occasion of the NDP Opposition Day tomorrow, New Democrat Environment critic, Megan Leslie (Halifax), tabled the following motion in the House of Commons:

2013 04 23
Government must reject reductions to postal services
Report foreshadows major cuts that will hurt our communities

OTTAWA – Conservatives must pledge to maintain essential postal services for all Canadians, New Democrats demanded.

2013 04 22
NDP takes action to protect waterways from Conservative attacks

OTTAWA – In a move designed to urge the Conservatives to reverse reckless changes to the Navigable Waters Protection Act, the NDP has launched a campaign to restore protection to all of Canada’s lakes and rivers, starting with the Canadian Heritage Rivers, by introducing ten private member’s bills. 

2013 04 19
NDP Bill on language skills of officers of Parliament moves forward

OTTAWA – MP Alexandrine Latendresse (Louis-Saint-Laurent) is pleased that her bill, C-419, is progressing to 3rd reading in Parliament after being studied by the Official Languages Committee this week.

2013 04 18
NDP urges Conservatives to take Aboriginal claims seriously

As part of tomorrow’s opposition day, New Democrat Aboriginal Affairs critic, Jean Crowder, tabled the following motion in the House of Commons:

2013 04 18
Airlines’ use of foreign pilots costing Canadian jobs

OTTAWA – Canadian pilots are yet another group to suffer job losses as a result of the Conservatives’ mismanagement of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). 

2013 04 17
NDP slams Harper’s tax on consumer goods
Conservatives raise $8 billion in taxes including new tariffs on over 1,200 products

Today New Democrats slammed the Conservatives for the $8 billion tax raise on Canadian, including consumer goods like bicycles.

2013 04 17
Canada-China agreement cannot be ratified in current form
We need an agreement that is consistent with the best interests of Canadians and allows us to maintain control of our natural resources

OTTAWA – Negotiated behind closed doors by the government and containing significant gaps, the Canada-China Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA) has not been unanimously accepted, even among the Conservatives. New Democrats urge the government to inform China without delay that it will not ratify this agreement in its current form. 

2013 04 16
NDP to request study on impact of iPod tax

OTTAWA – Ahead of tonight’s vote on their Opposition Day Motion urging MPs to condemn tax hikes on consumer goods, New Democrats are requesting that the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology study the impact the tax increases will have on Canadians. 

2013 04 14
NDP adopts new preamble to its constitution
New Democrats want future that reflects Canadians’ ideals and goals

MONTREAL — New Democrats adopted a new preamble to their constitution today, as part of the federal convention being held in Montreal this weekend.

2013 04 13
NDP wants to build clean and sustainable future

MONTREAL — Today, New Democrats have supported a number of resolutions aimed at building a clean and sustainable future. 

2013 04 13
Rebecca Blaikie re-elected NDP President

Current President of the New Democratic Party, Rebecca Blaikie, was re-elected party president today by delegates at the NDP`s federal convention in Montreal. 

2013 04 11
NDP urges government to stop propaganda and put Canadians back to work

OTTAWA — New Democrats tabled a motion in the House of Commons today urging the Conservative government to put an end to its Economic Action Plan advertising campaign and use these funds to put Canadians back to work. 

2013 04 11
NDP condemns deceptive tax hikes
Conservatives breaking promise to Canadians not to raise taxes

OTTAWA – Even though they promised not to raise taxes in the 2013 budget, the Conservative government is imposing hidden taxes on Canadians, lacking sensitivity and judgement. New Democrats condemn these damaging tax hikes and the hypocrisy of the government, which is breaking its promise to Canadians. 

2013 04 11
New PBO report shows Conservatives playing shell game with infrastructure

OTTAWA – According to a new Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) report, Conservatives are simply shifting infrastructure money around instead of proposing a real plan to tackle the infrastructure deficit facing Canadian communities. 

2013 04 11
Withdrawal from health partnership hurts Northern Canadians
Conservative refusal to pay outstanding dues is embarrassing Canada

OTTAWA – Conservatives are hurting Northern Canadian communities and further isolating Canada on the world stage by withdrawing from the Northern Dimension Partnership in Public Health and Social Well-being (NDPHS).

2013 04 10
New Democrats condemn Conservatives’ move to cut soldiers’ danger pay

OTTAWA - New Democrat Defence critic Jack Harris today slammed Conservative plans to cut danger pay for Canadian soldiers serving in Afghanistan and the Middle East. In the face of public outcry, the Prime Minister’s Office has now indicated that it’s reviewing the decision.

2013 04 10
Conservative mismanagement of Temporary Foreign Workers Program threatens Canadian jobs

Conservative mismanagement of the temporary foreign workers program is putting Canadian jobs at risk. To protect Canadian jobs, New Democrats are calling for an urgent overhaul of the program.

2013 04 10
Birth control recall: Government took too long

OTTAWA – New Democrats say the Conservative government took too long to issue an urgent recall for Alysena-28 birth control pills, putting women’s health at risk and increasing the risk of unplanned pregnancy. 

2013 04 09
Amateur athletes need protection

As federal court hearings begin in Philadelphia to determine the merit of lawsuits contending that the NFL hid the risks of concussion-related brain injuries on players, NDP Consumer Affairs critic Glenn Thibeault (Sudbury) is urging the government to take action to protect Canada’s amateur athletes.

2013 04 09
Conservatives failing to fight tax cheats
Canadians playing by the rules and filing their taxes demand fairness

OTTAWA –New Democrats are demanding accountability from Conservatives for their continued failure to bring an end to the billions of dollars lost through tax evasion.

2013 04 09
MP Olivia Chow and Canadian truck manufacturer take leadership on life-saving sideguards

TORONTO – NDP Official Opposition Transport critic, Olivia Chow (Trinity-Spadina), is pleased to announce that Shu-Pak, a Canadian manufacturer of heavy trucks, will be voluntarily installing sideguards on all of its new vehicles. 

2013 04 09
NDP welcomes RCMP investigation into Veterans Affairs harassment allegations

OTTAWA – NDP Veterans critic Peter Stoffer is pleased by reports that the RCMP is investigating allegations that the Veterans Review and Appeal Board leaked a former member’s personal information.

2013 04 07
Protection of personal information must be priority
New study reveals that majority of Canadians support principles defended by NDP in Bill C-475

A study published last week by the Privacy Commissioner demonstrates the urgent need to examine the issue of protection of personal information in Canada. As a result, 71% of Canadians surveyed believe that the protection of personal information will be one of the most important issues facing Canadians in the next ten years and 97% want to be informed in the event of a breach.

2013 04 05
Settlement reached in veterans lawsuit

NDP Veterans Affairs critic Peter Stoffer (Sackville – Eastern Shore) is pleased that a nearly five-year battle between the federal government and Canadian veterans is coming to a close with the approval of an $887-million settlement.

2013 04 05
Conservatives chase charities instead of catching tax cheats

NDP National Revenue critic Murray Rankin (Victoria) is concerned that, instead of going after white-collar criminals using tax havens, the Conservatives have wasted $5 million of the Canada Revenue Agency’s (CRA) severely limited budget in an audit of charitable organisations that has essentially come up empty-handed.

2013 04 04
NDP raises alarm bells about trade deficit
Canada’s trade performance is on a disturbing trend under Conservatives

OTTAWA – Canada’s current account trade deficit has ballooned under the Conservatives and it continues to worsen. Stacked up against 18 of the most comparable trading nations, including the US and Australia, Canada is at the bottom of the list when it comes to trade performance. And the trend shows things are getting worse.

2013 04 04
Conservatives using public funds for partisan purposes
Misinformation letter on EI reform sent to Quebec, Ontario and Maritimes

OTTAWA — The Conservatives are trying to justify the gutting of employment insurance by using public funds for partisan purposes. Many Canadians recently received a letter from the government describing the changes to EI. However, by disguising the origin of the letter, Canadians instead received a partisan document from the Conservatives, said New Democrats.