Today marks the day in 1914 when the Komagata Maru, a ship carrying 376 Indian passengers arrived in Vancouver seeking refuge. Due to discriminatory laws, passengers were prevented from disembarking and the ship remained in Burrard Inlet for two months before it was sent back. While the ship was in port, passengers were denied basic necessities, including food and water.
May 18 marked the fourth anniversary of the end of the 25-year Sri Lankan civil war, a tragedy that in its final days led to the horrific deaths of thousands of civilians trapped by the military on a small stretch of land. Along with other Canadians of Tamil heritage and Tamils around the world, New Democrats marked this day by attending commemorative vigils in memory of those who lost their lives. I was honoured to attend rallies on behalf of NDP and deliver greetings from our leader Tom Mulcair.
Conservatives are now in full-out political panic over the pay-off to Mike Duffy and attempted cover up of the Senate expense scandal. Nigel Wright's resignation doesn't fix anything.
On behalf of the New Democratic Party of Canada, I would like to extend my sincere condolences to the family of Elijah Harper; his wife Anita Olsen Harper, his children Bruce and Holly, and his step-children Karen, Dylan, Gaylen and Grant.
It was only 23 years ago today that homosexuality was removed from the World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Classification of Diseases.
In early 2011, I met with the police in order to help in their investigation.
On behalf of Canada’s New Democrats, I congratulate Commander Chris Hadfield on a successful mission.
On behalf of the New Democratic Party of Canada, I would like to extend my sincere condolences to the family of Senator Doug Finley and, in particular, to my colleague in the House of Commons, Minister Diane Finley.
Twenty-one years ago today, 26 miners went to work underground at the Westray Mine in Plymouth, Nova Scotia and never returned home to their families. My thoughts are with those families who were affected by this tragedy, in particular those still left without the justice they deserve.
“After shutting down debate prematurely, and without even taking the time to defend the budget bill in the House of Commons, the Conservative government failed to be transparent and ignored our demands to split the bill for proper study.
New Democrats support PEI Premier Ghiz’s call for a long-overdue National Seniors Strategy. The Conservatives’ inaction on this file is irresponsible. They have no comprehensive plan for seniors, who now form the fastest-growing segment of our population.
I would like to congratulate Robert P. Kelly on his appointment as Chairman of the Board of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
It is my pleasure to extend best wishes to all Canadians celebrating Orthodox Easter.
Today we are marking World Press Freedom Day.
On behalf of Canada’s New Democrats, I would like to congratulate Stephen Poloz on being selected as the new Bank of Canada governor.
OTTAWA – New Democrat Labour Critic Alexandre Boulerice (Rosemont--La Petite-Patrie) has issued the following statement on International Workers’ Day:
New Democrats across Canada are proud to celebrate Asian Heritage Month.
New Democrats supported the passage of Bill C-15, the Strengthening Military Justice in Defence of Canada Act, at third reading today.
Multiple sclerosis (MS), the most common neurological disease among Canadian young adults, affects the lives of thousands of Canadians every day. Its symptoms include fatigue, loss of balance as well as vision impairment, and difficulty walking and speaking. Canada has one of the highest rates of MS in the world and every day, three more Canadians are diagnosed with this chronic disease.
With the impacts of climate change already occurring in Canada and around the world, it is really discouraging that the Conservatives and Liberals voted against our motion recognizing the need to act quickly to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Every day, five Canadians will die in workplace-related accidents.
Today the Conservatives had an opportunity to show the people of NunatuKavut in Labrador that after 22 years, Ottawa was finally listening. Unfortunately, the Conservatives did not rise to this occasion.
New Democrats would like to recognize the exceptional contribution by Judge Morris J. Fish to Canada’s legal community, upon the announcement of his retirement.
Poorly negotiated by the Conservative government, the Canada-China Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Act (FIPA) is not in the best interest of Canadians and does not meet our needs. This agreement will bind us to China for 31 years.
This week is National Volunteer Week. Let us take a moment to salute the 13.3 million volunteers who give their time and energy to build their communities, to build a better Canada.
Earth Day is an opportunity for Canadians to take action to preserve our planet and to demand action from governments.
New Democrats say the Conservative government must provide long term assistance to Aboriginal communities like the Neskantaga First Nation, in North Western Ontario, which declared a state of emergency following a recent wave of suicides.
Despite their promise to Canadians not to raise taxes in the 2013 budget, the Conservatives are pushing ahead with deceptive tax hikes, which will represent a several billion dollar bill for Canadian taxpayers.
New Democrats are shocked and saddened by the senseless violence we have witnessed at the Boston Marathon in Massachusetts today. We join all Canadians in condemning this act in the strongest possible terms.
Vahiguru Ji Ka Khalsa! Vahiguru Ji Ki Fateh!
As the first person of Tamil origin to be elected to Canada’s parliament, it gives me great pleasure to wish all Tamil Canadians Happy New Year.
Today marks the 96th anniversary of the Canadian Corps taking Vimy Ridge, a momentous day in Canadian history.
The NDP is urging supporters across the country to attend the Ray of Hope candlelight vigils taking place in cities across Canada this evening to show support and solidarity, standing united with Aboriginal peoples.
On behalf of all New Democrats, I express my sincere condolences to Mrs. Thatcher's loved ones and the people of Great Britain.
This year, World Health Day is dedicated to hypertension, a condition that affects nearly 18% of Canadians. Among baby-boomers, that percentage climbs to 25%.
On behalf of all New Democrats, I would like to commend the decision of the Federal Court of Canada to uphold Jordan’s Principle in the case of Jeremy Meawasige, a teenager with disabilities living on the Pictou Landing First Nation reserve.
Today the government announced that it has completed payment to the families of the victims of the bombing of Air India Flight 182.
On Holocaust Memorial day, we remember with deep sadness the systematic extermination of six million human beings simply because they were Jewish.
New Democrat Foreign Affairs Critic Paul Dewar (Ottawa Centre) issued the following statement in reaction to the adoption of a UN Arms Trade Treaty:
For the first time this year, Canada is officially marking World Autism Awareness Day on April 2. Legislation to this effect was unanimously adopted in the House of Commons, June 20 of last year.