OTTAWA – NDP Environment Critic Megan Leslie criticized the Conservative government’s decision to cut the Freshwater Institute’s Experimental Lakes program in Northern Ontario, which contributed to groundbreaking research on the effects of pollutants on freshwater ecosystems for the past fifty years.

OTTAWA - New Democrats today applauded Official Languages Commissioner Graham Fraser’s decision to launch an important study aimed at improving access to justice in both official languages for all Canadians.

The study will examine in detail two issues under federal responsibility that contribute to the institutional bilingualism of the superior court judiciary: the selection and appointment process for the judiciary; and language training for judges appointed to superior courts.

OTTAWA – Official Opposition Veterans Affairs Critic Peter Stoffer (Sackville-Eastern Shore), Deputy Critic Sylvain Chicoine (Châteauguay-Saint-Constant) and Halifax MP Megan Leslie urged the federal government today to not appeal the recent Federal Court decision on the Service Income Security Insurance Plan (SISIP) that ruled in favour of injured veterans.  The federal government has until May 31^st to announce its intention to appeal.

Ottawa – New Democrats reacted today to the Human Rights Impact Report of the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement tabled by the government in the House of Commons. The yearly report is an obligation under the agreement signed by Canada and Colombia to monitor human rights in the context of increased commercial and trade links between both countries. 

A NDP motion criticizing the budget bill for weakening environmental protection and rewriting the Canada Fisheries Act was supported by all opposition parties today but failed to pass because it was blocked by the government.

 This budget bill threatens our environment for decades to come. It will cause harm to our lakes, rivers, oceans, ecosystems and fisheries.

OTTAWA – Proposed changes to Meat Inspection Regulations (MIR) will leave Canadians wondering if the meat they buy is actually safe, because of the Conservatives’ reckless cutting spree.  Private inspectors, who may not be qualified, will now be able to inspect meat.  Worse, these changes to meat inspection rules also change what meat is acceptable – meaning already-dead meat and crippled animals’ meat will be okay for processing for Canadians’ tables.

OTTAWA – New Democrats announced today that they will take the study of the sweeping Conservative budget implementation bill to the public, holding a series of hearings in Ottawa and across the country.

“The Conservatives are trying to pull the wool over the eyes of Canadians,” said Cullen. “New Democrats believe that MPs have a duty to study legislation and that the public has a right to know the results of those studies.”

OTTAWA – NDP Environment Critic, Megan Leslie, took advantage of Stephen Harper’s meeting with Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, on the subject of shale gas to criticize Conservative inaction on this issue.

Conservatives still haven’t imposed shale gas regulations that were promised over two years ago and refuse to answer questions from NDP MPs on the issue in the House, said Leslie. 

GATINEAU – In a speech before members of the Quebec Union of Municipalities today in Gatineau, Official Opposition Leader Tom Mulcair committed to restoring the voice of towns and communities in federal politics.

OTTAWA – After a marathon week of damning testimony from legal experts, frontline workers and refugees in opposition to the refugee bill, C-31, New Democrats are calling on the Conservatives to abandon the legislation and go back to the drawing board. 

OTTAWA – A series of recommendations was tabled by the NDP in the House of Commons today that would bring Canada to the forefront in an increasingly digital marketplace.

Today I would like to acknowledge and thank the many people who contribute their time, skills and money to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent movement and the work they do all around the world.

The Red Cross - Red Crescent continues to be a central provider in responding to health issues and providing humanitarian aid in communities and countries struck by conflict and natural disasters the world over.