Statement by Niki Ashton calling on supporters to join in Ray of Hope candlelight vigils, April 8, 2013
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.
When Stephen Harper made a pledge to take action in forging a Crown relationship with Aboriginal peoples, we – like many Canadians – were hopeful that this would represent a new beginning. However, instead of a face-to-face, nation-to-nation dialogue, what we’ve seen is continued inaction from the Conservatives that has only served to widen the existing gulf.
In a country like ours, it is disturbing that First Nations members feel they must put their lives on the line to get action from this government. We are concerned about Elder Robinson’s health, and the path that the Conservatives have chosen. Stephen Harper’s refusal to change his approach towards Aboriginal peoples is unnecessarily escalating the situation and setting the stage for future confrontations.
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Diane Finley’s broken record
The revelation that one of Canada’s largest banks used the temporary foreign workers program to replace Canadian employees has shocked many. But for Human Resources and Skills Development Minister Diane Finley it’s just another opportunity for her to utter feigned indignation.
“If true, this situation is unacceptable,” said the Minister, in no uncertain terms.
Seasoned observers will note that the use of the term ‘unacceptable’ by Minister Finley is not new. When it was found that a British Columbia mining company had included foreign language requirements in order to hire foreign workers instead of Canadians, the minister stated in the House that these requirements were “unacceptable.” The same harsh words, the same lack of concrete action.
Canadians find it unacceptable that the minister is twiddling her thumbs while employers fire Canadian workers and replace them with a foreign workforce at a lower wage. New Democrats will always fight |
Statement by Official Opposition Leader Tom Mulcair on death of Margaret Thatcher
On behalf of all New Democrats, I express my sincere condolences to Mrs. Thatcher's loved ones and the people of Great Britain.
Lady Thatcher was one of the most influential British politicians and world leaders of the 20th century.
Not only was she Britain's first and only woman Prime Minister, but she is also the country’s only leader to win three consecutive terms. |
Jason Kenney’s outsourced outrage
This weekend dozens of Canadians at one of Canada’s largest banks learned firsthand the impacts of the Conservatives’ temporary foreign worker program: they’re losing their jobs.
When news of this situation broke Minister Kenney desperately tried to distance himself with artificial outrage telling the CBC Saturday "you can't displace Canadians to hire people from abroad".
He even gave advice on how to deal with employers replacing Canadians with temporary foreign workers:
“[They] should have the book thrown at them." - Immigration Minister Jason Kenney, Canada.com, April 4, 2013
Far from having ‘the book thrown at them’, a company spokesperson stated that the Government of Canada helped them navigate ‘the book’ in support of this action:
"We’ve already been in conversation with government departments last week as this came forward and we are working with them" – Zabeen Hirji, Chief Human Resources Officer for RBC, CBC Newsworld, April 7, 2913
In fact Conservat |
