The Hill Times is an independently-owned newsweekly based in Ottawa. We
break ground and blaze trails every week. We're an influential must-read
and we write for the savvy, political and government insider. http://www.hilltimes.com/
As we near the end of August many of the usual ?end of summer? traditions are starting to take place. Parents are completing their back to school shopping, university and college students are preparing to head to their schools and everyone is looking towards Labour Day - the last long weekend of the summer. For many tourism-related businesses in our riding, this time of year is also when they start to take stock of how their peak season has gone and how this will affect their bottom line.
Over the last week or two I?ve felt both great pride and great disappointment in the work of others. I remain extremely proud of the efforts of our local event organizers and the region?s amateur athletes, but disappointed by the continuing misadventures of the Harper government in Ottawa.
Just $2 million donated for more than 14 million emergency flood victims
OTTAWA ? The Harper Conservative government is failing to live up to Canada?s international obligations by providing just $2 million to assist more than 14 million flood victims in Pakistan, say New Democrats.
I spent most of this past week in Ottawa taking care of a few housekeeping items and tying up some loose ends.
Among the business I was taking care of was conducting some outreach on my pension security bill C-501. As part of these outreach efforts I drafted and sent a letter to each of my colleagues in the House of Commons asking for their feedback on the bill, launched a Facebook group, and held a national press conference to put the issue on the public agenda as widely as possible across Canada.
As we near the end of August many of the usual ?end of summer? traditions are starting to take place. Parents are completing their back to school shopping, university and college students are preparing to head to their schools and everyone is looking towards Labour Day - the last long weekend of the summer. For many tourism-related businesses in our riding, this time of year is also when they start to take stock of how their peak season has gone and how this will affect their bottom line.
Over the last week or two I?ve felt both great pride and great disappointment in the work of others. I remain extremely proud of the efforts of our local event organizers and the region?s amateur athletes, but disappointed by the continuing misadventures of the Harper government in Ottawa.
Just $2 million donated for more than 14 million emergency flood victims
OTTAWA ? The Harper Conservative government is failing to live up to Canada?s international obligations by providing just $2 million to assist more than 14 million flood victims in Pakistan, say New Democrats.
I spent most of this past week in Ottawa taking care of a few housekeeping items and tying up some loose ends.
Among the business I was taking care of was conducting some outreach on my pension security bill C-501. As part of these outreach efforts I drafted and sent a letter to each of my colleagues in the House of Commons asking for their feedback on the bill, launched a Facebook group, and held a national press conference to put the issue on the public agenda as widely as possible across Canada.
As we near the end of August many of the usual ?end of summer? traditions are starting to take place. Parents are completing their back to school shopping, university and college students are preparing to head to their schools and everyone is looking towards Labour Day - the last long weekend of the summer. For many tourism-related businesses in our riding, this time of year is also when they start to take stock of how their peak season has gone and how this will affect their bottom line.
Over the last week or two I?ve felt both great pride and great disappointment in the work of others. I remain extremely proud of the efforts of our local event organizers and the region?s amateur athletes, but disappointed by the continuing misadventures of the Harper government in Ottawa.
Just $2 million donated for more than 14 million emergency flood victims
OTTAWA ? The Harper Conservative government is failing to live up to Canada?s international obligations by providing just $2 million to assist more than 14 million flood victims in Pakistan, say New Democrats.
I spent most of this past week in Ottawa taking care of a few housekeeping items and tying up some loose ends.
Among the business I was taking care of was conducting some outreach on my pension security bill C-501. As part of these outreach efforts I drafted and sent a letter to each of my colleagues in the House of Commons asking for their feedback on the bill, launched a Facebook group, and held a national press conference to put the issue on the public agenda as widely as possible across Canada.
‘Bay Street Budget’ Leaves Northwestern Ontario Behind
HST and Payroll Tax Increase Will Hit Consumers and Small Business Hard
March 4, 2010
OTTAWA – New Democrat Members of Parliament John Rafferty (Thunder Bay – Rainy River) and Bruce Hyer (Thunder Bay – Superior North) expressed disappointment in the federal Conservative government budget which they say is fiscally irresponsible, raises taxes, and neglects key economic sectors in Northwestern Ontario.
“The government has failed, again, to exercise fiscal responsibility and common sense when it comes to their budget process,” Rafferty said. “To anyone wondering a $54 billion deficit will do for the people of Northwestern Ontario, the answer is not much.” Hyer agreed noting that the government continues to make the wrong decisions when it comes to taxation and job creation. “This budget was crafted on Bay Street and it shows. Banks are getting a huge tax break, but consumers and small business, especially in Northwestern Ontario are getting hammered with new tax increases. This is not a budget that will help create jobs in Northwestern Ontario,” he said.
The two MPs say that the budget fails in several respects, but most significantly fails consumers and small businesses by increasing taxes through measures that will implement the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) in Ontario and British Columbia, and the raising the payroll taxes of every working Canadian.
Government adopts elements of New Democrat Workers First bill
Fri 18 Sep 2009
OTTAWA – Government legislation based on the New Democrat bill which puts workers at the front of the line in bankruptcy settlements has now come into effect.
“The adoption of elements of our Worker’s First bill is a significant victory for workers,” said New Democrat Leader Jack Layton. “Never again will workers wait for the scraps left by the creditors, instead of receiving the pensions they’ve earned. As of today, the workers are at the front of the line.”
The New Democrat bill, which was adopted in 2007, ensures that wages, pensions and benefits receive top priority for payment when employers go bankrupt—ahead of banks and other creditors.
“While today should be celebrated as a victory for workers, there is still more work to do,” said Layton. “These changes must be retroactive, and the government must also commit to including unfunded pension liabilities. New Democrats will continue to press for implementation of the complete Workers First bill.”
Statement by Jack Layton regarding proposed EI changes
Mon 14 Sep 2009
There are now 1.6 million unemployed in Canada.
And unfortunately throughout this coming winter many more Canadians will lose their jobs.
Most economists agree that the job losses will continue until at least next spring. Those people need help.
I spent the summer visiting ridings across the country. I met many people who had lost their jobs. I heard their stories about how badly they need help.
Many of them are coming to the end of their benefits and are going to end up on welfare. Those people are counting on us.
The announcement today appears to be a step in the right direction.
There is much more to be done. And many workers are left out.
Our preference remains fighting for the unemployed – not fighting a second election within the year.
But make no mistake: we have no intention of giving this government a blank cheque, like Michael Ignatieff and the Liberals did.
We will be studying the bill and considering it very seriously.
We will evaluate this initiative on its merits, and we’ll do the same with anything else they bring forward.
Thank you.
New Democrats Demand Harper Take Action on Greyhound Cuts to Northwestern Ontario
Intercity bus service an ‘essential’ service’ to region
