OTTAWA – NDP Pension Critic Irene Mathyssen (London – Fanshawe) called on the finance minister to honour his commitment to work with the provinces to increase retirement security for Canadians. The finance minister has yet to honour his six-month-old promise to work with the provinces to increase the Canada Pension Plan / Quebec Pension Plan. 

“In December the finance minister promised Canadians that he would meet with his provincial counterparts by June 2013,” said Mathyssen. “June is almost over and there’s no sign of a provincial finance ministers meeting anytime soon. I have asked the minister in the House several times when the meeting will be scheduled and he has refused to answer.” 

More and more Canadians are heading into retirement without enough savings. There is a growing consensus that a phased increased in the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) is the most practical and effective way to boost the retirement security of Canadians. As even the government’s own data shows, a modest increase in CPP premiums could finance a substantial increase in benefits. 

“Canadians depend on the CPP/QPP for retirement security,” said Mathyssen. “The government’s failure to show leadership on this extremely important issue shows the Conservatives don’t take the retirement security of Canadians seriously.”

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Official opposition tables motion to increase transparency and replace the BOIE with independent body

OTTAWA – NDP Caucus Chair Peter Julian (Burnaby – New Westminster) has tabled a motion to bring full transparency and accountability to the House of Commons. 

“This motion would create an independent body charged with ensuring accountability and transparency in Parliament. New Democrats are proposing that MPs no longer be in charge of policing themselves,” said Julian. “This would not only increase transparency but also increase accountability beyond simple disclosure.” 

The NDP has been working on these issues for over a year and have brought forward similar proposals on MP pensions and MP salaries. 

“We hope the Conservatives and the Liberals will look at this proposal seriously. It’s time to have a serious debate about this issue – we need to move beyond stunts and political games,” said Julian.  

The motion reads as follows: 

That, in order to bring full transparency and accountability to House of Commons spending, the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs be instructed to: 

(a)  conduct open and public hearings with a view to replace the Board of Internal Economy with an independent oversight body; 

(b)  invite the Auditor General, the Clerk and the Chief Financial Officer of the House of Commons to participate fully in these hearings; 

(c)  study the practices of provincial and territorial legislatures, as well as other jurisdictions and Westminster-style Parliaments in order to compare and contrast their administrative oversight; 

(d)  propose modifications to the Parliament of Canada Act, the Financial Administration Act, the Auditor General Act and any other acts as deemed necessary; 

(e)  propose any necessary modifications to the administrative policies and practices of the House of Commons; and 

(f)   report its findings to the House no later than December 2, 2013 in order to have any proposed changes to expense disclosure and reporting in place for the beginning of the next fiscal year.

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The Iranian presidential election showed once again that despite the regime’s repression, the people of Iran continue to pursue change at every opportunity. 

The people of Iran used these elections to send a clear signal to the world and to the regime that they reject extremism. 

We share global concerns that the political and electoral processes in Iran remain deeply undemocratic. Candidates were pre-vetted by a secretive committee appointed by the Supreme Leader, opposition activists remain in prison, and press freedom is tightly restricted. But the outcome of the elections matter.           

We urge the government of Iran to use this moment as an opportunity to set the country on a new path for the future – one that respects the democratic aspirations of the people of Iran.  In particular, we call on Iran to honour its international obligations and engage constructively with our allies in P5+1 to agree to a diplomatic solution that will fully address the international community’s grave concerns about Iran’s nuclear program. 

We also call the government to respond to the democratic demands of its citizens, release all political prisoners, build constructive relationships with the international community, and fully respect the political and human rights of all Iranians. 

We continue to stand in solidarity with the people of Iran in their pursuit of peace and freedom.

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OTTAWA — New Democrat Citizenship and Immigration critic Jinny Sims (Newton-North Delta) and deputy critic Sadia Groguhé (Saint-Lambert) have issued the following statement: 

Today, Canadians across the country are taking part in rallies to condemn the Conservative cuts to health care services for some of the most vulnerable members of our society. On behalf of New Democrats everywhere, we join these Canadians and call for a reversal of Conservative cuts to the Interim Federal Health (IFH) Program for refugees. 

Last year we urged the Conservatives to have a heart and cancel these cuts before they came into effect. Sadly, Conservatives completely ignored the demands of doctors, health experts and former refugees. Our health care professionals report that as a result of these cuts, many people have been denied the care they needed. 

A core value in our society is the idea that we all have a responsibility to take care of one another – especially the vulnerable. Unfortunately, the Conservatives ignored that basic Canadian value and chose to play politics with people’s lives. 

Canadians deserve better. Once again, we urge the government to reverse these reckless cuts.

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“New Democrats join their voices with those of provinces and territories—and other countries around the world—who will mark World Elder Awareness Day.

 The NDP has long demonstrated its commitment to offering seniors the best possible quality of life so that they may grow older with the dignity and respect they deserve.  

 Unfortunately, poor treatment of seniors continues on many levels—financial, physical and intellectual—and we share a responsibility to stop it. As we move forward, I would like to acknowledge the efforts of those organizations that work so hard to end elder abuse and negligence. 

 Let me also share a special thought for CARP founder Lillian Morgenthau, who died last Thursday. She founded this visionary organization nearly 30 years ago, long before we devoted such collective attention to the protection and well-being of seniors. Her vision helped to raise public awareness about the issues seniors face and to encourage social progress so seniors may live without fear of discrimination. We must continue on this path and do even more to prevent seniors from becoming victims of abuse.

 New Democrats believe that by reinforcing—not cutting—programs and services for seniors that have proved successful, they will be stronger, healthier, and more confident as they live out their lives.

 We are all responsible for seniors’ safety and well-being. The NDP will continue to propose solutions to make their lives better.”

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