NDP COMMITS TO RESTORING HEALTHCARE FUNDING

NDP COMMITS TO RESTORING HEALTHCARE FUNDING

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 20, 2014

NDP COMMITS TO RESTORING HEALTHCARE FUNDING

OTTAWA – In an historic speech before the Canadian Medical Association, NDP Leader Tom Mulcair promised that a New Democrat government would restore previous levels of healthcare funding to the provinces and cancel the Conservatives’ $36 billion in cuts.

“Money alone cannot solve the problems facing our healthcare system. But without money, we won’t solve a thing,” Mulcair declared to members of the CMA this morning.

This was the first time in 147 years that the leader of the Official Opposition was invited to speak before the General Council of the influential association.

“An NDP government would use any budget surplus to cancel the proposed cuts to healthcare,” declared the Leader of the NDP.  “Mr. Harper, after giving Canada’s richest corporations $50 billion in tax breaks, don’t you dare take $36 billion out of healthcare,” added Mr. Mulcair.


B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell stepping down as HST controversy becomes too great

B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell stepping down as HST controversy becomes too great

VANCOUVER – B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell fell on his political sword Wednesday, expressing hope that his resignation will refocus attention on his government's economic performance and away from the hated harmonized sales tax that was his undoing…In Ottawa, opposition MPs quickly blamed the Conservative government for Campbell's demise and suggested the Tories will pay the same price at the polls. "Everybody knows the premier of British Columbia just resigned because of the failure of the HST that was a fiasco caused by the Prime Minister and by the Minister of Finance," NDP MP Libby Davies said in Question Period.



An Open Letter to the Public Safety Minister on the Extradition of Marc Emery

An Open Letter to the Public Safety Minister on the Extradition of Marc Emery

The Honourable Vic Toews
Minister of Public Safety
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0A6

Dear Minister Toews,

I write to ask that you stop the extradition of Canadian Marc Emery to the United States and allow him to serve his prison sentence in Canada.

Your government took a rare and unnecessary step today, by extraditing a Canadian citizen to serve a prison sentence in America for actions that are not worthy of prosecution under Canadian laws. Further to this uneven approach, it is my understanding that American officials were amiable to Mr. Emery serving his sentence in Canada. Yet your government has refused to cooperate.

I therefore urge you to act in best the interest of this Canadian citizen and in the interest of Canadian sovereignty and allow Mr. Emery to serve his sentence in Canada.

I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible on this urgent matter.

Sincerely,

Libby Davies, MP
Vancouver East
NDP Spokesperson for Drug Policy


Ottawa still has influence in health policy, Aglukkaq says – Libby Davies

 

Ottawa still has influence in health policy, Aglukkaq says

GATINEAU, QUE.—Ottawa still has sway with the provinces on health policy, despite issuing a new funding formula without conditions, says Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq. But federal-provincial talks on the future of health care won’t be the tense, high-stakes game of chicken of the past, Aglukkaq said in her first public comments since Finance Minister Jim Flaherty handed provinces the federal health-funding scheme for the coming decade. Instead, the discussions will be more about performance measurement, accountability and sharing of best practices rather than money, she told reporters. Critics and some provinces have accused Ottawa of abdicating its responsibility to maintain a high national standard for health care, and Aglukkaq’s comments on Thursday did nothing to change those views. “She’s dreaming if she thinks it’s a better atmosphere,” said NDP health critic Libby Davies. “I think they’ve botched the whole file.”




STATEMENT BY OFFICIAL OPPOSITION LEADER TOM MULCAIR IN RESPONSE TO OPEN LETTER ON SOCHI OLYMPICS AND LGBT RIGHTS

STATEMENT BY OFFICIAL OPPOSITION LEADER TOM MULCAIR IN RESPONSE TO OPEN LETTER ON SOCHI OLYMPICS AND LGBT RIGHTS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 9, 2013

New Democrats welcome this initiative aimed at uniting Canadians in a strong response to Russian legislation promoting hatred and intolerance against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals in Russia.

We are happy to lend our support to proposals that help place additional pressure on Russia to respect and honour its international human rights obligations.

It is crucial that all athletes – young women and men who have worked tirelessly to prepare to compete at the Olympics Games – are able to participate fully in the Sochi games.

We urge the Canadian government to act forcefully in support of human rights in Russia and urge civil society and human rights organisations to sign on to this initiative.

Canada’s parliament, government and civil society must unite behind the defense of human rights and work together to ensure that the games in Sochi are inclusive and respectful of the rights of LGBT athletes and spectators.

New Democrats are steadfast in support of human rights and look forward to continuing to work with civil society organizations in support of LGBT rights in Canada and around the world.




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