YELLOWKNIFE—New Democrat Leader Jack Layton today accused Stephen Harper of failing the needs of Northern Canadians.

“Whether it’s standing by as our pristine North is polluted, promoting an ill-conceived Northern Strategy or ignoring the calls for a highway along the Mackenzie Valley, Stephen Harper has made it clear that he is not concerned with the problems facing the people of the North,” Layton said.

Speaking on a visit to Yellowknife with Western Arctic MP Dennis Bevington, Layton had harsh words for Harper, accusing him of allowing industry to trump the environment. He noted recent reports that high levels of toxic pollutants in Alberta’s Athabasca River are linked to oil sands mining.

Layton also blasted Harper’s so-called Northern Strategy, saying that it completely misses the mark. “This government is spending billions of dollars on military jets when Northern communities don’t even have basic infrastructure,” Layton said. “If you want to build up Canada’s Arctic Sovereignty, support and invest in the people who live there. New Democrats have been saying this for years.”

Layton contrasted the Conservative government’s failures in the North with New Democrat Arctic policies, including a motion calling for a complete review of all laws and regulations concerning unconventional oil and gas development, as well as a proposal to increase the Northern Residents Tax Deduction by 50%.

“Real leadership is talking to people, not manufacturing photo-ops,” Bevington said. “No amount of ATV riding or dancing will make up for the inaction Harper has shown us in the North.”

OTTAWA – New Democrat Charlie Angus (Timmins-James Bay) says the Conservative Government has crossed over the line by insinuating that police support for the gun registry represents a threat to Canada’s freedom. The suggestion was made in an e-mail note Angus received from Garry Breitkreuz, Conservative Chair of the Public Safety Committee.

“I was flabbergasted to learn that the Tories are now using conspiracy theories to attack the integrity of our front line police officers,” said Angus. “When the Chief of Police in Timmins calls me to tell me that the registry is useful to his officers, as the MP I have to take that into account. I can’t stand by while Mr. Breitkreuz tries to smear their reputation for political gain.”

In an op-ed Monday, Conservative MP Garry Breitkreuz (Yorkton-Melville) attacked Canada’s chiefs of police for their support of the Long Gun registry, suggesting it was part of a plan to take guns away from citizens:

“Why are the police chiefs so strident in their quest to keep the registry in place? They won’t admit it, but it appears they don’t want Canadians to own guns. To that end, they need a database that will help them locate and seize those firearms as soon as a licence or registration expires.”

Angus says he is fed up with the smear tactics of the Tories.

“They have suppressed evidence. They have attacked anyone who questions them. Now the Chair of the Public Safety Committee has stooped to the level of crackpots and conspiracy theorists to undermine the police in this country.”

Angus says he made it clear to Breitkreuz that such tactics will not sway any votes.

“I came to represent the concerns of rural residents and get answers on whether the gun registry is working or not. The Tories seem intent on sowing distrust between citizens and our police. The Government owes an apology to the police for this gutter conduct,” concluded Angus.

OTTAWA – Canada should add its support for the establishment of a UN Commission of Inquiry into alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes committed by the military regime in Burma, says New Democrat Leader Jack Layton (Toronto-Danforth).

“Canadians have spoken out against human rights violations in Burma – from political repression and forced displacement of civilians to sexual violence, torture and murder,” said Layton. “Violating human rights has been used systematically and with impunity by the Burmese junta and it’s time to establish a UN Commission of Inquiry.”

If countries like Canada failed to call for a UN Commission of Inquiry on Burma, the junta regime will only be emboldened to continue its violations of human rights, said New Democrat Foreign Affairs Critic Paul Dewar (Ottawa Centre).

“With no further delay, Canada should support the call for the establishment of the commission and offer its active role in coordinating such an inquiry,” said Dewar. “Canadians have a history of being human rights champions and supporters.”

United States, Britain and Australia, among others, have already supported the call for a Commission of Inquiry. Over 80 Canadian Parliamentarians have also called on the government to do the same.

Announces NDP plan to strengthen gun control, respect rural concerns

OTTAWA – New Democrat leader Jack Layton today called on Prime Minister Harper and Opposition leaders to stop playing cynical political games and work to strengthen gun control and respect rural concerns.

“Stephen Harper is pitting Canadian region against Canadian region with his all or nothing show-down. This is un-Canadian,” said Layton. “This is the poisonous politics of the United States. Not the nation-building politics of Canada.”

“Rural, northern and Aboriginal Canadians have been ignored for too long,” continued Layton. “We reject Stephen Harper’s offensive stereotype that their priorities begin and end with guns. That’s why New Democrats are fighting for rural and northern priorities: healthcare, broadband, and solutions for the family farm.”

New Democrats understand that stopping gun violence has always been a priority for rural and urban Canadians and outlined measures to address serious concerns about the registry raised by rural Canadians, while strengthening public safety.

“This debate has been going on for 15 years in this country and successive Prime Ministers have failed Canadians time and time again on this issue,” said Layton. “Real leadership is about finding solutions that bring us together. Instead of all or nothing brinksmanship that divides Canadians – let’s build bridges between urban and rural Canada that puts public safety first.”

My thoughts and sympathies are with the family and friends of Cpl. Brian Pinksen of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Newfoundland Regiment, based in Corner Brook, NL. Pinksen, 21, who was injured on August 22nd by an IED, tragically succumbed to his injuries at the military hospital he was being treated at in Germany earlier today.

Cpl. Pinksen’s passing will come as a blow to the community in Corner Brook, where he is from. The untimely death of such a young man serves as a solemn reminder to us all of the dangers faced each day by our soldiers in Afghanistan.

My prayers are with the Pinksen family, and with the families of all the men and women who continue to proudly serve our country.

OTTAWA – On the first International Day against Nuclear Tests, New Democrats renewed their call for Canadian leadership toward achieving the goal of a nuclear-weapon-free world.

“As we mark the first International Day against Nuclear Tests, we urge the government to encourage the full ratification and entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT),” said New Democrat Foreign Affairs Critic Paul Dewar (Ottawa Centre). “The government must clearly show that, if elected to the Security Council, a comprehensive nuclear weapons convention would be a top priority for Canada.”

Last December, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously declared August 29 as the International Day against Nuclear Tests. The date marks the start of the nuclear arms race in 1949 when, on August 29, the Soviet Union conducted its first nuclear test, following tests by the United States. The site was shut down on August 29, 1991, after over 450 nuclear bombs had been tested, with scant consideration for health and safety.

“Canada can play a key role in supporting the UN Secretary-General’s Five Point Plan for Nuclear Disarmament,” said New Democrat MP Bill Siksay, the Canadian Chair of Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament (PNND). “The government should make the goal of a nuclear-free-world one of Canada’s top priorities”.

“Nuclear arms continue to pose a significant threat to global security as they risk becoming available to more state and non-state entities,” concluded Dewar. “Now is the time for Canada to act.”

Tarium Niryutait Marine Protected Area fails to protect Arctic wildlife

OTTAWA – Yesterday, Mr. Harper announced the creation of a new Marine Protected Area in the Beaufort Sea but failed to mention that the government plans to allow offshore oil drilling within it.

New Democrat Natural Resources Critic Nathan Cullen (Skeena-Bulkley Valley) suggested that this is clear evidence that our offshore drilling rules need to be overhauled.

“Mr. Harper seems to think he can change the channel on risky drilling with a park that won’t actually protect anything” said Cullen “It is cynical politics and doesn’t hide the fact that this government puts big oil profits ahead of the environment.”

The proposed park is home to what the Prime Minister described as “one of the world’s largest populations of summering beluga whales” but it is also where offshore oil and gas companies currently have the rights to drill. A regulatory impact analysis statement shows that the Government plans to allow offshore drilling within and surrounding the park.

“Even a minor spill could have serious impacts on the beluga habitat” said Cullen. “A major one would wipe out the entire area. Canadians should be very concerned that their government hands out oil licenses in such sensitive ecosystems without strong rules to protect the environment.”

“This is another clear example that our regulatory system for risky oil is broken. Environmental conditions need to be considered before any lease is granted” said Cullen. “This government refuses to even look at fixing it even though Parliament has ordered it too and Canadians demand it.”

A motion by NDP Environment Critic, Linda Duncan, calling for a complete review of all laws and policies governing non-conventional oil and gas developments across the country received the approval of both the Government and opposition parties in the spring session of Parliament. Both NDP Leader Jack Layton and Ms. Duncan have laid out options for the government to consider in conducting such a review. The government has yet to act.

OTTAWA – New Democrats today renewed their call for the Government to take action on the challenges arising from Canada’s aging population.

“We have known for some time that we have a rapidly growing community of seniors in this country yet the government continues to drag its feet,” said New Democrat Critic for Senior and Pensions issues, Wayne Marston (Hamilton East-Stoney Creek) “All we have had so far is announcements and re-announcements but no action. Harper seems prepared to let this crisis develop unchecked. Our seniors deserve better.”

The Canadian Medical Association warned this week that Canada’s aging population presented significant challenges to our Health Care system.

“The New Democrats have presented legislation to improve the Canada Pension Plan and to increase the Guaranteed Income Supplement in order to bring all seniors out of poverty,” explained Marston. “The link between poverty and health is well documented. The first step in preventing a health care crisis is to ensure that our seniors are not living in poverty.”

New Democrat Health Care Critic Megan Leslie, who attended the recent Canadian Medical Association Conference, echoed Marston’s statements and noted that there are several ways to reduce Health Care costs while maintaining our treasured public medicare, such as heeding the New Democrat call for a National Pharmacare Plan. Experts have estimated that a pharmacare program could reduce drug costs by billions which would ease the strain on the Provinces’ stretched health care dollars

“Neither the Prime Minister or the Minister of Health attended the CMA annual general meeting, that is indicative of this Government’s lack of leadership on this issue,” said Leslie. “There is no need to panic, there is no need to start talking about privatisation and user fees. What we need is to keep Canadians healthier earlier on in life. We need Stephen Harper to take action now. ”

OTTAWA – Today, New Democratic Leader Jack Layton called on Prime Minister Harper to stop interfering and let Canadians see the Canadian Firearms Program Evaluation report.  This report, completed in February evaluates the effectiveness of the Canadian firearms program, but has still not been released.

“This report was supposed to be tabled in May but the government claimed that it was still in translation,” said Layton. “There is no way it takes months to translate a report – they’re stalling for political purposes.”

Last week Chief Superintendent Marty Cheliak was removed from his position. Ironically, the Conservative government claimed that Supt. Cheliak was transferred because he needed French training and yet they have been unable to get such an important document translated and released publically.

“Canadians have strong feelings on the registry and New Democrats are calling on the Prime Minister to make sure all information is available,” Layton continued. “This country is divided and we need to bridge the gap between rural and urban Canadians. Harper is playing political games in order to fundraise for his party instead of trying to come up with solutions.”
 
“Real leadership means bringing communities together, not using this politically sensitive issue as a wedge to divide Canadians.”

Conservative switch from confrontation to cooperation a good first step

OTTAWA – New Democrats today welcomed the federal government’s policy shift in the arctic and called for further cooperation among Arctic countries and engagement with Northerners.

“Today’s announcement marks a major shift from the Conservatives’ confrontational posture on the Arctic,” said New Democrat Foreign Affairs Critic Paul Dewar (Ottawa Centre). “Conservatives are late-comers to cooperation and engagement – but better late than never.”

Up to now, the government’s narrow-minded rhetoric had caused concern among our Arctic partners to the point that US Secretary of State Clinton walked out on a planned press conference with Minister Cannon.

“Sovereignty doesn’t mean laying claim on something – it means investment in the people who live there, being engaged and being present,” said New Democrat Dennis Bevington (Western Arctic). “We will look to ensure that this new policy statement will mean actual engagement with the aboriginal people of the North. For example the dispute over the Beaufort Sea involves the constitutionally protected rights of the Inuvialuit—the Inuit of the Western Arctic.”

New Democrats pointed out that the Conservatives have been quick to make announcements on the Arctic but slow to do any actual work. For example, the long-promised armed super-icebreakers have been scaled back and repeatedly delayed.

“We can’t take this policy statement seriously if change does not materialize,” concluded Dewar. “Canadians demand greater transparency, cooperation with Arctic countries and engagement with people who live in the region.”