To my Jewish friends observing Rosh Hashanah, I extend my greetings and best wishes for the coming New Year.

Jewish Canadians will mark the High Holiday by reflecting on the past while looking ahead. It is an opportunity to learn from past challenges and build on successes for the future.

As you celebrate the beginning of the New Year, I hope all Canadians join you and take the opportunity to honour the contribution of the Jewish community to our country’s shared multicultural heritage.

Shana Tova.

WELLAND – New Democrats reacted today to disturbing new internal documents obtained by Postmedia News that outline another appalling failure in the Conservative government’s record on food safety.

The internal documents also exposed dramatically overstated claims of low sodium and fat levels, as well as inaccurate claims about whole grains, baked goods, candy and even mislabelled meat products.

“We found out last week that nutritional information on the packaging of Canadian food products is not even close to what companies claim,” said Malcolm Allen (Welland), New Democrat Food Safety critic. “Parents rely on this information to choose the proper food for their children, to consider things like sodium or fat content.”

Through the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), the government has the ability to prosecute such offenders, but has so far refused to do so. Allen said he will be pursuing action in parliament that would put in place mandatory fines for companies who abuse Canadian consumers.

“New Democrats will work towards a real system for punishing violators, not issue toothless warnings on paper,” said Allen. “Consumers are relying on this information to make safe, healthy choices and this Conservative government is absolutely failing them.”

As doctors warn of possible epidemic levels of type 2 diabetes and the extensive cost that would put on our healthcare system, Allen says the government must improve its oversight.

One of the most alarming findings was how the government has chosen to deal with the situation. The government is working to educate violators and will occasionally send a warning letter.

“Warning letters?” questions Allen. “I’m sorry, but a warning letter for lying to Canadians about the food they consume is simply not good enough.”

SUDBURY – Sudbury MP Glenn Thibeault today announced his support for Jack Layton’s plan to find a compromise on the gun registry that brings rural and urban communities together.

“I went to Ottawa to work to make our community safer and stronger—not to drive it apart,” said Thibeault. “That’s why I will be standing with Jack Layton, not Stephen Harper and Garry Breitkreuz, on the long gun registry. We need to find a solution that brings rural and urban Canadians together and so far Jack Layton is the only one showing the leadership to do just that.”

Thibeault made the announcement flanked by members of the Greater Sudbury police, Ontario Provincial Police Chief Superintendent Scott Todd, hospital chief of staff Dr. Chris Bourdon & Emergency services personnel, Marlene Gorman, executive director of the YWCA, Richard Paquin and Anne-Marie McInnes, President and Vice-President of Mine Mill 598 and many other community members all looking for a practical solution.

Thibeault had previously voted to send Bill C-391 to committee for a proper study and to learn more about the issue. Since then, countless conversations with experts and local constituents have convinced him that the Conservative position would be a step back for public safety, and that a new way forward was needed.

Greater Sudbury Police Chief Frank Elsner commended the Sudbury MP for the support of his officers.

“The Long Gun Registry is a valuable tool to keep Sudburians and our police officers safe,” said Chief Elsner. “I commend Glenn in looking past the politics and trying to find a practical solution that preserves the registry while addressing the real concerns of gun owners.”

Thibeault said that he has been particularly shocked by Conservative claims that gun control is just a conspiracy for the police to take away guns from rural Canadians.

“I have spent the summer listening to my constituents and community leaders. I made up my mind based on what I was hearing from folks like Chief Elsner,” Thibeault said. “It is easy to drive wedges between people, but it takes leadership to bring them together.”

Today New Democrats across the country honour and give thanks to the millions of workers across Canada who help make our country the best place in the world to live.
From Nanaimo to St. John’s, Yellowknife to Trois-Rivières, hard-working men and women keep our communities moving, drive innovation and provide the backbone of our economy. Canada is truly blessed with a labour force and a trade union movement that are dedicated and resilient.
The past few years have not been easy. The worst economic crisis in generations, as well as foreign takeovers at places like Vale Inco and Xstrata, has left our workforce battered. This Labour Day some 1.5 million Canadians find themselves out of a job—unsure of when or from where their next paycheque will come.
Yet in Ottawa, Stephen Harper’s Conservatives continue to wash their hands of working families.
But a brighter future is possible. That’s why New Democrats remain committed to putting workers first. We’ve introduced plans to strengthen EI and CPP/QPP, protect pensions from corporate creditors and keep well-paying, family-supporting jobs here in Canada.
After all, true economic recovery can only happen when our workers are back on their feet.
So as we gather today with friends and family, I hope you’ll join me in saluting the immense contributions of Canada’s workers. This Labour Day, let’s all commit to a Canada of opportunity and fairness for every one of our working men and women.

Today New Democrats across the country honour and give thanks to the millions of workers across Canada who help make our country the best place in the world to live.

From Nanaimo to St. John’s, Yellowknife to Trois-Rivières, hard-working men and women keep our communities moving, drive innovation and provide the backbone of our economy. Canada is truly blessed with a labour force and a trade union movement that are dedicated and resilient.

The past few years have not been easy. The worst economic crisis in generations, as well as foreign takeovers at places like Vale Inco and Xstrata, has left our workforce battered. This Labour Day some 1.5 million Canadians find themselves out of a job—unsure of when or from where their next paycheque will come.

Yet in Ottawa, Stephen Harper’s Conservatives continue to wash their hands of working families.

But a brighter future is possible. That’s why New Democrats remain committed to putting workers first. We’ve introduced plans to strengthen EI and CPP/QPP, protect pensions from corporate creditors and keep well-paying, family-supporting jobs here in Canada.

After all, true economic recovery can only happen when our workers are back on their feet.

So as we gather today with friends and family, I hope you’ll join me in saluting the immense contributions of Canada’s workers. This Labour Day, let’s all commit to a Canada of opportunity and fairness for every one of our working men and women.

OTTAWA – New Democrat Critic for International Cooperation John Rafferty (Thunder Bay-Rainy River) welcomed Minister Bev Oda’s comments that indicated the Government of Canada will provide funding for safe abortion services in countries where abortion is legal through CIDA’s Maternal Health Initiative.

“The decision to fund access to safe and legal abortion services as part of CIDA’s Maternal Health Initiative is a major step forward for women’s rights in these developing countries, and I applaud the Minister’s principled decision,” said Rafferty. “The announcement could have come sooner, but it is certainly the right thing to do.”

Rafferty’s comments follow a media report in the Ottawa Citizen in which Minister Oda linked CIDA’s Maternal Health Initiative to family planning and access to safe and legal abortions in developing countries where it is legal.

On funding abortion services, Oda offered the following quote; “As long as it is legal within the country and it’s a legal procedure…if we were asked to help in that way, we would do that.”

“I have also had the opportunity to travel to work and travel extensively in Africa, and I can tell you that improved access to safe and clean abortion facilities is greatly needed,” said Rafferty. “Ms. Oda’s trip seems to have opened her eyes to some important facts on the ground, and I welcome this new approach.”

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.