In the News

Critics allege Tories trying to privatize Canada Post

ALTHIA RAJ, PARLIAMENTARY BUREAU

The Conservative government is paving the way for the privatization of Canada Post, critics charged Tuesday.

A measure included in the federal government's 880-page budget bill, eliminates the Crown corporation's monopoly on international letters -- a move that will destroy the postal carrier, say the Liberals, NDP and Canadian Union of Postal Workers.

"This is privatization through the back door," said Denis Lemelin, the union's national president.

Ms. Chris Charlton (Hamilton Mountain, NDP): , Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives’ so-called patient wait times guarantee is failing Canadians.

Just last week, in my hometown of Hamilton we learned that cancer care is failing to meet key targets. Waits for treatment are too long, too few people get radiation therapy, the number of patients in clinical trials is shockingly low, too many die in hospital, and not enough are screened for early detection of cancer.

Ms. Chris Charlton (Hamilton Mountain, NDP): Mr. Speaker, victims and families of the hepatitis C tainted blood catastrophe are being told that their approved compensation claims cannot be paid because the settlement pool of funds has run dry. These people have been through enough, but the minister is just throwing up her hands and saying it is not her problem. She is trying to shift the blame to the fund's administrator, but she knows that they cannot do anything until the government either allows the transfer of funds or ponies up more cash.

Nothing left to give

In 2002, Bob Green died as a result of hepatitis C. His family was to be compensated by Ottawa from a special fund. But now it's out of money. And the family fears its out of luck.

Steve Buist
The Hamilton Spectator

The family of a Burlington man who died from a hepatitis C-tainted blood transfusion has been told their approved claim for compensation can't be paid because a federal government settlement fund has run out of money.

Ms. Chris Charlton (Hamilton Mountain, NDP): Mr. Speaker, the Conservative everything-but-the-kitchen-sink budget is yet another giant step away from the promise of transparency that these supposed reformists rode in on.

This Trojan horse is stuffed with all sorts of measures the government does not have the courage to present to Canadians as stand-alone bills. It is an abuse of power taken straight from the Liberal playbook, and it is an abuse of the trust of Canadians.

If the government has nothing to hide, why is it burying so many nefarious initiatives in one omnibus bill?

Ms. Chris Charlton (Hamilton Mountain, NDP): Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to participate in the debate on the motions before us today. As you just read out, there are 62 motions and now I find myself in the position where 49 of them are grouped into one slot of debate. I only have 10 minutes this afternoon, so I will restrict myself to two clauses in particular, clauses 96 and 97 of the bill, and I will let my colleagues speak to some of the others.

Poor No More movie draws strong response at Sackville

Hamilton Mountain News

Byline: Mark Newman, News Staff

Judging by the response of some of those in the audience, the movie Poor No More struck a chord with local anti-poverty activists.

About 140 people packed the fireside lounge at Sackville Hill Seniors Recreation Centre on May 20 to see the 60 minute movie that was presented by Mountain NDP MP Chris Charlton, Neighbour to Neighbour Centre and the Hamilton and District Labour Council.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 20, 2010

ATTACK ON PUBLIC SECTOR PENSIONS NOT HELPFUL, SAY NEW DEMOCRATS
CFIB should re-think public pension comments

OTTAWA – The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is wrong to label public service pensions as “generous,” say New Democrat Veterans Affairs Critic Peter Stoffer and Labour Critic Chris Charlton.

Local 6500 urged to be courageous at union meeting

CAROL MULLIGAN, The Sudbury Star

Striking Steelworkers are being urged to demonstrate the same courage now that their predecessors did when they fought, bled and even died for the right to assemble and demand a fair deal in the workplace.

A meeting like the one held Friday morning at the Steelworkers' Hall at 66 Brady St. would have been illegal in his grandparents' day, Hamilton Centre MP David Christopherson told 200 Steelworkers.

NDP bolsters spirits of Vale Inco workers as strike entering 11th month

Welland Tribune

Posted By CAROLYN MULLIGAN/QMI Agency

SUDBURY — Striking Steelworkers are being urged to demonstrate the same courage now that their predecessors did when they fought, bled and even died for the right to assemble and demand a fair deal in the workplace.

A meeting like the one held Friday morning at the Steelworkers' Hall at 66 Brady St. would have been illegal in his grandparents' day, Hamilton Centre MP David Christopherson told 200 Steelworkers.