In the News

Ms. Chris Charlton (Hamilton Mountain,NDP): Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in the House today to speak to Bill C-14, An Act to amend the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act and the Weights and Measures Act.

Ms. Chris Charlton (Hamilton Mountain, NDP): Madam Speaker, I listened with great interest to the member speak on the bill. I have had the privilege of speaking before in the House of Commons to that bill. I have also paid attention to the testimony that we got before committee on the bill.

I would like to start into a long speech, but let me just limit my comments today about what I think are false claims that the member is making with respect to the liability standards that exist in other countries.

Ms. Chris Charlton (Hamilton Mountain, NDP): Mr. Speaker, we can all agree that the victims of Canada's hepatitis C tainted blood disaster deserve, at the very least, to be treated with respect and to be given their court-ordered compensation as quickly as possible. But now we are hearing that payments are being cut and in some cases stopped altogether. These are claims that are approved, not claims that are pending.

What is the government doing to ensure that victims receive the compensation they are owed as quickly as possible?

Ms. Chris Charlton (Hamilton Mountain, NDP): Mr. Speaker, I want to take a moment to congratulate Canada’s Building and Construction Trades on another hugely successful Policy Conference in Ottawa this week.

I want to thank them in particular for supporting my Bill C-227, which would give tax deductions to workers for travel and accommodation expenses when they go to job sites away from their homes.

But I also hope that the government paid close attention to the Building Trades’ call for action on apprenticeship and training programs.

Ms. Chris Charlton (Hamilton Mountain, NDP): Mr. Speaker, The very first Bill I introduced after being elected to the House of Commons in 2006 was a bill that would give wages and pensions super-priority in cases of commercial bankruptcy. Since that time, the government has adopted much of what was in my bill with respect to securing workers’ wages, and I am delighted that happened. But sadly, the government has not yet acted in any way to protect pensions in a similar way.

MP to screen ‘powerful’poverty movie
‘Poor no more’ offers solutions for working poor

Mark Newman, News Staff

Chris Charlton is hoping it will get people talking and demanding action from their government.

The Hamilton Mountain New Democrat MP, in partnership with Neighbour to Neighbour Centre and the Hamilton and District Labour Council, is providing a screening of the movie “Poor No More … There is a way out” at the Sackville Hill Seniors Recreation Centre May 19 at 7 p. m.

Ms. Chris Charlton (Hamilton Mountain, NDP): Mr. Speaker, the government is failing Canadian workers. Worse, it is actually endangering workers’ safety.

A report released yesterday showed that while the provinces have cut the number of disabling workplace injuries by 25%, the number of serious injuries in federal workplaces like Canada Post and the trucking industry has increased. It is no coincidence that those rates rose at the same time the government cut the number of workplace inspectors.

Ms. Chris Charlton (Hamilton Mountain, NDP): On behalf of the NDP Caucus, it is an honour to rise in this House today to commemorate the National Day of Mourning in somber remembrance of workers killed, injured, or exposed to toxins at work.

Veterans bill doesn’t solve real problem: Charlton
Gord Bowes, News Staff

A private member’s bill before the House may address a problem with war medals being sold and leaving the country, but it doesn’t solve a more serious problem, says MP Chris Charlton. Veterans shouldn't have to sell their medals and decorations in order to support themselves, said the federal representative for Hamilton Mountain. The men and women who fought for Canada are not getting the respect they deserve from their country.

Chris Charlton (Hamilton Mountain, NDP): Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in the House tonight to speak on Bill C-473, An Act to protect insignia of military orders, decorations and medals of cultural significance for future generations.