Issues

By Chris Charlton, Member of Parliament

As a huge fan of Colwyn Beynon's columns in this newspaper, and the work of the Hamilton Historical Board and the Hamilton Mountain Heritage Society in general, I thought my summer column might be a good time to add a historical note to a current event.

Without a doubt, the biggest news story this spring was the possibility that an NHL team might come to Hamilton. Whether it merited such dominance at a time when thousands of workers are losing their jobs and food banks are faced with record demand is a matter for editorial debate.

The job of an MP is to represent you in the House of Commons - to say the things that you would say if you were in Parliament yourself. That is the essence of representation.

Mountain MP Chris Charlton has taken that responsibility seriously. You can count on her to stand up for you and your family.

Ms. Chris Charlton (Hamilton Mountain, NDP):

Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to participate in the debate on this last supply day of the session. I can imagine viewers at home asking themselves “what the heck is a supply day and what does it have to do with me?”, so I thought I would begin by trying to take a stab at answering both questions.

Dear friends,

During the spring session of parliament, I introduced an important piece of legislation that, if passed, would help make EI fair for new moms and others on special benefits.

Please consider downloading the petition below. You can have your friends and family sign it, mail it to me postage-free in Ottawa, and I will introduce it in the House of Commons.

With your help, we can make EI fair for everyone.

Thank you,
Chris

PS - Click here to find out more about the issue

Ms. Chris Charlton (Hamilton Mountain, NDP):

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present a petition signed by hundreds of Canadians from right across this country in opposition to the Canada-Colombia free trade agreement.

The petitioners point out that Colombia has one of the worst human rights records in the western hemisphere, with dozens of labour activists and human rights advocates killed each year. They are outraged by the kill-a-worker-pay-a-fine provisions, which make a mockery of human rights.

Ms. Chris Charlton (Hamilton Mountain, NDP):

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table another petition that has been circulated by John Grimshaw, business manager of IBEW Local 105 in my hometown of Hamilton.

Ms. Chris Charlton (Hamilton Mountain, NDP):

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise to table two petitions today signed by hundreds of people from all over southern Ontario and Quebec urging Parliament to immediately pass my bill, Bill C-378, to allow hard-working families to access their maternity, parental, sickness and compassionate care benefits without worrying that if they lose their jobs in the meantime, they will also lose their EI.

Ms. Chris Charlton (Hamilton Mountain, NDP):

Mr. Speaker, Canadians expect their government to be upfront with them, especially in the midst of a recession that is hurting so many. Yesterday's performance by the Prime Minister and his own personal Phil Donahue had all the substance of a 30-second spot for ShamWows.

Will the Prime Minister just do what he owes Canadians and explain why the stimulus he promised to accelerate is not reaching the very people and communities who so desperately need it?

Ms. Chris Charlton (Hamilton Mountain, NDP):

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table two more petitions today that were signed by hundreds of people from all over the Golden Horseshoe in Ontario. The petitioners point out that they have paid into EI all of their working lives, but now that they need the safety net that they themselves built, it is not longer there for them.

Ms. Chris Charlton (Hamilton Mountain, NDP):

Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to rise in support of Bill C-279, An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (amounts not included in earnings).

As members will recall, I had the privilege of tabling a motion on behalf of the NDP caucus which called for immediate and comprehensive EI reform. That happened on March 5 of this year, and the motion was voted on and passed by the House on March 10.