News

LANDMARK ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS BILL FACES VOTE

OTTAWA - New Democrat Environment Critic Linda Duncan (Edmonton-Strathcona) is urging MPs to support her ground-breaking Envrionmental Rights Bill when it comes to a vote this evening. Duncan’s private members’ bill, C-469, An Act to establish a Canadian Environmental Bill of Rights, would enshrine environmental rights in Canadian law.

NDP MPs want Minister of Fisheries & Oceans to review decision

OTTAWA – A plan by the Harper Conservatives to shut down 1,000 lighthouses across Canada and declare them “surplus property” is irresponsible and is being done by stealth, says Victoria MP Denise Savoie. The decision will put lighthouses on Vancouver Island at risk, including automated lighthouses on Discovery Island, Race Rocks, and the beacon at Ogden Point breakwater.

CFAX 1070

VICTORIA M-P SAYS THIS WEEKEND'S 150TH CELEBRATION OF THE FISGARD LIGHTHOUSE WILL BE MORE LIKE A WAKE THAN A CELEBRATION .

DENISE SAVOIE SAYS THIS IN RESPONSE TO WORD THAT THE HARPER GOVERNMENT PLANS TO SHUT DOWN ONE THOUSAND LIGHTHOUSES ACROSS CANADA.

SAVOIE SAYS HER TWO MAIN CONCERNS ARE SAFETY AND THE FACT THAT THE CONSERVATIVES DID NOT CONSULT WITH COMMUNITIES ABOUT THE PLAN.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OTTAWA – Canadian film and television icon William Shatner has thrown his support behind New Democrat Fisheries and Oceans Critic Fin Donnelly’s efforts to save British Columbia’s wild salmon.

"They face many threats, including sea lice from fish farms. The federal government can't continue to ignore the plight of wild salmon. We must do everything possible to ensure these magnificent creatures are protected, and Fin Donnelly’s proposed legislation helps do that.”

In House Statement, NDP MP Denise Savoie urges government to make changes now

OTTAWA – People with serious illnesses are forced to worry about how to make ends meet instead of being able to focus on their recovery. New Democrats know this is wrong and have proposed a solution.

Victoria MP Denise Savoie made a Statement in the House of Commons today in support of NDP legislation that would ensure people suffering from chronic or long-term illnesses receive the medical Employment Insurance (EI) benefits they need.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Mr. Speaker, for 25 years Grace Collins has served Victoria's special needs community. Since being diagnosed with cancer in 2007, she has applied for CPP disability twice and she has been denied twice.

Undergoing treatment and unable to work, she is disappointed that there is no compassionate consideration for people in her position and I share her disappointment. My office has advocated time and time again on behalf of constituents like Grace with so-called episodic illnesses. No doubt offices of other members have too.

MPs critical of feds' shipbuilding plan

By Erin Cardone - Victoria News

Victoria MPs are slamming the federal government's shipbuilding revitalization announcement.

Defence Minister Peter McKay announced last week a $35-billion federal government plan to revive the industry by signing contracts with two Canadian shipyards: one for combat vessels and another for non-combat ships.

McKay said the contracts could be finalized within two years.

Victoria NDP MLA Denise Savoie said that's not fast enough.

JUNE 4, 2010

OTTAWA – The Harper Conservatives quietly posted a report on Thursday admitting it has overestimated – by a factor of 10 – the effectiveness of its efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

NDP MPs on Vancouver Island wonder whether Conservatives are serious about strategy

JUNE 3, 2010

OTTAWA – Pacific Coast shipbuilders need work now and Canada’s navy needs new ships, but both will have to wait up to two years according to an announcement made by four Conservative ministers in Ottawa.

The press conference held earlier today at a military trade-show was largely a rehash of past promises and included few details about the lengthy tendering process or funding sources.

Wed 02 Jun 2010
Time has long passed for action, says Duncan

OTTAWA – Today, on Clean Air Day, New Democrat Environment Critic Linda Duncan (Edmonton-Strathcona) is calling for immediate federal action on air quality to protect Canadians’ health.