Parliament Watch

Issue will ultimately be a political one with pressure on the Conservatives to join with the Liberals and the NDP in supporting net neutrality.

Harper government to force Internet service providers to give police access to information on all Canadian Internet subscribers and all their private communications – without a court warrant.

Critics pounce on Harper government for failing to expand program to cope with rapidly rising unemployment figures.

The Canadian Bankers Association has asked Canadian Labour Congress to remove line "It's time to protect people instead of profits for the banks" from a rally poster. CLC president Ken Georgetti and NUPGE president James Clancy challenge banks on their record.

Make existing 'side deals' part of treaty so they can be properly enforced, U.S. president says during visit to Ottawa.

Conservative government is paying lip service to improving the lives of women even as it refuses to support pay equity, child care and economic measures that support women's equality.  So the Canadian Labour Congress is sending each Member of Parliament a gift of chocolate lips with an accompanying note - 'women are tired of lip service'.

CRTC decision on Internet throttling pits 'innovation and free speech versus monopoly'.  Canadians encouraged to get involved in the debate over Canada's open Internet and 'Net Neutrality' -- before a vital February 16 deadline.

As the number of unemployed grows the National Union is demanding the federal government move quickly to fix the Employment Insurance program.

Conservatives' plans in child care leading to shrinking number of child care spaces and they have chosen to ignore the crisis in the recent federal budget.

(Jan 27, 2009) -- 'Everyone except the prime minister seems to understand that big problems require bold solutions. Canada needs a large-scale fiscal stimulus.'

'The budget solidifies the federal government’s unilateral changes to equalization payments to the provinces so that they will receive $7 billion less over the next two years than they were promised.'

With the Harper Conservatives moving in the opposite direction, the contrast between Canada and the new administration in Washington is startling.

CCPA says Conservative government must address EI, poverty, infrastructure, environment and spending rather than tax cuts.

(Jan 23, 2009) -- 'The Harper government thinks we have to choose either a strong economy or a clean environment. This is a false choice that sells our country short. We can and must have both.'

'In tough times it is important that our governments show leadership and make smart policy choices that are in our long term interests,' say James Clancy and Peter Olfert. 

'Frontline public sector workers were in Ottawa recently to urge the federal government to make public services and social programs a priority in the Jan. 27 federal budget.'

Frontline public sector workers are urging Canada's first ministers to make funding for public services and social programs a priority in the federal economic stimulus package.

Frontline public sector workers are urging Canada's first ministers to propose a stimulus package that supports families by investing in public services.

Canadians want greater investment in public services for families. A new poll indicates citizens will back stimulus measures that support — not cut — government services.

Fifty submissions slamming Canada – on everything from the state of Aboriginal Peoples to the erosion of labour rights – have been filed with the Geneva-based UNHRC.

Canada only country to vote against UN Human Rights Council motion condemning Israeli action.

The issue is important to workers because so many depend on sound financial markets to ensure healthy pension funds.

'A bold and achievable set of initiatives that can protect Canada from the economic storm.'

Sides with mayor who refused to bargain seriously with striking drivers.

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is calling on the federal and provincial governments to work together on a 5-point plan that would stimulate the economy and at the same time enhance Canada's social foundations and improve the environment.

(Dec 5, 2008) -- 'We've got an extremely rare opportunity right now to make progressive change in Canada -- to force our governments to deliver a plan that will ensure a strong economy, fair society and clean environment for all of us.'

'Mr. Harper is completely out of step with other world leaders who understand the need for new government spending in order to stave off a deepening recession.'

'The Harper government made it clear in the fall economic update that they are going to legislate away fundamental human rights, such as the right to collective bargaining and the right to equal pay for work of equal value.'

Promises broader inquiry into issue of throttling and network neutrality

Legislation will provide up to $3,000 in wage protection for employees of companies that go bankrupt

John Baird sides with the U.S., Japan and Russia to block progress at climate change talks

NUPGE calls on Canada to ratify UN Convention

Canada is ignoring the plight of the people of Colombia by negotiating a free trade agreement with the Uribe government.

'Harper is telling people that there’s no room for them at the table, and that’s not right.' - Jack Layton

'An individual's right to own their personal information is an important principle.' - James Clancy

Throne Speech contains a vague hint but no promise that action will be taken

Further distancing itself from the Kyoto Protocol, Canada has joined the Asia-Pacific Partnership, an organization condemned by critics for its soft approach to the environmental crisis.

(Oct 11, 2007) -- 'Lost jobs, stagnating wages, historic gap between rich and poor. These are the types of trends that can pull a country apart at the seams.'

Friends of Earth Canada taking Harper government to Federal Court

Don Cherry was there too but it wasn't lobbying

CEP calls for independent judicial inquiry