Parliament Watch

CIDA puts bottom line before human rights and international development assistance

dduffy — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 13:30:07 -0400

The decision by the Conservative government to cut funding to KAIROS based on a "value for money" bottomline runs counter to the values of Canadians.

Civil society critics of Canada-EU trade deal to deliver trojan horse to Parliament

dduffy — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 10:45:26 -0400

Arrival of trojan horse on Parliament highlights hidden implications of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) being pursued by the Harper government despite major public concerns.

Trade union movement condemns murder of Colombian Mineworkers' leader

lbush — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 12:32:39 -0400

Letters of protest sent shortly after Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper defends the progress Colombia made and promotes Canada-Colombia trade agreement.

Harper to Canada Post workers: Suck it up

lbush — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 15:28:08 -0400

By Laura Penny

This reactionary and authoritarian attitude is pretty depressing when you recall that, a few short decades ago, Nova Scotians like Lisa Raitt’s dad fought long and hard for workers’ rights.

NAPE campaigns against closure of Maritime Rescue Centre in St. John's

lbush — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 13:42:31 -0400

Closure will have a profoundly negative impact on the offshore search and rescue capabilities in this province – an impact that could put people’s lives in danger.

Auditor General slams Conservatives for G20/G8 decisions and spending

dduffy — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 15:20:59 -0400

AG's report suggests Conservatives misled Parliament over G20/G8 spending.

Harper government provoking a confrontation with labour movement

dduffy — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 20:01:45 -0400

“We’re witnessing a concerted effort by the new Harper majority government to weaken the rights of workers and the influence of their unions.”

Draft Auditor General's report sparks more questions on G8 funding

dduffy — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 14:21:38 -0400

The Canadian Press reports that the “32 projects were chosen by Industry Minister Tony Clement, the mayor of Huntsville, and the general manager of Deerhurst Resort” with more of an eye to helping the riding rather than supporting the requirements of the summit or abiding by stipulated government conditions.

Budget 2011: Harper government out of touch; can’t be trusted to help struggling families

dduffy — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 10:32:01 -0400

"Tax fairness has been flipped upside down in this country,” said Clancy. “Instead of billion dollar give-aways to corporations, the government should invest the money in the public services that ensure a decent quality of life for all Canadians.”

Government's own consultant can't demonstrate value of anti-drug program

lbush — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 15:56:56 -0400

Report comes as the government is facing a challenge for their prior refusal to release to the Commons finance committee cost estimates for their crime bills.

Race to make federal housing strategy a reality

dduffy — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 18:21:34 -0400

"With three million Canadians living in housing insecurity, the federal government can no longer afford to hide its head in the sand and wish this problem away.”- James Clancy, national president, National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE)

What is Harper hiding on health care? Why is he sending Health Accord review to unelected Senate?

lbush — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 12:46:45 -0500

NUPGE President James Clancy criticized the Harper government for sending a review of the 2004 Health Accord to the unelected Senate rather than allowing elected Members of Parliament to conduct public hearings.

Here they go again - federal transfers up for negotiation

khawley — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 11:55:06 -0500

Stable funding for Medicare, social programs and post-secondary education should not be sacrificed for today's corporate tax cuts.

Support Bill C-304: A national housing strategy

dduffy — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 14:10:47 -0500

Secure and affordable housing: a human right for all Canadians

What is Bill C-304?

NUPGE applauds defeat of anti-abortion Bill C-510

dblaikie — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 17:59:00 -0500

Federal Conservatives should now focus on real problems facing women such as pay equity, affordable child care, legal aid and other measures to prevent violence. - James Clancy.

Harper gov't betrays Canadians on pension reform

lbush — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 12:07:50 -0500

Finance Minister Jim “Flip Flop” Flaherty backtracks on commitment to enhance Canada Pension Plan; now pushing for a private sector voluntary plan.

Consultants getting billions from Harper Tories

dblaikie — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 17:31:00 -0500

'They're talking about the need to reduce the public service ...at the same time costs are going through the roof.'

End private trade lawsuits against governments

dblaikie — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 17:40:00 -0500

Wide cross-section of civil society groups urge ministers at Committee on Internal Trade meeting to remove investor-state dispute process from free trade agreements.

Dignity for All campaign calls for attack on poverty

dblaikie — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 17:44:00 -0500

Group urges supporters across the country to pressure the Harper government to take action on urgent parliamentary committee report.

NDP housing bill survives another vote in Commons

dblaikie — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 17:30:00 -0500

Opposition parties combine to outvote the Harper Conservatives 141-132 on a bill to create a national housing strategy.

Support Ontario drive for CPP reform, OPSEU urges

dblaikie — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 17:45:00 -0500

'Time is running short to convince the federal government that it must move to reform the CPP.'

Failure to control Canadian mining firms condemned

dblaikie — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 17:42:40 -0500

Letter blasts Harper government for killing Bill C-300, a law that would have held Canadian mining companies accountable for human rights and environmental abuses abroad.

Study calls tough on crime agenda a costly failure

dblaikie — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 17:55:00 -0500

A new study by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives says rationale for Harper's crime agenda defies 20-year downtrend crime rates.

Police tore artificial leg off protester at G20 summit

dblaikie — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 17:50:35 -0500

John Pruyn says he was struck, jailed, had his canes knocked away and was not given his leg back until he was released 27 hours later.

Harper gov't urged to restore FOI online registry

dblaikie — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 17:47:00 -0500

Information commissioner says the online registry killed two years ago by the federal Conservatives provided a valuable service to Canadians.

Police created 'reign of terror' at G20, says Rebick

dblaikie — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 17:50:00 -0500

Hearings by NUPGE and CCLA open on police and governance actions at the global summit in Toronto.

NUPGE asks Harper to restore funding for NWAC

dblaikie — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 17:49:00 -0500

'I urge you to not desert the families of the 582 missing and murdered Aboriginal women!' - James Clancy.

G20 policing and governance hearings this week

dblaikie — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 17:50:00 -0500

NUPGE and CCLA will chair public inquiry into unlawful police activities during global meetings in Toronto.

Public hearings on mass arrests during G20 Summit

dblaikie — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 09:00:00 -0400

Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) and National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) join forces to put spotlight on policing and governance during global event in Toronto.

October 2010 - Public Sector Integrity Commissioner suddenly retires

khawley — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 11:16:34 -0400

On October 18th, 2010 the Federal Public Sector Integrity Commissioner Christiane Ouimet's office released two statements within moments of each other announcing it was being audited by Auditor-General Sheila Fraser, and that Ouimet had retired, effective two days previous.

Federal mining bill's defeat another black eye for Canada

mluff — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 19:57:54 -0400

Parliament's defeat this week of a private member's bill to improve corporate accountability by Canadian mining companies operating in developing countries is a huge step backward for human rights and for Canada on the international scene.

Harper must cancel irresponsible corporate tax cuts

dblaikie — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 18:50:47 -0400

'The Harper government’s priorities are dead wrong.' - NUPGE president James Clancy.

Harper rejects unanimous Senate poverty report

dblaikie — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 18:30:31 -0400

Government accepts none of the 74 recommendations contained in a Senate report approved unanimously in April.

Harper Tories signal increase in EI premiums

dblaikie — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 18:44:00 -0400

Two-year freeze on increases will end on Jan. 1 and rates could rise by 15 cents per $100 of earnings.

Canada's governments need to be much more open

dblaikie — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:34:00 -0400

Information and privacy commissioners from across the country call on governments to change their overly secretive practices.

Canadian municipalities want action against poverty

dblaikie — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 18:44:00 -0400

Municipal social services are overwhelmed by demand and a new model of funding must be found.

NUPGE asks Liberal MPs to back Robin Hood tax

dblaikie — Mon, 31 May 2010 18:29:30 -0400

James Clancy says political pressure is needed to reverse Stephen Harper's decision to oppose a global tax on banks and support instead wealthy bankers and foreign financial institutions.

NUPGE urges PM to take stand against Gaza attack

lbush — Mon, 31 May 2010 18:29:29 -0400

James Clancy has written Stephen Harper urging the Canadian government to condemn the attack on the flotilla during his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Canada inches toward a national securities regulator

dblaikie — Thu, 27 May 2010 18:35:00 -0400

Draft law introduced in Parliament but no action will be taken until its constitutionality is tested in the Supreme Court.

NUPGE asks PM for Arctic drilling moratorium

dblaikie — Wed, 26 May 2010 18:45:00 -0400

'At a minimum, we ask that no exemptions from regulations be awarded to BP or any oil and gas company.' - James Clancy.'

24 hours for the Robin Hood Tax

lbush — Tue, 18 May 2010 18:43:45 -0400

Thousands expected to raise their voices for a Financial Transactions Tax both in the streets and online.

Harper sides with big banks over social services

lbush — Tue, 18 May 2010 18:42:00 -0400

"Frankly, I am not entirely surprised that the Harper government would choose the banks over social services, the poor and the environment," said James Clancy, NUPGE national president.

CLC backs uniform national EI entrance standard

dblaikie — Sun, 16 May 2010 10:02:00 -0400

Supports Bill C-308 on behalf of 3.2 million workers across the country.

Financial literacy task force misses point - NUPGE

dblaikie — Tue, 11 May 2010 18:30:00 -0400

'Canadians need real measures, such as pension reform, to improve their economic well-being' - James Clancy.

Attack on women's groups reveals Harper's style

dblaikie — Wed, 05 May 2010 18:45:00 -0400

'Just shut up - that's been this government's style right from the start.' - NUPGE president James Clancy.

New climate change law a step forward for Canada

khawley — Wed, 05 May 2010 18:44:00 -0400

The Climate Change Accountability Act requires that the Canadian government implement regulations and policies to attain a long-term target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.

NUPGE releases Canada-Colombia trade pamphlet

dblaikie — Tue, 04 May 2010 18:45:00 -0400

'Join us in demanding that the federal government impose restrictions on companies doing business in Colombia to require that human rights are respected.'

Correctional Officers take message to Ottawa

lbush — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 13:10:22 -0400

Correctional Officers speak with political and organizational leaders about the growing problem of people with mental health problems in provincial correctional facilities.

Colombian gold: Who's really mining the big bucks in trade deal with rights-challenged regime?

mluff — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 20:11:36 -0400

It went unnoticed in the salacious cloud surrounding the Jafferlena scandal, but the Harperites again showed their enduring contempt for parliamentary procedure by suddenly forcing a vote on the Canada-Colombia Free Trade deal last week.

Harper should reverse opposition to Robin Hood tax

dblaikie — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 18:29:59 -0400

NUPGE president James Clancy says Canada should support and advance the idea of a global tax on financial institutions at G8 and G20 meetings at Huntsville in June.

Expanding CPP most effective means of pension reform: report

dfudge — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 09:17:07 -0400

“Expanding the CPP would address the issue of coverage, security of benefits, and low cost of administration – all the key objectives of pension reform.”

Trade Justice Network releases secret draft copy of Canada-European Union trade agreement

lbush — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 18:45:00 -0400

Proposed language would open Canada's telecommunications sector to full foreign ownership, restrict municipal procurement policies and make banking and financial regulation much more difficult.

NUPGE presents pension proposals to federal gov't

dblaikie — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 11:01:00 -0400

'A secure, enjoyable retirement should be the right earned by workers for decades of contributions to one’s community and Canada’s economy.' - James Clancy.

NUPGE urges Liberals to support C-311 climate bill

dblaikie — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 18:44:00 -0400

'We urge [Michael Ignatieff] and all the Liberal MPs to vote for this bill and pressure the Conservatives to make real plans that make Canada an environmental leader once again.' - James Clancy.

Robin Hood tax campaign spreads to Canada

dblaikie — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 18:31:00 -0400

Enthusiasm from Europe spreads to Canada in advance of G20 meetings planned for Toronto in June.

Saskatchewan and Ottawa must act on ILO ruling

dblaikie — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 18:46:00 -0400

NUPGE president James Clancy says decision by United Nations body 'damages the human rights reputation of both the province and the Canadian government.'

Women's equality has declined under Harper Tories

dblaikie — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:45:00 -0500

Reality Check: 'A sharp decrease in institutional and political support by the government of Canada for the promotion and protection of the human rights of women and girls.'

Stephen Harper’s record of denying democracy

dblaikie — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 17:49:54 -0500

Stephen Harper has tried hard to obscure a hidden political agenda as prime minister but the reality is that he has 'abused, denied and diminished' democracy in Canada, say James Clancy and Larry Brown of the National Union of Public and General Employees. (NUPGE).

Poll finds Harper PMO has too much power

dblaikie — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 17:29:00 -0500

Nanos Research survey also reveals view that House of Commons may have too little influence.

Canadian-African week of action on HIV-AIDS

lbush — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:32:00 -0500

National Union of Public and General Employees supporting campaign activities that will target Canadian embassies and Prime Minister Harper.

Global campaign calls for Robin Hood Tax on banks

dblaikie — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 17:45:00 -0500

British-based campaign says a charge of just 1/20th of 1% on financial transactions not involving the public would raise an estimated £250 billion ($400 billion Cdn) a year.

Code of conduct needed for 'amoral' political aides

dblaikie — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 17:29:00 -0500

'Amoral political warriors' must not have equal status with public service employees.

Canada's influence fading in the world, poll finds

dblaikie — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 12:00:00 -0500

Negative record on the environment and climate change has damaged Canada's image on the global stage.

President’s Commentary: Budget advice from the National Union to the Harper government

dblaikie — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 11:58:00 -0500

(11 Feb. 2010) - The top priority for the upcoming federal budget must be to preserve and create good jobs. The budget should also invest in building a healthier, smarter, greener and more secure Canada, says NUPGE president James Clancy.

Federal Tories want to appeal Insite clinic ruling

dblaikie — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:27:00 -0500

'We wish Stephen Harper would stop wasting court time and the taxpayers' money and start helping to solve the drug problem in our community.' - Mark Townsend.

NUPGE challenges PM: live up to lofty G8 rhetoric

dblaikie — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:30:00 -0500

Union says Harper must take action at home and abroad to show he is serious about championing maternal health and child care around the globe.

Canada ignores human rights for women, says FAFIA

dblaikie — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:15:00 -0500

'Canada is the home of serious violations of the human rights of Aboriginal women and girls.'

Guest Commentary - Canada’s migration policies: for cheap labour, against human freedom

dfudge — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 10:40:25 -0500

York University professor disputes the positive assessment of Canada’s migration policies in the UN Human Development Report 2009

'People's submission' hits Canada on climate change

dblaikie — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:30:00 -0500

“The Canadian government has been consistently out of step with the majority in parliament, the Canadian public and provincial governments.'

EI benefits are too low to cope with the recession

dblaikie — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:30:00 -0500

CCPA study says March budget should extend benefits to at least 26 weeks for unemployed Canadians.

Trade talks with Europe a new attack on democracy

dblaikie — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 12:16:00 -0500

Six national organizations including NUPGE demand a halt to European free trade talks until countrywide consultations can be held.

Canadians deliver Harper a cold winter message

dblaikie — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 12:15:00 -0500

Thousands take to the streets across Canada and beyond in the coldest part of the Canadian winter to protest the prime minister's autocratic and partisan closure of Parliament.

Rallies Saturday against prorogation of Parliament

dblaikie — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 08:15:15 -0500

Facebook group now has more than 200,000 members and protests are being planned in cities across Canada. Updated

Federal PS unions prepare against expected attack on pension plans

dfudge — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 12:48:45 -0500

"When you attack people's retirement savings, you are asking for the fight of your life and I think it would be a most unwise thing for any political party to do.”

Younger workers face reduced retirement standards

dblaikie — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 17:32:00 -0500

Rosy outlook portrayed by Calgary professor does not stand up to research by pension expert Bob Baldwin.

Pension crisis can’t wait for Harper’s vacation

dfudge — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 10:37:57 -0500

Abitibi, Nortel and CanWest workers need action now: says NDP

Public sector unions in Canada and Europe alarmed by proposed trade deal

lbush — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 10:24:22 -0500

Canadian public sector unions along with the European Federation of Public Service Unions release study arguing that the deal is fundamentally flawed.

How Harper is circumventing democracy in Canada

dblaikie — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 12:05:00 -0500

Toronto Globe and Mail columnist Lawrence Martin takes a sobering look at the crude political manner in which democratic institutions and practices are being subverted in Canada by Stephen Harper.

Top court rewrites Canada's antiquated libel laws

dblaikie — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:30:00 -0500

Landmark decision applies not only to traditional media but to countless organizations, including unions, labour websites and bloggers, now publishing in an instant media world.

Harper fails Canada and planet at Copenhagen

khawley — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:00:00 -0500

'Our image and reputation have taken a beating thanks to the Harper government's foot-dragging and stubborn refusal to change its weak emission-reduction targets.' - James Clancy.

President's Commentary: National Pensions Summit needed to explore all retirement security options

dblaikie — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:44:00 -0500

(16 Dec. 2009) - 'We need a National Pensions Summit that provides Canadians from all walks of life with an open forum to fairly explore and assess the viability of all options designed to improve retirement security for all Canadians.' - James Clancy.

Harper Has No Intention of Meeting His Proposed 2020 Greenhouse Gas Target

khawley — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 11:06:12 -0500

Leaked cabinet documents show government plan for massive increase in oil and gas emissions by 2020

Guest commentary - From stimulus to austerity: the next chapter in Canadian policy making

dblaikie — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:31:00 -0500

James Laxer: 'Labour is the source of wealth ... the sustainable well-being of wage and salary earners should be the central objective of economic policy.'

Canada cheating on their targets to reduce forest emissions

khawley — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 07:57:58 -0500

“It’s extremely disappointing that Canada and other developed countries, including the members of the European Union, New Zealand and Australia, are cheating on their targets and proposing to sweep increased emissions from logging under the rug so they don’t have to account for them,” says Chris Henschel, a CPAWS senior conservation manager and international expert on the UN negotiations on Land Use and Forestry.

President’s Commentary: Stephen Harper is diminishing Canada's international reputation

dblaikie — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:23:00 -0500

(27 Nov. 2009) - NUPGE president James Clancy says Harper is changing Canada so radically that we could lose more than our good name – already badly damaged on the world stage. "We just might lose Canada altogether," he writes.

A first day fossil for Canada

khawley — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:08:54 -0500

Canada wins for an unwillingness to negotiate at negotiations

Canadian scientist press Harper to take stronger action

khawley — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 10:31:28 -0500

"We're seeing no movement on the part of our politicians and yet pretty well all of the science that's come out since about 2007 has indicated that climate change is moving faster than we thought," said David Schindler, a professor of ecology at the University of Alberta.

Prescription for Canada’s Prime Minister:

khawley — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 10:04:23 -0500

Put global health at the centre of UN climate summit

Canada's image in tatters, says Guardian writer. It is now to climate what Japan is to whaling.

dblaikie — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:31:00 -0500

'This country's government is now behaving with all the sophistication of a chimpanzee's tea party.... the astonishing spectacle of a beautiful, cultured nation turning itself into a corrupt petro-state.'

Old Age Security system needs strengthening: report

dfudge — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:09:49 -0500

Ottawa (25 November 2009)—Canada’s Old Age Security system needs improvement in order to help ensure the economic security and dignity of Canadians in retirement, says a new report released today by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA).

Guest commentary: How to end child poverty: Tax the rich, says former NDP Leader Ed Broadbent

dblaikie — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:46:00 -0500

'More rapidly than almost every other country among the wealthiest members of the OECD, we are becoming deeply unequal. Who knows? We may even catch up to the United States.'

NUPGE endorses Amnesty International's 'A Wake Up Call to Canada'

bhildahl — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:31:00 -0500

NUPGE is encouraging all Canadians to sign online message to Prime Minister Harper asking him to establish a national plan of action to stop violence against Indigenous women.

Conservatives isolated on their wait-and-see approach for the UN Climate Summit in Copenhagen

khawley — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:20:00 -0500

Members of Parliament vote in favor of more ambitious action at the United Nations Climate Summit

New 'Buy American' trade deal still favours U.S.

dblaikie — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:28:00 -0500

CCPA says ongoing negotiations are heading for a deal in which Canada would surrender provincial and municipal sovereignty.

Canadians speak on 'The Next Economy' for Canada

dblaikie — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:46:00 -0500

NUPGE publishes the first of three reports on ideas that emerged from a series of 26 town hall meetings across the country to assess the way forward from the global economic collapse.

Another Tory government targets rural post offices

dblaikie — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:31:30 -0500

Postal union circulating petition to draw attention to unpublicized campaign by Harper Conservatives.

Privatization again threatens Canada's rural post offices

dblaikie — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:41:26 -0500

Canada Post review awakens old fears in hundreds of small rural communities.

Fossil Awards 'bring it' to Canada

khawley — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:34:16 -0500

Environment Minister Jim Prentice issues the challenge

Canada in Barcelona - No Boy Scout

khawley — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:21:35 -0500

The elements of a strong deal are still on the table. But, Canada must change its tune if a fair, ambitious, and legally binding agreement can be reached at the UN climate summit in Copenhagen in December.

CRTC net neutrality hearings underway – political solution may be required

lbush — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:13:32 -0400

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

New Canadian laws would kill all internet privacy

dblaikie — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 10:30:00 -0400

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.

$60 million EI top-up not nearly enough, critics say

dblaikie — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 18:31:00 -0400

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

Banks cry foul - ask CLC to remove slogan from poster

lbush — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 18:34:52 -0400

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.

Obama wants labour and environment 'side agreements' brought into NAFTA treaty

Sun, 22 Feb 2009 10:45:21 -0500

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

Women tired of lip service on Equality

lbush — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 13:10:55 -0500

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'.

Net neutrality coalition fights for innovation and free speech

lbush — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 10:38:33 -0500

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.

National Union joins call for improvements to Employment Insurance

lbush — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 12:01:27 -0500

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

Effects of Harper's misguided plan for child care becoming glaringly clear

lbush — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 19:44:30 -0500

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.

Stimulus too timid; tax cuts ineffective

jclancy — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 14:49:41 -0500

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

Conservatives give provinces short end of the stick

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 14:48:39 -0500

'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.'

Obama chooses pay equity as first bill to sign

dblaikie — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 11:56:24 -0500

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

CCPA: five tests for Canada

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 15:00:32 -0500

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

Economy or environment? It's a false choice

jclancy — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 10:13:01 -0500

(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.'

How Canada can beat tough times

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 13:08:10 -0500

'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.

Challenging Ottawa to invest in frontline services

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 06:00:10 -0500

'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.'

Media Advisory: the National Union (NUPGE)

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 07:15:00 -0500

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.

Invest stimulus in families, say frontline workers

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:58:42 -0500

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

Nanos poll on Canada's federal budget

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 15:58:00 -0500

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

Canada slammed during UN human rights review

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 15:33:10 -0500

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.

NUPGE criticizes Canada's support for Gaza attack

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 10:36:07 -0500

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

Canada planning national securities regulator

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 08:21:12 -0500

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

CCPA calls for stimulus to create 407,000 jobs

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:00:00 -0500

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

Ambrose intervenes, orders Ottawa bus vote

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 19:00:00 -0500

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

NUPGE's plan for a strong economy, fair society and clean environment

Sun, 07 Dec 2008 19:00:00 -0500

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.

An open letter from NUPGE president James Clancy

jclancy — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500

(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.'

Harper dragging feet while economic crisis deepens

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500

'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.'

Conservatives prepared to run a labour and human rights deficit

dfudge — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 19:00:00 -0500

'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.'

CRTC sides with big telecom and fails net neutrality advocates

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:00:00 -0500

Promises broader inquiry into issue of throttling and network neutrality

Bankruptcy protection fund for workers will be operating soon

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 19:00:00 -0500

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

Shock and embarrassment over Canadian antics at Bali talks

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 19:00:00 -0500

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

Dec. 3 is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 19:00:00 -0500

NUPGE calls on Canada to ratify UN Convention

National Union supporting week of action on Colombia

Thu, 22 Nov 2007 19:00:00 -0500

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

NDP targets Security and Prosperity Partnership trade deal

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 20:00:00 -0400

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

Harper government disregarding citizens' personal privacy

Sat, 20 Oct 2007 20:00:00 -0400

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

How long will Canada's multi-billion-dollar EI scandal continue?

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 20:00:00 -0400

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

Canada joins the discredited Bush-led AAP climate initiative

admin — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0400

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.

Federal leaders must focus on troubling economic trends

jclancy — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 20:00:00 -0400

(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.'

Canada faces legal challenge for breaking global warming law

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 20:00:00 -0400

Friends of Earth Canada taking Harper government to Federal Court

COLD-fx lobbyists lobbied Harper but it wasn't really lobbying

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 20:00:00 -0400

Don Cherry was there too but it wasn't lobbying

Stockwell Day must answer for police actions in Montebello

Sat, 25 Aug 2007 20:00:00 -0400

CEP calls for independent judicial inquiry