From Parliament

Speaker : Mr. Marston
Take : 1
Time : 03/12/2009 10:00:52
Context : Introduction of Private Members' Bills
Bill C-487. Introduction and first reading
Mr. Wayne Marston (Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, NDP) moved for leave to introduce Bill C-487, An Act to amend the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act and another Act in consequence (health-related benefit plans).
He said: Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Winnipeg North for her dedication to people with disabilities and for her support here today.

Mr. Wayne Marston (Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, Canadians know that our major pension plans in this country are facing an unprecedented crisis.

In its most recent study on the issue, the Conference Board of Canada stated that the number of seniors living in poverty has doubled since 1995. The minister must publicly acknowledge this crisis in order to begin the search for solutions.

Mr. Wayne Marston (Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, I visited 19 communities this summer and seniors from B.C. to Nova Scotia told me of receiving meagre increases to their government pensions of 30¢ to 40¢ per month.

Seniors receiving OAS and GIS are losing money because the CPI does not reflect provincial differences in the cost of living. Programs indexed to the national average of CPI are not adequate and seniors across Canada are suffering.

Mr. Wayne Marston (Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, NDP)
moved:

[Motion]
That, in the opinion of the House, in light of the legitimate concerns of Canadians that pensions and their retirement security may not be there for them in their retirement years, the Government of Canada should begin to work with the provinces and territories to ensure the sustainability of Canadians’ retirement incomes by bringing forward at the earliest opportunity, measures such as:

40:2 Hansard - 29 (2009/3/12)

[Motion for concurrence]

Mr. Wayne Marston (Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, NDP)
moved that the third report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development presented on Thursday, February 26, 2009, be concurred in.

He said: I will be sharing my time this morning with my good friend from Burnaby—Douglas.

40:2 Hansard - 5 (2009/1/30)

Mr. Wayne Marston (Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, clearly times have changed. A new day has dawned in the United States. The disgrace that was Guantanamo Bay will soon close, and military tribunals so devastating to fundamental human rights have been suspended.

The reputation of Canada must not be linked to such a disgraceful legacy. I ask the Prime Minister, when will the government relent and accept that Omar Khadr truly was a child soldier, do the right thing and bring Omar Khadr home?

40:1 Hansard - 2 (2008/11/19)

Mr. Wayne Marston (Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, I thank the constituents of Hamilton East—Stoney Creek for returning me to this place. They sent me here with the understanding that we would do better.

As I listened to the Speech from the Throne today, I realized that Canadians were hoping for more and New Democrats were certainly expecting more. I waited to hear about affordable housing, child care or an increase to the pensions of Canadians.

Mr. Speaker, as I proudly rise in the House today, I want to thank the electors of Hamilton East--Stoney Creek for voting to once again honour me with their trust to represent them in this place.

Members will know that many seniors have only their government pensions to sustain them. Earlier this summer, my staff received numerous complaints from seniors who began receiving letters from the government announcing their pensions were increasing by 42¢ a month. Members heard it correctly, a mere 42¢ a month. How insulting.

39th PARLIAMENT, 2nd SESSION
EDITED HANSARD • NUMBER 076

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Private Members' Business

Canadian Multiculturalism Act

The House resumed consideration of the motion that Bill C-505, An Act to amend the Canadian Multiculturalism Act (non-application in Quebec), be read the second time and referred to a committee.

39th PARLIAMENT, 2nd SESSION
EDITED HANSARD • NUMBER 076

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Mr. Wayne Marston (Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, NDP):

Mr. Speaker, I want to send my congratulations to the Hamilton and District Labour Council for hosting the upcoming third annual Labour Volunteer Activists Awards. On April 19, the labour council will formally honour the contributions that union members make daily to the well-being of our city of Hamilton.

Members of unions not only work for their local union on a volunteer basis, but often contribute many volunteer hours across the spectrum of services and agencies, such as the United Way, retiree clubs, senior centres and the list goes on.

Labour activist volunteers make a huge difference in our community. They are involved with many issues and initiatives, the environment, health and safety related activities, cultural events, human rights and peace initiatives, women's issues and other social service based events. Union members commit their time, as all volunteers do, for the satisfaction of improving our community.

I commend the officers and delegates of the Hamilton and District Labour Council for giving recognition to their members who are so deserving of our respect and appreciation.