Press Releases

HAMILTONIANS CONTINUE TO BE CHEATED AT THE PUMPS

As long weekend price increases loom,
NDP calls for regulating uncontrolled gas and oil prices

Hamilton, ON – Today, Hamilton area NDP MP’s Wayne Marston (Hamilton East – Stoney Creek), Chris Charlton (Hamilton Mountain) and David Christopherson (Hamilton Centre) called on the federal government to implement a nation-wide regulatory agency to monitor the price of oil and gas and an ombudsman to protect consumers.

“It is unfair for working and middle-class families to be gouged at the pumps while, big oil companies continue to reap record profits,” said Wayne Marston. “Many people have no choice but to drive to work. The record prices we’re seeing today are a significant pay cut for their families. An independent watchdog needs to be set up to monitor prices and help protect against future gouging.”

CONSERVATIVES NOT PROTECTING PRESS FREEDOM

OTTAWA – To mark International Press Freedom day on May 3, NDP Human rights Critic Wayne Marston today called on the Conservatives to push countries Canada has diplomatic relations with to do more to protect press freedom.

“A free press is a vital component of any healthy democracy and one of the most useful tools to promote and protect human rights,” said Marston. “The Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister have been silent on the issue of press freedom, as journalists around the world are subject to censorship, intimidation, jail and murder. This silence has to end.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MARSTON MARKS NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING FOR WORKERS KILLED OR INJURED ON THE JOB IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

Ottawa – In advance of local ceremonies this Saturday, Wayne Marston, MP (Hamilton East – Stoney Creek) made the following statement in the House of Commons during Question Period today:

This Saturday, April 28th, communities across Canada will be marking the National Day of Mourning for Workers Killed or Injured on the Job and those who have become ill as a result of their job.

The National Day of Mourning is not only a time of reflection and remembrance; it is also a day to re-dedicate ourselves to the goal of keeping our workers safe on their jobs. Every day 3 Canadians die on the job and each year another 1 million are injured.

NDP FIGHTS FOR JAPANESE COMFORT WOMEN
MPs push for formal apology and compensation from Japanese PM

OTTAWA – The Harper government should take a stand on human rights and denounce the Japanese prime minister’s attempt to deny the forced prostitution endured by South Korean, Chinese and Filipino women during the Second World War. NDP MPs Wayne Marston and Dawn Black are calling on Stephen Harper and Peter MacKay to act in accordance with the principles of human rights that ordinary Canadians believe in.

“Prime Minister Abe must be pressured to formally apologize and to institute a program to compensate the estimated 50 000 to 200 000 women who were forced to serve in military brothels during WWII,” said NDP Human Rights Critic Wayne Marston (Hamilton East – Stoney Creek).

CONSERVATIVES MUST END SECRECY ON CANADA’S RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA: NDP
Marston’s motion demands Parliamentarians have full access to Burton Report

OTTAWA – At a meeting of the sub-committee on International Human Rights, the NDP’s Critic on Human Rights Wayne Marston, MP (Hamilton East – Stoney Creek) put forward a motion that passed unanimously calling on DFAIT officials to explain why they are blocking parliamentarians access to a report on Canada’s bi-lateral human rights dialogue with China.

“Professor Burton has prepared what by all accounts is an important document outlining Canada’s bi-lateral human rights dialogue with China. First we were allowed copies of the report with sections blacked out,” said Marston. “Then we were told we could see the whole report, but only for 15 minutes and we couldn’t take notes, keep a copy or discuss amongst ourselves or with DFAIT officials present the contents of the report.”

NDP MPs SAY BUDGET FAILS HAMILTON
Written for those around the boardroom table not the kitchen table

OTTAWA – Hamilton’s New Democrat MPs challenged today’s federal budget for failing to close the prosperity gap in our city.

“With corporate tax cuts totaling $8 billion, today’s budget will further widen, not shrink, the gap between those at the top end and middle-class and working families,” said Wayne Marston, MP (Hamilton East-Stoney Creek).

The Conservative budget extends the corporate tax advantages for big oil and gas companies another 8 years.

“Corporate Canada and the oil sands don’t need more taxpayer’s money, working and middle-class families do,” said David Christopherson, MP (Hamilton Centre).

HAMILTON NDP MP’s SAY GROWING PROSPERITY GAP MUST BE CLOSED
NDP releases Budget ’07 expectations

HAMILTON – Federal New Democrats have released their expectations for the upcoming Conservative budget: make life more affordable for regular Canadians.

“The prosperity gap in Canada is growing and it’s time for the Conservatives to close the gap.” says Wayne Marston, MP (Hamilton East – Stoney Creek). “Monday’s budget must provide meaningful assistance to Canada’s working and middle class families, increase climate change spending and make real investment in education and job re-training.”

HAMILTON – NDP MP Wayne Marston is urging the Conservative government to heed the warning signs contained in a CBC investigation into the air quality in Canadian rinks.

“It would be irresponsible for the Conservative government to ignore this new potential health risk,” said Marston. “I am calling on Secretary of State for Sport Helena Guergis to prepare a full report on the air quality in Canadian rinks and what this Conservative government intends to do about improving it.”

The number of Canadians that are potentially exposed to this risk is staggering. According to Skate Canada more than 6 million people lace up skates every year. Hockey Canada’s website says the sport is the activity of choice for over 2 million Canadians. There are also 25,000 registered ringette players, with over 6500 coaches and over 1600 officials; as well as 950,000 participants registered with the Canadian Curling Association.

CANADA CLOSER TO ELIMINATING TORTURE
NDP Critic gets motion passed to examine UN Optional Protocol against Torture

OTTAWA – Today, the sub-committee on International Human Rights unanimously passed a motion by NDP Human Rights Critic Wayne Marston to have hearings on the question of Canada signing the UN Optional Protocol Against Torture (OPCAT).

“Four years after its adoption by the UN General Assembly and several election promises later, we finally have agreement to examine whether Canada should adhere to the protocol. It’s hard to understand why a democratic government wouldn’t want to do everything it can to prevent and eliminate torture. There is no reason we should have waited this long to look at this matter,” said Marston (Hamilton-Stoney Creek).

MARSTON QUESTIONS FLAHERTY ON BANK MERGERS
Marston questions Minister on Bill C-37, ATM fees

OTTAWA – During a meeting of the Standing Committee on Finance, Wayne Marston MP (Hamilton East – Stoney Creek) asked Minister of Finance Flaherty why average Canadians are getting gouged while big banks reap the profits.

“While the big-six banks made record profits - $19 billion last year – Canadians coughed up $420 million of their own money last year at bank-owned ATMs. The Conservative amendments to the Bank Act in Bill C-37 don’t address the issue of unnecessary ATM fees even though the Minister has indicated that he would raise it with banks.” said Marston.