Questions and Statements

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. 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

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.

MARSTON CALLS ON TORIES TO CAP CREDIT CARD RATES
NDP challenges Conservatives to rein in big banks and apply a 5 percent above prime cap

Ottawa – In the House of Commons today, Wayne Marston, MP (Hamilton East – Stoney Creek) called on Harper’s Conservatives to cap credit card rates to a floating 5% above prime rate. Mr. Marston made the following statement:

“The NDP wants this government to show leadership and fairness by taking action for working and middle-class families.

Hard working Canadians deserve protection as consumers. The Government should be capping credit card interest rates to no more than 5 percent above prime.

Here are 5 good reasons why credit card rates and the banks should be reined in:

1 Today’s rates are outrageous. 19 percent or higher interest unfairly hurts working families.

2 Consumer debt is six times higher than the 1980’s at 300 billion and total household debt, driven by high-interest debt, is over 1 trillion dollars.

3 Families who used to be able to save 15 to 20 percent of their income, now can only save an average of 2 percent – that won’t be enough to retire on.

4 The high cost for medications, training and childcare are driving up the costs of essential items, forcing more hard-working families into debt

5 Big banks are making record profits, heading for another 20 billion dollar year as they gouge consumers

The Conservative Government has given massive corporate tax cuts that have benefited the big banks. The NDP wants to see the big banks reined in with capped credit card interest rates so that hard-working families can meet the needs of their families today and in the future.

Question Period FROM HANSARD

Canadian Human Rights Act

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

Mr. Speaker, the Secretary of State for Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity deserves an opportunity to respond to allegations made recently by Ezra Lavant, who is head over heels for the Liberal motion that would gut the Canadian Human Rights Act. Mr. Levant says that the Secretary of State supports his view that “these commissions are violating human rights, not protecting them”.

Knowing their shared history and personal relationship, I thought it best to clarify the Conservative position on this illogical Liberal motion.

Could the Secretary of State clearly state today that all Conservative MPs will vote against the motion and that he personally condemns the motion in the strongest possible terms?

Hon. Jason Kenney (Secretary of State (Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity), CPC):

Mr. Speaker, I am absolutely on the public record defending freedom of speech. This government and this party believe in our constitutionally entrenched and protected rights to freedom of expression, freedom of speech and freedom of the press. We will always defend those freedoms, those ancient freedoms.

FROM HANSARD - House of Commons

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

Mr. Speaker, the National Anti-Racism Council of Canada is an international leader in research, education and advocacy to end racism, yet the Minister of Canadian Heritage has refused to renew funding for NARC, a crippling blow to that organization.

NARC educates and advocates for an end to racial profiling. It fights to end the biases in our media. It strives to end racism in our communities. It educates youth and other community leaders on how to identify and fight the root causes of racism and hatred. Knowing this, it begs the question, what is it about NARC's work that the government does not like?

Canadians want their government to stand up to hate, to stand up to racism and to stand up to intolerance in our communities. To do that the government has to invest. It has to invest to give the leaders in fighting racism and hatred the tools and resources to do this valuable work.

It is time for the Minister of Canadian Heritage and the Secretary of State for Multiculturalism to support the National Anti-Racism Council of Canada. It is time to renew its funding.

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

Mr. Speaker, the provincial government in Ontario established a council to advise MPPs on manufacturing issues. It is undoubtedly a weak response. What the sector needs is a plan, not more advisement.

However, it is at least a step forward. Since taking power two years ago, the Conservative government has not moved with the times of increasing dollar values and continued cuts in the manufacturing sector.

When is the government going to take seriously the plight of workers and the communities that depend on those jobs and establish a plan for these manufacturing industry workers and their communities?

Mr. Colin Carrie (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry, CPC):

Mr. Speaker, I do not know where this NDP member has been, but last year the industry committee did an unprecedented report which came up with 22 recommendations that his critic actually supported. The interesting thing with the NDP is that in our budget we addressed 21 out of 22 of these recommendations and the member voted against it.

We lowered corporate income tax rates. He voted against it. We increased the capital cost allowance writeoff. He voted against it. We cut the paper burden on businesses. He voted against it.

There was $800 million per year for education, $1.3 billion for research--

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

Mr. Speaker, those scripted answers from the minister will be of little consolation to the families and workers who have lost their jobs.

Statistics Canada today says that 16,000 people lost their jobs in November. Study after study has shown the negative impacts of job loss and plant closures on workers and their families.

If the Conservatives will not help save the manufacturing sector with a comprehensive jobs strategy, will they commit to immediate and serious investments to help unemployed workers and their families?
Mr. Colin Carrie (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry, CPC):

Mr. Speaker, all the NDP has are strategies. I hear they even strategize on whether or not to shave off their leader's moustache.

The manufacturing sector does not need strategies. It needs action. That is exactly what we have given it. We have lowered taxes by $1.3 billion. We have increased the capital cost allowance. We have responded positively to 21 out of 22 recommendations in the INDU report. We are taking action, which is something the NDP will never do.

Housing is becoming more and more inaccessible for many working families in Canada.

This January housing costs were up 7% in my community of Hamilton where the average cost of a house is over 265 thousand dollars. The Conservatives GST cut wouldn’t even amount to an average100 dollars in savings: that just doesn’t get it done.

Local not-for profit groups like the Hamilton East Kiwanis Non-profit Homes in my riding struggle with the flawed funding formulas and inaction of current and past governments.

Flawed funding formulas that mean decreasing subsidies while maintenance and capital expenses and property taxes all increase.

The Throne Speech reminded Canadians they should be worried about housing and homelessness issues but it didn’t commit to doing anything about it. This weeks fiscal update only talked rebates for people who own homes – nothing for affordable, quality housing for those who need it.

The NDP is committed to reducing the prosperity gap between Canadians and we are committed to fighting for a National Housing Strategy that helps not-for-profit groups meet housing needs in our communities.

IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

Statement on: Community Beach Ponds

Mr. Speaker, the Community Beach Ponds, also known as the Turtle Ponds, are one of the best remaining examples of diverse urban biospheres and are found in the Stoney Creek portion of my riding. Sadly, Turtle Ponds are at risk of being sold to housing developers.

The current land owners, our two school boards, cannot be faulted for wanting to sell and make money. We all know the shameful state of education financing in this country where the Conservative government and past Liberal governments have wiped their hands of providing adequate funding for our schools.