Questions and Statements

TIANAMEN SQUARE: 18 YEARS LATER

Ottawa – After making a statement in the House of Commons commemorating the 18th anniversary of the massacre in Tianamen Square June 4th 1989, Mr. Marston (NDP Critic for Human Rights, Multiculturalism and Sport) issued the following public statement:

“Yesterday, people around the world paused to remember the 18th anniversary of the massacre at Tiananmen Square. From April to June in 1989 pro-democracy and labour activists, intellectuals and students gathered in a series of protests in the Beijing Square. Eighteen years ago yesterday, on June 4th, the military cracked down on protesters and several hundred to several thousand were killed.

FROM HANSARD

IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS: ON GASOLINE PRICES

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

Mr. Speaker, one would think that the government would be concerned by the recent spike in gas prices. One would also think that the government would want to get to the bottom of the price gouging of consumers.

Yesterday, however, the Conservatives backtracked on the support they once gave to a committee report calling for these items and voted against a motion to investigate gas prices and to create a monitoring agency to ensure Canadians would know exactly why gas prices increase when they do.

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.

HOUSE OF COMMONS HANSARD

Response to Ministerial Statement to mark the Bi-centenary of the Aboliton of the Slave Trade

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

Mr. Speaker, it is with a great sense of humility that I rise on behalf of the NDP caucus to speak on this occasion of marking the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade, one of the most evil enterprises in our history.

Millions of men, women and children in Africa were forcibly abducted and relocated across an ocean. Countless lost their lives in the journey and those who survived were subjected to some of the most heinous and reprehensible treatment imaginable.

HOUSE OF COMMONS HANSARD

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

Mr. Speaker, for ordinary, hard-working Canadians, last week's budget is a total failure. It fails to address the growing prosperity gap and throws about new programs and tax credits to the few lucky enough to get a place around the boardroom table where it was written.

Governments, whether Liberal or today's Conservatives, continue to ignore the reasonable demands of a group of Canadian workers, our construction workers. There are no measures for construction workers by trade and apprentices to deduct travel and accommodation expenses incurred by employment away from their homes.

STATEMENT BY WAYNE MARSTON ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF RACISM

Ottawa – Wayne Marston, MP (Hamilton East – Stoney Creek) is the NDP Critic for Multiculturalism and Human Rights.

“Today marks the International Day for the Elimination of Racism which is observed annually on March 21st as it was on this day in 1960 that police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid in Sharpeville, South Africa.

Shortly after the events of 9/11, a Hindu temple was destroyed by arson in my community of Hamilton. The police said it was a hate crime. The community responded: with a show of solidarity and support to eliminate racism in our neighbourhoods.

IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

Mr. Wayne Marston (Hamilton East≈Stoney Creek) Mr. Speaker, working families across the country are suffering because of the government’s lack of action to protect manufacturing jobs.In the last two years alone 125,000 jobs were lost in this province. In my community the latest victim is Hamilton Specialty Bar where we are going to lose 300 jobs and 600 pensioners are going to lose 20% of their pensions, plus their benefits.If it is not in today’s budget, when will the government bring forward a plan to protect the manufacturing jobs in this country?

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

QUESTION PERIOD - HOUSE OF COMMONS

Mr. Wayne Marston (Hamilton East≈Stoney Creek, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, China recently executed Ismail Semed, a Uyghur activist. With this troubling news, I fear for the life of Huseyin Celil, a Canadian being held captive in China.

We do not have time for more excuses. The Department of Foreign Affairs has failed to represent this man. It did not attend the court hearing. I understand the minister is furious, but fury and anger will not help Huseyin Celil.

Can the government tell Canadians today when the next court date is that so that Chinese officials know that Canadians will be watching to see that our citizens' rights are respected?

HOUSE OF COMMONS - HANSARD

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to the environment, everyday Canadians are way ahead of this country's business and political elites. The rest of us are ready to move from a polluting economy to a sustainable one. Daily I hear from constituents who truly worry that our children will not have clean air to breathe or water to drink.

The Conservatives want Canadians to believe that they are getting serious about the environment. They have a new minister and a new legislative committee to fix their flawed bill.

The Prime Minister has an opportunity today to back up his words with action. He can make a real impact in Hamilton by funding two important local environmental initiatives.

From the House of Commons Hansard

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

Mr. Speaker, as you have heard in the House already, February is Black History Month.

Black Canadians have long been at the forefront of Canada's successes as a nation at home and abroad. Ordinary hard-working Canadians, such as the railway porters, have played a major role in the struggle for equality and black rights. Through their unions black porters were at the forefront as community leaders fighting for employment equity and human rights.

My hometown, Hamilton, has seen many important milestones for black Canadians over the years.