Friday, October 27, 2006
It’s time for federal leadership on post-secondary education: NDP - Tuesday October 24, 2006
HALIFAX – NDP MP and Post-Secondary Education Advocate Denise Savoie (Victoria) joined the Nova Scotia NDP and the St. Mary’s University Students’ Association in calling for more accessible tuition in Nova Scotia, and renewed her call for a substantial increase in core funding for post-secondary education from the federal government.
“Nowhere in Canada is the abdication of federal leadership on access to post-secondary education more stark than in Nova Scotia. The discrepancy in tuition levels across Canada is appalling,” said Savoie.
Nova Scotia’s average undergraduate tuition now exceeds $6,500 – over $2,200 above the national average and almost four times higher than tuition in Quebec. Average student debt in Nova Scotia is $6,000 above the national average.
“The federal government is supposed to protect the social rights and equity of all Canadians,” argued Savoie. “Access to quality education should not be determined by where you grow up, how much money your parents have, or your province of study.”
The NDP argues that post-secondary education is a public good that must be accessible and high-quality for ALL Canadians, in contrast with the Liberal-Conservative view that it is a private good for which students must pay an ever-increasing amount of the costs through high tuition and debt.
Savoie, along with NDP Leader Jack Layton and other NDP MPs, are visiting college and university campuses across Canada this fall to highlight the need for accessible, high-quality post-secondary education, and to collect the input of Canada’s students on key federal policy issues, such as climate change, the war in Afghanistan, and the worsening student debt crisis.
“The NDP is uniting progressives to form the next government of Canada, and the post-secondary campus is among our departure points,” said Savoie. “Much of the sharpest and most progressive debate on public policy happens on university and college campuses, and we’re here to join in.”
NDP condemns Conservatives’ hot air plan - Thursday October 19, 2006
Hold your breath Canada! Pollution will go up, not down under Harper's plan
OTTAWA – Today, with the tabling of the Conservative government’s Clean Air Act, Canadians' worst fears were confirmed. The Conservatives' made-in-Washington green plan means it will be years before any action will be taken to reduce pollution and halt climate change.
“Under Harper’s plan pollution will go up, not down. Canadians have already waited long enough for a clean environment, they shouldn’t have to wait any longer,” said the NDP’s Environment critic Nathan Cullen (Skeena-Bulkley Valley).
The proposed act outlines no clear targets or timelines for reducing greenhouse gases, instead offering more delays and consultations.
“Canadians want to be able to breathe clean air but Harper is saying: ‘hold your breath Canada.’ His plan means we’re going to wait 5 more years before anything gets done,” said Cullen.
“The Conservatives are continuing to let big industrial polluters off the hook and are taking a pass on introducing stronger auto emission standards. Canadians want a government that is on their side but Harper is clearly on the side of the big polluters,” declared NDP Caucus Environment Committee co-chair Denise Savoie (Victoria).
Cullen also expressed personal disappointment in the Environment Minister.
“Rona Ambrose is the latest in a long line of Environment Ministers that have been totally ineffective at the cabinet table. She said she had a plan. That just isn’t true. History will remember that those who had the power to really clean up the air we breath chose to abdicate their responsibility in the face of pressure from big oil and industrial polluters,” concluded Cullen.
New Democrats have already set out minimum guidelines necessary to halt climate change:
- Get tough on smog and greenhouse gas producing pollutants. Set a target to reduce greenhouse gas pollution by 80% by 2050
- End subsidies to the oil and gas industry
- Consider a moratorium on oil sands development until environmental concerns about the production of massive amounts of carbon emissions are addressed
- Support for an East-West power grid, as part of a Canada wide energy strategy
- Ban the worst toxic chemicals
- Encourage green investment, including urban transit and retrofits for all types of buildings, including low-income housing
NDP condemns North Korean claims of nuclear test - Monday October 9, 2006
OTTAWA – Today, NDP Leader Jack Layton denounced the reckless actions of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, who claims to have tested a nuclear weapon.
“Whether a nuclear test has been conducted or not, the claim is itself an irresponsible attempt to destabilize global security,” said Layton. “New Democrats are against the use and proliferation of nuclear weapons and fully support the United Nations in its attempt to regain control of this volatile situation.”
Layton also stated that Kim Jong Il’s tactics should not be allowed to frighten Canada into a new arms race.
“I don’t believe that participating in a star wars program or buying more weapons will do anything to improve our security. Instead of spurring a new global arms race Canada and other countries must work to renew commitment to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty,” said Layton.
Layton believes that all countries should commit to nuclear disarmament, and urges the Canadian government to support calls for North Korea to return to six-party talks.
“Escalation is not the answer. That is the message Canada should be sending to North Korea,” concluded Layton.
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