People around the world, including the students in Quebec, are courageously defending their beliefs about what it means to have a reasonable standard of living and what it means to be an active participant in democracy. They want a future worth looking forward to.

Unions have a significant role to play in this regard. Unfortunately, the intense focus surrounding strikes has led to a highly distorted public image of the labour movement. Yet, according to Ed Finn in a recent article in The CCPA Monitor (a publication of The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, page 5, April 2012), 

“All Canadians, whether they know it or not (and most don’t), live better lives because of the efforts of the labour movement.”

Some major union achievements:
• Grievance procedures that assist workers where they are being unfairly treated
• Engaging with employers in creating and maintaining healthy and safe working environments
• Campaigns against racism, homophobia, sexism and other forms of discrimination
• Programs that help workers struggling with mental health and/or addiction issues
• Raising the bar of wages and working conditions for non-unionized workers

Unions have also been in the forefront in opposing the privatization of public services. Evidence indicates that anticipated savings aren’t always realized and losing good union jobs has negative effects for many.

Recently, when Toronto City Council was considering contracting out the jobs of civic cleaners and janitors, their union, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) contacted the CCPA to prepare a brief weighing the facts. Following the presentation, council deferred any action pending further study.

Five factors were shown to need further examination: (1) all aspects of the fiscal costs of out-sourcing; (2) lost government revenue because of the shrinking tax base; (3) increased costs of social programs to fill the fiscal gaps; (4) increased health and safety costs as a result of lowered cleaning standards and; (5) broader costs due to the downward spiral in social cohesion, marginalization and inequality.

I appreciate the work of the CCPA in conducting various analyses of government policies.  It reminds me that, while the media feeds us ill-informed or biased opinions about the labour movement, unions are doing their part to hold back unfair economic policies generated by corporate-friendly governments. Next time we hear about “union bosses”, we need to ask ourselves in whose interests it is that workers have been legislated back to work without giving the bargaining process a chance to work. (The very fact that CP Rail knew there would be immediate back-to-work legislation certainly made them less enthusiastic in bargaining for a sound collective agreement.)

For years, the corporate sector has attempted to influence government policies. The current Conservative government, more than any other federal government in history, is buckling under this pressure. Deteriorating labour relations and the loss of good union jobs have been the result.

The involvement of the labour movement is critical to all workers to reverse this trend. Rather than bash unions, now is the time, more than ever, to give them our support. A rising tide might float all boats but it’s not corporate tax cuts that raises the economic tide for all – it’s good paying union jobs. 

Let’s work together to reclaim Canada, promote peace and revive the dream of leaving the world a better place for generations to come.
Alex Atamanenko, MP
BC Southern Interior
 

New Democrats broker deal with all parties to fast track bill C-311

OTTAWA –New Democrat House Leader Nathan Cullen today passed a motion in the House that will allow Bill C-311 go directly to a vote next Wednesday, June 6th.

“New Democrats have been supportive of this bill from the beginning and we feel this will have a great benefit to all of Canada’s wine producing regions,” said Cullen.  “That is why we reached out today to work with all parties to make sure that we move forward as quickly as possible.”

C-311 would remove federal restrictions on transporting wine between provinces, a step that would see more Canadian wine being available to Canadians across the country.

“This is a good day for Canada,” said Cullen.  “It’s good to see what can happen when parties work together and not just make baseless partisan attacks.”
  
-30-

Contact:  Alex Atamanenko -  613-996-8036

still needed by many

May 24, 2012 – CASTLEGAR – BC Southern Interior MP Alex Atamanenko added his voice today to the growing calls from his constituents demanding that the Conservative government reverse the cuts to the Community Access Program (CAP) hidden in the federal omnibus Budget Bill C-38 that will affect rural and low-income Canadians.

“CAP used to have more service locations than Canada’s favourite doughnut shop and has served around 25 million Canadians since it launched in 1994,” said Atamanenko.  “The need for it has not ended.  Right across this federal Riding, from the Similkameen to Salmo, constituents are saying CAP has been a vital service in our rural communities,” he added.

Industry Canada’s Community Access Program provided computers and internet access to community schools, community centres, friendship centres, libraries, youth centres and social service centres.

“This $2 million cut to fund internet access will hurt low-income and rural people who otherwise have little or no access to the Internet: students doing research who can’t afford a computer, unemployed people looking for jobs and preparing and sending resumes; new Canadians learning to connect with services in their community; seniors on fixed income keeping in contact with their loved ones; rural residents without high speed internet or any internet service at all.  All of these people will lose this service, said the NDP MP.

“This move is particularly ironic of the Harper government, as the federal Conservatives are closing more and more government offices in rural areas.  Again and again the Minister stands up in the House and tells Canadians that to access Service Canada they need to use the Internet.  Then the Conservatives cut the one program that put the Internet into every Canadian community.  It just doesn’t make sense,” Atamanenko said.

Statistics Canada’s own research shows that nearly half of all Canadians earning $30,000 a year or less have no access to the Internet in their homes. “That is why the CAP is so important,” Atamanenko added.

“These cuts widen the digital divide and the disparity between rural and urban and well-to-do and poor Canadians, and their opportunities to participate in our economy, our workforce and our communities.”

Readers can find out more about other federal cuts and changes to legislation in the Conservatives omnibus budget Bill C-38 by going to www.budget2012.ndp.ca for more information.

-30-

Contact:  Alex Atamanenko -  250-365-2792 or 1-800-667-2393

Now with hearings taking place into the Enbridge Northern Gateway project, Alex Atamanenko, Member of Parliament for BC Southern Interior, is urging the federal government to uphold that ban.

“As we approach the forty-year anniversary of the north coast tanker ban, the Conservative government is paving the way for unprecedented oil tanker traffic off the BC coast and gutting the environmental review processes,” said Atamanenko.

“I believe that the tanker moratorium is at risk due to the Conservative government’s promotion of the proposed Northern Gateway project,” he continued. “New Democrats are repeating our call to the government to uphold the ban and protect BC waters from the risks of a devastating spill.”

British Columbians have been clear on the subject of tanker traffic—the risk of allowing super tankers off the coast greatly outweighs any benefit to our communities. An oil spill in the fragile coastal waters of British Columbia would irreversibly damage the coastline. Over 130 First Nations bands and the Union of BC Municipalities have come out in opposition to the Northern Gateway project.

“In December 2010 the House of Commons passed an NDP motion directing the government to immediately introduce a legislated ban on tanker traffic,” said Atamanenko. “The government has taken no action. Worse, they chose to introduce massive regulatory changes in their 2012 budget that would weaken pipeline review processes and allow Ottawa to overrule any decision made by the National Energy Board,” he said.

British Columbians are proud of our stunning coastal waters. The coast directly and indirectly supports tens of thousands of jobs, brings visitors to our province and has deep spiritual significance for many peoples.

“Compromising this national treasure for short-term gain is short-sighted, irresponsible and reckless. I urge the Conservative government to bring forward a legislated ban on oil tankers to protect our coastline for future generations,” concluded Atamanenko.

-30-

Alex Atamanenko, MP BC Southern Interior Phone: 250-365-2792

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

(OTTAWA, ON) – New Democrat MP, Alex Atamanenko (BC Southern Interior) is appalled by the reckless changes to Meat Inspection Regulations (MIR) being proposed by the Conservative government that will leave Canadians wondering if the meat they buy is actually safe. Private inspectors, who may not be qualified, would now be able to inspect meat.  Worse, these changes to meat inspection rules also change what meat is acceptable – meaning already-dead meat and crippled animals’ meat will be okay for processing for Canadians’ tables.

According to Atamanenko, these changes have been tried before, and with disastrous results. “The 1970’s “rotten meat” scandal caused the meat industry to collapse which is what led to the creation of federal regulations in the first place.” said the BC MP.  “This happened because of a lack of meat processing regulations and already-dead and crippled animal meat was entering the food supply. It’s staggering that the government would ever considering going down this road”

Atamanenko suspects that these changes are arising out of meetings between the US Department of Agriculture, industry reps and Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) officials, to further the aims of the Regulatory Cooperation Council to harmonize regulations between the US and Canada.  The government claims they are just looking for ways to cut red tape and provide greater flexibility to slaughterhouse operators.

“I’m certain that most Canadians would agree that cutting red tape and flexible regulations should not be the principles guiding our food safety system” stated NDP Agriculture Critic, Malcolm Allen. “To top everything off, hundreds of CFIA employees, including front line inspectors and veterinarians are on the chopping block.

Atamanenko believes the strength of our federal meat inspection rules for major meat packers must not be weakened.  “I join with my NDP colleagues in echoing the calls of industry workers to keep our meat inspection system regulated, and safe for Canadians,” concluded Atamanenko.  “The Conservative government has no business gambling with Canadians’ health and safety.”

 -30-

For more information: Office of Alex Atamanenko, 613-996-8036

The core of Food Sovereignty is “the right of peoples to healthy and culturally appropriate food produced through sustainable methods and their right to define their own food and agriculture systems.  It puts the aspirations, needs and livelihoods of those who produce, distribute and consume food at the heart of food systems and policies rather than the demands of markets and corporations.”

Of course this clashes with the current economic world order of globalization and the concept of continuous growth where goods and capital move freely between countries without any consideration for fair distribution, sustainability or food sovereignty.

There are seven principles of food sovereignty defined by La Via Campesina:  Food as a basic human right cemented in constitution, agrarian reform and indigenous rights to land, protecting natural resources (especially land, water, seeds and livestock breeds), reorganizing food trade (food imports must not displace local production or depress prices), ending the globalization of hunger (regulation and taxation of speculative capital and a strictly enforced Code of Conduct for multinational corporations), social peace (food must not be used as a weapon to marginalize smallholder farmers) and democratic control (United Nations and other related organizations  (ie: WTO, World Bank, and IMF) must undergo a process of democratization so that smallholder farmers have direct input into formulating agricultural policies at all levels).

In what can only viewed as a scurrilous attack against Canada’s food sovereignty, the Conservative government recently dismantled the Canadian Wheat Board despite huge opposition from the majority of western farmers. Our supply managed system for dairy, chicken and eggs is on the table at the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) negotiations and it remains to be seen whether Canadian farmers will be sacrificed to get the deal signed.  Also under discussion in the CETA deal is the ability of municipalities and the provinces to give preference to local procurements as way to stimulate local economies or support local farmers.  In this year’s budget, as part of broader cuts to Agriculture Canada, the federal government severely cut funding to the Canadian Cooperative Association, a low-cost program ($4 million a year) which has made a difference in hundreds of communities across the country.  This government also refuses to consider tightening the rules around genetically modified food, one of the most serious threats to Canadian food sovereignty.

There may have been a time when Canada could be called a sovereign country.  Unfortunately, the Conservative government under Stephen Harper is eroding that at a furious and unabated pace.  One of the weapons we have to push back against such ill conceived policies is to support local farmers any way we possibly can.

Alex Atamanenko, MP
BC Southern Interior

The Canada Learning Bond provides money from the Government to help you start saving early for your child’s education after high school.

Your child could get $500 NOW to help you start saving early for your child’s education after high school, and an extra $100 each year up to age 15. That’s up to $2,000 (plus interest) in bonds for your child’s post-secondary education. All you have to do is open a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) and you don’t have to put any of your own money into RESP to get the bond. An extra $25 will be paid with the first $500 bond to help cover the cost of opening an RESP. The bond can be used to pay for full- or part-time studies in an apprenticeship program, a CEGEP, trade school, college or university.

You are eligible for the program if your child was born after December 31, 2003, and you get the National Child Benefit Supplement as part of the Canada Child Tax Benefit, commonly known as “family allowance” or “baby bonus.” It’s a simple 2-step process to apply. 1.  Get a Social Insurance Number (SIN) for yourself and your child. There’s no fee. However, certain documents, such as a birth certificate, are required. 2.  Open a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) account with an RESP provider that offers the Canada Learning Bond.

Choose the RESP provider that best suits your needs and ask: • if they offer the Canada Learning Bond and the Canada Education Savings Grant; • what types of RESPs they offer (family, individual or group) and the advantages and risk factors of each; • what investment products they offer and the advantages and risk factors of each; and • what are their administration fees and penalties.

Remember, you don’t have to put money into the RESP. Your RESP provider will apply for the bond, which will be deposited directly into your child’s RESP account. The Canada Learning Bond will not affect other Government of Canada benefits however it can only be used for post-secondary education. If your child does not continue their education after high school, the Government will take the Canada Learning Bond back. For more information call 1 800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232) or visit www.canlearn.ca.

CONSERVATIVE WRECKING BALL DEMOLISHES MORE RURAL SERVICES

Castlegar – BC Southern Interior Member of Parliament Alex Atamanenko was dismayed to hear the news that the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) office in Kelowna is slated for closure earlier today.

“The Conservatives are dismantling Canada piece by piece,” he declared. “This will result in a critical reduction in services related to citizenship and immigration matters for the people in my riding.”

Although CIC is expanding the use of online processes which is helpful in some circumstances, Atamanenko’s office receives calls from many people who don’t have computer access or who don’t know how to use them.

“Those living on limited incomes or who don’t have access to the internet at home can’t always get to places of public access,” the BC MP added. “Once again, rural communities are paying the price for corporate tax cuts.”

Ironically, at the same time as this news was released, the Harper government also announced that it is axing the Community Access Program, which has been supporting programs to make computer access available to as many people as possible.

Permanent residents in the riding may face further difficulties since they are required to pick up their Permanent Resident (PR) cards in person from a CIC official. Since the cards expire every 5 years, this will place an increased burden and cost on permanent residents in the BC Southern Interior and other communities at distance from BC’s lower mainland. Once the Kelowna CIC office is closed, the nearest offices will be in Vancouver or Surrey.

“I am categorically opposed to the closing of the Kelowna CIC office and urge the government to reconsider. This is another example of the grave disservice being done to rural residents. At the absolute minimum, in-person pick-up service for PR cards must be offered at local Service Canada centres to ease the burden on those who can’t travel,” Atamanenko concluded.

-30-

Letter to the Honourable Jason Kenney

For more information contact:
Alex Atamanenko, MP – 1-800-667-2393 or 250-365-2792

CASTLEGAR – Alex Atamanenko, MP for BC Southern Interior, slammed the Conservatives for slashing services at the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and putting Canadian public safety and business at risk.

“These cuts could end up costing Canadians more than they save,” said Atamanenko.

The CBSA faces a $143.4 million cut to its current budget. Canada is cutting back on border officers at a time it is introducing comprehensive changes on “perimeter security” with the United States, strengthening ties to harmonize regulations and processes with the United States.

“I have spent time at some of our border crossings and have a deep appreciation of the work our Canadian Border Service officers do. They turn back illegal weapons, keep drugs and criminals out of our country and collect the necessary duties that protect Canadian businesses and supplement our tax base,” stated the NDP MP.

“To be faced with a reduction of personnel at our border crossings is ludicrous. It seems a contradiction to the government’s so-called tough-on-crime” focus. Let’s also not forget that border service officers and their families help contribute to the local economies of our rural communities.”

According to NDP International Trade Critic Brian Masse, by slashing jobs and cutting the CBSA’s budget, the Conservatives are guaranteeing lost business and weakening public safety for Canadians.

“Fewer border services officers mean longer wait times for Canadian travellers and lost revenue for businesses stuck clearing customs instead of moving goods. For every extra minute trucks are stuck idling at border plazas, thousands of dollars are lost.”
Masse also points out that Conservative mishandling of the border will compromise public safety while diminishing government tariff revenues.

“First and foremost, fewer border officers mean a greater likelihood for guns and drugs to sneak over the border. But in their reckless attempts to save money, Conservatives will also miss out on valuable revenue that comes from tariffs,” said Masse.

“Our government should not be playing with the safety of Canadians. We should be increasing staff at border crossings instead of slashing jobs,” concluded the BC Southern Interior MP.

-30-

For more information: Alex Atamanenko 250-365-2792 1-800-667-2393

April 4, 2012 (Ottawa, ON) - BC Southern Interior Member of Parliament Alex Atamanenko is outraged at the Conservative decision to cut Katimavik.

“This is purely a political decision. Just because the Liberals started this program, Conservative ideology believes that it must go,” stated the NDP MP.

“I have personally witnessed the good work that these young Canadians do in helping our communities and have seen the positive interaction that takes place between them. This is truly a grassroots way to build national unity. Cutting the program is, in my opinion, un-Canadian!”

Katimavik began in 1977 with the purpose of educating youth and fostering lifelong civic engagement through community service. Through various changes to the program, it has continued to adapt to changing society while staying true to its mission.  According to their most recent annual report, from 2010-2011, “600 Katimavik volunteers worked 81,770 hours in 64 Canadian communities and served more than 500 community work partners. They created value to the tune of an estimated $10.8 million.”

“The Conservatives will have deprived federal coffers of 220$ B in revenue between 2006 and 2014 because of corporate tax cuts and now they want to try and balance the books by gutting such worthwhile programs as Katimavik. This makes no sense whatsoever,” concluded Atamanenko.

Katimavik letter to Heritage Minister, James Moore

Katimavik Petition forms – EN

-30-

For more information contact:

Alex Atamanenko, MP –  (613) 996-8036