Issues

Cowichan Valley Citizen
Fri Jul 23 2010

Jean Crowder doesn't want the workforce to get "dinged" for making environmentally conscious decisions.
The Nanaimo-Cowichan MP supports Bill C-466, a proposed change to the Income Tax Act, aimed at facilitating green commuter choices for Canadians by making employer-provided benefits for transit, carpooling and bicycle commuting tax-free at the federal level.

She said currently if an employer offers incentives or benefits to their staff, the employee has to claim it on their federal income tax forms.

A Call to protect British Columbia’s waters from oil disaster

We the undersigned Citizens of Canadians, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:

Whereas, the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline would carry oil 1,170km from the Alberta tar sands to the coast of Kitimat, BC contributing to an expansion of the Tar Sands

Whereas, the project would bring more than 225 super-tankers the size of the Empire State Building to the pristine North Coast of BC each year

Discussion will focus on the need for a national campaign for affordable housing

VICTORIA – New Democrat MP Denise Savoie will hold a housing roundtable with community stakeholders in Victoria, Wednesday, July 7th to discuss the need for affordable housing and federal support for a national housing strategy.

Oil and Water, a community forum to discuss supertanker traffic on the Pacific Coast and finding sustainable alternatives happens Tuesday (June 29) at the First Metropolitan United Church, 932 Balmoral Rd.

Hosted by Victoria MP Denise Savoie and Victoria-Swan Lake MLA and B.C. opposition environment critic Rob Fleming, the forum panel will include Dogwood Initiative executive director Will Horter and Sierra Club of B.C. director of campaigns and community engagement, Susan Howatt.

Community event to focus on offshore oil risks and green alternatives

VICTORIA- In response to overwhelming public concern about the threat posed to BC’s coast by offshore oil exploration and coastal tanker traffic, NDP MP Denise Savoie (Victoria) and NDP MLA Rob Fleming (Victoria-Swan Lake) will hold a public forum in Victoria on Tuesday, June 29th.

“We are witnessing the weakening of government policies for environmental protection at the very time when the public is looking for reassurance that our coasts will be protected,” said Savoie.

Ignatieff Three Years Late Joining NDP Call to Ban Tanker Traffic

VICTORIA – Three years ago to this day, Victoria MP Denise Savoie said it was urgent for all parties to back her motion to formalize bans on tanker traffic and offshore drilling. As recently as January of this year, when asked whether he would introduce legislation to turn the 1972 moratorium into law, Liberal leader, Michael Ignatieff said, "As I've said, I think you put into law when you need to put into law; I think moratorium will do the job.” (Public Eye, ‘Liberal leader’s slick response, 01/20/10).

Hansard – (2010/6/17)

Ms. Denise Savoie (Victoria, NDP) :
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-549, An Act to amend the National Housing Act (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's retained earnings).

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce a bill that would harness CMHC's $2 billion annual surplus to the goal of sheltering Canadians, a goal from which CMHC has strayed over the years.

This bill would amend section 21 of the National Housing Act, requiring CMHC's unappropriated retained earnings to be transferred to provinces to provide housing for low-income households.

Dear Constituents,

Just before New Year’s Eve, Stephen Harper decided he would shut down parliament to avoid scrutiny on a host of embarrassments, chief among them: his government’s backwardness at the Copenhagen climate conference and its alleged concealment of human rights violations in Afghanistan.

While I was disheartened by this flagrant abuse of democracy, I was also inspired by people, young and old, of every political stripe, coming together in protest. And when Harper finally gave in to mounting pressure, New Democrats returned to Ottawa to work for you.

LANDMARK ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS BILL FACES VOTE

OTTAWA - New Democrat Environment Critic Linda Duncan (Edmonton-Strathcona) is urging MPs to support her ground-breaking Envrionmental Rights Bill when it comes to a vote this evening. Duncan’s private members’ bill, C-469, An Act to establish a Canadian Environmental Bill of Rights, would enshrine environmental rights in Canadian law.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OTTAWA – Canadian film and television icon William Shatner has thrown his support behind New Democrat Fisheries and Oceans Critic Fin Donnelly’s efforts to save British Columbia’s wild salmon.

"They face many threats, including sea lice from fish farms. The federal government can't continue to ignore the plight of wild salmon. We must do everything possible to ensure these magnificent creatures are protected, and Fin Donnelly’s proposed legislation helps do that.”