NDP - The New Democratic Party of Canada

Trouble finding good child care? Tired of child care waitlists? Tell your story August 1!

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 17:51:30 -0400

As part of their efforts to raise awareness about the extreme local shortage of available child care spaces, the Regional Child Care Council of Victoria is collecting parents’ stories.

If you have been unable to find child care, please call 383-6166 on August 1 between 9 and 4pm . Someone will be available to take down the details of your experience. These stories will be used to bring attention to the shortage of child care spaces.

You can also email your story to Enid Elliott at [email protected] or Heather Peters at [email protected].

Sign up for E-bulletin

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 14:17:10 -0400

Denise's E-bulletin is regularly sent out to update constituents on how Denise is getting results for Canadian families. To join Denise's growing e-mail list, please enter your information below. A red asterisk (*) indicates a required field.

NDP leader Jack Layton joined Denise for Victoria's parade

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 15:47:26 -0400

Pride Parade 2007

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 12:26:58 -0400

Pride Parade 2007

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 12:25:15 -0400

Pride Parade 2007

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 12:24:15 -0400

Pride Parade 2007

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 12:22:04 -0400

Pride Parade 2007

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 12:16:47 -0400

Denise and Esquimalt Juan de Fuca NDP candidate Jennifer Burgis walked in the parade with a large contigent from the local riding associations.

Green Drinks at Royal Roads

Tue, 10 Jul 2007 14:31:51 -0400

Denise chats with Allan Cahoon, the new president of Royal Roads University.

Green Drinks BBQ at Royal Roads University

Tue, 10 Jul 2007 14:21:08 -0400

Networking with cycling activist John Luton

Tue, 10 Jul 2007 14:19:50 -0400

Green Drinks BBQ & Sustainability Challenge at Royal Roads University

Tue, 10 Jul 2007 14:03:42 -0400

DENISE CALLS FOR OPEN, TRANSPARENT STUDENT LOAN REVIEW

Fri, 06 Jul 2007 17:43:11 -0400

Thousands of student loan borrowers who have experienced complications and inflexibility with Canada’s student aid system deserve to be heard in the federal government’s upcoming review, says NDP Postsecondary Education Advocate Denise Savoie (Victoria).

“I firmly believe that this opportunity to review and improve the Canada Student Loan Program must be as open and thorough as possible,” said Savoie. “I have heard countless horror stories about a wide range of flaws, which are too many and too serious to be left to a simple administrative review behind closed doors.”

In an open letter to Human Resources Minister Monte Solberg to be delivered Monday, July 9th, Savoie refers to last summer’s federal consultation on postsecondary education as a disingenuous process that must not be repeated.

“I strongly urge you to hold public consultations, ensuring that the problems encountered by new graduates are heard, that new ideas are aired and all flaws are fixed,” said Savoie in the letter. “There must be widely-publicized notice, maximum accessibility, and a sufficient timeframe for all interested individuals and groups to submit their experiences and proposals.”

Savoie also urged the Minister to include in the review an examination of way to provide a better balance of non-repayable student grants in order to combat soaring student debt levels, and to take immediate steps to remedy easily fixed flaws in the system for those students currently struggling in the system. She asked the Minister to consider appointing an independent student loan ombudsperson as a first step.

“This is a welcome initiative but it is long overdue and must be done properly if we are to genuinely ensure that the student assistance achieves its policy objective,” said Savoie. “That is, to enable all Canadians from all geographic and income backgrounds to access and complete a postsecondary education with at most manageable debt to re-pay.”

See Denise’s letter to the Minister attached in .pdf form below.

SIGN UP FOR PRE-BUDGET CONSULTATIONS IN VICTORIA BY JULY 31ST!

Fri, 06 Jul 2007 16:22:52 -0400

Victoria gets its say on Budget 2008!

Dear Friends,

Last year’s federal budget was a deep disappointment – it neglected all of our community’s key priorities.

This year we will be heard around the pre-budget table! The federal finance committee will visit Victoria this coming October 4th for its annual pre-budget consultation.

Community groups and concerned citizens of all kinds are invited to apply to appear before the committee. We have just learned that July 31st is the deadline to apply, and August 15th is the deadline for written submissions. I have asked the Chair of the Finance Committee to extend that deadline. I will post the response on my website.

This year’s theme is “The tax system the country needs for a prosperous future.” More tax cuts and breaks for corporations and the well-off are already rumoured against a backdrop of reduced public services and programming. Together, we can make sure that the priorities of our community are understood loud and clear.

NOTE: The committee will accept ONLY submissions that are related to the theme of the tax system. Be sure to frame your issues, content and proposals in those terms. Contact my office if you wish any additional guidance.

TO APPEAR AT THE HEARINGS:

By July 31st or as soon as possible, contact Elizabeth Kingston, Clerk of the Standing Committee on Finance, (613) 992-9753 or e-mail: [email protected]">[email protected].

Provide your group’s name and presenter, address, phone and e-mail contact information and preferred city of presentation (Victoria). Submissions should be no more than 5 pages in length and include a one-page summary prioritizing your proposals. Or contact my office if you'd like more information!

(250) 363-3600; [email protected]">[email protected].

Happy Summer!

Denise

IN THE NEWS: Education at an expensive cost Post-secondary students drowning in debt

Thu, 05 Jul 2007 15:16:03 -0400

By Laura Czekaj
The Ottawa Sun

Georgie Slogar achieved her educational ambitions, but at a cost.

Despite graduating from Carleton University in 2004 with a criminology degree, Slogar, 31, owes more than $55,000 in student loans and seriously doubts she will ever fully pay them off.

When the Ottawa native and single mom filled out the loan applications, she mistakenly listed all costs associated with raising her daughter under the section asking for child-care expenses.

It wasn't until her final year that she found out that what the government had meant was daycare costs and that the error had landed her in hot water.

Her loan file was put under investigation and she is no longer entitled to receive student loans. A grant she had previously received was clawed back.

In order to pay back what she owes and because she can't afford to return to school, Slogar has taken on a job which pays slightly higher than minimum wage.

She has appealed the matter and has sought support from politicians, but doesn't think it will ever get better.

990,000 BORROWERS

"I'll probably be just paying the interest monthly, I don't think it will ever go down," she said.

A report released this week by the Vancouver-based Coalition for Student Loan Fairness states there are more than 990,000 federal student loan borrowers.

The Canadian Student Loans Program: Solutions to Improve Public Confidence and Operational Effectiveness report proposes a reduction in, or the elimination of, interest on all federal student loans, improvements on how interest relief is granted and operated and the creation of an Ombudsman to oversee escalated student loan disputes.

The report also calls for improved regulations for borrowers who become permanently disabled or die.

Among other proposals, the report suggests the reinstatement of the six-month interest-free period after graduation.

Julian Benedict, the report's author, said there is little financial incentive for the federal government to follow through with the recommendations.

"We believe that the government is using student high interest loan money to subsidize other parts of the student loan system," he said.

"It's in their interest to continue overcharging students. But we think the public is becoming more aware of this problem and it's going to force the government to start treating students more fairly."

Lesley Harmer, spokeswoman for Monte Solberg, the minister of human resources and social development Canada, noted the government has launched a review of the CSLP and consultations are underway and will continue over the summer.

However, the government can't just pay lip service to borrowers by holding consultations, stressed NDP education critic Denise Savoie.

"I really will be pressing for a full review with public consultation and student involvement because to me the issue has become too serious to leave it to just an administrative review," she said.