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Author Topic: Peace and a "people first" federal government in 2006
Michelle
Moderator
Babbler # 560

posted 30 December 2005 08:25 AM      Profile for Michelle   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post
quote:
We are nearing the end of a tumultuous year of hardship and hope that began with the devastating tsunami disaster. As we enter a new year, the world continues to struggle with human-made disasters like rising poverty, social exclusion and environmental degradation. The New Democratic Party is committed to public services and public social programs. It is the party that can make Parliament work for the rest of us. That is why we are supporting the NDP so strongly in this election.

Canadian Union of Public Employees


From: I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell. | Registered: May 2001  |  IP: Logged
Wilf Day
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 3276

posted 30 December 2005 09:11 AM      Profile for Wilf Day     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post
What a great New Year's message!

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is Canada’s largest union.

quote:
With more than half a million members across Canada, CUPE represents workers in health care, education, municipalities, libraries, universities, social services, public utilities, transportation, emergency services and airlines.

With more than 2200 locals, 12 divisions and numerous councils and committees, CUPE is a complex organization. More than 600 staff provide service from 66 offices across the country.


Poverty is not a seasonal concern:

quote:
With the holidays upon us, and the election going on hold, it’s bonus time for Bay Street CEOs of both the Liberal and Conservative persuasion.

But it’s bogus time for too many of us. The National Anti-Poverty Organization (NAPO), estimates that 4.7 million Canadians live in poverty today, including one in six children (15.6 per cent). More than 50 per cent of female lone parents are poor.

Ed Broadbent, the veteran NDP MP, retires from Parliament next month. He’ll leave public life disappointed that successive Liberal governments have failed to adopt a real poverty reduction strategy. Despite all-party agreement to his 1989 resolution to end child poverty by the year 2000, his dream to see child poverty ended in Canada remains just that – a dream.

The growing gap between rich and poor is also a racialized one, and politicians have known this for years. Much higher rates of poverty face Aboriginal peoples, recent immigrants and persons with disabilities. An estimated 1.2 million youth are living in poverty and are in danger of falling into a life-long poverty trap.

We need a multi-faceted comprehensive strategy to end poverty in Canada. Such a strategy would improve the lives of marginalized groups by setting the federal minimum wage at $10 an hour and indexing it to the cost of living.

It would improve the EI system by reducing qualifying hours to 360 and increasing benefits. It would provide targeted employment and training programs for marginalized youth. It would increase the Canada Social Transfer to $10 billion over the next three years supported by accountability and welfare rights legislation. It would also reduce students’ fees for post-secondary education.

The Liberals' record on poverty is clear. They keep it going. And the Conservatives’ policies would only increase it. If either party were actually inclined to resolve to make poverty history, let's hope it is a resolution that would be kept.

Supposedly, the spirit of the season is one of giving. Time then for the Liberals to give a damn about poverty, or for voters to give them the boot on Jan. 23.



I'm glad to see someone wanting to reinstate the federal minimum wage.

This time we can vote positive for women:

quote:
New Democrats believe women need jobs that provide decent pay and benefits, job security, flexibility and access to training.
The New Democrats say women deserve opportunities for advancement, predictable working hours, employment equity and pay equity. NDP MPs continue to fight for a new unemployment insurance system that would meet the needs of women, many of whom are part-time workers.
The NDP has consistently pushed for a universal, accessible, affordable, non-profit and quality child care program and a Child Care Act to build and protect that program.

From: Port Hope, Ontario | Registered: Oct 2002  |  IP: Logged

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