Niki's Posts

The Federal government needs to listen to Canadians on the Federal budget.

That has been our message to the government in the House of Commons.

Unfortunately the Federal government has not been listening.

In the House of Commons the government presented an omnibus bill that builds in more than 400 sections that include numerous issues that need to be debated. The omnibus bill limits debate and discussion on these issues. 

Last week Canadians commemorated the National Day of Mourning.

Every year we remember workers killed or injured at work.

This day reminds us that much work remains to be done to prevent workplace accidents. Despite progress made in occupational health and safety in recent years it is essential to continue our efforts and ensure that resources are available for continued progress.

This day has special significance for Northern Manitoba.

By: Carol Sanders

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition April 13, 2012 A4

 Non-profit agencies helping newcomers settle in Manitoba are wondering how the federal government plans to take over settlement services.

 "There was no indication this is what they were thinking of doing," Wanda Yamamoto, executive director of Manitoba's largest refugee-settlement agency, said.

 Welcome Place just signed a one-year contract with Citizenship and Immigration to provide settlement services until March 31 next year, she said.

We must continue to be vigilant on trade deals. 

Canadians have every right to be concerned about the proposed free trade agreement with the European Union.

Canadians support fair trade deals but we have seen time and time again that so called trade deals are often about a lot more than trade.

Our caucus has conducted a series of round tables on the proposed trade deal. The goal of this series of discussions is to make up for the lack of debate in the House of Commons on this agreement that will affect the public services Canadians depend on.

Medicare is at the heart of who we are and what we are as Canadians.

It was started in Saskatchewan under the CCF and the NDP by Tommy Douglas and extended across Canada in the 1960's. Right from the start, one of the keys was Federal cost sharing. Initially, the Federal government cost shared 50 per cent of the costs. It is now barely 20 per cent.