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ndpFirst Conservatives and Liberals were involved in a Senate expense scandal – with a number of Senators found to have made claims for payments they were not entitled to. Then, even more troubling information emerged about the conduct of Stephen Harper’s own office and his former chief of staff, Nigel Wright. Wright was forced to resign over the holiday weekend because of a secret $90,000 payment Wright made to Senator Duffy – allegedly part of a deal to cover up Mr. Duffy's role in the expense scandal. While Mr. Wright has now resigned, he has yet to come clean on the details of the secret deal he negotiated, the prime minister has yet to come clean about when he learned of the secret deal and what actions he took and senior Conservative Senators have yet to come clean on how the Senate committee report was changed to whitewash Mr. Duffy’s part in the scandal. Canadians deserve the truth, something they haven't gotten yet from Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his Conservatives. Meanwhile, Liberal Senator Mac Harb refuses to re-pay over $50,000 in fraudulent housing claims to taxpayers, and Senators Pamela Wallin and Patrick Brazeau continue to collect Senate salaries while under investigation. The NDP has written to the RCMP commissioner to look into the $90k payment. New Democrats have also begun demanding an independent investigation into the conduct of the prime minister, his office and Conservative and Liberal Senators involved in this affair. Canadians know they can count on the NDP to hold Conservatives to account for their ethical scandals and gross mismanagement.Wed 3:24 pm | British Columbia, Taschereau - MPndpOver the past days, Canadians have been learning – it seems almost hourly – about Conservative and Liberal Senators involved in the Senate expense scandal. Troubling information has also been discovered about the conduct of Stephen Harper’s former chief of staff – who resigned over the holiday weekend. This followed the startling revelation just days before of a secret $90,000 payment Mr. Wright made to Senator Duffy – allegedly part of a deal to cover up Duffy's role in the Senate expense scandal. While Mr. Wright has now resigned, he has yet to come clean on the details of the deal he negotiated to cover up for Senator Duffy's expense claims and whitewash the Senate Committee report. Canadians deserve the truth, something they haven't gotten yet from Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his Conservatives. The NDP has written to the RCMP commissioner to look into the $90k payment. New Democrats have also being demanding an independent investigation into the conduct of the prime minister, his office and the Senators involved in this affair.Tue 1:03 pm | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpSenate expense scandal cover-up: Conservatives STILL on the take and a failure of leadership “We must clean up corruption and lift the veils of secrecy that allow it to flourish. We must do nothing less than replace the culture of entitlement with the culture of accountability.” – Stephen Harper, November 4, 2005 Strong words – that were then followed by seven years of complacency. And now the Stephen Harper Conservatives circle the wagons to defend their entitlements. In fact, the PMO is doubling down by claiming they bank-rolled Mike Duffy’s housing expense repayments: “Mr. Duffy was not in a position to pay them himself. So what we have here is that Nigel Wright did an exceptionally honourable thing. He reached into his own resources, wrote a personal cheque out of his own bank account to cover the costs of these ineligible expenses.” – Parliamentary Secretary Pierre Poilievre, CBC, May 15, 2013 As ridiculous as Mr. Poilievre sounds trying to defend this ninety thousand dollar payout, the excuses got even more implausible after emailed statements from Senator Duffy were released that contradict the PMO and undercut the Conservatives’ defence. “The Royal Bank helped me…I dealt with my bank personally. Nigel played no role” – Senator Mike Duffy in email to CTV, CTV News, May 14, 2013 No, Mr. Poilievre, with conflicting stories and shady backroom deals, there is nothing “honourable” to be found in the actions of these high ranking Conservatives. (Guys, the first rule of any cover-up is to get your stories straight from the start!) Canadians deserve better.May 17, 2013 11:29 am | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpHave something on your mind? I want to hear from you. Join me this Saturday May 18, where I will be hosting another Coffee with Don at 10am at the Tipper Restaurant.May 16, 2013 10:00 am | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpHappy BC Election Day!! After 12 long years of deception, corruption and bad government, it is time to remove the Liberals from office. It is also time for a POSITIVE approach to politics, with a government that cares about people. Let's change our province for the better, in a practical, effective and progressive way. Today - VOTE NDP!!May 14, 2013 10:20 am | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndp"There's going to be a new code on Parliament Hill: bend the rules, you will be punished; break the law, you will be charged; abuse the public trust, you will go to prison.” – Stephen Harper, November 30, 2005 Those were heady statements from soon to be Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Let’s fast forward to last week. According to reports released last Thursday (because the Senate doesn’t work Fridays), from the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration, the following Senators broke the rules and abused the public trust: • Patrick Brazeau (Harper appointee) – $48,744 for false residency claims • Mike Duffy (Harper appointee) – $1,050.60 for Florida per diems he wasn’t entitled to and $90,172.24 for false residency claims • Mac Harb (Chretien appointee) - $51,482 for false residency claims And what did Canada’s former accountability crusader-come Prime Minister have to say about these abuses? He turned into an apologist and defended his rule-breaking Senators. The rule-breakers suffered no consequences for their actions. Sadly, that is as we would expect from a Prime Minister who has repeatedly turned a blind eye when his ministers have been caught bending, breaking or twisting the rules. Since Stephen Harper became Prime Minister, the PMO has remained a black hole where accountability goes to die. Canadians deserve better.May 13, 2013 2:18 pm | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpMay 13, 2013 11:02 am | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpFrom 20 Reasons NOT to vote Liberal on May 14: The B.C. Liberals: 1) Ripped up legally binding, negotiated contracts in the public sector; 2) Closed courthouses; 3) Rolled backed employment standards legislation; 4) Introduced a new $6 “training wage” at two dollars an hour lower than minimum wage; 5) Introduced a bill for reducing the minimum work age to 12 years; 6) Expanded provincial gambling; 7) Closed hospitals, cut beds and shut long-term care facilities; 8) Laid off nurses and health care workers and privatized services, 9) Handed Pharmacare and MSP operations over to a U.S. firm, Maximus, which had been fined twice for failing to reach contractual targets; 10) Shut down or reduced funding for independent offices like the provincial Ombudsman, the Information and Privacy Commissioner, and Elections B.C. Whew. Hang on, 10 more… 11) Cut air and water quality protection; 12) Gutted the Forest Practices Code; 13) Lowered standards for wildlife protection; 14) Presided over the expansion of industrial fish farms; 15) Eliminated the Independent Office of the Child, Youth and Family Advocate; 16) Broke the promise not to introduce the HST and withdrew it only after massive public outcry; 17) Unveiled under-projected, treasury-sucking megaprojects, from the $900 million Vancouver Convention Centre to the $560 million renovation and retractable Asshat for B.C. Place; 18) Failed to resolve questions about the B.C. Rail sale, including the $6 million payout for Basi and Virk’s legal fees; 19) Failed to supply details on the funding cut to provincial drug safety evaluations by the UBC-based Therapeutics Initiative; 20) Recently approved a misleading print ad for 24 Hours designed to resemble a front page news story. VOTE NDP !!!May 10, 2013 3:38 pm | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpDespite being grilled on the issue by New Democrats for over a week, Conservatives STILL can’t tell Canadians what happened to the $3.1 billion earmarked for the fight against terrorism. Instead of explaining what happened to the money, Conservatives misquote the Auditor General and make up stories. It is also a day of reckoning for Conservative and Liberal Senators – an internal audit has found that at least four Senators were guilty of claimed allowances they were not entitled to (estimated in the $100,000s). Now the question is whether these Liberal and Conservative Senators will face any REAL consequences from those parties for this scheme to rip off taxpayers. Imagine what the Cons would say if they caught an unemployed Canadian defrauding EI? Canadians deserve better. People can always count on the NDP to hold the Conservatives to account for their ethical scandals and gross mismanagement.May 09, 2013 9:14 am | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpThis week is Mental Health Week. Let us learn, talk, reflect and engage with others on all issues relating to mental health. Local events and activities are being planned in your neighbourhood. Here's a link to events taking place in BC:May 06, 2013 3:18 pm | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpHappy May Day! It is a day to celebrate the essential contributions of workers to our economy, and the inherent dignity of all labour. The job of creating better working conditions and fairly distributing the wealth created by our economy is not complete. Let's commemorate our successes, and dedicate ourselves to a better future....May 01, 2013 10:16 am | British Columbia, Taschereau
April
- MPndpHere is the Motion that the Libs and Elizabeth May voted against. I leave it to you to judge if you think it was worthy of support or not: “That this House: (a) agree with many Canadians and the International Energy Agency that there is grave concern with the impacts of a 2 degree rise in global average temperatures; (b) condemn the lack of effective action by successive federal governments since 1998 to address emissions and meet our Kyoto commitments; and (c) call on the government to immediately table its federal climate change adaptation plan.”Apr 29, 2013 4:46 pm | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpToday in the House of Commons: Today, the Conservatives will table yet another Budget Implementation Act, the third of a series of monster bills which do nothing to create jobs and include hundreds of non-budget related measures to dismantle environmental protections and services Canadians rely on. The Conservatives have obviously not learned the lessons of last year’s omnibus bills fiascos. A year after its first bulldozer budget, this arrogant government still refuses to come clean about the impact of its misguided decisions on the economy and on the people of Canada. This morning, our leader Tom Mulcair will also speak in the House about his bill which would create a truly independent Parliamentary Budget Officer. We hope that other parties, including the Conservatives, will support this legislation.Apr 29, 2013 10:18 am | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpHal recently opened the Marché Bakery on Kingsway. His son is a member of the Gladstone Robotics team that recently won 3rd in the World Championships. Hal and his family are fundraising to cover the costs of the trip to California for the competition. The school was able to raise enough to cover the expenses of the Robotics program, parts and supplies, but the parents needed to cover the costs of the trip & accommodation. So I encourage you to stop by Hal's bakery this weekend for some local music, food and to support our small business community. It's on Kingsway near Clark.Apr 26, 2013 8:48 pm | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpWhile the Cons continue to pursue low-minded, negative and unfair attacks on Trudeau and the Libs, NDP will stick to policy. Here are some important policy issues and facts folks should know about the first two weeks of Trudeau's Libs in the House: 1. They joined with Stephen Harper and voted AGAINST the NDP Motion to stop the ratification of FIPPA. 2. The Libs voted AGAIN with Stephen Harper on Bill S-7 - a rights-violating bill that allows the State to arrest people on mere "suspicion", and to put someone under "preventative" arrest for up to 3 days without charge. 3. Trudeau has hired the former lobbyist for Nexen to be his Chief of Staff. This might explain his position in #1.Apr 26, 2013 1:28 pm | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpCongratulations to the students of Gladstone Robotics program for placing 3rd in the VEX High School Robotics World Championship in California! Here's a video where I recognized their achievements last year in the House of Commons. You make us proud!Apr 25, 2013 11:08 am | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpToday, I rose in the House to honour our Vietnamese community. Watch my statement: http://youtu.be/v74cRqE9WoYApr 24, 2013 2:30 pm | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpA win for accountability: Federal Court "strongly upholds" the rights of our budget watchdog: http://bit.ly/17i6bC5Apr 24, 2013 9:01 am | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpIf the Canada-China FIPA is so great, why has it been sitting on the Minister's desk for 6 months? Watch as I ask about the delay in QP today:Apr 23, 2013 12:07 pm | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpDisappointed that Libs and Cons joined together to defeat NDP Motion to take pause and decline to ratify FIPA. Liberal excuse that "we need more study" is hollow and unprincipled. We already know the FIPA allows corporate challenges to Canadian laws to protect our environment and economy, threatens Canadian control of our resources, fails to give Canadian investors fully reciprocal treatment in China and allows secret tribunal hearings. Plus, nothing in the NDP Motion precluded further study (which the NDP has repeatedly proposed). Shameful sell-out by Cons and Libs to corporate backers. Thanks to E May for standing in principle with the NDP. http://www.ndp.ca/news/statement-international-trade-critic-don-davies-rejection-his-motionApr 22, 2013 4:52 pm | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpThe House of Commons will vote tonight on the NDP Motion to decline to ratify the FIPA in its present form. The Greens are with us; Liberals are indicating they will vote with the Conservatives. If you care about Canadian resources, open courts, preserving democratic decision-making over corporate rights, and reciprocal rights for Canadian investors, you should know that the NDP stands with you. Let your elected MPs know where you stand....Apr 22, 2013 1:20 pm | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpHappy Earth Day!! Earth Day is an opportunity for Canadians to take action to preserve our planet and to demand action from governments. Each of us has the power to make changes and collectively we can have a significant, positive impact on our environment. The overwhelming scientific consensus is that climate change is a growing problem that requires immediate, forward-thinking attention. Unfortunately, instead of taking steps to reinforce environmental protections, the Conservatives have gutted existing laws, made cuts to science and research and have failed to take sufficient action on climate change. Conservative changes to fish habitat protection, the Navigable Waters Protection Act and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act will compromise the quality of life of future generations. Unlike the Conservatives, New Democrats know that failure to address climate change and sustainably develop our natural resources will be disastrous not only for the environment, but also for Canadians’ health and economic prosperity. For us, the environment is a priority so that our children and future generations inherit a healthy planet. This is an issue of intergenerational equity and fairness. We call on the Conservatives to take Canada’s domestic and international responsibilities seriously; implement the Cohen Commission’s recommendations; and cancel budget cuts to fisheries, science and ecosystem management. The NDP will continue our efforts to fight climate change. Together, we can build a fairer Canada and a greener world.Apr 22, 2013 12:40 pm | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpOut at Vaisakhi with Adrian Dix Thomas Mulcair Jinny Sims Lakhvinder Jhaj Don Davies and Jasbir Sandhu.Apr 20, 2013 12:43 pm | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpConservative and Liberal governments have abused time allocation for years to shut down debate in Parliament. Stephen Harper has now broken the record. Time for a truly New DEMOCRAT government!Apr 19, 2013 9:23 am | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpThis morning in Question Period, I asked the Trade Minister if they will fix the Canada-China FIPA to ensure that it protects Canadians.Apr 18, 2013 11:53 am | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpThis morning I introduced the NDP's Opposition Day motion on Canada-China FIPA.Apr 18, 2013 11:53 am | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpTomorrow, on behalf of the NDP, I will introduce our Opposition Day Motion to pull back on the Canada-China FIPA.Apr 17, 2013 1:49 pm | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpToday in Question Period: Mr. Don Davies (Vancouver Kingsway, NDP): Mr. Speaker, in 2015 Canadians look forward to rejecting the premise of the government. Let me clarify this for the hon. member. The fact is Canada already has one of the strongest patent protection regimes in the world. There is no justification for acceding to European demands. In tough economic times the last thing we need is Conservatives negotiating a trade deal that would benefit large European pharmaceutical companies at the expense of Canadian seniors. India stood up to the pressure and Europe dropped its demands. Will the minister commit to doing the same for Canadian seniors?Apr 17, 2013 12:54 pm | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpTemporary foreign workers also have the right to be paid the same as Canadians and should have the right to apply for citizenship. If you're good enough to work in Canada, you should be good enough to live here. Many of our parents, grandparents and relatives came to Canada to work and build new lives. Let's stop exploiting people and build an immigration system that is effective, respectful and fair.Apr 16, 2013 12:15 pm | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpEven if you're not in Montreal, you can follow the Federal NDP Convention online. And today at 3:30pm PST you can join in the live Town Hall with Tom Mulcair. Call 888-772-5578 to join in by phone, or visit www.montreal2013.ca to stream it online.Apr 12, 2013 1:09 pm | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpToday I hosted a round table luncheon for folks in our Vancouver South Asian business community. We discussed many issues including the economy, the federal budget and the upcoming Canada-India Trade Agreement. Thanks to the attendees for your comments and suggestions...Apr 05, 2013 3:20 pm | British Columbia, Taschereau
March
- MPndpWOW!! New Conservative Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt yesterday tells First Nations protestors to "Shut up and leave the Conservatives alone" ...and today in Question Period responds to NDP Cree MP Romeo Saganash by saying "That member CLAIMS to be a member of aboriginal descent." The Harper Government has NO respect for our First Nations peoples...Mar 28, 2013 11:57 am | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpCons vote AGAINST NDP MP Fin Donnelly's bill to ban the importation of shark fins. Shark finning is an unsustainable, unethical, often illegal practice that is decimating world shark populations...SHAME!!Mar 27, 2013 4:27 pm | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpNew poll has federal NDP in statistical tie with Cons! NDP 31%, Cons 32%. Libs back at 24%. NDP #1 in Quebec at 40% and #1 in BC....NDP in 2015!!Mar 27, 2013 10:06 am | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpThe Conservative budget was little more than a shell game. Cutting infrastructure and calling it new spending; cutting skills training to the provinces and calling it a new investment; and leaking information about tariff relief on hockey equipment to hide the fact Conservatives were raising tariffs on almost everything else – hitting Canadians in the pocketbook to the tune of over $300. In contrast to the dishonest and incompetent approach of the Conservatives, New Democrats are making practical budget proposals as part of our Real Things for Real People campaign. The NDP will hold Stephen Harper accountable for his failed budgets, lack of job creation, attacks on environmental protection and the growing ethical scandals of his ministers.Mar 26, 2013 11:13 am | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpFIrst Nations arrive on Parliament Hill...time for justice, equality and progress for all aboriginal Canadians, Inuit and Metis people.Mar 25, 2013 12:32 pm | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpMar 21, 2013 4:17 pm | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpWaiting to hear Harper Cons budget. Their fiscal record so far? Cons increased Canada's debt over $120 billion ($480 billion in 2006; $605 billion in 2013). They have recorded the LARGEST deficit in Canadian history (eclipsed the old record - ALSO Conservative). They are cutting services, wasting money and rewarding their friends - all while failing to deal with Canadians' pressing needs: transit, housing, pensions, jobs, the environment. The Cons are the WORST fiscal managers in Canadian history.Mar 21, 2013 1:13 pm | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpHouse of Commons just PASSED NDP Bill to add protection for Transgendered Canadians to the Canadian Human Right Code!! NDP standing up for human rights and respect for ALL Canadians. BRAVO Randall Garrison, MP, who sponsored bill, and those Cons who voted for it! Harper opposed, Libs Sgro, Mackay, Trudeau abstained or absent...Mar 20, 2013 4:18 pm | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpCons just voted NO to NDP Motion supporting science, research, scientists speaking freely and preserving Canada's Experimental Lakes Research Facility. UNBELIEVABLE! I think Canada has never been governed by a more ignorant and unethical group of people...Mar 20, 2013 4:03 pm | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpConservatives are closing the Experimental Lakes facility, and have already closed the Environmental Emergencies Program, the Marine Traffic Control Centre and the Kitsilano Coast Guard Station. Does that sound like they are creating a "World-class" environment or oil spill response plan to you?Mar 19, 2013 1:02 pm | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpCongratulations to Gladstone Secondary School's Robotics Team for making it to the VEX championships in California!Mar 15, 2013 12:27 pm | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpToday is International Women's Day. It is a day to celebrate women, but also to highlight the struggles that remain. Despite decades of studies, recommendations and awareness campaigns, violence against women still remains systemic and widespread. Women want and deserve equality, respect and full participation in ALL aspects of society. On this day, we renew our commitment to work with the women and men in Parliament, in our communities, and throughout the world to pursue and achieve true equality for all women.Mar 08, 2013 2:32 pm | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpToday, Conservatives introduced a motion on time allocation for the 30th time this session. These motions severely limit debate in Parliament. This ties the record for the most moves to limit debate of any Canadian government in history. Today, the Conservatives are limiting debate after only 7 hours on a bill that is 1000 pages long , taken 11 years to develop and deals with many complex, technical, important tax changes.Mar 07, 2013 10:29 am | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpWatch the new Jack Layton movie this Sunday, March 10 at 8pm.Mar 06, 2013 2:52 pm | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpOur motion calling for the abolishment of the Senate will be voted on tonight. This is an opportunity to take action in Parliament to get rid of this archaic, undemocratic institution, made up of unelected partisans who serve the party that put them there instead of Canadians. The Senate no longer has a place in modern Canada. The time has come to take action and abolish the Senate. While the government continues to defend its friends in the Senate and squander hundreds of millions of dollars, New Democrats continue to fight against the Conservatives’ harmful EI reform and possible cuts to skills training. We want the upcoming federal budget to address real problems facing real people and actually help our economy recover.Mar 06, 2013 1:41 pm | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpWatch the new Jack Layton movie on Sunday, March 10Mar 06, 2013 1:36 pm | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpNDP REALITY CHECK: Stephen Harper’s $116 million in Senate appointments Stephen Harper once promised “I will not name appointed people to the Senate” – but he has repeatedly broken this promise and has now appointed more Senators than even Brian Mulroney. Every Senator he appoints costs taxpayers more money. If the Senate isn’t abolished, Stephen Harper’s appointees will be living off the public dime for years – and in some cases even decades. Harper appointee Patrick Brazeau, has a term that expires in 2049 – putting taxpayers on the hook for over seven million dollars. In total, Harper’s Senators will cost $116,196,252. Let’s look at some of Stephen Harper’s top ten costliest appointments –Senators poised to siphon off millions from the wallets of Canadian taxpayers for years to come. Senator's Name Retirement Future Salary Patrick Brazeau 2049/11/11 $ 7,097,504.62 Leo Housakos 2043/01/10 $ 5,592,540.88 Yonah Martin 2040/04/11 $ 4,900,518.76 Claude Carignan 2039/12/04 $ 4,678,261.27 Don Meredith 2039/07/13 $ 4,678,261.27 Fabian Manning 2039/05/21 $ 4,678,261.27 Linda Frum 2038/01/13 $ 4,460,083.69 David Wells 2037/02/28 $ 4,245,911.14 Josée Verner 2034/12/30 $ 3,626,695.19 That’s Stephen Harper’s Senate legacy. While Conservatives continue to defend Senate entitlements, New Democrats will defend taxpayers.Mar 05, 2013 1:27 pm | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpNDP REALITY CHECK: Sad Senate Facts Sometimes, the facts about the unelected, unaccountable and under investigation Senate just speak for themselves. · The Average number of work days for the average Senator in 2011-12 was 56 days · 19 Senators have missed more than a quarter of their work days in 2011-12 · Since the Conservatives took power there have been 789 sitting days of the House – yet Senate reform bills have been debated on only 18 days · It took the combined annual taxes of 28 hard-working Canadian families just to pay for Senator Wallin’s ‘Other’ Travel expenses. · The $350,000 Senator Pamela Wallin racked up in travel would pay the OAS of 57 seniors for a year Considering that they only work 3 days a week, those are some impressive numbers racked up by Canadian democracy’s 19th century relic. While Conservatives and Liberals continue to defend Senate entitlements, New Democrats will defend taxpayers.Mar 05, 2013 1:07 pm | British Columbia, Taschereau
- MPndpHere's a video from yesterday in QP.Mar 05, 2013 10:24 am | British Columbia, Taschereau
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