May

• 
  MPndp
  Go figure...Norway has 5 million people, 3.25% unemployment, a budget surplus, and $611 billion (!) in the bank. Maybe they're on to something...?
  Norway slows oil spending to avoid 'Dutch Disease' - CBC News

  
  May 17, 2012 8:39 am | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River
• 
  MPndp
  My weekly column with more on how New Democrats are trying to shed light on Harper's Trojan Budget and several issues pertaining to First Nation communities in Canada and Thunder Bay - Rainy River.
  From the House - Week of May 18 - 25, 2012 - Conservative Budget Secrecy and First Nation's Matters

  
  May 16, 2012 12:57 pm | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River
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  MPndp
  The Conservatives are refusing to respect for democracy and hear from Canadians about their 400-plus page budget. Because of this Tom Mulcair and Canada's New Democrats are ready to provide real leadership for Canadian families . Visit our website and tell us what you think of Harper's Trojan Horse budget.
  Speak out against Harper’s budget

  
  May 16, 2012 9:06 am | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River
• 
  MPndp
  The Conservatives can spend $1 billion on a three day G8/G20 meeting yet cut a program for aboriginal youth in Thunder Bay that provides lunch, after-school snacks, recreational activities, First Nations cultural teachings and emotional support to elementary school students at a cost of just $5 dollars per student. Disgraceful.
  Rafferty Blasts Conservatives for De-Funding Biwaase'aa Program

  
  May 15, 2012 12:00 pm | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River
• 
  MPndp
  Credit: Brian Gable/The Globe and Mail.
  
  May 15, 2012 9:09 am | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River
• 
  MPndp
  It's Official: Stephen Harper and his Conservatives admit they are guilty of breaking Canada's election laws.
  Conservatives end four years of denial, plead guilty to illegal campaign spending

  
  May 14, 2012 11:23 am | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River
• 
  MPndp
  My weekly column explaining why New Democrats think the Conservatives should break up their 'trojan horse' budget bill.
  From the House - Week of May 11 - 18, 2012 - The Trojan Horse Budget Bill

  
  May 11, 2012 5:40 pm | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River
• 
  MPndp
  Big Grassy First Nation is the site of one of the 142 toxic spills the federal government has said needs to be cleaned up. The Harper Government has known about this site for 7 years, and spent just $1 billion of the $3.4 billion that has been put aside for cleaning these sites. The money is there so why aren't they cleaning up these toxic sites?
  Rafferty Presses Harper Government for Answers on Toxic Sites

  
  May 09, 2012 12:15 pm | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River
• 
  MPndp
  A look at the first year of the New Democrat Official Opposition. Nice work, good memories, but a lot of work ahead of us.
  NDP Official Opposition: Year one // L'Opposition officielle du NPD: 1ère année

  
  May 03, 2012 8:19 am | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River
• 
  MPndp
  Conservatives still determined to blow $25 billion jets while making every Canadian under 54 work two years longer...oh and Canada's economy shrank (again) in February.
  From the House - May 4 - 11, 2012 - Conservatives Reject NDP Motion on OAS and our Econ. Stalls

  
  May 02, 2012 4:00 pm | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River
• 
  MPndp
  A good day at work keeping local and regional issues on the national agenda. PS - join me this weekend at the Thunder Bay Multicultural Association's 39th annual Folklore Festival!
  Rafferty Brings Local and Regional Issues to House of Commons Floor

  
  May 01, 2012 12:11 pm | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River

April

• 
  MPndp
  A quick statement on Bruce Hyer's decision today. I have a lot of respect for him, but Bruce and I have made a very different decision here. The interests of Northwestern Ontario are best served by a strong and united Official Opposition under Tom Mulcair's leadership and by a New Democrat government in 2015.
  Statment from John Rafferty on Bruce Hyer

  
  Apr 23, 2012 12:55 pm | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River
• 
  MPndp
  My weekly column which contains some more information about my new responsibilities and the excellent new NDP Shadow Cabinet.
  From the House - Week of April 20-27, 2012 - The New Democrat Shadow Cabinet and My New Responsibili

  
  Apr 20, 2012 5:50 pm | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River
• 
  MPndp
  Proud to receive this appointment and proud to continue to be a strong voice for Northern Ontario in Ottawa!
  Mulcair Appoints Rafferty Critic for FedNor

  
  Apr 20, 2012 11:40 am | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River
• 
  MPndp
  The Conservatives want you to believe they can cut $10 billion in spending and 19,000 plus jobs without affecting the services we rely on. Think again.
  From the House - Week of April 13 - 20, 2012 - The Conservative Cuts and Thunder Bay - Rainy River

  
  Apr 12, 2012 1:59 pm | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River
• 
  MPndp
  My latest weekly column on the $25 billion F-35 boondoggle. What do you think, is Mr. Harper a liar of just incompetent?
  From the House - Week of April 6 to 13, 2012 - The $25 billion F-35 Boondoggle

  
  Apr 04, 2012 10:56 am | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River
• 
  MPndp
  Harper and MacKay ripped a new one over the $25 billion F-35 Boondoggle. "Let's remember who appointed these pylons. It was the Prime Minister."
  Apr 04, 2012 10:23 am | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River
• 
  MPndp
  Harper and MacKay ripped a new one over the $25 billion F-35 Boondoggle. "Let's remember who appointed these pilons. It was the Prime Minister."
  Apr 04, 2012 8:51 am | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River
• 
  MPndp
  
  Apr 04, 2012 8:38 am | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River
• 
  MPndp
  The Auditor General slammed the Conservatives today for their F-35 debacle. This boondoggle is 25 times more expensive than the Long Gun Registry and is costing every Canadian under the age of 54 more than $22,000 in OAS payments as a result.
  Conservative's F-35 Purchase Misses the Target: Auditor General

  
  Apr 03, 2012 11:09 am | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River

March

• 
  MPndp
  My weekly column on the Harper Government's first majority budget. It's failure that neglects the needs of Northwestern Ontario and attacks the middle class.
  From the House - March 30 to April 6, 2012 - A Budget that Neglects Northwestern Ontario and Attacks

  
  Mar 30, 2012 7:16 pm | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River
• 
  MPndp
  Congratulations to Thomas Mulcair! The new Leader of the New Democratic Party and the Official Opposition and the next Prime Minister of Canada!
  Mar 24, 2012 8:42 pm | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River
• 
  MPndp
  My weekly column!
  From the House - Week of March 23 - 30, 2012 - The Historic Week Ahead

  
  Mar 23, 2012 8:44 pm | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River
• 
  MPndp
  "Across the country, 12 per cent of respondents say they would be more likely to vote for the NDP in the next federal election if Thomas Mulcair becomes their leader. No other contender gets to double-digits on this indicator, with Peggy Nash and Brian Topp (both at 4%) barely edging Nathan Cullen and Paul Dewar (both at 3%)."
  Mar 22, 2012 12:28 pm | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River
• 
  MPndp
  Why I am supporting Thomas Mulcair for Leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada

  
  Mar 14, 2012 12:16 pm | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River
• 
  MPndp
  My weekly column detailing how the Conservatives defeated a New Democrat motion to stop budget cuts at Veterans Affairs Canada, and what it really means to "support our troops."
  From the House - March 9 -16, 2012 - Conservatives Turning Their Back On Veterans

  
  Mar 09, 2012 1:40 pm | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River
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  MPndp
  Hey folks...don't forget if you have any issues related to the federal government that you need resolved (ie: tax issues, passport problems, disability and/or CPP etc.) that you can contact my great staff in the riding. Mary and Margaret in Thunder Bay, Val in Atikokan, and Richard and Christine in Fort Frances. Contact info for all of my offices can always be found on my website!
  Mar 05, 2012 9:25 am | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River
• 
  MPndp
  The Conservatives won their majority with 16 ridings and combined 8,047 votes. Did they steal the election with these robocalls? We need to get to the bottom this - and quick.
  From the House - Week of March 2 - 9, 2012 - Conservatives and Robocalls

  
  Mar 02, 2012 11:38 am | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River

February

• 
  MPndp
  Canada's Job Bank website (www.jobbank.gc.ca) has been down for two weeks now? People need to find jobs and businesses need to find workers. This ongoing shutdown is completely unacceptable and inflicting serious damage to families and the economy.
  New Democrats Slam Conservatives Over Job Bank Shutdown

  
  Feb 29, 2012 1:46 pm | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River
• 
  MPndp
  Video of the final vote on Bill C-19 and the abolition of the Long Gun Registry for those who are interested.
  Bill C-19 - Abolition of the Long Gun Registry - Final Vote in the House of Commons - 15/02/12

  
  Feb 28, 2012 1:47 pm | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River
• 
  MPndp
  Very proud to have voted in support of this motion last night. Long over due.
  Shannen’s Dream: NDP motion passes

  
  Feb 28, 2012 9:54 am | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River
• 
  MPndp
  Interesting local dimension...
  Feb 27, 2012 5:49 am | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River
• 
  MPndp
  Worried about your privacy? You should be. Read all about Bill C-30 in this week's column.
  From the House - Week of February 24 - March 2, 2012 - Bill C-30 and Your Privacy

  
  Feb 24, 2012 2:10 pm | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River
• 
  MPndp
  My latest weekly column can be found here. I hope it is the final column I will write on the Long Gun Registry issue, and that it will shed some additional light on my rationale for voting the way I did on C-19. Thanks again to all of the constituents of TBRR who offered their feedback on this issue over the years.
  From the House - Week of February 17 - 24, 2012 - The Final Vote to End the Long Gun Registry

  
  Feb 16, 2012 3:41 pm | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River
• 
  MPndp
  Probably the best media coverage I've seen on yesterday's vote. Balanced, factual, and local. Comments and the reader poll on the side are worth a look too.
  Feb 16, 2012 8:57 am | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River
• 
  MPndp
  Tonight I was proud to cast a vote, on behalf of my constituents, in support of C-19 and the abolition of the Long Gun Registry. Thank you to everyone in Thunder Bay - Rainy River for your feedback and support!
  Rafferty, Parliament Vote to Abolish Long Gun Registry

  
  Feb 15, 2012 3:42 pm | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River
• 
  MPndp
  We lost a good one today. RIP Dusty.
  Statement from John Rafferty on the Passing of Mayor Dusty Miller.

  
  Feb 15, 2012 9:48 am | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River
• 
  MPndp
  I don't want the police or the federal government reading your emails or seeing what websites you visit without just cause or without a warrant. Conservative Public Safety Minister Vic Toews said people like me "stand with child pornographers." What do you think? Should the police and federal government have a warrant before reading your emails, or do you 'stand with child pornographers?'
  Tories on e-snooping: ‘Stand with us or with the child pornographers’

  
  Feb 14, 2012 10:09 am | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River
• 
  MPndp
  This is the line in the sand. Northern Ontarians will not tolerate our voice in Ottawa being diminished.
  Northern Ontario Must Not Lose Seats in Redistribution: NDP

  
  Feb 13, 2012 9:30 am | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River
• 
  MPndp
  This week's column. Updates on Harper's OAS plans, the Long Gun Registry bill, and a committment by northern Ontario New Democrat MPs to keep fighting to protect our regions representation in the 2015 election. Please enjoy, share with your friends, and have a great week!
  From the House - Week of February 10 - 17, 2012 - Harper's OAS Plans, Long Gun Registry Update, New.

  
  Feb 10, 2012 11:56 am | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River
• 
  MPndp
  Great analysis here. Couldn't agree more.
  The myth of Tory economic performance

  
  Feb 07, 2012 9:37 am | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River
• 
  MPndp
  Conservatives Kill New Democrat Infrastructure Motion - Could Have Helped Northern Towns

  
  Feb 03, 2012 5:09 pm | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River
• 
  MPndp
  Faking citizenship ceremonies at Sun TV to boost their ratings and trampling on our poorest seniors. It's going to be a long four years.
  From the House - Week of Feb. 3 - 10, 2012 - Bad Week for Harper, Worse Week for Citizenship and Sen

  
  Feb 03, 2012 4:57 pm | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River

January

• 
  MPndp
  My column for this week about Harper's cuts to our pension and retirement income. If you are doing such a great job managing the economy and slaying your deficits, then why is necessary to cut OAS payments for Canada's poorest seniors Mr. Harper?
  From the House - Week of January 27 to February 3, 2012 - The Big Question is Why?

  
  Jan 31, 2012 12:52 pm | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River
• 
  MPndp
  Worth a read Mr. Harper.
  Prime Minister Harper has a responsibility and an opportunity

  
  Jan 25, 2012 8:55 am | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River

April

• 
  MPndp
  What a great mood in Thunder Bay - Rainy River! If anyone wants to help push us over the top this weekend stop in at one of our campaign offices in Thunder Bay, Atikokan or Fort Frances
  Apr 29, 2011 3:40 pm | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River
• 
  MPndp
  It's going to be a busy Easter weekend....please head out to vote in the advance polls and then come to our office (235 South Syndicate) to help deliver leaflets!
  Apr 21, 2011 12:59 pm | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River
• 
  MPndp
  Wednesday night we have Jack Layton coming to Thunder Bay. I would love to see as many of your lovely faces out there as possible for the event. Please visit the Facebook event here to get more information. Thanks again for the support
  Jack Layton Town Hall in Thunder Bay

  
  Apr 18, 2011 10:59 am | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River
• 
  MPndp
  Spent the week knocking on doors in Thunder Bay...got a great reception! Off to the west end of the riding today...see you there!
  Apr 15, 2011 9:11 am | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River
• 
  MPndp
  I invite everyone here to please invite your friends to "like" this page. Thank you for your continued support
  John Rafferty

  
  Apr 09, 2011 6:41 am | Ontario, Thunder Bay—Rainy River

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