May

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  MPndp
  Just a reminder to join NDP MPs Denise Savoie, Jean Crowder, and myself tonight at 7pm at the First Metropolitan United Church to talk about what’s hidden in the Conservative ‘Trojan Horse’ Budget Implementation Bill C-38 and how it will affect our lives.
  NDP Opposition Budget Hearing on Vancouver Island: The Environment, Fairness between Generations and Acting for the Public Good.

  
  17 hours ago | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
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  MPndp
  Randall Garrison presented 30 Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medals over the Victoria Day long weekend to community members in Esquimalt - Juan de Fuca that have made significant contributions to their community and to Canada. Here is the list of the recipients and their achievements.
  Recipients of the Diamond Jubilee in Esquimalt - Juan de Fuca

  
  Tue 4:45 pm | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
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  MPndp
  Great to spend Sunday morning at the Victoria Sikh temple celebrating their 100th anniversary. Thanks to the Khalsa Diwan Society of Victoria for all their contributions to our community and of course for inviting me to share in the celebration.
  Mon 5:16 pm | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
• 
  MPndp
  Here is a chance for South Island residents to talk about what’s hidden in the Conservative ‘Trojan Horse’ Budget Implementation Bill C-38 and how it will affect your lives and the lives of your children. Please join NDP MPs Denise Savoie, Jean Crowder, and myself on Wednesday, May 23rd at 7pm at the First Metropolitan United Church.
  NDP Opposition Budget Hearing on Vancouver Island: The Environment, Fairness between Generations and Acting for the Public Good.

  
  Sun 6:28 pm | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
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  MPndp
  Wonderful day Saturday getting to hand out Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medals for community service recognizing amazing volunteers from age 19 to 90, literally! Watch for pictures here and a full list of recipients on my website soon.
  Sun 2:00 pm | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
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  MPndp
  NDP Leader, Tom Mulcair and the LGBT Caucus marked International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia with a press conference challenging other party leaders to combat Homophobia and Transphobia in Canadian politics.
  NDP Statement on International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

  
  May 17, 2012 10:08 am | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
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  MPndp
  Just when I think the Conservatives have reached their low point in bad behavior, like with the omnibus budget bill, they manage to surprise me. This time with an appalling attack on the UN Special Rapporteur on Food. His sin? Pointing out the obvious, that there is no excuse in a wealthy country like Canada for the fact that 2 to 3 million people do not have access to adequate food and nutrition. Not shame on him. Shame on us.o
  May 16, 2012 8:25 pm | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
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  MPndp
  Here is your chance to let us know what you think about the Conservative's massive 2012 budget.
  Speak out against Harper’s budget

  
  May 16, 2012 10:36 am | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
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  MPndp
  On May 5th, I joined community members in Esquimalt to launch Sam's Grove - a native plant garden with rocks from Sombrio beach, and a hand-made memorial bench - in memory of Sam Whitehead and to raise awareness for mental health.
  In The Community - 2012

  
  May 10, 2012 7:06 am | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
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  MPndp
  Yesterday the Public Safety Minister sent a threatening letter to the RCMP Commissioner ordering that he is not to support any means by provinces to collect firearm information. Today I asked the Minister why he would try to stop provinces from setting up their own records on firearm sales to keep their streets safe.
  Garrison questions why the Public Safety Minister is ordering RCMP to not collect firearm data

  
  May 09, 2012 2:05 pm | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
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  MPndp
  Still no reasonable explanation given when we asked in Question Period again today how convicted British fraudster Conrad Black got express treatment on his request for a one year visitors visa when ordinary folks with much less serious criminal convictions are routinely refused. Of course Black did write an article from his Florida jail cell praising Harper as one of the great federal leaders in Canadian history. Meanwhile this Conservative insider is already back in his Toronto mansion.
  May 07, 2012 8:39 pm | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
• 
  MPndp
  Heading back to Ottawa after a short but good weekend at home. Highlighted by Sooke Rotary and business fair and a moving bench dedication in memory of Sam Whitehead at the Esquimalt community garden. Both in their own ways a testament to the power of community.
  May 06, 2012 8:15 pm | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
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  MPndp
  Voting in the House of Commons now against Conservatives' motion to limit debate on their 425 page Budget Implementation Bill that slashes environmental Protection, attacks pay equity, raises OAS to 67, and takes a wrecking ball approach to so many public services.
  May 03, 2012 8:26 am | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
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  MPndp
  Today I asked the Public Safety Minister why the government is cutting emergency training programs and grants for small communities to respond to disasters. His response led me to believe that this was another reckless cut from the Conservative government with little thought given to how small communities will train their emergency workers in the future.
  Question Regarding Emergency Preparedness

  
  May 01, 2012 3:15 pm | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca

April

• 
  MPndp
  Largest Victoria Day of Mourning ceremony this am to remember workers injured and killed on the job. Shamefully 142 BC workers didn't get home safe from work last year, more than 1000 nationally. Workplace safety would seem to be a good place to start if we really want to put families first!
  Apr 28, 2012 6:58 pm | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
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  MPndp
  Stubborn Conservatives have refused once again to rescind discriminatory and unnecessary regulation requiring "appearance" to match gender on ID in order to board flights. Highlights the need to pass my Gender Identity bill to end discrimination against transgender Canadians.
  Apr 25, 2012 7:17 pm | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
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  MPndp
  My first question in the House of Commons as Public Safety Critic regarding the recently announced prison and mental health facility closures.
  Question on Prison Closures

  
  Apr 24, 2012 11:33 am | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
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  MPndp
  At the Victoria Earth Walk with Rob Fleming, Maurine Karagianis, Carole James and Jessica Van Der Veen.
  
  Apr 22, 2012 1:17 pm | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
• 
  MPndp
  Heading back to Ottawa after a great two weeks in the riding. Amazing weekend including Esquimalt Juan de Fuca Local Food Dinner with Megan Leslie, Bayanihan Consular Forum, Victoria Earthwalk, and Esquimalt Seniors Tea!
  Apr 22, 2012 1:17 pm | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
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  MPndp
  Looking forward to taking on Public Safety Minister Vic Toews and the Conservatives wrong-headed Public Safety agenda in my new duties as Official Opposition Public Safety Critic.
  Apr 20, 2012 10:41 pm | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
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  MPndp
  In The Community - 2012

  
  Apr 19, 2012 12:43 pm | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
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  MPndp
  Met with a great group of frontline parole officers in Victoria today whose hard work not only keeps our community safer but also makes it a better place for all of us.
  Apr 18, 2012 9:51 pm | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
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  MPndp
  Very excited for the 1st Annual Esquimalt - Juan de Fuca Earth Day Local Food Dinner this Friday. Megan Leslie, the Official Opposition Critic for the Environment will be our guest speaker.
  
  Apr 18, 2012 11:19 am | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
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  MPndp
  With students on April 13th at Camosun College's Criminal Justice Recognition Ceremony. It was great to be invited as the keynote speaker.
  In The Community - 2012

  
  Apr 18, 2012 9:28 am | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
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  MPndp
  With Craig Scott, Rick Mercer and Jeremy Dias at Jer's Vision 7th Annual Gala on April 11th where Jack Layton was awarded for being a youth role model.
  In The Community - 2012

  
  Apr 17, 2012 11:19 am | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
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  MPndp
  If you are watching the Alberta election, look behind the headlines to ridings like Lethbridge West where NDP candidate Shannon Phillips is running second and bearing down on a PC cabinet Minister.
  Apr 16, 2012 11:25 pm | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
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  MPndp
  Warmly welcomed at the Sikh temple in Victoria for Vaisaki this morning. Then off to the huge uprising against the Enbridge Pipeline rally.
  Apr 15, 2012 11:11 pm | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
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  MPndp
  Happy Vaisaki Greater Victoria!
  Apr 15, 2012 10:12 am | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
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  MPndp
  Great Camosun Criminal Justice Grad Dinner last night! Thanks to the class of 2012 for inviting me back!
  Apr 14, 2012 10:25 pm | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
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  MPndp
  Well now it is clear obviously we could afford corporate tax cuts because who needs things like food inspectors, border guards, aviation inspectors?
  Apr 12, 2012 8:05 pm | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
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  MPndp
  Fabulous Jers Vision Gala in Ottawa tonight with crowd of over 400 celebrating their work in schools against homophobic and transphobic bullying. Role model awards to Jack Layton and Rick Mercer. Check out their work @jersvision.org. Photos to come!
  Apr 11, 2012 8:50 pm | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
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  MPndp
  After many months of pressuring the federal government, I welcomed today's announcement in Langford that they finally decided to fund their fair share of the E&N rail bed repairs. This is one step in the right direction to fix traffic congestion on Vancouver Island.
  E&N Funding For Bed Rail Repairs Announced

  
  Apr 10, 2012 10:36 am | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
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  MPndp
  Looks like federal funding for E & N will be announced tomorrow morning. Better late than never and only the first piece in solving the traffic puzzle. Guess it proves that we are going to have to keep up the pressure if we are going to get the job done.
  Apr 09, 2012 8:25 pm | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
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  MPndp
  Passover, Easter, Spring: Whatever your reason, take time to celebrate life! (Photo courtesy of Danny Higgins.)
  
  Apr 08, 2012 9:53 am | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
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  MPndp
  Proud to launch 2nd reading debate in the House of Commons Yesterday on Bill C-279. This is my Private Member's Bill to add protection for transgender, transsexual, and gender variant Canadians to the Canadian Human Rights Act and to the hate crimes section of the Criminal Code. Time for full equality for all Canadians!
  Apr 06, 2012 10:03 am | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
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  MPndp
  Both sad and angry to see the Conservatives axe the nonpartisan NGO Rights and Democracy after interfering in its board and then claiming the internal turmoil as the reason. What do we lose? Excellent work done by Rights and Democracy in places like Haiti and Afghanistan and another piece of our international reputation. Combine this with the huge cuts to development assistance and it is a bad week on the international stage for Canada.
  Apr 04, 2012 4:13 am | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
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  MPndp
  Still counting the many ways I oppose this budget. But one thing I "like" about it is that it reveals the true colours of the Conservatives in their continuing attack on dissent. Cut the National Roundtable on the Environment because they might remind us of the climate change crisis. Cut the National Council on Welfare because they might point to growing inequality. Cut Katimivik because socially involved youth might get ideas. Launch a witchhunt against charities who might get political because they are tired of sweeping up after consumerism and corporate greed. These are indeed the Emperor's new clothes.
  Apr 01, 2012 10:01 am | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca

March

• 
  MPndp
  Still tyring to take in just how lousy a budget this is for Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca and for Canada as a whole. Attacks on retirement security and cuts to health care. No funding for E&N, severe cuts to DND, further cuts to DFO, abandonment of nearly all federal environmental responsibility, cuts to food safety. Some small mercies in small cut to veterans (but still a cut) and in eliminating the penny (about the only NDP idea in the whole budget).
  Mar 31, 2012 11:19 am | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
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  MPndp
  My initial reaction to the Conservative budget tabled today that included severe cuts to health care, fisheries, veterans, DND, the environment and retirement security.
  BUDGET FAILS TO MAKE LIFE MORE AFFORDABLE FOR CANADIANS

  
  Mar 29, 2012 2:51 pm | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
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  MPndp
  Will be watching the budget today for action on E&N and impacts on fisheries, DND, veterans, and the environment.
  Mar 29, 2012 4:57 am | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
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  MPndp
  Mulcair off to a great start as Leader of the Opposition with a clear focus on jobs
  Mar 27, 2012 6:48 am | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
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  MPndp
  Excited to have Thomas Mulcair take his place in the House as our new Leader and Leader of the Opposition today and for Craig Scott to be sworn in and join our caucus.
  Mar 26, 2012 5:30 am | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
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  MPndp
  Sorry to see the great Peggy Nash campaign come to such an early end but proud to support Thomas Mulcair as our new leader and Prime Minister.
  Mar 25, 2012 7:03 am | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
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  MPndp
  Peggy! Peggy! Peggy! (Just practising for Toronto tomorrow!)
  Mar 22, 2012 7:16 pm | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
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  MPndp
  An interesting talk to check out: "What Now for Afghanistan? - An Evening with Sally Armstrong" Wednesday March 28th 2012 7-9 pm First Metropolitan United Church Quadra Street at Balmoral, Victoria Tickets $15 The proceeds of the evening will go to educational projects supported by Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan, all run by Afghan women-led NGOs and including literacy training, village libraries, in-service teacher training and community schools. Tickets from Ivy’s Bookstore, Munro Books or Dig This (Broadmead).
  Mar 22, 2012 11:39 am | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
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  MPndp
  Just back from the Sport Fishing Advisory Committee meeting in Langford. With over 400 anglers and sport and recreational fishery operators present the message to DFO was clear: Don't come to us proposing more severe catch limits until you show you can manage the fishery and have a plan in place for habitat protection and restoration, for guaranteeing water flows in streams, and for re-opening hatcheries. This is the message I will take directly to the Minister in Ottawa.
  Mar 21, 2012 9:32 pm | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
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  MPndp
  Randall at the March 19th Open House at Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society (VIRCS) with Herety Hadgu, one of co-founders. Randall was also one of the cofounders of VIRCS.
  In The Community - 2012

  
  Mar 21, 2012 12:24 pm | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
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  MPndp
  Just a reminder that my OAS Town Hall is tonight at 7pm at Saanich Commonwealth Place. I look forward to having a chance to discuss your concerns and ideas regarding changes to our Old Age Security.
  Mar 20, 2012 10:59 am | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
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  MPndp
  I was on CFAX yesterday speaking with Murray Langdon about St. Petersburg's legislation that outlaws any public discussion about homosexuality. I asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs to issue a travel warning for Canadian's traveling to Russia, and he agreed.
  Local MP warns travel to St. Petersberg dangerous for LGBT travelers

  
  Mar 20, 2012 6:37 am | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
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  MPndp
  All are welcome to join me on March 20th to discuss your concerns about changes to Old Age Security.
  OAS Town Hall

  
  Mar 18, 2012 11:11 am | British Columbia, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca

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