SURREY, BC - The announcement of funding for two projects continues to perpetrate the enduring insult to the Indo-Canadian community by the Conservative government regarding the Komagata Maru injustice of 1914.A hard cover book and a film relaying the experience of Sikh and Chinese immigrants in Canada have received a total of $243,625 through the Community Historical Recognition Program. Yet an official apology within the House of Commons remains elusive, as Prime Minister Stephen Harper continues to avoid the issue in spite of ongoing appeals from the Indo Canadian community.
The announcement is a sign of cheap politics without substance, says Newton North-Delta Member of Parliament Sukh Dhaliwal.
“The announcement is a sign of utter disrespect for the Indo Canadians and in particular, the families of the Komagata Maru passengers” said Dhaliwal. “If Stephen Harper thinks that this funding is an adequate replacement to official recognition within the House of Commons, he is truly out of touch with the Indo Canadian community.”
The timing of the announcement is also suspect, coming on the heels of the resignation of former Conservative candidate for the riding of Bramalea-Gore-Malton, Parvinder Singh. Mr. Singh tendered his resignation as a candidate this past week after stating that “the Conservative Party of Canada has no respect for the Sikhs” and that “turbans and Punjabis have no place in this party.”
A Liberal Private Members Motion that passed unanimously in the House of Commons on May 15, 2008 formally requested an official apology from the government. Yet nearly two years later, there has been absolutely no action in this regard.
Dhaliwal continues to question why descendents of the racist Chinese head tax were offered such an apology as well as compensation, and yet the Komagata Maru incident has been met with relative silence from the Conservative government.
“This is just another example of how Stephen Harper treats various communities, regions and cultural backgrounds differently in the name of politics” added Dhaliwal. “The time has come for the Prime Minister to take action and help the nation to move on from this terrible moment in Canada’s history with an official apology in the House of Commons.”
The Komagata Maru steamship sailed from Hong Kong to Vancouver carrying 376 passengers from Punjab, India. The passengers were not allowed to land in Canada and the ship was forced to return in an attempt to discriminate against immigration from India.
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For more information, please contact:
dhaliwal@sukhdhaliwal.ca
604-598-2202
In the flurry of news stories about prorogation, a word you may not have even heard of until events began to unfold over the last two weeks, there is one central fact of the Harper government that has become clear: they have lost touch with what matters to hard working Canadians who live in the real world and not the Ottawa bubble.
For those who may still be unclear about what prorogation means, it is essentially the executive decision to shut down all the business of parliament, including the legislative agenda and the work of committees, to start with a clean slate.
Parliamentary tradition dictates that it is a decision made with a strong consensus from all parties that the parliamentary agenda has, for the most part, run its course.
At least, that is how it used to work, by and large. Until Stephen Harper. He has decided - based on the cynical calculations derived from a poll before Christmas - that you would not care about how or when he would prorogue. After all, you live in the real world, and he clearly thinks you don’t expect the work of government to be accountable to you.
In the real world you don’t show up to work two months late and say that you have been “recalibrating” your agenda for the next year.
In the real world you don’t explain to your boss that it is important that you take time off to celebrate the Olympics while everybody else has to show up to work. And for those who do get the time off to see an Olympic event, in the real world you have to pay - and dearly - for a ticket.
In the real world you don’t just cancel all the projects you have been working on and all the meetings you have scheduled and explain to your boss it was just too difficult to work with your colleagues. Especially when there is absolutely no evidence of this. And you certainly can’t go to the boss and say you’re going to hand pick say, five new senior managers on the strength of this baseless argument.
What has emerged from this cynical decision to prorogue is yet another glimpse at the real Stephen Harper, a man who, curiously enough, has never really had to work in your world, who has been an academic, head mouthpiece for a special interest group and professional politician for all of his working life.
In other words, he has never really had to be accountable to anyone but those who make up the political class in the Conservative Party of Ottawa - woops - of Canada.
Well perhaps now that may change. We all deserve better.
PS For those on Facebook, please join over 110,000 of your fellow citizens in the group “Canadians Against Proroging Parliament” to show your support for getting Parliament back to work.
The numbers on prorogation
Number of government bills killed: 37 Share of government bills killed: more than half Number of crime bills killed: 11 Months without accountability to Parliament: 3 Order paper questions from MP to Ministers killed: hundreds Total days prorogued: 63 Total days prorogued in the 4 years Stephen Harper has been Prime Minister: 148 Total days prorogued during the 10 years Jean Chretien was Prime Minister: 145 Parliaments that continued passing sitting right up to or during Olympic Games: Italy (Turin 2006), US (Salt Lake City 2002), Australia (Sydney, 2000), Japan (Nagano 1998), US (Atlanta 1996), Canada (Calgary 1988)
In his own words: Stephen Harper on prorogation
Then:
“When a government starts trying to cancel dissent or avoid dissent is frankly when it’s rapidly losing its moral authority to govern.” (Stephen Harper, Canadian Press, April 18, 2005)
Now:
“A decision to prorogue when the government has the confidence of the house is a routine constitutional matter.” (Stephen Harper, CBC’s The National, January 5, 2010)
OTTAWA and VANCOUVER - Funding announced today for British Columbia by the Harper government comes too late as delays in infrastructure projects continue across the country.
“The Harper government has failed to deliver promised jobs in a timely manner, as Canada tries to recover from the economic crisis,” said Dr. Hedy Fry, Chair of the Official Opposition’s BC Caucus and Member of Parliament for Vancouver Centre.
Ujjal Dosanjh, Member of Parliament for Vancouver South agreed, saying: “BC has been treated as an afterthought. Fewer jobs have been delivered here than anywhere else in the country”.
Studies by media, academics and the Opposition have shown the Conservatives have treated two types of communities differently in BC, like the rest of the country: those represented by Conservatives and everyone else. In old-fashioned political style, those areas have been promised more funds and had their projects approved earlier, despite often having lower unemployment rates.
“It was pressure from the Opposition which forced this late funding announcement,” said Dr. Keith Martin, Member of Parliament for Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca. “Unfortunately it will be some time before the work does begin and the jobs are created.”
Previously undisclosed government data shows that, as of September, only three percent of projects promised to B.C. to fight the recession were creating jobs with infrastructure projects. The average national number at that time was 15 percent - itself only one-fifth of what the Conservatives have been claiming.
“As if 15 percent weren’t bad enough, B.C. is getting even less,” said Joyce Murray, Member of Parliament for Vancouver Quadra. “This Conservative Government is not serving British Columbians.”
In order to rise up out of the current state of economic decline, it is essential that these jobs are created. “The Harper Government has been slow to the mark and poorly focused. With the fewest number of projects under way, BC is suffering under this government,” concluded Sukh Dhaliwal, Member of Parliament for Newton-North Delta.
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Office of the Hon. Hedy Fry, P.C.M.P., 604-762-4386
Office of Hon. Ujjal Dosanjh, P.C., M.P., 613-947-3957
Office of Sukh Dhaliwal, 604-506-0735
Office of Dr. Keith Martin, P.C., M.P., 613-996-2625
Office of Joyce Murray, 613-992-2430
Today I rise to remember the thousands who tragically died twenty-five years ago as victims of a poisonous industrial gas leak in Bhopal, India.
On December 3, 1984, the Union Carbide chemical plant released poisonous gas over the city of Bhopal, causing the worst industrial accident the world has ever seen.
The people still suffer from the after effects of this disaster. The poisonous fumes contaminated Bhopal’s soil and groundwater leading to cancer and birth defects.
Today we not only remember the victims but also urge for more aid to the residents who must live with the lingering effects of this tragedy.
OTTAWA- A petition from hundreds of residents calling for Burns Bog to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site was presented in the House of Commons today by Sukh Dhaliwal, Member of Parliament for Newton-North Delta.”This recognition of Burns Bog’s status as a cultural and environmental landmark would go a long way to preserving the bog for generations to come. It is high time that it become a UNESCO World Heritage Site,” Dhaliwal said. “I congratulate the Burns Bog Conservation Society and other leaders in our community for their excellent work towards achieving this goal. I hope the government will listen to their message.”
Burns Bog is the largest domed peat bog on the west coast of North America. It is globally unique on the basis of its chemistry, form, flora and large size. It is a precious natural resource that helps reduce the impact of climate change by absorbing greenhouse gases, filtering large amounts of rain and providing habitat for rare and endangered species.
The UNESCO World Heritage List recognizes that some places of outstanding universal value are the responsibility of the international community and serves as a catalyst to raising awareness for heritage preservation. World Heritage sites can be publically listed as sites in danger.
In the last federal election, the Liberal Party promised to nominate Burns Bog as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The NDP and Conservatives were silent about the future of the Bog. The Conservatives have refused to identify it as a candidate for Canada’s next submission of the Tentative List to UNESCO. The current list was updated in 2004 with an intended lifespan of a decade.
“Since 2006, we have been waiting for some leadership from this government on the status of Burns Bog,” Dhaliwal added. “As Michael Ignatieff said in his speech on the environment at Laval last week, we need a government that looks forward, not backward. A Liberal government would establish the bog as a Heritage Site to protect our community’s future.”
OTTAWA- This Friday, Canadians will be celebrating Eid al-Adha. In Newton-North Delta, there will be a food collection, in the true spirit of giving and sacrifice so central to the real meaning of this day.And the prayers that will take place at the Surrey Jamia Masjid, the Grand Taj Banquet Hall, Crystal Banquet Hall and other locations on Friday represent more than just a gathering of those who share faith. It is also a celebration of true community spirit.
I commend the efforts of all my constituents who give so much of themselves to make the celebrations of this day such a success - this year and every year.
I urge all Members of the House here today to join me in wishing all Canadians a very Happy Eid-al-Adha.
OTTAWA- With the release of the Auditor General’s report on immigration programs, Sukh Dhaliwal, Liberal Member of Parliament for Newton-North Delta, has called Fraser’s study a scathing indictment of Conservative mismanagement in the most crucial portfolio for Canada’s long term economic success.”Ms. Fraser’s findings on the administration of immigration under Minister Kenney’s stewardship suggests cynical, deliberate mismanagement of the temporary foreign workers program in particular, leaving a whole class of newcomer vulnerable to abuse and poor working conditions - if they even break through the masses of red tape to enter the country,” Dhaliwal said earlier today. “To fail this badly, you would actually have to work at it. It all suggests this government views these potential citizens as ultimately transient and disposable in Canada’s labour market.”
Dhaliwal listed just a few of the Auditor General’s findings to support his claims. They include:
• A failure of Citizenship and Immigration to follow up on genuineness of job offers for lower skilled temporary workers, with limited oversight of working conditions, accommodations or cases of abuse;
• A severe reduction in the number of occupations that would qualify for the foreign workers’ program with the clear intention of reducing applicants, with long term effects for all of the current streams of applications, and
• A backlog of more than a half million would-be immigrants, with an average processing time of 63 months.
“What we are talking about when we discuss temporary foreign workers are caregivers, skilled trades people, a broad spectrum of bright talented people from many developing economies around the world”, Dhaliwal added. These are precisely the people that could assure that Canada has a place at the table among the key global trading partners in the years ahead. This Conservative government is not only failing them; it’s failing all of us.”
OTTAWA- Sikhs across this country and around the globe are celebrating the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji today, the founder of the Sikh religion, who teaches us that all humanity is one. But let us also take note of another date, 25 years ago, when pogroms began in Delhi, targeting Sikh homes and businesses.
India has come a long way since then. Yet for all of us, who care about human rights around the world, let’s remind ourselves we must remain vigilant in regard to human rights violations. In a world more connected than ever before, we can stand together and ensure such acts will be a thing of the past.
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An audio clip of Sukh Dhaliwal’s speech is available here. A photo of the speech is available here. A video is available here.
OTTAWA- Surrey’s annual Regional Economic Summit convened today, featuring former British Prime Minister Tony Blair as its keynote speaker, yet as two noted federal Liberal candidates observed, in a room full of luminaries from British Columbia’s business community, provincial and municipal governments, not one minister from Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s cabinet or BC caucus were in attendance.
“They just don’t get it,” said Sukh Dhaliwal, Member of Parliament for Newton-North Delta, “they don’t see the importance of this summit flourishing in one of the fastest growing, ethnically diverse municipalities in the country. The BC business leaders, key economic strategists and elected representatives in this room know this summit now sets the compass points for BC’s economic growth for years to come. Harper and his cabinet clearly feel no need to be a part of this vital dialogue.”
In just two years, Surrey’s Regional Economic Summit, created as a partnership between the Surrey Board of Trade and the City of Surrey, has become one of the premier events for the national discussion on economic development, job creation and environmental sustainability. This year’s panel sessions featured dialogues on energy, environment and the green economy, as well as new lessons in leadership for CEOs facing the new post-recession economic reality. Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts, Summit Co-Chair and City Councillor Linda Hepner, as well as Honourable Iain Black, Minister of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development, played an active role in today’s agenda.
Dan Veniez, a BC businessman and the Liberal candidate for the West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea-to-Sky Country riding was in attendance for Blair’s keynote speech and the panel sessions. “Surrey’s business and civic leaders are to be commended for developing an outstanding program that brought together key regional stakeholders for a rich and informative dialogue. “Serious thinking is going into what we must do to shape our economy against the backdrop of global challenges such as climate change and globalization. While problems are immense, the opportunities abound, as Mr. Blair reminded us. BC is blessed with the dynamism and intelligence of its people and the magnificence of our geography. “It is unfortunate that members of Stephen Harper’s government chose to skip this important annual event. I have no doubt that they could have learned something”. “At the end of the day,” Dhaliwal added, “this is about the kind of dialogue the federal government prefers to have with the province and municipalities about the direction BC is heading. Absence and inaction speak louder than words.”
OTTAWA–Newton-North Delta MP Sukh Dhaliwal spoke out today on recent revelations that Conservative ridings in British Columbia have received 325 percent more funding than others since the government’s stimulus package was announced earlier this year.
“I am not surprised by the way that Conservative ridings have been rewarded at the expense of the rest of the province because-as usual-Stephen Harper has put political gain ahead of people,” said Dhaliwal. “The needs of hard-working British Columbian families always come second with a Prime Minister that has embraced partisan inequality as his standard operating procedure.”
Dhaliwal was commenting on recent findings by the Liberal Party which discovered that the top 10 ridings in BC receiving infrastructure funding were Conservative. This is just one glaring statistic amongst a country full of examples of Conservative pork-barrelling.
Conservative ridings have been promised an average $9.3 million dollars, in comparison to $2.3 million for Liberal and NDP ridings.
BC’s record on job losses-one of the worst in the country-is directly affected by the fact that only 27 percent of promised funding has been announced.
The overall funding disparity between Conservative and Liberal and NDP ridings amounts to an extra $158 million dollars.
“At the end of the day, this is a matter of democracy, fairness and good governance,” added Dhaliwal. “Just as it shouldn’t matter where you live when it comes to getting health care and basic services, job creation and community development should operate in the same way, above the fray of politics.”
British Columbia - Infrastructure Stimulus Fund (ISF)
Key facts
• “Fair share” (per capita basis) for British Columbia: $520,500,000
• Total announced funding: $383,000,000 (73%)
• Project funding details divulged: $243,085,394 (47%)
• Announcement History: $117 million on April 7, 2009, $21 million on September 23, 2009 and $245 million on September 24, 2009
On September 28 Sukh presented a petition to all MPs of the House of Commons from over 400 petitioners calling for dreging of the Ladner Channels. Sukh applauds the leadership of the Ladner Sediment Group on this pressing safety concern for the region.
VANCOUVER - The Harper government must call for an international summit to get to the bottom of the vanishing sockeye salmon in the Fraser River and find solutions to assist those whose livelihood depend on the fishery, Liberal MPs said today.”This is a crisis, both from an economic and environmental perspective,” said Liberal Critic for Western Economic Diversification Sukh Dhaliwal said. “When you’ve got some nine million salmon mysteriously vanishing from the Fraser River, the ripple effect that has is potentially devastating for both the fishing industry and the ecosystem. The government cannot ignore this crisis.”
Liberal Fisheries Critic Gerry Byrne said although the exact cause of the biggest salmon disaster in recent history is not known, what is known is that the Conservatives made it more difficult to get these important answers through significant cuts to the Science for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture program, and to scientific research in general.
Byrne called on Minister Gail Shea to commit to reversing the cuts her government has imposed and to offer assurances that assistance will be offered to those affected.
“The Conservatives have been negligent in the responsible stewardship of Canada’s fisheries and the environment,” he said.
Both MPs called on the government to immediately convene all partners on both sides of the border for an international summit to examine what happened, what the overall impacts may be and what can be done to mitigate any economic and environmental damage.
“This is an industry that is particularly vital to the Aboriginal communities along the Fraser River,” said Mr. Dhaliwal. “But there are also multi-million dollar commercial boats that have been docked because they have no salmon to catch. This is devastating to our local economy.”
“And, of course, the potential impact on the river’s ecosystem - on those plants and animals that rely on the sockeye migration - is huge,” added Mr. Byrne. “The government must do what it can to find out if this is just a temporary disaster, or if it’s something more permanent.”
“For Canadians young and old, for those of us who are just new to this country and for those whose family tree has set down deep roots over generations - this day is cause for great celebration.
“It is a day we can reflect upon our proud history as one of the oldest democracies in the world, where our commitment to peace, order and good government remains a model across the globe.
“It is also a day when we can look to our families and our communities and look at how far we’ve come together, as well as how much there is still to accomplish for the generations that will follow in our footsteps.Happy Canada Day, everyone.”
Happy Canada Day from Michael Ignatieff!
“Today, Canadians across this great nation are proudly celebrating Canada’s 142nd birthday - and we have much to be proud of. After 142 years of accomplishment and leadership, Canada is a beacon of hope in a world of uncertainty and division. Since 1867, we have set an example for all others in our global community.
“We speak two official languages and countless others from every corner of the world. We are home to a wealth of diverse cultures and creeds and religious traditions. We look to different distant shores, or to different corners of our land, to find our families’ roots. And still we are one - one great people sharing one great country, strong and free from coast to coast to coast.
“As we gather with our neighbours today to mark our success as a nation, we also look to a future of greater unity, greater compassion, and greater prosperity for all.
“On behalf of the Liberal Party of Canada and our Parliamentary caucus, I wish everyone - young and young at heart - a very Happy Canada Day!”
OTTAWA – A dispute has broken out between Canada and the U.S. over the Vancouver and Prince Rupert ports – and yet the Harper government still remains silent on the matter, Liberal Critic for the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Western Economic Diversification Sukh Dhaliwal said today.
Liberal MPs raised the issue in the House of Commons today, in response to the news that American port officials have leveled a complaint to the U.S. trade representative against the ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert in British Columbia, arguing that upgrades to railways and port facilities are unfair and illegal subsidies.
“U.S. ports receive similar investments from the U.S. government, yet this complaint follows the alarming trend towards protectionism in the United States, with huge repercussions on the Canadian economy,” said Mr. Dhaliwal. “British Columbians and all Canadians deserve some answers as to why this government has been so silent on this critical issue to our economy. What are they doing to help B.C. ports successfully face this challenge?”
Port officials in the U.S. have argued that the $283 million spent to upgrade rail routes to Prince Rupert and Vancouver, and $60 million for the Prince Rupert port are illegal subsidies under the World Trade Organization.
“Necessary improvements to roads and rail are subject to trade talks,” pointed out Mr. Dhaliwal. “Unlike its U.S. counterparts, the port of Vancouver does not receive any operation subsidy from government. As Port Metro Vancouver has made clear, any improvements to transportation infrastructure in the Lower Mainland were of only indirect benefit.
“When is this government going to start standing up for Canada and send a clear message to the U.S. that road and rail improvements are not ‘illegal subsidies?’” he said.
OTTAWA— I was greatly relieved to hear that the government finally relented and announced today they would provide $2.3 million in funding for the World Police and Fire Games. The games, the second largest sporting event of its kind in the world, will bring in as much as $50 million for the British Columbian economy and give the province’s tourism industry a much needed boost in the wake of the current economic downturn.
Though it unfortunately took repeated calls for action in both the House of Commons and in the media for the government to respond, I felt, as Opposition Critic for Western Economic Diversification, that this issue was too important for my community, for British Columbia and indeed for Canadians across this country. Not calling the government to account was simply not an option.
I greatly look forward to attending the games this summer and wish to thank all those concerned citizens, from communities across the country, for joining me in raising their voices about this issue. I also congratulate those who will be competing, from police stations and fire departments from coast to coast, in this year’s games.
OTTAWA — Sukh Dhaliwal, Member of Parliament for Newton-North Delta, following his meetings with members of the Canadian Police Association, decried the Harper government`s betrayal of its 2006 election promise to put more police officers on the ground. The association, which represents 57,000 officers across the country, has been in Ottawa for meetings this week, urging the government to put some substance behind its rhetoric and address the issue of getting more police on the streets in British Columbian communities.
“The simple fact of the matter is that the $400 million set aside in the 2008 for the Policeman’s Recruitment Fund had no strings attached when it was distributed to the provinces, and it also had a five year timeline for the money to be delivered,” said Dhaliwal. “There is actually no way it could have ever lived up to the commitment of 2,500 more officers on the streets. At a time when gang violence has spiked in our community, this amounts to nothing but unconscionable neglect.”
The association’s representatives are hoping to gain support for a real action plan to get more police officers in communities. It is just one of several key recommendations it has brought to the attention of the Harper government in order to improve working conditions and benefits for those on the front lines in our communities.
“For all of this government’s talk of being tough on crime,” Dhaliwal added, “it has never had any intention of actually delivering on the number of officers that would make a difference in our communities, that much is clear. All they had to do was talk to any police chief who has dealt with the rise of gang violence over the past few months and they would have realized the importance of living up to its promises.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honour of the fourth annual National Victims of Crime Awareness Week.
Victims of crime are not unique to any area of the country. Every parliamentarian represents constituents whose lives have been traumatized by the selfish acts of those who have no regard for the law.
We must stand by all those who need assistance and support and remember that on the scales of justice, the lives in the balance are not simply the criminals for rehabilitation, but the victims too. I encourage all of my colleagues to reach out to victims in their communities and provide a voice for their concerns in the House of Commons.”
OTTAWA - The Harper Conservatives should be spending money for regional development in a way that promotes regional fairness, spurs job creation and stimulates local economies - not on pet projects for political gain in Conservative ridings, Liberal MPs said today.Sukh Dhaliwal, Liberal Western Economic Diversification (WED) Critic, and Alexandra Mendès, Economic Development for Québec Regions Critic, were reacting to the news that the Harper government doled out $440 million for thousands of pork-barrel projects across provinces where Conservative MPs dominate. The Canadian Taxpayers’ Federation, which released details through an Access to Information request, said the government funded everything from flag poles to school murals - veering from WED’s mandate to invest in small business, research and innovation, and increasing trade.
Ms. Mendès pointed out that at the same time the Harper Conservatives were busy doling out funds from the WED, they cut the budget for Economic Development for Québec Regions by nearly half, from $405 million when Liberals were in office, to $240 million today.
“This type of pork-barrel politics is unacceptable at any time, but it’s particularly outrageous when Canadians across the country are going through some very tough economic times,” said Mr. Dhaliwal. “Liberals favour federal funding for regional economic development that will protect the jobs of today, and support innovative initiatives that will create the jobs of tomorrow - a vision clearly missing from this government that our workers desperately need.”
“The Conservatives appear to have given up on Quebec entirely and are punishing Quebec workers and non-profit organizations while they reward their own MPs,” said Ms. Mendès. “The Liberal party is the only alternative that can form a federal government to defend the interests of Quebec by using economic development to support long term economic growth.”
Mr. Dhaliwal concluded by saying that taxpayer dollars are being squeezed during this recession, making it even more important for governments to spend them wisely.
“This is just another example of why we need some clear oversight on how this government is spending Canadians’ hard-earned money. It’s why we have put them on probation - to ensure that all regions of the country will benefit from appropriately targeted and responsible spending,” he said.
VANCOUVER - The Conservative government has failed to offer substantial support for the 2009 World Police and Fire Games (WPFG), which are expected to bring in as much as $50 million into the local B.C. economy, Liberal Western Economic Diversification Critic Sukh Dhaliwal and Amateur Sport Critic Keith Martin said today.
“Canada has hosted the World Police and Fire Games a number of times, and never has the federal funding commitment been so inadequate,” said Mr. Dhaliwal. “Why isn’t Western Economic Diversification Minister Lynne Yelich pressing the government to provide the requested $1.5 million for an event expected to draw thousands of participants to Vancouver and give a boost to the local economy?”
From July 31 to August 9, the WPFG is expected to attract 19,000 police, fire, and customs and border personnel, 10,000 athletes from over 70 countries, and an entourage of 25,000 guests.
The federal government has a long history of supporting the WPFG games when Canada has played host in the past (Vancouver in 1989, Calgary in 1997, Quebec City in 2005). In 2005, when the Games were last held in Canada, the WPFG received $1.6 million to support and showcase the event.
For this year’s Games, the WPFG applied for additional funding from Heritage Canada, but its request was refused.
Mr. Martin said that the level of federal funding for the WPFG, which is the world’s third largest sporting event, is insufficient given its economic advantages.
“Second only to the Winter Olympics, this is the largest sporting event that Vancouver and British Columbia have ever hosted in advance of the Winter Olympics,” said Mr. Martin. “It’s baffling to see this Conservative government come up so short in its support for this event when Canadians have much to gain in ensuring that these international games are a success.”
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Contact:
John Delacourt
Office of Sukh Dhaliwal
613-863-7854
dhalis0@parl.gc.ca
OTTAWA- Sukh Dhaliwal, Member of Parliament for Newton-North Delta, stood in the House of Commons today to urge the Harper government to come up with a real action plan on gang violence, in the wake of the recent series of shootings in the lower mainland.Dhaliwal’s speech comes just a few days after BC Attorney General Wally Oppal and Solicitor General John Van Dongen came to Ottawa and met with Conservatives and BC Liberal MPs on a range of recommendations which include:
• Updating the criminal code with respect to modern communications technologies;
• Ending 2 for 1 credit for time served; and
• Reducing all the bureaucratic paperwork prosecutors must wade through when arresting and charging criminals.
Oppal was reportedly less than enthused by the Conservatives’ response to what he and Van Dongen advised as a plan of action. Dhaliwal suggested in the House that more can - and should - be done.
“What I hear from my constituents - and even from my fellow members from the other side of this House - is that this state of emergency requires that we put all partisan brinksmanship aside and work together on real solutions to address this problem right now.”
Over the next few months the MP pledged to work closely with all three levels of government to look at the full range of anti-crime tactics beyond the enactment of legislation.
“This is about the future of our communities,” Dhaliwal said. “We simply can’t wait until Parliament gets its act together and gets a few bills through committee. We need a real action plan, and we need it now.”
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For more information, please contact
604-506-0735
DhaliS1B@parl.gc.ca
OTTAWA - Today in the House of Commons, Sukh Dhaliwal congratulated North Delta’s Mitch Berger, punter for the Superbowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers.
“He has made his parents, our community and Canada very proud,” Dhaliwal said in the House. “I ask all members of this house to join me in congratulating North Delta’s Mitch Berger, our Canadian Super Bowl champion.”
His statement was followed by cheers and applause from all sides of the House.
Mitch grew up playing community football in Delta and graduated from North Delta Secondary. His proud North Delta parents, Don and Evelyn Berger were in Tampa, Florida yesterday to watch their son, the only Canadian on the field, win sport’s most celebrated championship.
Dhaliwal is the Member of Parliament for Newton-North Delta.
OTTAWA - Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff announced today that the Liberal Party will be keeping the Conservative government on probation and will require reports on the implementation of the budget in order for it to receive support.”The number one priority of the Liberal Party is to get this economy moving, and that is why we are passing the budget with new accountability measures,” said Member of Parliament Sukh Dhaliwal. “Stephen Harper has a horrible track record when it comes to actually spending all of the infrastructure money he promises. These regular fiscal updates will allow us to make sure that the investments Canadians need actually reach them.”
The Conservatives’ $8.8-billion Building Canada Fund flowed zero dollars into the economy in its first year and to date has only distributed $300 million.
“These tough times call for immediate investment in the economy, not more shell games,” Dhaliwal said. “The question is whether the money starts flowing. We take nothing for granted from this prime minister and this government. We will be watching them like hawks.”
Stephen Harper’s beliefs about the economy have kept changing over the past five months. In September, he claimed there was not going to be a recession and now with yesterday’s budget, we have deficits over the next two years that will total an astonishing $64 billion.
The Liberals left the Conservative government with a $12 billion surplus in 2006, but a combination of ill-conceived tax measures, the largest increases in government spending in history and the elimination of the contingency “rainy day” fund has driven the once strong Canadian budget surpluses into the ground.
“Mr. Harper can blame the downturn in the global economy all he wants, but our economic troubles are because of poor policy decisions. Independent Parliamentary Budget Officer Kevin Page has confirmed that time and time again,” added Dhaliwal.
“Accountability and transparency is the only thing that will allow the government to regain some credibility on the economy, and the quality of these regular economic updates will be the test of whether this government is serious about helping Canadians or not.”
Sukh Dhaliwal is the Official Opposition Critic for the Asia Pacific Gateway and Western Economic Diversification. He is also the Chair of the Liberal Party’s Northern and Western Caucus. He was first elected in 2006.
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