Kingston & the Islands - Regional Issues
Here is a sampling of some of the issues that the NDP is working on in our region:
Health Care
On March 21, 2006, Shelley Martel, MPP and NDP critic for Health and Long Term Care, spoke to us about LHINs. LHINs, or Local Health Integration Networks, are hand-picked boards set up by the Liberal government to exercise an exceptional amount of power over regional health dollars. Since they are non-elected, they are not directly accountable to us; but they will have authority to shut down any facility, and after 2007, LHINs will have authority to carry out a limited amount of privatization.
The NDP has spoken in opposition to Bill 36, the bill that gives powers to the LHINs. The NDP is committed to protecting and maintaining an accessible public health care system, and addressing the local shortage of G.P.'s in this area.
Education
Queen's University and St. Lawrence College provides thousands of students with training and education that is critical in today's competitive work place, yet many students are burdened with astronomical debt.
The NDP is committed to reducing the debt load of students and supporting the next generation in attaining the skills and knowledge that will help Canada remain competitive in a global economy.
Housing
We need a housing program that works for people who need it most. The investment for affordable housing that the NDP gained last June in the Federal Budget was a start, but more needs to be done to address this issue. In Kingston, inadequate affordable housing has meant an increase in homelessness and has added undue stress on low income families.
Military
Kingston has a large military base. The NDP is committed to:
- improving housing for base personnel
- increasing salaries
- updating equipment needed for peacekeeping and peacemaking duties.
Environment
It is long past time to stop pollution from entering our waterfront and beaches and eliminate the health risks that could surface within our drinking water. The NDP is committed to increasing funding to municipalities to upgrade outdated sewage systems in order to open our beaches and prevent drinking water problems.
Government Integrity and Responsibility
The NDP is committed to balanced budgets and financial accountability. And we're committed to bringing honesty, fairness and transparency back to politics.
Ed Broadbent has tabled a 7 Point Ethics Plan that spells out the major reforms the NDP wants to carry out, to bring honesty, transparency and accountability back to politics.
Protecting workers' pensions
In 2005, the NDP brought in a new law to protect workers' earnings in the event of bankruptcy. It's a good start. But there's more to be done. If a company goes bankrupt, workers' pensions are last on the list. And 59% of Canadian corporate pension plans are underfunded to begin with. The NDP is committed to putting more protections in place for workers' pensions.
Seniors
The NDP respects the past contributions and present needs of Canadian seniors. We believe that a full range of publicly funded and regulated supports must be available for seniors. We support three national committments to seniors:
- A long-term care transfer;
- A home care transfer;
- A national prescription drug plan.
International Aid
As Canadians, we're proud of our humanitarian record. We have the means, the ability and the compassion to reach out to others in need. It's an important part of our national identity. But under Paul Martin, Canada's foreign aid levels have slipped. We're not meeting all of our international aid committments -- despite record budget surpluses. In 1992, we committed to increase the quantity and quality of our aid to the world's poorest countries; by 2002, our aid to the least developed countries had fallen by almost 50% in real terms. The NDP is committed about meeting our committments to the world.
Honouring obligations to Aboriginal Canadians
Kingstonians were shocked to learn about the contaminated drinking water on the Kashechewan, and many other, reserves. But contaminated water isn't the only problem Aboriginal Canadians face. Housing and health care in many Aboriginal communities is inadequate. Aboriginal people have higher rates of infectious and chronic disease, and Aboriginal babies are more likely to be born underweight or premature, or die before their first birthday. Meanwhile, treaty negotiations keep stalling, and the Liberal government has yet to implement the nine-year-old recommendations of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. Even the UN has condemned Canada's record on respecting treaty rights.
The NDP is committed to honouring our obligations to Aboriginal Canadians.
Immigration
With birth rates falling, Canada needs the skills and diversity of new immigrants to keep us strong. But under the Liberals, immigration is down and immigration backlogs are up. The Liberals have had 12 years to address the issue of recognizing foreign credentials, so doctors, engineers and other professionals can practice their much-needed skills in Canada -- but after 12 years, they still have no plan, let alone progress.
The NDP is committed to faster, fairer immigration.
Creating and Defending Canadian Jobs
Canada's unemployment rate is at a historic low right now -- largely due to oil prices, not Liberal policy. But Canada's been bleeding good manufacturing jobs, in favor of jobs that offer less pay, less security and weaker pensions. Kingston has seen manufacturing jobs leave the city, to be replaced by low-paying retail and seasonal tourist jobs. The NDP will invest in the infrastructure industry needs, and the education and training Canadians need.
More
Read more about Federal issues and NDP Policies on the Canada's NDP website.
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Local Events
Hunger March
Join the Kingston Coalition Against Poverty (KCAP) to meet and eat at the park, before taking to the street at 5:00pm to have your voice heard.
Thurs. May 1, 2008
4:00pm - McBurney Park
FRILL Community Garden May Day Festival
Join the FRILL Community Garden for their May Day Festival and Plot Lottery. Enter the plot lottery, learn about snakes from conservationist Matt Ellerbeck and share a finger food potluck!
Sunday, May 4
1-4pm - 38 Charles Street
Our Headlines
- NDP Applauds Space Sale Rejection
- Hampton Stands Up for Jailed Aboriginal Leaders
- McGuinty Concedes Failure in War on Poverty
- Budget Extends Agenda that Fails Working Families
- Lack Layton: Five Years of Leadership
NDP Policies
Other NDP Sites
- ReneeStephen.ca
- Canada's NDP
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- Ontario's NDP
- Ontario New Democratic Youth (ONDY)
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Our Newsletter
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NDP Video
NDP: Grassroots Energy
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The Fine Print
“At year's end, Layton is seen as more prime ministerial than his Liberal counterpart. The last time that happened, Ed Broadbent and John Turner were respectively NDP and Liberal leaders.”
Chantal Hebert
Toronto Star
12 December 2007