Special Events:

Join NDP Leader Jack Layton and MP Olivia Chow at U of T — discuss climate change and our principled stand on the search and kill mission in Afghanistan on Nov. 14 at  7 p.m. at Hart House (7 Hart House Circle).

Get the latest update on early learning and childcare from Olivia on Nov. 15 at  7 p.m. at Kensington Kids Early Learning Centre in Kensington Community School, 401 College Street (at Borden).

Call Olivia’s Constituency Office for details on these events: 416-533-2710 or oliviachow.ca.

E-news content:

1. NDP Early Learning and Child Care Act — coming to a vote!
2. Climate change action now
3. Banning harmful chemicals and keeping our kids safe
4. Reducing student loans
5. Treating veterans with respect and dignity

1. Mark your calendar: Olivia’s Early Learning and Child Care Act —

…will be voted on in the House of Commons on Wednesday Nov 22, 5:45 pm. The Liberal and Bloq Quebecois critics have indicated support in principle for the legislation, so we have a chance to pass the act, against the odds, with this historic vote!

2. Everyday Canadians the winner with NDP climate change solution

The parliamentary logjam on climate change has been broken by Jack Layton and the NDP. Instead of spending the next few months condemning Harper’s Clean Air Act (which is filled with hot air, with no targets till 2050), the Act will now be sent to a special legislative committee to be deliberated on by MPs from all parties.

The solution allows the clean air legislation to be fundamentally amended in committee immediately. The NDP plans to include crucial science-based targets and timelines in order to see real and immediate action on the environment. This will ensure that Canada puts in place targets to meet its Kyoto obligations and more.

The NDP has a five part Green Agenda for Canada. Check out the full NDP plan here:

http://www.ndp.ca/page/4048
http://www.ndp.ca/greenagenda

One example is our solar initiatives:

• recognize the big picture of conservation and clean energy through a national energy strategy
• create a Model National Building Code that can ensure integration of solar in buildings
• empower municipalities through enhanced programs like the Green Fund and encourage communities to develop land and building lots according to solar principles;
• create a 100,000 solar roof/wall program for solar thermal energy, to help develop a marketplace; and
• negotiate with the provinces and territories to adopt fixed price strategies for renewable power.

3. Ever wonder what harmful chemicals are used to make plastic soft and bendable?

The NDP has been fighting to protect children. The phthalate chemicals, commonly used in many children’s toys, childcare articles and cosmetics, are known to have drastic adverse effects on the reproductive development of fetuses, infants and young boys.

Our NDP bill banning use of three dangerous chemicals in consumer products received unanimous, all-party support at second reading in Parliament on October 31.

We have seen conclusive evidence on the effects of these chemicals on today’s families — and in particularon young children who cannot make choices for themselves.

Bill C-307, which seeks to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, is now in front of the House of Commons’ Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development. We kept this issue in the public eye, and through debate, will question the fundamental nature of federal environmental protection, which currently puts the burden of proof on government or citizens to prove a chemical unsafe, instead of on companies to prove marketplace safety. It is the responsibility of government to keep Canadians safe and to keep harmful elements away from us.

4. Our NDP Plan to double federal student grants would slash 25 % from the average debt load

An NDP government’s first priority for post-secondary education would be to drastically reduce student debt.

The NDP strategy to reduce student debt includes a plan to double the current amount of various federal grant programs to over $1 billion by cancelling the Canada Education Savings Program and the Textbook Tax Credit. The approximately $750 million in savings would go directly towards non-repayable grants averaging $1,500 for every student with Canada Student Loans in every year of study.

Average student debt in Canada is now over $24,000 – an all-time high.

The NDP strategy would also substantially increase federal transfers for post-secondary education, so that every province could freeze or roll back tuition, as well as re-invest in faculty hiring, resources and infrastructure according to its particular needs and the needs of its students.

5. NDP’s Veterans First Motion passes was adopted in the House of Commons last week

The NDP is standing up for veterans and our troops by taking action to ensure that veterans, their families, and Canadian Forces personnel are taken care of not just during their service days, but throughout their lives.

The Liberals ignored calls from the Military Ombudsman to address unfair deductions and restrictions on the pensions of Veterans and their spouses. The Conservatives promised to fix these problems but have done nothing so far.

Supporting our troops has to be more than just a slogan. Veterans and their spouses deserve dignity, respect, and a decent standard of living in their old age. That’s why the NDP used its opposition day motion to introduce long-overdue assistance to members and veterans of the Canadian Forces and their families.

The Veterans First Motion:

* Eliminates the “gold-digger” clause of the Canadian Forces Superannuation Act – now second spouses of Canadian Forces members and veterans have access to pension rights upon the death of the member or veteran.

* Extends the VIP (Veterans Independence Program) to all widows of all veterans, regardless of the time of death of the veteran and regardless of whether the veteran was in receipt of VIP services prior to his/her death.

* Increases the Survivor’s Pension Amount upon death of a Canadian Forces retiree to 66% from the current amount of 50%, so that it is in line with basic living expenses and the current cost of living.

* Eliminates the unfair reduction of SISIP (Service Income Security Insurance Plan) long-term disability benefits from medically released members of the Canadian Forces so that veterans are fairly compensated for injuries suffered in the line of duty.

* Eliminates the deduction from annuity for retired and disabled Canadian Forces members – once again ensuring that veterans are fairly compensated for their injuries.

Yesterday, we observed Remembrance Day across Canada — a timely reminder that veterans have already fought to protect this country. They shouldn’t have to fight again to receive a fair pension in order to live with dignity. They deserve better and the NDP will continue this battle on their behalf.