January 24, 2012

The NDP PEI has recently been contacted by many people concerned that the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) is to be introduced to PEI in the next budget. Due to this, James Rodd has written to the Premier, Robert Ghiz, asking whether the Provincial Government will be bringing in [More...] ]]> For Immediate Release

January 24, 2012

The NDP PEI has recently been contacted by many people concerned that the
Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) is to be introduced to PEI in the next budget.
Due to this, James Rodd has written to the Premier, Robert Ghiz, asking
whether the Provincial Government will be bringing in HST this year.

Rodd said: “During the election debates I asked the Premier whether he could
categorically rule out the introduction of HST to PEI and he could not. Now,
with the deficit being $30 million worse than projected and the Federal
Government’s desire for all provinces to move toward HST, you have to wonder
whether a deal is being cut.”

HST is a regressive tax. Individuals and those on low incomes would be most
affected. Items which are currently exempt from PST but could be subject to
HST include: Baby items (such as car seats, teethers, bottles, blankets,
mattresses); Clothing; Classroom supplies; Books; Fire Extinguishers and
smoke alarms; Safety clothing (including hard hats, goggles, protective
clothing) and home heating oil.

“Many items that are currently exempt from PST would cost more under HST,”
added Rodd, “Parents and Islanders on low incomes will be affected most.
That is why we have asked the Premier if HST is to be introduced this year.”

- 30 -

Contact:

James Rodd

(902) 218-3370 (Cell)

(902) 892-1930 (Office)

(902) 892-8575 (Home)

Two high-profile New Democrat leadership candidates are meeting Islanders on Friday, January 27th in Charlottetown, PEI. Paul Dewar and Nathan Cullen are looking forward to hearing the ideas of Islanders as they go into the leadership race later this Spring. Both candidates are considered front-runners and see [More...] ]]> NDP Leadership Hopefuls Meet and Greet Islanders

Two high-profile New Democrat leadership candidates are meeting Islanders on Friday, January 27th in Charlottetown, PEI. Paul Dewar and Nathan Cullen are looking forward to hearing the ideas of Islanders as they go into the leadership race later this Spring. Both candidates are considered front-runners and see the Island as an untapped resource of progressive thought.

WHAT: A Q&A session with Nathan Cullen followed by a meet and greet, and a meet and greet with Paul Dewar
WHEN: January 27th, 2012 3:30-4:30pm (Q&A with Nathan Cullen)
5:00-7:00pm (Meet and Greet with Paul Dewar)
8:00-10:00pm(Pub Night with Nathan Cullen)

WHY: The NDP of Canada are holding a leadership race after the passing of Hon. Jack Layton. An important component of the NDP’s philosophy is to hear the voices of all Islanders and a cornerstone of each candidate’s campaign is to meet as many Canadians as possible.

WHERE: The meet and greet with Paul Dewar is at the Gahan House in Charlottetown, PEI.

The Q&A session with Nathan Cullen is in the Murphy Centre, with a meet and greet later in the evening at the Pourhouse (above Old Triangle).

DETAILS: Islanders are invited to meet with NDP leadership hopefuls to discuss issues that are important to them.

Paul Dewar has always taken a people-centered approach to politics and to leadership. A seasoned Member of Parliament at the age of 48, his knowledge of the issues, communications skills, and commitment to working with others have made him an effective parliamentarian as well as a respected community leader.

Born in Ottawa, Paul grew up steeped in social democratic politics. His mother, Marion Dewar, was a popular mayor of Ottawa who taught him early on the importance of social justice and grassroots democracy.

After graduating from university, Paul’s passion for international affairs took him to Nicaragua where he volunteered as an aid worker. He returned to Canada to become a public school teacher at two Ottawa-area schools, noted for his award-winning work in the area of special needs education and became the vice-president of Ottawa Carleton Elementary Teachers’ Federation.

Paul was first elected to Parliament in 2006, after the retirement of NDP stalwart Ed Broadbent. Paul lives in old Ottawa East with his spouse Julia Sneyd and their two children

Nathan Cullen is the longest-serving MP running for leader. He grew up in Toronto and attended university in Peterborough and Waterloo, Ontario. After graduating, he worked abroad, in Africa and South America, helping communities come together—by establishing women’s shelters, financial services and the basic infrastructure most Canadians take for granted.

In 2003, Nathan decided he’d heard enough from his local Conservative MP. So he ran for the NDP in the riding of Skeena—Bulkley Valley, which is about the size of Norway. He won the 2004 election—making him the only leadership candidate to defeat a Tory MP. By working with others, and taking a new approach to politics, Nathan has increased his margin of victory in each of the three elections since.

Nathan lives in Smithers, with his wife Diana, and twin sons, Isaac and Elliot.

-30-

For further information contact:

Chris van Ouwerkerk: (902) 314-0725 communications@ndppei.ca

Island women deserve to know: NDP

The New Democratic Party of Prince Edward Island is calling on Premier Ghiz and members of his caucus who attended the recent national Liberal convention to disclose how they voted on a resolution on abortion.

Resolution 58, a priority policy [More...] ]]> For Immediate Release
January 18, 2012

Island women deserve to know: NDP

The New Democratic Party of Prince Edward Island is calling on Premier Ghiz and members of his
caucus who attended the recent national Liberal convention to disclose how they voted on a resolution on abortion.

Resolution 58, a priority policy resolution of the National Women’s Liberal Commission was passed by convention delegates and would see the federal government “financially penalizing provinces that fail to abide by the provisions of the Canada Health Act with respect to ensuring complete access to these services, and/or covering costs related to their provision.”

NDP Communications and Public Relations Chair and PRRO supporter Chris van Ouwerkerk believes it’s important for Ghiz and his fellow Liberals to be completely transparent on where they stand on the issue.

“The Premier was just made Co-Chair of a supposedly innovative health board, and yet numerous high profile women’s organizations are coming out against him for being Anti-Choice” says van Ouwerkerk,
“Robert Ghiz needs to address whether or not he supported the Liberal abortion resolution. If not then the question is why is he Co-Chair of a forward thinking health board.” van Ouwerkerk continues “If he supported it, then we are hopeful he plans on providing abortion services to the Island rather then supporting unnecessary taxation on his citizens.”

The NDP believes it is time Premier Ghiz makes it clear where he stands on the issue and hopes that other Island Liberal delegates will follow suit. NDP of PEI Leader, James Rodd, echoes van Ouwerkerk’s concerns.

“Premier Ghiz is exposing Island taxpayers to financial risk through lawsuits and financial penalties by restricting Island women’s access to reproductive health services. The Premier can try to dress it up however he wants but by defying the laws of the land he’s obstructing the social and economic justice of Island women. They deserve an explanation from the Premier and his members as to why,” said Rodd.

Rodd noted that Premier Ghiz’s actions and comments have drawn the ire from local and national women’s and civil groups and now the Premier’s own party has rejected his position.

New Democratic Party of PEI Leader, James Rodd, is disappointed after today’s meeting with Deputy Premier George Webster and Chief of Staff Allan Campbell on the topic of Employment Insurance wait times.

“The bottom line,” Rodd says, “is that over 1800 Islanders have been waiting for almost two [More...] ]]> For Immediate Release
January 11, 2012

New Democratic Party of PEI Leader, James Rodd, is disappointed after
today’s meeting with Deputy Premier George Webster and Chief of Staff
Allan Campbell on the topic of Employment Insurance wait times.

“The bottom line,” Rodd says, “is that over 1800 Islanders have been
waiting for almost two months and in some cases three months with no
income. That’s a long time to be without money for food, rent, lights,
heat or medicine.”

The Leader of the NDP of PEI, presented the Deputy Premier with a
proposal for an emergency fund to help those who require a one time
assistance, until their EI claims are processed.

The Deputy Premier and the Chief of Staff were receptive to the NDP’s
plan. However, they were non-committal for fear that assisting these
EI claimants in any way would send a message to the Federal Government
that the extended wait times were acceptable.

While echoing the NDP’s concerns regarding wait times, the Deputy
Premier made it clear that the Ghiz Government had no plans on
stirring up any controversy with the Federal Government. The Deputy
Premier went so far as to say that other Departments, including
Agriculture, have a good working relationship with the Federal
Government and did not want to jeopardize those relationships.

“This is totally unacceptable” says Rodd, “through no fault of their
own these Islanders are being hung out to dry by both their Federal
and Provincial Governments.”

“An NDP Government” says Rodd, “would work for all Islanders!”

Contact: James Rodd, Cell 902-218-3370
Chris van Ouwerkerk (NDP Cpmmunications Chair): 902-314-0725

The New Democratic Party of PEI has written to the Premier, Leader of the Official Opposition and the Federal Minister of National Revenue over concerns regarding unacceptable Employment Insurance wait times.

James Rodd, leader of the NDP PEI states “It has been widely reported that Islanders in some [More...] ]]> For Immediate Release
January 3, 2012

The New Democratic Party of PEI has written to the Premier, Leader of the Official Opposition and the Federal Minister of National Revenue over concerns regarding unacceptable Employment Insurance wait times.

James Rodd, leader of the NDP PEI states “It has been widely reported that Islanders in some cases are waiting in excess of 6 weeks and in some instances over 3 months for their applications to be processed. This is totally unacceptable.”

Rodd says “The Federal Government’s refusal to approve overtime at Service Canada, along with its decision to not hire extra temporary staff at what is traditionally a peak time is leaving many Islanders facing financial hardship. Cases have been reported where individuals have had to seek loans, at personal cost, in order to make ends meet, while others have had to forego medication, as food and heating have to take priority.”

At previous peak times, the Federal Government has hired extra staff and allowed overtime in order to ensure applications are processed within a reasonable amount of time. In the case of the Montague Service Centre, often within 28 days.

The NDP PEI has asked the Premier “…what steps have been taken by the Provincial Government in questioning the delays in EI application processing and what actions are being taken to ensure that Islanders do not suffer unnecessary hardship.”

Rodd has encouraged the Provincial Government and the Official Opposition to join the NDP in condemning the actions of the Federal Government. We have also asked Minister Shea to work for Islanders by calling upon Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development to return to previous practices in order to process applications within an acceptable timeframe.

The NDP has asked to meet with the Premier, the Official Opposition and Minister Shea. To date no response has been received.

*December 19, 2011*

* *

*FIRST FEDERAL NDP LEADERSHIP CANDIDATE TO VISIT P.E.I.*

* *

Charlottetown — Prince Edward Island’s New Democratic Party is pleased to announce that Outremont Member of Parliament and Federal Leadership Candidate Thomas Mulcair will be on Prince Edward Island this Wednesday, December 21st. Mulcair lead [More...] ]]> *For Immediate Release*

*December 19, 2011*

*
*

*FIRST FEDERAL NDP LEADERSHIP CANDIDATE TO VISIT P.E.I.*

* *

Charlottetown — Prince Edward Island’s New Democratic Party is pleased to announce that Outremont Member of Parliament and Federal Leadership Candidate Thomas Mulcair will be on Prince Edward Island this Wednesday, December 21st. Mulcair lead the wave of NDP dominance in Quebec during the May 2011 Federal Election serving as Jack Layton’s Lieutenant in Quebec. Upon being elected into Official Opposition status Layton appointed him as House Leader in the New Parliament.
Mulcair is the first of the nine Federal Leadership hopefuls to make an official campaign stop on Prince Edward Island. He will be meeting with members of the NDP of PEI’s Council as well as conducting local interviews in the morning. Party membership and the general public will then have the chance to meet Mulcair later in the day.
From noon until 1pm he will be hosting a public Meet and Greet at Timothy’s World Coffee at 54 University Avenue. Joe Byrne, NDP Federal Council Representative and Charlottetown Candidate in the last Federal Election, will moderate. “The Federal Leadership race gives the NDP a wonderful opportunity to showcase our top minds and promote a sense of unity across the entire country,” Byrne says, “Thomas Mulcair’s visit to Prince Edward Island this early in the campaign shows a sense of commitment to this ideal and a true sense of what can be accomplished here”.
A public meeting and membership rally will take place later in the afternoon where it is expected that former MLA and party leader Dr. Herb Dickieson will endorse Mulcair’s campaign. Details about the event are being released to members and can be found online at ndppei.ca, on Twitter @peindp or by searching New Democratic Party of Prince Edward Island on Facebook.
For further media contact with the Mulcair campaign contact Graham Carpenter at 514-968-9625. For local media inquiries contact Chris van Ouwerkerk, NDP PEI Communications and Public Relations Chair, at(902) 314-0725 or communications@ndppei.ca.

Thank you to the rally organizers, the members of the P.E.I. Reproductive Rights Organization, for inviting me to speak today on behalf of the New Democratic Party of Prince Edward Island. As many of you know, the New Democratic Party is the only [More...] ]]> James Rodd, Leader of the NDP PEI address to the rally

Thank you to the rally organizers, the members of the P.E.I. Reproductive Rights Organization, for inviting me to speak today on behalf of the New Democratic Party of Prince Edward Island. As many of you know, the New Democratic Party is the only political party in P.E.I. that has stood for full reproductive rights for women for over 40 years.

It’s encouraging to see that new efforts are being made to obtain what should be a basic right for all women.

Almost 30 years ago, women in Prince Edward Island lost access to in-province abortion services. A limited form of out-of-province service is available but, in our view:
– it is not promoted properly,
– information regarding access to out-of-province service is not provided in a consistent and comprehensive fashion;
– access is not provided on an equitable or practical basis for many women;
– financial barriers exist; and
– delays are encountered in accessing out-of-province abortions.

We know this government has concealed information regarding this legal service. There is no information about abortion on the government website. Nor does this government promote awareness about the current policy that, at least on paper, allows each woman access to financial support for up to two abortions at off-Island clinics.

By hiding this information, the government is denying Island women the right to health care services that should be available to them. When there is no access to information, many women are left to their own devices and, sometimes, desperate measures.

This is shameful behaviour by the Ghiz government.

And it is especially shameful when this necessary and legal health care service can be provided here in Prince Edward Island. We have the necessary equipment here and the trained medical staff to perform safe abortions.

It is not a question of ability; it a question of credibility. Of the credibility of the Liberal and Conservative politicians who make lame excuses to avoid providing what is a necessary and legal health care service.

And it’s not about cost, either. The Prince Edward Island government is already paying for abortions; the only difference is that they’re paying for them in other provinces, with the attendant extra costs that such an approach requires. How is paying for abortions on the mainland any different, morally or ethically, than providing them on the Island?

But there’s also another cost that the current system produces. And that’s the cost borne by women who have to leave behind their support systems, be it family or friends or professional services.

Abortion, Ladies and Gentlemen, is a legal service that is available to every woman in every province in Canada, except Prince Edward Island. Over the past 30 years, both Liberal and Conservative governments in Prince Edward Island have refused to support women’s access to abortion in this province.

So what is the Health Minister Doug Currie saying about this issue? He says – and I quote:

“wants to hear from both sides on whether abortion services should be available on P.E.I. He said abortion is just one of many medical procedures not offered on the Island and that the province does pay for it when it’s done elsewhere.”

Mr. Currie, what are the BOTH sides to which you’re referring? Abortion is a legal and necessary health care service – PERIOD.

Mr. Currie, why does your government hide the fact that it will pay for abortions? Women have been forced to pay for this themselves because your government does not provide proper information.

And what are the Conservatives saying?!!

Conservative Health Critic James Aylward said – and I quote:

“There are many services that are currently not available on P.E.I., that Islanders have to travel off-Island for. Unfortunately, due to our limited resources here on P.E.I., being a small province, being a small population, there is just so much money to go around.”

Mr. Aylward, give your head a shake! The government will pay for abortions off-Island. It is not a question of money. It is a question of accessing primary health care services. It is a question of information, a question of rights and a question of equality for Island women.

It’s time for the Liberals and the Conservatives to quit playing politics with Health Care and Women’s rights.

What we are addressing here today is Access to Primary Health Care Services, the same services that are available to other women in Canada.

Women on P.E.I. deserve the same access.

And let’s be clear. This is not about opening up the abortion issue!

There is NO abortion issue. That question was settled in 1988 by the Supreme Court of Canada.

Chief Justice Brian Dickson, wrote: “Forcing a woman, by threat of criminal sanction to carry a foetus to term unless she meets certain criteria unrelated to her own priorities and aspirations, is a profound interference with a woman’s body and thus a violation of her security of the person.” Chief Justice Dickson was referring to Section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights.

The province has been ignoring its responsibility to women in Prince Edward Island for over 30 years. It’s a question of equality!

The New Democratic Party long ago made a commitment to a woman’s right to self-determination in every sense, including her right to decide whether or not to bear children. Now it’s time for the other political parties to step up and bring P.E.I. into line with women’s rights in the other nine provinces, to do the right thing and to do it quickly — for the sake of all Island women and all Islanders who believe in equality.

Thank you.

James Rodd, Leader of the NDP of PEI, made an announcement today concerning a comprehensive approach to providing proper health care for all Islanders.

Today, on behalf of the New Democratic Party of Prince Edward Island, I am proud to unveil the Prince Edward Island Health Charter, our pledge to Islanders that, [More...] ]]>

James Rodd, Leader of the NDP of PEI, made an announcement today concerning a comprehensive approach to providing proper health care for all Islanders.

Today, on behalf of the New Democratic Party of Prince Edward Island, I am proud to unveil the Prince Edward Island Health Charter, our pledge to Islanders that, within five years of forming government, every man, woman, and child in Prince Edward Island will have access to high-quality public health care services.

Canada is a wealthy country where seniors shouldn’t have to choose between the medications they need and a healthy diet; where low-income Islanders shouldn’t have to pay for necessary drugs while better-off Islanders enjoy drug coverage through their employers; and where all Islanders, no matter where they live, should be able to feel secure knowing that emergency room resources are within a reasonable drive, day or night.

The New Democratic Party is the architect and guardian of Medicare – the NDP brought in Medicare so that no man, woman, or child would go without adequate health care in this country.

The new P.E.I. Health Charter is the NDP’s commitment to better health care for all Islanders.

Key aspects of the Charter include:

• A pharmacare / catastrophic drugs program.
• Additional community health clinic staffed by collaborative teams of doctors, nurses, dieticians, pharmacists, social workers, and other health care workers – including naturopathic and preventative health care practicioners.
• A plan to train and retain more doctors, nurses, and other health care workers, including the identification of, and support for, P.E.I. students who demonstrate an aptitude and interest in the health care field.
• Additional long-term care beds for seniors at smaller and more numerous in-community public manors offering an integrated continuum of seniors’ care.
• Incentives for preventative health care and improved health outcomes for all Islanders, but with a special focus on low-income Islanders, youth, and seniors.

“There are currently about 22,000 Islanders over [More...] ]]> Paulette Halupa, the New Democratic Party candidate in Summerside-St.Eleanor’s, has accused the Ghiz Liberals of ignoring the needs of many seniors at a time when the province is experiencing a rapidly aging population. She’s especially concerned about the situation around long-term care beds in the Summerside area.

“There are currently about 22,000 Islanders over the age of 65, representing 15% of the population,” Halupa said. “In the next 20 years, those figures will double. However, the Ghiz government has no plans to significantly increase the number of long-term care beds in public manors and, instead, intends to have the private sector meet that growing need.”

As evidence for her claim, Halupa referred to the current allocations under the province’s Manor Replacement Program and a recommendation contained in the report that forms the basis for that program.

“The 2008 Ascent Strategy Group report laid out the manor replacement program that the Ghiz government is currently following,” the NDP candidate explained. “On page 78 of that report, it notes that ‘an additional 101 LTC (Long-Term Care) beds will be required for the five-year cycle 2012-2017…The private sector should be given the opportunity to create additional beds.’ When you combine this reference with the fact that the new government manors will contain the same number of beds as the buildings they’re replacing, it’s clear that the government is deliberately choosing not to provide the extra beds that a growing senior’s population would need – and it’s doing that so its friends in the private sector can build nursing homes or expand their current facilities.”

“Profit in the private sector is being put ahead of the needs of people – in this case, the needs of seniors in the Summerside area and across the province.”

“For example, we’re already short of long-term beds in the Summerside area,” she said, “with many seniors having to go to private sector nursing homes in other communities. Yet the new manor that’s going up in Summerside has the same number of beds as the manor it’s replacing. This ensures that not only will the current problem continue, but with a growing senior’s population, it will get worse in the coming years. Unless, of course, a friend of the government steps in to build a new nursing home or expand a current operation – and make a profit at the same time.”

Halupa also wants to see the public manors expand their level of care to take in the full range of seniors’ housing needs.

“Research has shown the benefits of having seniors remain in the same facility throughout the course of their care,” she said. “If a senior is in community care setting, for example, where he or she needs light care and supervision and then suffers a health setback that requires more intensive nursing level care, the individual will often experience additional health problems – and sometimes death – if moved from one facility to another. Unfortunately, government manors only provide nursing level care, they don’t provide community care. So, if someone has to go to a manor, they usually have to transfer from a private sector home to the public facility – and it’s that transfer that can often produce disastrous results.”

“The provincial government should be providing the full continuum of of care rather than allowing the private sector to monopolize certain parts of the system.”

The NDP candidate criticized the Ghiz government for missing the boat when it let Charlotte Court in Charlottetown be re-developed b a private developer as part of P3 project (a Public-Private Partnership).

“The government should have taken advantage of the need to replace the old Charlotte Court to build an integrated seniors’ care complex, owned and operated by the people of Prince Edward Island,” she stated. “If they had, seniors could have moved from independent living arrangements in their own apartments to assisted living units to community care to, eventually, nursing level care. This would have occurred all in the same complex, while increasing the chances of preserving the health and safety of the seniors. Instead, they’ve let the private sector control things, with the profits going directly into private sector pockets.”

“It just goes to show where the priorities of the Ghiz government are!”