David Akin’s On The Hill

1-05-13 Resolution on Strengthening VIA Rail

Submitted by Scarborough Centre

BE IT RESOLVED that the following clause be added to Section 1.3 of the policy book:

(1.3 Physical infrastructure and transportation)

New Democrats believe in:

a) Strengthening VIA Rail with its own legislation guaranteeing it ongoing capital and operating

funding

MP Mike Sullivan (York South-Weston) speaks in favour.

Motion passes.

1-17-13 Resolution on Pay Equity

Submitted by London—Fanshawe, London West

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following clause be added to section 1.6 in the policy book

1.6.e. Implementing the recommendations of the 2004 Pay Equity Task Force and establish a proactive pay equity regime, enshrined in law.

This motion was spoken to by MPs Irene Matthyssen (London-Fanshaw) and Niki Ashton (Churchill)

Motion passes.

 

The NDP convention debated the following motion :

 

1-03-13 Resolution on Protecting Supply Management

Submitted by Longueuil—Pierre-Boucher, Welland

WHEREAS Supply Management is a longstanding bedrock of our rural communities and agricultural

industry, ensuring liveable farm incomes, high product quality, and domestic food security.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Section 1.9 (g) of the policy book be amended as follows:

New Democrats believe in:

Resolutions // 2

g. maintaining supply managed dairy, eggs, and poultry, and the farm incomes they support. New

Democrats will work to ensure that in any new trade agreement, our successful system of supply

management is upheld.

 

NDP agriculture critic MP Malcolm Allen (Welland)  spoke in favour of this motion.

Third resolution debated at Panel 1 on Friday afternoon at the NDP 2013 Convention:

1-53-13 Resolution on Employment Insurance

Submitted by Acadie-Bathurst

WHEREAS seasonal industries comprise a dynamic, essential part of Canada’s identity and economy;

WHEREAS Canadian workers and their employers make EI contributions and are the owners of the

program;

BE IT RESOLVED that the NDP move to restore the integrity of Canada’s EI program by amending the

Employment Insurance Act to include the following measures:

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Conservative government must hire adequate staff to administer

Service Canada programs efficiently and substantially reduce wait times.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the government should change the Working While on Claim regulation

so that EI claimants are not dissuaded from working during their benefit period.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the NDP lobby the government to overturn the devastating changes

made to the EI program which limit access and lower benefits, resulting in lower wages and restricted

access and increasingly pushing vulnerable Canadians into poverty and transferring the costs to the

provinces.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the NDP lobby the government to reinstate the Extended Employment

Insurance Benefits Pilot Project (5 additional weeks) to offset the “black hole” of financial insecurity faced

by seasonal workers and the regional economies they support.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the NDP lobby the government to restore access to the board of

referees and the umpire so that all Canadians have access to a fair and equitable appeal system, as was

the case prior to the devastating changes made to the Employment Insurance program.

————

Debate began at 1656 ET.

Yvon Godin, Acadie-Bathurst, speaks to this motion. He is in favour.

Now a delegate saying this resolution does not go far enough. Says it does not protect older workers. “Some of these motions are not well thought out.”

Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles MP Anne-Marie Day also speaking to this motion.

 

MOTION PASSES —

 

 

 

The NDP convention is debating this resolution:

1-02-13 Resolution on Attacks on the Trade Union Movement

Submitted by Hamilton Mountain

WHEREAS the Harper government has imposed back to work legislation on numerous unions

representing Postal Workers, Air Canada Workers, and Canadian Pacific Workers and;

WHEREAS the Harper government’s 2012 federal budget will directly cut 19,000 federal public service

jobs over the next three years and;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Federal New Democratic Party reaffirm its commitment to free

open scope collective bargaining and will continue to oppose any federal government administrative or

legislative measures to impose collective agreements on federal public sector workers and workers in the

private sector.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Federal New Democratic Party continue to support the Rand

Formula and will oppose any initiative or legislation that will undermine the Rand Formula.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a New Democratic Government will revoke Bill C-377 an Act to amend

the Income Tax Act [Labour Organizations].

 

No one spoke against this motion. Union leaders spoke to the plenary in favour. No MPs spoke to this motion.

“Weak unions won’t grow our economy. Weak unions just more money in the hands of the 1 per cent,” PSAC leader tells delegates.

MOTION PASSES

 

 

 

 

Here’s the first resolution being debated at the NDP Leadership Convention:

1-01-13 Resolution on Combatting Tax Shelters Continue reading NDP Convention: Combatting Tax Shelters resolution