[LabComm] NDP News This Week

[BC NDP Newswire]

NDP News This Week



March 24, 2006

<strong>B.C. Liberals must make Child Care Action Plan public</strong>

VICTORIA -- The B.C. Liberal government must make its Childcare Action Plan public and end uncertainty about the future of childcare for B.C. families, NDP childcare critic Diane Thorne said today. 

Last year, the province signed a five-year funding agreement with the federal government for childcare, worth over $600 million. As part of that deal, the province committed to consult the public and develop a Childcare Action Plan for British Columbia. The NDP is calling on the Campbell government to table that plan and publish the results of those consultations. 

"Last fall the government engaged parents, childcare providers and communities in a public consultation on childcare," said Thorne. "British Columbians volunteered their time and their energy for this process, and they are waiting for this government to follow through on its promise to deliver a plan. They are looking to this government to provide leadership, and the government has not delivered." 

To read the rest of the story, click <a href="http://nid-16003.newsdetail.bc.ndp.ca/">here</a>.

--------------------

March 24, 2006

<strong>Laura Nichols begins work as NDP's new Provincial Secretary</strong>

BURNABY -- Laura Nichols, former Provincial Secretary of the Alberta NDP, has begun serving the BC NDP as the Party's director. 

Nichols is succeeding Gerry Scott, who served as Provincial Secretary since 2003. 

Nichols will be returning to her roots in BC. Born and raised in Squamish, she has a long history with the NDP and British Columbia. Nichols has worked as Chief of Staff to federal NDP leader Alexa McDonough, and as the Leader's Tour Coordinator for the last two federal elections for Jack Layton as well as the Carole James BC NDP 2005 provincial election tour. Nichols also provided outreach coordination and public consultation planning served for the office of Premier Mike Harcourt.

To read the rest of the story, click <a href="http://nid-16007.newsdetail.bc.ndp.ca/">here</a>.

--------------------

March 23, 2006

<strong>James criticizes "accountability gap" at BC Ferries</strong>

VICTORIA – Concerns around the safety of BC Ferries northern fleet remain in the wake of the tragic sinking of the Queen of the North, and point to the need for more accountability at BC Ferries, NDP Leader Carole James said.

"There is a very real accountability gap with B.C. Ferries," said James. "It's no longer subject to freedom-of-information requests.  And It's no longer subject to reviews by the Auditor General, despite the fact that taxpayers have put over half a billion dollars into that corporation since 2003."

James challenged Gordon Campbell's government to restore accountability by opening the operations of BC Ferries to Freedom of Information requests and oversight by the Auditor-General.

"There is a major disaster on our coast. There are questions surrounding the government's discussion on the corporation regarding the state of the northern fleet -- questions that deserve answers."

To read the rest of the story, click <a href="http://www.legis.gov.bc.ca/hansard/38th2nd/H60322p.htm">here</a>.

--------------------

March 23, 2006

<strong>NDP Calls for inquiry into impact of deregulation on worker safety</strong>

VICTORIA -- An independent inquiry is needed to investigate the impact of the government's deep cuts to regulations on worker safety in B.C., NDP MLA Chuck Puchmayr said today. 

An independent inquiry is needed to investigate the impact of the government's deep cuts to regulations on worker safety in B.C., NDP MLA said today. 

Puchmayr's call for an investigation comes on the heels of a series of accidents involving logging trucks, as reported by the forest sector this week. The Opposition has been raising the issue of forest worker safety for months, and is renewing its call for an independent investigation of the issue. 

"An independent inquiry will bring all the necessary stakeholders together -- including Worksafe BC, workers from the field, employers, and industry representatives -- to deal with this serious issue," said Puchmayr. "Each of these groups must be at the table in order to have full and complete consideration of the impact of these regulatory cuts on the safety of B.C. workers." 

To read the rest of the story, click <a href="http://nid-16005.newsdetail.bc.ndp.ca/">here</a>.

--------------------

March 21, 2006

<strong>Who's in charge at MCFD?</strong>

VICTORIA -- During debate on the Ministry of Children and Family Development's budget last night, Minister Stan Hagen once again appeared to be out of the loop on important developments within his portfolio, Children and Family Development Critic Adrian Dix said today. 

"British Columbians need to know that Stan Hagen is actually on top of his important file and in charge of the ministry," said Dix. "Unfortunately, Mr. Hagen's shaky answers and obvious deflections show that he is floundering in his role and that others have taken charge. The Minister is shrinking away from his duties and allowing the Premier's Office to run the show." 

To read the rest of the story, click <a href="http://nid-15993.newsdetail.bc.ndp.ca/">here</a>.

--------------------

March 21, 2006

<strong>NDP welcomes new employment standards after years of B.C. Liberal cuts</strong>

VICTORIA -- After years of deep cuts to employment standards for B.C. workers, the New Democrat Opposition is welcoming legislation that provides employees compassionate care leave. 

Bill 8 proposes amendments to the Employment Standards Act that would allow employees to take up to eight weeks paid leave to care for an immediate family member. In order to be eligible for this leave, the worker must obtain a physician's certificate, verifying that the family member is likely to die within 26 weeks. 

Chuck Puchmayr, Opposition critic for Labour, has tabled an amendment to the Bill that will provide additional leave to workers who are caring for sick children. 

To read the rest of the story, click <a href="http://nid-16004.newsdetail.bc.ndp.ca/">here</a>.

-30-

To unsubscribe or change your settings go to: http://www.e-2ve6y.signup2.bc.ndp.ca/
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://bcfed.net/pipermail/labcomm/attachments/20060324/3c400d6c/attachment.html>