December 5, 2008

HARPER SHUTS DOWN PARLIAMENT WHILE UNEMPLOYMENT HITS RECESSION LEVELS
This underscores need for a coalition government, say labour and civil society leaders

Ottawa, ON – Labour and civil society leaders today issued the following statement:

We express great disappointment that Prime Minister Stephen Harper shut down Parliament at a time when unemployment has reached a level not seen since the recession twenty six years ago, effectively eliminating any opportunity for urgent action on the economy. According to Statistics Canada, almost 71,000 workers lost their job in November - the worst single-month drop since June, 1982.

We remain resolute in our support of parliamentarians who want to exercise the democratic right that has been bestowed upon them by voters on October 14.

We ask the Prime Minister; how are the thousands of families going to get the help they need at this critical time of year, when their elected parliamentarians have been denied the opportunity to advance solutions?

Thousands of people from St. John’s to Vancouver have sent a clear message that only a coalition government could bring forward an economic stimulus plan that would help families and the key sectors of the economy such as automotive and forestry, which are among the hardest hit. Thousands more will hit the streets this weekend to send Mr. Harper a clear message that he will not succeed in blocking the will of the majority of citizens.

Unemployed workers don’t have food to put on their tables, or funds to pay their bills. Instead they have to contend with the deplorable behaviour of a Prime Minister who inflamed divisions and insulted Quebecers in order to hold on to his job.

Citizens are determined to ensure that the Coalition Government has an opportunity to govern at the earliest opportunity. This coalition truly represents the majority of voters, and its parliamentarians are prepared to set aside their partisanship in the interest of the country.

We respectfully urge Mr. Harper not to spin any more self-serving tales this holiday season. But if he does, we are ready to counter with the truth. We will also bring forth meaningful ideas to help those working families who find themselves in desperate circumstances during his economic crisis.

Signatories:

Paul Moist, National President, Canadian Union of Public Employees
Dave Coles, President, Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada
Denis Lemelin, National President, Canadian Union of Postal Workers
Dean Lindsay, National Coordinator, Canadian Auto Workers
Steven Staples, President, Rideau Institute
John Urquhart, Executive Director, Council of Canadians
Peggy Mason, Former Ambassador to the UN for Disarmament

- 30 -

---

 

November 28, 2008

An Urgent Message to Stéphane Dion and Jack Layton: Only a Coalition Government Can Provide the Leadership Canada Needs

Dear Leaders,

We, the undersigned, write to you during this time of economic crisis to urge that you set aside all partisan considerations in favour of decisive action to help Canadians who are suffering and whose livelihoods are in jeopardy.

At this critical moment, a coalition government would be the most capable of delivering the kind of stewardship the economy needs, and the least likely to put partisan interests ahead of responsible government.

Barely five weeks after promising to work cooperatively with the opposition parties – representing a majority of voters – Prime Minister Harper failed to deliver a plan to halt the devastation being wrought upon hard working families. Instead his Conservative government is using the crisis to attack the democratic process, violate the rights of public servants to bargain collectively and end pay equity. Canada now stands alone as the only government in the western world without a coherent economic stimulus plan.  The Harper government talks of balancing the budget by selling off assets and restraining spending, the exact opposite of the stimulus response that virtually all economists and many others are arguing is necessary.

Time is of the essence. You have an unprecedented opportunity to deliver to citizens a coalition that is capable of putting aside partisan ploys and to work cooperatively and swiftly in the interests of all.

Despite Mr. Harper’s contentions, the outrage of citizens and opposition parties is not about public funding of political parties, but rather, it is about a Conservative plan that would actually deepen our country’s economic crisis. The Harper government’s taking party funding off the table should not be a reason for backing down from your efforts to construct a coalition government.

Please be assured that we all stand ready to offer constructive ideas on ways to help workers, their families and communities weather this storm and emerge stronger than ever.

Sincerely,

Paul Moist, National President, Canadian Union of Public Employees
Ken Lewenza, President, Canadian Auto Workers
Dave Coles, President, Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada
Denis Lemelin, National President, Canadian Union of Postal Workers
Alex Dagg, National Co-Director, UNITE HERE Canada
Bruce Campbell, Executive Director, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
John Urquhart, Executive Director, Council of Canadians
Mel Watkins, Emeritus Professor of Economics, University of Toronto
Peggy Mason, Former UN Ambassador for Disarmament
Mel Hurtig, Author and former publisher
Steven Staples, President, Rideau Institute
Anton Kuerti, O.C.
Christine Jones and Collette Lemieux, Co-Chairs, Canadian Peace Alliance
Laura Savinkoff, Boundary Peace Initiative
Ali Mallah, Canadian Arab Federation

 

Online Poll: Do you support Opposition efforts to form a coalition government?

Yes:
No:

View poll results

updated December 5, 2008