OTTAWA – This week, in a cross-country launch, the Green Party of Canada unveiled a series of key policies that together would work to bring Canada out of the current structural deficit and into a new green economy.  “I am here on Parliament Hill, where all MPs should be, to continue the important conversation started by the Parliamentary Budget Officer. Our country suffers from a triple deficit –- fiscal, ecological and democratic. It’s no time to shut down discussion,” said Leader Elizabeth May.

A key piece of the Green Party economic recovery plan is a tax cut in the form of lowering EI and CPP contributions and deductions.  “In our plan, EI and CPP contributions/deductions will be cut by one third and replaced with revenues from the carbon tax,” said Deputy Leader Jacques Rivard.  “This will put taxes on polluters and not on small businesses who want to hire people.”

Parliamentary Budget Officer Kevin Page has released analysis showing that the Harper government has created a structural deficit.  The Conservatives have pledged not to raise taxes; however, they do plan to raise payroll taxes.  “Increasing the amount of EI deductions and contributions for employers and workers hurts Canada’s economic recovery and depresses new job creation.  We need to make it easier to hire people, not harder,” said May.  “The Green Party plan would reduce the deficit by $36 billion — $5.2 billion more by 2012-2013 than the Harper government, without a job-killing increase on EI payments as planned by the Harper government for 2011.”

Harper’s plan will leave a huge and structural deficit.  “We need new ideas that will benefit all Canadians,” said Deputy Green Leader Adriane Carr.  “The Green Party wants to open a national conversation based on the latest Parliamentary Budget Officer’s report.  The government needs to hear what direction Canadians want the country to go in—and the Green Party believes that direction should make job creation a top priority.”

Employment for youth is a key policy in the Green vision.  Greens would fund local Community and Environment Service Corps Youth Programs that would provide employment nation-wide for 40,000 youth per year, with the additional benefit of a $4,000 tuition credit for those who complete the program.  “Young people just starting their careers face special challenges during a recession,” said Carr.  “They don’t yet have the work experience to compete strongly for scarce jobs and yet need a job to become experienced. They are in a Catch-22.    That is why they deserve special federal programs to ensure a solid start to their working life.  This investment will only serve to strengthen our economy in the long run.”

The Greens also propose to cancel planned corporate tax cuts scheduled to come on stream from 2010-2012, thereby reducing current deficit projections by $3.3 million, $2.8 billion and $5.2 billion in successive years.  “We are sharing our plan with Parliamentary Budget Officer Kevin Page and welcome his response. We may not yet have all the right answers but we want to advance the collective effort of all Canadians to address the deficits that threaten our children’s future – fiscal, ecological and democratic.”

“We need now to climb out of this recession, but we shouldn’t do it by repeating the mistakes of the past.  It is time for new, fresh and green ideas,” concluded May.

CHECK OUT THE GREEN PARTY OF CANADA’S PLATFORM AT:

Green vision

I attended the rally yesterday for Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament. It was heartwarming to see all the people who supported this. We had hoped for 50 and got 125 concerned Oshawa citizens to put “feet on the pavement”. Our MP wasn’t there but his assistant watched from down the street. Maybe the numbers or the speeches didn’t impress him but I was impressed. I know there are many more like-minded people who were unable to come out or who thought they’d wait and see how this rally went and they’ll attend the next one. It went very well and I for one was honoured to be part of this movement. Lots of picture taking so watch for some to be posted here.

The repatriation for Canada’s latest war casualty will be held Tuesday afternoon, at CFB Trenton.

Sergeant John Faught, of Sault Ste. Marie, was killed Saturday after stepping on an improvised explosive device. He was 44.

Sgt. Faught was based in Edmonton with the the 1st Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.

Gail Bates and the Oshawa Federal Green Party Association would like to extend their deepest condolences to the family and friends of Sgt. Faught. Please join us in honouring Sgt. Faught as he returns home on Tuesday by joining us on the Simcoe St. bridge in Oshawa at approx. 3:00pm.

The Oshawa Federal Green Party Association held their annual general meeting on January 16th. It was great to see so many turn out to support the Green Party in the Oshawa area. The Association would like to shout out a warm welcome to all the new members who signed up on Saturday and we look forward working with you in the future. A new executive committee was established to lead us in 2010. The new team is as follows:

Chief Executive Officer – Gail Bates

Financial Agent – Blaine Leal

Administrative Chair – Mike Pellegrino

Membership Chair – Allan Cowling

   Member at Large – Brad Hogg

Organizing Chair – Anji Dimitriou

Member At Large – Jane Currie

The new executive committee reviewed and filled the vacant positions at their next Executive Meeting which was helded at 13 John St W. Oshawa, Ontario Thursday January 21 at 7:30 P.M. Campaign meetings will be gearing up beginning in February and held every Tuesday, the first being held February 2nd 7:30 P.M. at East Side Marios in the Oshawa Centre. This meeting is non formal and is set to discuss ideas and plans for an upcoming election.

Once again the new executive committee is looking forward to working with you all, contact information for each member will be posted as soon as registration with Elections Canada is complete.

A devasting earthquake has hit the nation of Haiti tonight causing severe damage and loss of life. Gail Bates and the Oshawa Federal Green Party Association would like to extend our condolences to those affected by this tragedy. We urge everyone to offer what they can in the way of support to this tiny nation. Our thoughts and prayers are also with our fellow Canadians who are personally affected by this through family and friends living there. Let us show the world the true spirit of Canadians and do our best to extend what we can in the way of aid. We urge the Canadian government to immediately begin organizing resources and come to the assistance of our Carribean neighbour.

Canadians concerned about loved ones in Haiti are being asked to call the Department of Foreign Affairs emergency operation centre at 1 (800) 387-3124, or inquire by email at sos@international.gc.ca. Canadians requiring assistance in Haiti are being asked to contact embassy officials by calling (613) 996 – 8885, this can be a collect call.

Canadians are starting to wake up to the fact that our government is more of a dictatorship rather than a collaboration of all politicians, which would be a reasonable way to run a minority government. To show the Harper minority they have gone too far this time and we won’t take it any more, thousands of Canadians are joining rallies in their cities and are preparing to march on Jan.23rd at our MPs offices. Oshawa will participate in a march on Simcoe St. in front of Colin Carrie’s constituency office. We will be co-ordinating with the Whitby march at Jim Flaherty’s office. Please join us. Show our MPs how you feel. Sign up on the facebook site – Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament Whitby/Oshawa chapter and stay tuned here to get more information about times and meeting places.

OSHAWA FEDERAL GREEN PARTY ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

JANUARY 16TH 2010  2:00 – 4:00 PM.

13 JOHN ST WEST

OSHAWA, ONTARIO L1H 1W8

( inclement weather date January 17th!)

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ABOUT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING PLEASE CONTACT US!!!