Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DECEMBER 8, 2009

CLIMATE CHANGE AT THE TOP OF DONNELLY`S AGENDA

OTTAWA– Today in the House of Commons, newly elected New Democrat Member of Parliament Fin Donnelly (New Westminster-Coquitlam) used his first statement to address the climate change crisis.

"This is a historic week in world history. Leaders from across the globe are converging on Copenhagen to discuss the state of our climate`, said Donnelly. "The decisions we make today will be remembered. The impacts felt by generations to come".

Dear friends,

Thank you for putting your trust in me to represent our community in the House of Commons. I promise you that I’m going to honour that trust by putting our community first and by being the strong voice this community deserves.

I’m going to put forward thoughtful and considered proposals for our community and our country. I’m not going to Ottawa to oppose just for the sake of opposition.

NDP candidate made salmon a key by-election issue, says Layton

OTTAWA – Today’s announcement of a judicial inquiry into the collapse of wild salmon stocks shows that NDP candidate Fin Donnelly is having an impact even before he gets elected, says NDP leader Jack Layton.

Layton noted that Donnelly and NDP west coast fisheries critic Peter Julian called for such an inquiry on Oct. 23. The call was backed by scientists and conservation groups, and the New Democrats have collected hundreds of petition signatures to support the inquiry.

New Democrat plan gives priority to workers’ pensions when companies go bankrupt

OTTAWA –Canadians who rely on company pensions for their retirement are being left out in the cold by firms underfunding their pension plans then declaring bankruptcy, New Democrat leader Jack Layton said today.

Voters deserve to know more about Dilworth’s views on HST and private health care,” says NDP candidate

New Democrat Fin Donnelly is urging his Conservative opponent in the New Westminster-Coquitlam and Port Moody by-election to attend the local candidate debates scheduled for later this week.

“Voters deserve to know more about Diana Dilworth’s position on the HST and health care privatization,” said Donnelly. “Unfortunately, she has not yet confirmed her attendance at a single public debate before an audience here in the riding.”

The federal New Democrats are calling for an immediate independent judicial inquiry into the catastrophic collapse of the Fraser River sockeye run to ensure that west coast salmon don’t go the way of Atlantic cod.

NDP Western Fisheries Critic Peter Julian and Fin Donnelly, NDP candidate in the New Westminster-Coquitlam by-election, say the inquiry is urgently needed to ensure the long-term viability of west coast salmon.

VANCOUVER - Federal New Democrats are calling for an immediate independent judicial inquiry into the catastrophic collapse of the Fraser River sockeye salmon stocks to ensure that west coast salmon don’t go the way of Atlantic cod.

NDP Western Fisheries Critic Peter Julian (Burnaby-New Westminster) and Fin Donnelly, federal NDP candidate in the New Westminster-Coquitlam by-election, say the inquiry is urgently needed to ensure the long-term viability of west coast salmon.

“We need a national housing strategy,” says NDP by-election candidate

NEW WESTMINSTER - COQUITLAM – Fighting homelessness will be a key issue in the New Westminster-Coquitlam by-election, NDP candidate Fin Donnelly said during National Homelessness Awareness Week.

“Homelessness is getting worse every year, and the Conservative government is doing absolutely nothing while the crisis deepens,” said Donnelly. “As a Member of Parliament I will make it a top priority to establish a national housing strategy.”

NEW WESTMINSTER - COQUITLAM – New Democrat by-election candidate Fin Donnelly (New Westminster-Coquitlam-Port Moody) held a townhall meeting today on the HST.

“I’ve knocked on doors in every corner of this community”, said Donnelly, “over and over again, people keep raising how upset they are with the HST”.

At today’s meeting, residents were given the opportunity to discuss the new Harmonized Sales Tax with Donnelly and Jack Layton, which will cost students, seniors and families hundreds of dollars more a year in new taxes.

NEW WESTMINSTER-COQUITLAM – Today’s by-election call will give voters in New Westminster, Coquitlam and Port Moody the chance to express their views on the HST, says NDP candidate Fin Donnelly.

“I welcome this election call,” said Donnelly. “I’ve heard from people throughout the community who say they want a chance to express their opposition to the Harper sales tax.