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Mackenzie Basin Master agreement
February 1st, 2012
Member’s Statement
Mr. Dennis Bevington (Western Arctic, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, in 1996, the federal government, the western provinces, Yukon and the Northwest Territories signed the Mackenzie River Basin Master Agreement. Out of this master agreement a number of bilateral agreements were to be completed, governing the quantity and quality of water moving along the Mackenzie River Basin. Fifteen years later, there are still no agreements.
In Alberta and the Northwest Territories, the lack of a bilateral agreement has meant that the rapid expansion of the oil sands is taking place without proper controls protecting these waters. This lack of control is of great concern to all northerners, particularly aboriginal people, many of whom live along the Mackenzie River.
Alberta and the federal government want to approve more capacity building by quickly approving the gateway pipeline. The Prime Minister and the Minister of Natural Resources want to simplify the environmental process to allow new developments clear sailing through these waters. However, they should assure the people of the north that basic agreements will be in place before the expansion of the oil sands.
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Mackenzie Basin Master agreement
Shut Out: Opposition MPs on Kyoto Decision
December 15, 2011
We were not welcome when minister Kent was announcing that Canada would not be part of a second Kyoto treaty.
Unfortunately, Canada's new majority Conservative government feels there is no need for different points of view regardless of how many facts support them.
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- Huffington Post Politics
Statement on Northern Aviation Safety
October 6th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, Northerners were devastated by the fourth airplane crash in only weeks.
On Tuesday, an Air Tindi Cessna 208 crashed on a scheduled flight from Yellowknife to Lutselk'e, killing the pilot and one passenger. This crash comes only days after the funerals for two pilots killed when an Arctic Sunwest Twin Otter crashed in Yellowknife's Old town, injuring seven others. The day after that crash, a single-engine Cessna crashed near Fort Simpson. Luckily the pilot walked away.
On August 12, a First Air 737 crashed near Resolute Bay killing 12 of the 15 on board. The crew of that aircraft was based in Yellowknife.
I am sure all members of the House will stand with me to extend their condolences to the families and friends of the victims of these crashes.
For northerners, flying is something they do all the time due to the isolation of our communities. They have no other choice. Understandably, they are concerned about the safety of northern aviation.
Last year, government officials promised to beef-up transport Canada's aviation safety inspection arm. My constituents want to know if the government has kept its promises.
Dennis Bevington MP Western Arctic
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- Statement on Northern Aviation Safety
National Family Week Statement October 3-9, 2011
September 30, 2011
The season of fall is here in the NWT, and across Canada. For Family week 2011, and as your Member of Parliament for the Western Arctic, I want to acknowledge my family and all the working families across the Northwest Territories.
Here in the North families play a key role in our cultural fabric, and the strength and wellness of our communities. I know I wouldn't be where I am today without the strength and moral support of my spouse, parents, siblings, children and grandchildren.
Have a safe, healthy and happy Family Week 2011!
Sincerely,
Dennis Bevington MP Western Arctic
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- National Family Week Statement
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- National Family Week
Arctic Sunwest Crash Statement
September 27th, 2011
The news of another tragic aviation crash has hit the Northwest Territories hard.
On behalf of my Constituents, and my colleagues in the House of Commons I wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the two victims of the Twin Otter crash in Yellowknife.
Also, my thoughts and prayers are with the survivors and their families. Flying is the main means for travel in our vast territory, and our economy depends heavily upon our aviation industry and service.
It has been a difficult month for our Northern pilots and Northern Aviation industry.
Sincerely,
Dennis Bevington MP Western Arctic
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- Arctic Sunwest Crash Statement
Statement in the House of Commons
September 20th, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ottawa - Today in the House of Commons, Dennis Bevington MP (Western Arctic) made the following statement recognizing a number of Northerners who have received national recognition for their work.
Statement in the House of Commons - Dennis Bevington
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate some NWT residents who have received national recognition this year.
Fort Smith's Slave River Journal was awarded the best all-round newspaper from the Canadian Community Newspaper Association in its circulation category.
Dr. Curtis Brown from the South Slave Divisional Education Council was given the Canadian Association of School Administrators Award as the best school superintendent in Canada.
Sylvia Clement, a 29-year-old single mother of two, was awarded the Council of the Federation 2011 Literacy Award for her work.
Di Ann Blesse was the winner of the Canadian Teachers' Federation Outstanding Aboriginal Educator Award.
Paul Bennett, principal of Yellowknife's J.H. Sissons School, was chosen as one of Canada's 32 outstanding principals.
Buffalo Airways won two Gemini Awards for the reality show, Ice Pilots.
All over the vast NWT, our residents work hard to build our territory. The results are exceptional, and these national awards recognize that.
Denis Bevington Member of Parliament
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- Statement in the House of Commons
- For More Information, please contact:
- Doug Johnson, Office of Dennis Bevington MP, 613-992-2131
Memorial Statement
August 27th, 2011
A memorial for Jack
Friends, you have gathered together today for a very sad but unique moment in the history of our country and our political system. We have lost a great Canadian, a leader in his prime of life one deeply engaged in a political journey of historic proportions.
To all Canadians, he was a recognition and a hope of what we can be as a people. He was brave, but humble, a powerful person, but a man for every Canadian.
I had the opportunity to know and work with jack Layton through two decades. When I first met him, as a fellow director on the Federation of Municipalities, his passion for progressive issues was apparent, whether it was social equality, the environment, or community development.
When we started at the FCM, it was an organization looking for purpose. When Jack left there, having served as the President, it was a highly successful dynamic part of Canadian society, with a unique Green Fund and a gas tax rebate serving every single community.
This kind of success got many peoples attention and eight years ago Jack won the contest for leadership of the Federal NDP. From the bottom up Jack transformed the Party, with his consensus building approach, with his tremendous organizational skills, his unfailingly sunny disposition, and his unwavering belief in progressive values.
Jack, we mourn you and miss you terribly. Your struggle was and remains our struggle to build a better Canada with no one left behind. Your vision was clear, your message virtuous, your life work stands as a beacon for all of us.
Let no person say that you did not care deeply for all of your life, your friends, family, career, your fellow Canadians. I know you loved life in all its ways, society, music, the land in its beauty. But I also know that in your heart burned a desire to create a better world for all people, a desire that transcended the frailty of life.
We mourn and grief for you today. Tomorrow, we can hope to carry forward with a measure of your spirit guiding us. Regardless of political stripe, as Canadians we are deeply grateful for your life.
Torn from this world before your time is a tragedy, for all of us. Your life however has been a glorious effort for which we will be ever grateful.
Denis Bevington Member of Parliament
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- A memorial for Jack
Statement by Dennis Bevington
Friday May 6th, 2011
For Immediate Release
Dear friends and constituents.
I want to thank all of you who supported and encouraged me across the NWT and throughout Canada in this most exciting and historic election of 2011.
It has meant that my colleagues and I in the NDP will have a much stronger role in Parliament as the Official Opposition. With 102 MP's we will be able to provide a very effective voice to stand up to a majority Conservative Government.
Once again it will be an honour and privilege to represent the people of the NWT in our Parliament, and as your representative, my job will continue to have many components.
From affordability of northern living, to the need for public investment in transportation and communities, to protection and improvement of our public health care, to caring for the environment, our team in Ottawa and the north will be working hard for you and your families.
Have a great spring and summer, and once again
mahsi cho, quyanainni, merci bien, thank you.
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Conservative budget cuts $300 million plus from the North
Tuesday April 5th, 2011
YELLOWKNIFE - Analysis of the Conservative Government's Expenditure Plan for fiscal year 2011-12 shows the Harper Conservatives plan to cut more than $300 million dollars from Northern programs this year.
"Where were the Northern Conservative MPs and Minister when this budget was being planned? Why did they fail to stand up for the North?" said Dennis Bevington, the New Democrat candidate currently seeking re-election in Western Arctic. "What we are seeing here is another example of why Northerners can't trust the Conservatives to look out for their needs."
A detailed analysis of the Government Expenditure Plan and Main Estimates conducted by New Democratic Party Researchers has found the following cuts:
AGENCY CUT
CanNor
Community Development funding $17,024,000
DIAND
Northern Land, Resources and Environmental Management $219,876,000
Grant for the advancement of scientific knowledge of the North $50,000
Contribution for promoting the safe use, development, conservation and protection of the North's natural resources $57,607,000
Contributions for promoting the political, social and scientific development of Canada's three territories $1,337,000
Contributions for promoting regional development in Canada's three territories $15,585,000
TOTAL CUTS $311,479,000
Below is a PDF copy of above statement
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Federal budget had northern program cuts: NDP external link
Statement by Dennis Bevington in the House of Commons
Wednesday March 23rd, 2011
Mr. Speaker, yesterday the government announced they were going to partially fund the building of a highway from Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk.
A project I've personally supported for a number of years and one that is in Environmental assessment at the request of Northerners. Great project, where's the money?
Unfortunately Mr. Speaker there is no money assigned to do this….nowhere in the government's detailed spending estimates is there a budget line for this highway.
What do we find in the main estimates…… a cut of 70 per cent to funds for the safe use, development, conservation and protection of the North's natural resources.
A 58 per cent cut to funding to promote the political, social and scientific development of the three territories.
Mr. Speaker Northerners remember how they promised Iqaluit a port but never delivered. We remember the armed ice-breakers now shelved and we remember a food-mail program which caused prices to climb. Hollow promises all.
Northerners won't be waiting for this new hollow promise to come true. If the Conservatives really want to help Northerners build this road then it should be in the detailed spending estimates.
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Below is a PDF copy of Mr. Bevington's statement
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Statement on the retirement of Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams
Thursday November 25th, 2010
Yellowknife, NT - Western Arctic MP Dennis Bevington had words of praise for the outgoing Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador. "Danny Williams has always been a strong leader and passionate advocate for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. He is a prime example of what a Premier or Regional leader should be, a person who stands up for their jurisdiction and their resources," said Bevington.
While Williams is a Progressive Conservative, he was also respected by NDP Leader Jack Layton. "Premier Williams has been an ally on national pharmacare initiatives as well as on the development of a national housing strategy. His willingness to work across provincial, federal and party lines to achieve the best results for those he represents is a model of what a good leader should be," said Layton in a statement released this morning.
Bevington added he will miss William's characteristic fighting spirit and his undeniable passion for his province.
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Below is a PDF copy of Mr. Bevington's statement
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Why I voted to kill the long-gun registry: a Northern perspective
For Immediate Release, Ottawa, ON
Monday September 27th, 2010
As many Northerners know, I am one of the New Democrat MPs who voted against the Liberal motion to abandon Conservative MP Candice Hoeppner's Bill (C-391) to eliminate the long-gun registry.
This was not something I relished. Bill C-391 was nothing more than a crude and blunt instrument designed solely to drive a wedge between rural and urban Canadians. As a proud member of a progressive party, led by a compassionate and brave leader, I sometimes feel that my motives are under fire, often by fine people with whom I agree with on all other issues.
Our riding of the Western Arctic is 50 per cent Aboriginal. The Dene, Métis and Inuvialuit people of the Northwest Territories continue to live a traditional lifestyle off the land as they have for thousands of years. The Northern Aboriginal lifestyle is protected under the Canadian Constitution and through treaties, some of which have only been signed within the last few years.
Aboriginal rights are very real to me. At all times they influence my thoughts and decisions. I believe in their nationhood as I believe in our nation.
Many other Northerners live in harmony with the land and harvest much of their food through hunting. I know that a gun is a tool in a sustainable harvest of irreplaceable value.
The government of the Northwest Territories has made it clear through words and actions that it does not support the long-gun registry. Our territory is one of what the RCMP euphemistically refer to as an '... opting out jurisdiction...' meaning the N.W.T does not participate in the National Fire Arms Program and has not appointed a chief firearms officer. Other 'opt-out jurisdictions' are Nunavut, the Yukon, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia.
The list of 'opting-out jurisdictions' is illustrative of the central problem with the long-gun registry, which is that in a country as vast and diverse as Canada, quite often one size does not fit all. The Liberals, in their haste to out-do the Kim Campbell Conservatives on gun control brought in the ham-fisted, poorly thought-out and incompetently implemented long-gun registry. By imposing a solution to an urban problem on rural Canada the Liberals helped build a right-wing momentum, the direct result of which has been the last four years of Conservative government.
Because of this cynical move by the Liberals we now have a situation where a criminal law is unevenly applied as the western provinces will not prosecute those who do not register their long guns. The RCMP report admits that the law is not enforced on reserves or Aboriginal communities in the provinces. These are untenable situations as they breed disrespect for the law and do nothing to promote peace, order and good government. Now with the Harper amnesty we have a situation where prosecution of registry offences depends upon the government in Ottawa, of the day. What is needed is a clearly thought out solution to this problem.
Unfortunately the level of debate on this issue has descended into the absurd. Due to this lack of dispassionate debate, both sides are responsible for the failure to find a solution which works for all Canadians. It is truly unfortunate that both sides prefer to play fast and lose with the truth rather than finding a solution.
For example a long-standing line on the long gun registry is that it is an exclusive federal jurisdiction and many point to the 2000 decision by the Supreme Court of Canada on a reference question from the province of Alberta as proof. This is really the opposite of what the court said.
The court was asked to rule on an appeal from the Alberta Court of Appeal which ruled that creating the long-gun registry is a legitimate and therefore constitutional use of Parliament's criminal law powers under Sec. 91(27) of the Constitution Act 1867. The court went on to say "the act does not significantly hinder the ability of the provinces to regulate the property and civil rights aspects of guns. Most provinces already have regulations dealing with hunting, discharge within municipal boundaries, and other aspects of firearm use, and these are legitimate subjects of provincial regulation." The court then goes on to cite several case law examples which support this finding.
Many say that any solution must apply equally across Canada. I remind them that "equal" does not mean "the same." We have a long tradition in Canada of finding solutions which respect the regional differences of this nation.
Firstly a solution must continue the national restriction of firearms whose main purpose is to kill and or maim human beings (handguns and military style rifles). Any solution must continue the criminal code provisions for licensing, handling and storage, safety training, and as well, the use of a gun in a crime. I would welcome federal legislation which increased the sanction, penalty or punishment for the dangerous use of any firearm.
Working with the provinces and territories the federal government could create a long-gun registry which uses the provinces' own powers Sec. 92(13) of the Constitution Act 1867, but is coordinated nationally, though still allowing the provinces and territories the option of how and if they will participate. This solution must also take into account the unique constitutional position of existing and emerging Aboriginal governments.
As such the existing long gun registry could continue, modified to meet regional needs, but would no longer be under the Criminal Code.
There would be a need for a transition period, the data in place for provinces that wish to opt in remaining intact and respecting continuity.
In our federation we do this in many policy areas. Whether we are talking building codes or health care, these are examples of a national standard adopted and modified to meet regional needs.
It is time to stop playing the political games engineered for divisive purposes. We have three party leaders in Parliament who have openly recognized the failings of the existing registry. Jack Layton and the NDP caucus are dedicated to improving our laws. As always we want to move Parliament forward. All Parliamentarians need to work towards solutions that are meaningful, that are respectful of our cultures and lifestyles, that will be universally accepted.
Below is a PDF copy of Mr. Bevington's statement
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"Celebrate International Women's Day," says Bevington
For Immediate Release, Ottawa, ON
Monday March 8th, 2010
Women and men across Canada and the globe recognize International Womens Day as a time to reflect upon and celebrate women's social, political and economic achievements, both globally and locally. In this country, much progress has been made since Canadians first marked International Women's Day in 1977.
Western Arctic MP Dennis Bevington says, "Unfortunately, There is still much work to be done. Women across the world continue to suffer extreme poverty, violence and violations of their basic human rights."
New Democrats believe that Canadian women deserve fairness, affordability, opportunity, equal pay for work of equal value, a decent standard of living, and the freedom to live without fear. We will continue to fight for equality.
"The NWT has many women in leading roles, such as former Premier and Inuvialuit leader Nellie Cournoyea, to our current Chief Medical Health officer Dr. Kami Kandola. I invite all Northerners to join me in celebrating International Women's Day and to speak out on the issues that matter to all women. We will never stop in our efforts to ensure the full and equal rights of all women."
Please contact Doug Johnson for media availability.
For more information contact: Legislative Assistant Doug Johnson at 613-992-2131
Below is a PDF copy of Mr. Bevington's statement
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Olympic Torch Run Members Statement
Western Arctic Member of Parliament Dennis Bevington made the following statement on the occasion of the Olympic Torch being in the Northwest Territories, in the House of Commons.
Thursday November 5th, 2009
OTTAWA - Mr. Speaker, today the Olympic torch is in the Northwest Territories, in Inuvik and Yellowknife. As one can imagine, Northerners have a special love of winter sports. Today allows them to show that love and to show their attachment to Canada.
Despite its small population, the NWT has been well represented on the Canadian Olympic team, most notably, Sharon and Shirley Firth of Inuvik. The Firths were members of Canadas national cross-country team for 17 years. Between them, they won 79 medals at national championships and competed in four Olympics.
The NWT also has aspiring Olympians like Brendan Green of Hay River, who just made the national biathlon team. Others are still trying for places on those teams.
As part of the Olympic celebrations, Dene and Inuvialuit athletes will be showcasing traditional games. As well, NWT Day is being celebrated on February 19.
I support and encourage all Northerners who aspire to Olympic greatness and I know so does the entire NWT.
Below is a PDF copy of Mr. Bevington's statement
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MP to take action to allow NWT to build highways
Bevington announces intention to amend NWT Act
Monday March 9th, 2009
OTTAWA - In a statement in the House of Commons today, Western Arctic Member of Parliament Dennis Bevington announced he will pursue legislative action to provide the Northwest Territories with clear jurisdiction over the construction of new highways.
In his members statement, Bevington said, "One of the hold-ups for completing the highway is the confusion over which government has the authority to build it. I will be consulting with Northerners during next weeks break on an amendment to the Northwest Territories Act, which will clearly place the jurisdiction for new highway construction with the Northwest Territories."
"In speaking with senior officials at Transport Canada it became clear that the issue of who has the authority to build new highways in the NWT needs to be cleared up," said Bevington. "Building the highway will bring as many jobs for Northerners as the pipeline its benefits will last for a long time. It will provide benefits to Northerners who will see increased economic development and a lowered cost of living and benefits Canadians as the highway will open up the North."
Section 16 of the Northwest Territories Act provides the territory with jurisdiction over the construction of new roads, streets, lanes or trails on public land.
"However, just having the jurisdiction will not be enough," said Bevington. "We will need infrastructure funding from Ottawa and I will continue to push for that as well. But the time is now to build the highway, we need to get moving."
Following discussions with NWT leaders Mr. Bevington will introduce into House of Commons a private members bill to amend the Northwest Territories Act.
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For More Information Contact:
Doug Johnson, Office of Dennis Bevington MP, 613-992-2131
Below is a PDF copy of Mr. Bevington's statement
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Statement by Dennis Bevington MP (Western Arctic) Budget Implementation Act, 2009
Wednesday February 11, 2009
Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak to the budget implementation bill, a bill that covers a budget which really has no vision or direction. It is a budget that represents a scattergun approach to stimulating the economy, one which, at the end of the day after a considerable sum of taxpayers money has been spent, will not have accomplished what is needed to be accomplished.
It was clear from the very beginning with the economic statement in December that this type of situation would happen, that we would be faced with a budget that simply would not do the job. We cannot expect Conservative ideology to turn around in two months. I am sorry, but that will not happen. We cannot expect that people who have built their dogmatic behaviour around the confines of neo-conservatism would use the finances of this country to provide what Canada needs.
We in the NDP knew that. That is why we formed the coalition in December. We knew very well that in January we would not get what was needed for this economy. Today we hear the Liberals say the same thing. They supported the Conservatives last week for political reasons, but today they are saying the same thing, that the budget is not adequate, that it is not enough. We knew that before. We did not have to wait until the budget was presented. We understand the Conservatives after three years in opposition to them in Parliament.
Once again we saw the mean-spiritedness of a government that would create a budget bill designed to stimulate the economy and get the economy working full of measures that have nothing to do with that, measures that really preserve the Conservative ideological base in this country, to pander to that type of support. We see that so clearly. Bill C-10 attacks women through its assault on pay equity. It really provides nothing for women who are out of work. We do not see any improvement in EI. We do not see a more understanding nature around child care. We do not see any of that vision that people who are going to be most disenfranchised during this downturn in the economy need to have.
It tears up collective agreements. My inbox was full of emails from RCMP officers in my riding in the Northwest Territories. They said that not only did the government cut the collective agreement for all of Canada, but it also picked on the extra money that is provided as support for the RCMP in carrying out law and order in very isolated places. I wish the Prime Minister and his cabinet would have gone into a grocery store in Inuvik before the election and looked at the prices of goods for northerners. Perhaps then they would understand what it means when there are cutbacks for the professionals who come in to take care of our communities and provide the services which we hear the Conservatives talk about so eloquently when it comes to taking credit for anything they do.
This budget weakens control on foreign ownership, especially Air Canada. The aviation industry is so transportable. Many of the workers can be replaced by people in other countries. The maintenance work can be done in places that will provide no benefit to our country. We need to hold on to the ownership of our aviation industry. That is not happening. This budget would actually change that. It attacks student loan recipients. How low do we want to go? How low do we take this? Today I am going to move away from that and talk about how the bill attacks the environment through its changes to the Navigable Waters Protection Act. I was in committee the other day when the minister took great pains to say how old this act was, that it dated from the time of our first prime minister. He seemed to have disdain for it because of its age, that this was a good reason to move on from it, to change to something different.
The fact that this law is one of the oldest on the books says to me how important the protection of Canadas waterways is. The role of a national government in protecting its waters dates well before Confederation. There were provisions in the Magna Carta protecting against the construction of fish weirs across the rivers in England. We know that from day one it is so important to look at how our rivers are being taken care of. Despite this historic precedent as to how important the role of a national government is in protecting water systems, the government wants to eviscerate protection for Canadas waterways. Under the changes the Conservatives want to make, rivers would only be considered navigable under the sole discretion of the minister. There would be no consultation, no forewarning and no appeal, not even any limitation on the type of waterway which could be excluded.
Under these amendments, it is conceivable the minister could declare that the St.Lawrence is not a navigable waterway. What kind of power and authority are we turning over to the minister in this regard? What is this about? We would also turn over to the minister the sole discretion to determine whether any proposed work would have an impact on navigation, once again without prior consultation, no warning and no appeal. With this type of amendment, large structures, such as dams across a river, depending on where they are located and which river they are on, could be considered as not having any impact on navigation.
The amendments give the minister the authority to change at any time the criteria used in assessing whether a waterway is navigable or whether a type of work may interfere with navigation, once again without the ability of Canadians to say anything about it, without any ability to appeal these types of decisions on these waterways which so many Canadians hold sacred.
Canadians identify with their rivers. They identify with the land, the water. Nature is so important to all of us. Why would Canadians want this type of legislation put in place? The minister said that these changes need to be made because the law has been holding up vital infrastructure projects. Can the minister name one project that has not gone ahead because of the Navigable Waters Protection Act?
Why has the Conservative government put this odious change to the laws which protect Canadas natural environment into a budget bill? Could it be because the Conservatives know Canadians will oppose these changes and will voice strong opposition? The Conservatives sneak it in through the back door knowing that the Liberals will support it in order to get the budget passed. This is how they are working.
When the Navigable Waters Protection Act was reviewed by the transport committee in the last Parliament, the committee recommended more consultations, especially with Aboriginal people, recreational users, anglers, canoeists, tourist operators, cottagers, and river advocacy groups. Only one group like that was represented in the committee discussions.
The government likes to say it is here for the people, but if it does not listen to the people, it is not here for them.
Another way the government is not listening is in its approach to stimulating the economy of the Northwest Territories. For years the people and the Government of Nunavut have been calling for a deep sea port at Iqaluit. Instead, the government is pouring $17 million into a harbour in Pangnirtung, on top of the already existing contribution of $8 million last year.
After the budget was released, the Premier of Nunavut asked about the funding and was told to use it or lose it, that a port in Iqaluit would take too long. Pangnirtung needs a small craft harbour and it should get an excellent one for $25 million, but all of Nunavut needs a harbour in Iqaluit as well, and that funding could have gone toward making that a reality. Why did they not do it? The Conservatives think they know better than the people of the north.
Below is a PDF copy of Mr. Bevington's statement
- PDF version
Statements by Members Dennis Bevington Western Arctic
Friday, June 20, 2008
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Liberals announced their carbon tax plan, which can only be characterized as a wont get it done plan.
As the British Columbia minister of the environment said, "They really are not actually taking the bull by the horns". As Dave Martin of Greenpeace said, "In our view, the[Liberal] plan really doesnt go far enough".
There are so many things wrong with this plan that it is hard to know where to start, but here are two. First, it has absolutely no targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; it does not even mention Kyoto. Second, there are no measures to encourage Canadians to embrace renewable energy.
All this plan would do is make Canadians, especially northerners and rural people, pay more, while large corporations continue business as usual.
This summer the NDP will be consulting with Canadians on how to best move forward with renewable energy. After listening to this, we will be putting forward a plan which would move Canada quickly toward a more renewable energy future, provide energy security, create new green collar jobs and, combined with our cap and trade plan, take real action to reduce greenhouse gases.
MP BEVINGTON ON NORTHERN POLICING FUNDING
April 9, 2008
Mr. Speaker, last night the RCMP in Fort Good Hope, Northwest Territories, peacefully ended an armed standoff. If this had happened in the community of Gameti, Northwest Territories, there would have been no police to respond.
The reason there are no police in Gameti, Colville Lake, Wrigley or Sachs Harbour is that Ottawa does not provide fair funding based on the real cost of government programs and services in the north.
The Conservatives are continuing this tradition. In the NWT, the so-called police officers recruitment fund covers about 75% of the cost of one constable, three-quarters of a crime fighter. The NWTs solicitor general says, "Were actually kind of disappointed at the allocation because its based on a per capita, with just a small top-up to the territories".
It should have been clear that more funding is needed after two officers were killed in the north. Just like the Liberals, the Conservatives talk a great line on the north but they will not walk the walk.
MP Bevington to Recognize Arctic Winter Games in Parliament
March 13, 2008
YELLOWKNIFE - Western Arctic Member of Parliament Dennis Bevington will make a statement in recognition of the 20th Arctic Winter Games in the House of Commons on March 14, at 1 p.m. MST (11 a.m. EST).
NDP MP Bevington to comment on appointment of Neil McCrank
November 26, 2007
OTTAWA - On November 27, 2007, NDP MP Dennis Bevington (Western Arctic) will make a statement in the House of Commons concerning the appointment of former Alberta Energy and Utilities Board Chairman Neil McCrank as the Ministers Special Representative for Northern Regulatory Reform.
For more information, please contact:
Doug Johnson, Office of Dennis Bevington, 613-992-2131
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