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Nanaimo News Now: Housing headlines federal NDP B.C. caucus meeting in Nanaimo

Barron accused the Liberals of using housing “as a commodity” while suggesting proposals from the federal Conservatives failed to look at issues around affordability.  She said a moratorium needs to be put in place to prevent corporate landlords “swooping in” to purchase low-cost units.

“We know at one point we had a government where our federal government did invest in co-op housing, social housing, we need to see that happening again.”

Barron’s comments were echoed by caucus chair and Vancouver East MP Jenny Kwan who said the issue dates back to the 1980s and 1990s when the private sector was embedded in the real estate and housing market.

“These are corporate landlords that are coming in and they started to buy up the existing, private, low-cost rental apartments. When they buy them up, it’s not like they’re fixing them up and putting them on the market at the same rate. They’re jacking up the rent, evicting people…and escalating the housing crisis.”

Statement on IRCC’s sudden stopping priority processing for Hongkongers

MP Jenny Kwan's statement on IRCC’s sudden stopping priority processing for Hongkongers:

Global News: Foreign interference: CSIS told B.C. premier it can’t share intelligence, documents show

The notes of the meeting show that while the premier wanted to know more so his government could respond with policies and legislation, the CSIS official explained his agency reported only to “one client”: the federal government.

Otherwise, CSIS was prohibited by law from disclosing classified intelligence, the official said. “The province doesn’t know what the province doesn’t know,” the official added, according to notes taken by the premier’s staff.

The meeting highlighted what some see as a critical weakness in Canada’s fight against foreign interference: although provincial and municipal governments are key targets of China, they are not in the intelligence loop.

Media Release: Justin Trudeau sits idly by while Conservative premiers promote for-profit clinics

Justin Trudeau sits idly by while Conservative premiers promote for-profit clinics

NDP Health critic Don Davies issued the following statement:

Media Release: NDP frustrated by Liberals’ fossil fuel subsidies plan

NDP frustrated by Liberals’ fossil fuel subsidies plan

NDP Critic for Climate Change and Environment, Laurel Collins, made the following statement:

CBC: The House’s summer series, Backbencher’s Backyards

Interviewed by Anne Penman for The House’s summer series, Backbencher’s Backyards.  Despite someone yelling “You don’t belong here Jenny Kwan. Communist pig, go home!" while Jenny and Anne were discussing the impact of foreign interference and racism, "I know in my heart that this is not a true reflection of Van East.”

Media Release: Federal government must uphold its human rights obligations and secure a landfill search

Federal government must uphold its human rights obligations and secure a landfill search

Leah Gazan, the MP for Winnipeg Centre and NDP Critic for Women and Gender Equality, released the following statement:

Hill Times: Canadians do have a choice: they have the NDP

As opposition, the NDP has tried to make Parliament work for Canadians. This is in direct contrast in both substance and style to the Conservatives.

The supply-and-confidence agreement reached with the Liberals over a year ago was an exchange of promises. Under ordinary conditions, the NDP wouldn’t fold Parliament for the sake of an election if the Liberals agreed to implement some key NDP policies. The national dental plan is a direct result of that agreement: making Parliament work for Canadians.

The NDP has seen a small rise in polling numbers, but if an election were to be called this fall—or in a year from now—its actions would certainly be viewed positively by Canadians. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh’s stature has risen as a direct result.

In an election, the Liberals would find it less than easy to condemn the NDP, with whom they have been partners. Many political disagreements make the relationship between the NDP and the Conservatives difficult. The stance on women’s abortion rights being one of them. 

 

CTV News: 'We're not there yet': LeBlanc on status of foreign interference public inquiry

Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc says while the federal government is "not there yet" when it comes to launching some form of public inquiry into foreign interference, "constructive and collaborative" conversations are continuing — with more scheduled in the days ahead.

The minister taking the lead on the file told reporters that he met with senior officials from the Privy Council Office on Monday, has plans to meet again "in the next couple of days" with opposition party House leaders, and spoke to an opposition party leader over the weekend.

"We have made significant progress," LeBlanc said during a press conference in New Brunswick.

CTV News: Emergency visa applications for Ukrainians fleeing war to end Saturday

The decision to close applications sends "the wrong message" to Ukrainian people and the international community, NDP immigration critic Jenny Kwan said in a statement Friday.

She also chided the government for delays in announcing a long-awaited plan to offer permanent residency to Ukrainians with family tries to Canada, which Fraser first promised more than a year ago.

Fraser said last month that the program would launch soon, but he has yet to make an announcement.