Judy Foote, MP

PRIME MINISTER HARPER MUST BE HELD TO ACCOUNT

Judy Foote, Member of Parliament for Random-Burin-St. George’s, insists the prime minister come clean and tell Canadians what he really knew and when he knew it, regarding the secret payment of $90,000 made by his former Chief of Staff Nigel Wright to Conservative Senator Mike Duffy.  “The recent revelations about ethical misconduct in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) are outrageous and completely unacceptable,” said Foote.  “Canadians deserve full disclosure by the Harper government, and to date the prime minister, and members of his inner circle, have failed to provide answers to valid questions.”

According to Foote, the Liberal Party has tabled a motion in the Ethics Committee requesting the prime minister, former and current senior PMO staffers, as well as Conservative Senate leaders and Senator Mike Duffy appear before the committee as witnesses so these outstanding questions will be answered.  “We have an obligation, on behalf of all Canadians, to get to the bottom of this scandal,” said Foote.  “While Prime Minister Harper would prefer to dodge questions on this issue, Canadians expect the truth.”

“This is about unethical, and possibly illegal, behaviour in the prime minister’s inner circle,” said Foote.  “In his recent remarks, the prime minister blew off the scandal as a mere distraction, and failed to answer for his actions, and the actions of his staff and caucus members.  Canadians deserve better. They deserve transparency and accountability from their government.”

Over the past year, the prime minister has lost three ministers, two senators and one chief of staff to scandals.  Foote maintains “Stephen Harper is known for micromanaging his government, yet the Conservatives now expect us to believe the prime minister knew nothing about the scheme concocted by his closest advisor.”

“Nigel Wright`s explanation of his actions has only served to raise more questions.  Senator Duffy must be required to disclose what was in the secret deal from which he benefitted, and the prime minister must answer questions about the role he played in this scandal.  Leaving the country to avoid dealing with the matter won’t satisfy Canadians.”

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For more information, please contact:

Judy Foote, M.P.

(709) 832-1383

CONTRARY TO PRIME MINISTER’S STATEMENT EI CHANGES TARGETING SEASONAL WORKERS

Judy Foote, Member of Parliament for Random-Burin-St. George’s, maintains that seasonal workers continue to bear the brunt of Conservative changes to Employment Insurance (EI).  “Recently, Prime Minister Harper visited Prince Edward Island, and claimed ‘There is nothing, absolutely nothing, in our changes that targets seasonal industries or seasonal workers or requires anybody to leave their region to get a job.’  The truth of the matter is, in order to meet the government’s EI requirements, many people are being forced to leave their communities to find work,” said Foote. “The prime minister is misleading in his remarks by making reference to a region instead of a community because he knows if people don’t accept work outside the community in which they live, they will face the consequences imposed by the changes to EI.”

Under the new Conservative rules, EI claimants must accept whatever work is available, even if it pays up to 30 per cent less than their previous salary and is located as far as 100 kilometers from their home.  According to Foote, “These changes clearly target EI applicants who avail of EI benefits seasonally, which means seasonal industries are also being targeted.  As a result, not only are people being forced to move, but employers are also being left without access to a reliable trained workforce.”

Since the Conservative changes to EI took effect in January, a growing number of Canadians, including several provincial premiers, as well as the Roman Catholic bishops in Atlantic Canada, have protested the changes and called on the Harper government to reverse their decision.  Foote shares this concern, and says “The Conservatives implemented these drastic changes to EI without consulting the provinces, and they continue to ignore the fundamental importance of seasonal industries.”

In provinces such as Newfoundland and Labrador, where seasonal industries are vital to the local economy, these changes to EI are having an especially harmful effect.  Foote asserts the Harper government should be doing more to grow the local economy and help create jobs.  “Rather than punishing Canadians who are unemployed through no fault of their own, the Conservatives should be taking immediate action to enable seasonal workers to make a decent living for their families,” said Foote.  “The best way to combat unemployment is with new jobs, and the continuation of existing jobs, not forcing people to leave their homes to find work elsewhere in the country.”

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For more information, please contact:

Judy Foote, M.P.

(709) 832-1383

Foote Welcomes Funding

Member of Parliament for Random-Burin-St. George’s, Judy Foote, is pleased three towns in the riding will receive funding under the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF). In Eastern Canada, the funding program is administered by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).

Donald C. Jamieson Freedom Park in Burin Bay Arm has received funding to carry out upgrades to the facility. “Last fall, on Build Day, I joined more than 500 people from around the Burin Peninsula in helping complete phase 1 of Freedom Park,” said Foote.  “The completion of each new phase will enhance the facility and make it that much more attractive, offering more opportunities for those who use it to benefit even more.”

Elizabeth Swan Park in Clarenville will see the relocation of the stage and multipurpose building. “The Park is central to the social life of the community and improvements to this venue will allow the town to continue to host a wide variety of activities and programs for all ages,” said Foote.

The Marystown Arena will see upgrades to the ceiling and roof, the installation of a new compressor, dehumidifier and improved lighting. “It is important we invest in facilities like the Marystown Arena that offer programs which promote the physical, emotional and social well-being of people,” said Foote.

“I am pleased these three towns will receive funding to carry out upgrades to these facilities which are so important in the communities and used extensively. I will continue to press on behalf of other communities in the riding which would also benefit from funding to carry out improvements to their facilities as well.”

The Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF) will be in effect until March 31, 2014. The program provides funding to improve existing community infrastructure.

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For more information, please contact:

Judy Foote, M.P.
(709) 832-1383

LABRADORIANS SEND MESSAGE TO HARPER CONSERVATIVES

Judy Foote, Member of Parliament for Random-Burin-St. George’s, is looking forward to working alongside Yvonne Jones in the House of Commons.  Jones’ impressive victory over three [...]

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ANOTHER TRAGEDY POINTS TO NEED FOR SEARCH AND RESCUE TO BE A PRIORITY

Judy Foote, Member of Parliament for Random-Burin-St. George’s, is questioning whether the tragic death of former Innu Nation Grand Chief, Joseph Riche, could have been avoided [...]

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CONSERVATIVES WASTE MILLIONS ON AD CAMPAIGN

Judy Foote, Member of Parliament for Random-Burin-St. George’s, is criticizing the Harper government for loading up a new round of wasteful government ads.  “With yet another [...]

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CONSERVATIVES UNDERMINING SEARCH AND RESCUE SYSTEM

Judy Foote, Member of Parliament for Random-Burin-St. George’s, said the Harper government’s failure to buy new search planes severely undermines the sustainability of Canada’s Search and [...]

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LIBERALS CONTINUE THE FIGHT TO FIX CANADA’S STRUGGLING SAR SYSTEM

Judy Foote, Member of Parliament for Random-Burin-St. George’s, has denounced the Harper government’s recent announcement on Search and Rescue (SAR), saying that it is little more [...]

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CONSERVATIVES CONTINUE ATTTACK ON SEASONAL WORKERS

Judy Foote, Member of Parliament for Random-Burin-St. George’s, is criticizing the Harper government for continuing their attack on Canadian seasonal workers.  “I have been insisting the [...]

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AUDITOR GENERAL REPORT CONFIRMS CONSERVATIVES ARE RISKING THE LIVES OF CANADIANS

Judy Foote, Member of Parliament for Random-Burin-St. George’s, is criticizing the Harper government for risking the lives of Canadians as a result of mismanaging Search and [...]

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