Judy Foote, MP

Harper Government Shamed into not Appealing Court Decision on Veterans’ Benefits

     Member of Parliament for Random-Burin-St. George’s, Judy Foote, celebrates with veterans the Conservative government’s decision not to appeal the Federal Court’s ruling on clawbacks of long-term disability benefits from their disability pensions.

     “Today marks the end of a five year long struggle for over 4500 of our veterans who filed a class action lawsuit against the Conservative government to stop the clawback of long-term disability benefits from our veterans’ disability pensions. This is a great day for these veterans who stood up to the Conservative government’s unfair decision not to end this illegal clawback and to fight our veterans in court,” said Foote.

     “But, today also marks 28 days the Conservative government claimed they required to read a 31 page ruling instructing them to do the right thing and stand behind our veterans. I find it appalling that three ministers, the Minister of Defense, the Associate Minister of Defense and the Minister of Veterans Affairs, could not have returned a favourable decision before today. At virtually the last minute, they finally decided, having been shamed into it, to do the right thing for our veterans,” said Foote.

     “The Conservative Party routinely paints anyone who opposes them as being unpatriotic. I am proud to be a member of a Caucus that not only stands behind our veterans, but our troops today and our veterans of tomorrow. We have been pressuring the government in the House of Commons since May 1, when the Federal Court ruling was handed down, to stop attacking our veterans. It is because of the hard work of veterans’ advocates and a persistent Liberal opposition, that the Conservatives finally were shamed into not appealing the decision,” said Foote.

     “I applaud the persistence of Dennis Manuge and all those who stood up to the government to get justice. Let today be a lesson to the Conservative government, don’t take our veterans for granted.”

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Media Contact:
Judy Foote
(709) 832-1383

Foote Tables Petition Regarding Tragic Death of Burton Winters and Search and Rescue in Labrador

     On Tuesday, May 29th 2012, Member of Parliament for Random-Burin-St. George’s, Judy Foote, tabled in the House of Commons a petition signed by over 10,000 Canadians from coast to coast to coast in support of an increased Search and Rescue presence in Labrador following the tragic death of Burton Winters.

     “Madam Speaker, I rise today to present a petition signed by 10,000 Canadians from coast to coast to coast. This petition has to do with the tragic death of Burton Winters in Labrador, something with which we are all familiar.

     The petitioners call upon the federal government to commit to full-time and fully operational search and rescue services to be placed in Labrador.

     Those of us who are familiar with Labrador know only too well the difficult terrain and the circumstances under which people can sometimes get lost. The reality is that this tragedy should never have happened. If search and rescue services were on the ground, if they had responded in the manner in which they should have responded, everyone who has signed this petition, all 10,000 people, fully believe that Burton Winters would be alive today.

     The petitioners call upon the federal government to commit to full-time, fully operational search and rescue services in Labrador,” Foote said in the House of Commons, while presenting the petition.

     Foote later stated, “The overwhelming support of so many from all over Canada who have come together to sign this petition is remarkable. I sincerely hope that the government has taken note of their voices and will now do everything in its power to ensure that a similar tragedy never occurs again. In light of the tragic death of Burton Winters, now more than ever, it is clear that a full independent review of all search and rescue operations must be carried out to ensure the safety of all Canadians.”

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Media Contact:
Judy Foote
(709) 832-1383

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EeUohA-Jtw

Foote: Changes to Employment Insurance – Another Attack on Atlantic Canadians

      Member of Parliament for Random-Burin-St. George’s, Judy Foote, is disgusted by the Conservative government’s decision to change the Employment Insurance (EI) system, which will severely disadvantage seasonal workers and their employers.

      “Over the past few weeks we have listened to the inconsistencies and secret nature of the Conservative’s approach to EI. We have repeatedly heard from ministers telling different stories. Finally, we now have the details from the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development which are nothing short of an attack on the seasonal industries of Atlantic Canada,” said Foote.

      “Today’s announced changes to EI will not only force people to take lower paying work far from home, but EI recipients will also risk losing their benefits completely if they don’t take these jobs,” said Foote. “The Conservative government remains out of touch with Atlantic Canada. They are demanding that seasonal workers take a job which gives them only 70% of their previous salary – or be cut-off completely from receiving EI benefits. This could drive down wages across the board. Let’s be clear, this is not the government’s money. This a fund paid into by both employers and their employees. Employment Insurance belongs to those who have paid the premiums into the EI program and have the right to collect benefits when work is not available.”

      “It is not just those who are receiving EI benefits who will be affected by the new changes. This will also affect employers, especially those who operate seasonal businesses such as those involved in the tourism or fishing industry. Businesses are concerned that the new rules will force their workers to relocate to Alberta, despite the government’s feeble contentions that this is not the case,” said Foote. “These businesses are an integral part of the economy, yet this Conservative government is quite willing to jeopardize seasonal industries.”

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Media Contact:
Judy Foote
(709) 832-1383

Foote: Where Will Cuts End?

     Member of Parliament for Random-Burin-St. George’s, Judy Foote, is alarmed at the latest reports that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and the Canadian [...]

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