Olivia Chow, MP

NDP: One Year of Official Opposition

New Democrats Hold Harper Conservatives to Account and Continue to Work Hard for Canadian Families

May 2, 2012

OTTAWA – A year after the 2011 election, my New Democrat colleagues and I continue to stand up for Canadians every day as the Official Opposition. Pushing back against unjust cuts, unethical behaviour, government inaction and Conservative mismanagment, we fight for Canadian families.

When Stephen Harper delivered a budget slashing the services Canadians rely on — even health care and public pensions — we fought his plan to balance the books on the backs of our children.

When the Conservatives dished out more pointless corporate tax cuts — while factories closed and Canadians gave up looking for work — New Democrats proposed a concrete jobs plan that was passed unanimously by Parliament.

And when the Prime Minister turned his back, as First Nations communities like Attawapiskat lurched from crisis to crisis, we delivered a plan to give First Nations schoolchildren fair opportunities to learn and to shine.

Of course, this past year was also bittersweet. We lost our friend and leader: Jack Layton. Canadians everywhere mourned the man who fought for a Canada built on love, hope and optimism.

Now it’s up to the rest of us to keep Jack’s vision alive. And under the leadership of Tom Mulcair, our team is strong and united and ready to get the job done.

The Road Ahead

We face a Conservative government that has turned its back on Canadians and any sense of competent public administration. A government with no plan to build a more modern, equal and sustainable Canada.

But every step of the way, New Democrats will be there to hold Stephen Harper accountable. And we’ll be proposing practical solutions on the things that matter to you. Like job creation and economic growth.

A cleaner environment. Stronger health care and a reliable retirement plan.

For 51 years, Canadians have turned to New Democrats to help build a better Canada—where no one is left behind. Now we’re continuing that work with all the tools available to Canada’s Official Opposition.

Every single day, we’re making it our mission to earn Canadians’ trust. In 2015, we will invite Canadian voters to make history again—by electing their first-ever New Democratic federal government. And don’t let anyone tell you it can’t be done.

One year later, New Democrats remain as committed as ever to achieving what Canadians elected us to do. And you see that commitment etched into every working day in Parliament