New Democrats have tabled a dissenting opinion as a watered-down Conservative report on a National Tansit Strategy reaches the House of Commons. The official report leaves out key recommendations from dozens of experts who testified. The NDP document in contrast calls for dedicated funding and clear federal leadership on public transit.

Conservatives Ignore Committee Testimonies on National Public Transit Strategy, But Fight Continues, Olivia Chow Urges in Letter February 15, 2012 Dear Supporters: As the Official Opposition Critic for Transportation, Infrastructure and Communities, I thank you for your continued support for a National Public Transit Strategy. I would like to give you an update on our [...]

Full Text of New Democrats’ Counter to Watered-Down Conservative Committee Report on National Public Transit Strategy Study February 9, 2012 The following is the text of the NDP dissenting opinion that forms an addendum to the overall TRAN committee report. Preamble Canada’s cities are growing – by 8% alone between 2006 and 2010. Already more [...]

By ending the long-gun registry, Conservatives are putting Canadians at risk. From women living with abusive partners over bullied adolescents to law enforcement officers – easy, unchecked access to guns will make their lives more dangerous, MP Olivia Chow explains.

Are you close to your local Conservative MP and donated steadily in the past years? Then you could get a special Valentine’s Day card this year. Like an invitation to head a newly-created Port Authority. Or be appointed to an Ag Canada council. Or get $25 million dollars in taxpayers’ money to build an ethanol plan.

The creation of the Port Authority means that the City of Oshawa loses control over its harbour. To make matters worse: the Authority’s new director is part of the Conservative good-old-boys club and soon a 12-storey ethanol plant that the city and region have rejected will ruin the harbour front.

The Average length for cancer treatment in Canada: nine months. But EI benefits are only provided for 15 weeks for medical treatments. This gap pushes thousands of Canadians into severe debt, sometimes financial ruin every year. MP Olivia Chow is proposing to extend coverage to a year – like other countries.

Conservative inaction on transparent airfare advertising since 2007 has failed consumers, NDP Transport Critic Olivia Chow deplores. In a move that embarrasses Minister Lebel, major Canadian airlines announced all-in pricing in the absence of government rules.

In a eulogy in Parliament, Olivia honours of one of Toronto’s most prominent urbanists, scholars and comunity organizers: Jim Lemon was a respected professor, chaired the Annex Residents Association and led the anti-Spadina Expressway fight.

The Harper government’s refusal to support cities in their struggle with insufficient infrastructure is a lack of leadership according to NDP Transport Critic Olivia Chow: The Conservatives should focus on a National Transit Strategy.

The Conservative government’s regard for civil liberties is called into question by a new airport security regulation. A new rule forces transgender and transsexual Canadians to produce medical documents to pass pre-boarding checks. NDP Transport Critic Olivia Chow is urging the ministry to repeal the punitive measure.

Cities across the country are struggling with aging infrastructure, underfunded transit and insufficient housing. The federal government has to step up support by taking one cent of the existing gas tax and use it as dedicated funding for urban infrastructure projects, NDP Critic Olivia Chow demands in Parliament.

OTTAWA – The government’s plan to sell Transport Canada assets and privatize airports across the country will make rural towns less accessible and hurt families’ pocketbooks

Mr. Speaker, just released secret documents reveal the transport minister and his department are planning to sell off airports and other assets across this country. This fire sale would mean higher fees and airport closures. Rural Canadians rely on these airports to deliver the mail, visit their families or see their doctors. Loss of airports would isolate these communities.

In working towards a National Public Transit Strategy and getting Canadians the 21st-century transportation system they deserve, Olivia Chow has made key recommendations to the House Committee on Transport on what the policy framework should encompass.