NDP Transport Critic Olivia Chow is denouncing the Conservatives’ planned cuts of airport security screeners as a setback for passengers across the country. With the layoff of more than 300 security screeners at Toronto Pearson International alone, Canada’s busiest airport, service delays will be inevitable while security is compromised.

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

The loved ones of cyclists and pedestrians who have lost their lives in truck collisions gathered today to urge Transport Minister Denis Lebel to mandate compulsory side guards on heavy trucks.The family members and friends joined together to create http://www.safetrucks.ca/.

October 26, 2010  OTTAWA – Today’s Auditor General’s report revealed that Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has failed to set a comprehensive set of standards for service delivery.  ‪“The Auditor General’s report confirms what Canadians already know – the Conservative government delivers lousy second-rate service to immigrants,” said New Democrat Immigration critic Olivia Chow (Trinity-Spadina). [...]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OTTAWA – The arrival of the 490 Tamil boat people seeking refuge in Canada is a symptom of the continued humanitarian suffering in Sri Lanka. It’s time for the government of Canada to rally international efforts to pressure the Sri Lankan government improve living conditions on the ground, say New Democrats.  “After [...]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OTTAWA – New Democrats today reacted to the news that a Tamil migrant ship was approaching Canada off the coast of British Columbia.  “Each person arriving to Canada must be treated equally under the law, according to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act,” said New Democrat Immigration and Citizenship critic Olivia Chow. [...]

MARCH 30, 2010 OTTAWA – Canada’s New Democrats have long pushed for fast and fair reform to the present refugee determination process. Fast tracking the entire process is a welcome change, but every refugee claimant must be treated equally. “Prioritizing some countries over others is dangerous. Every person that faces persecution should be treated equally, [...]

OTTAWA – People who lost their jobs and other victims of this recession are the losers in this budget while banks whose profits just doubled hit the jackpot, said New Democrat Leader Jack Layton.   “Budgets are about choices. Mr. Harper has chosen to enrich banks and oil companies, the most profitable corporations in the [...]

OTTAWA- New Democrats are calling on Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Jason Kenney to immediately apologize for censoring references to gay history and gay rights from the latest edition of the Citizenship study guide. “Instead of proudly showcasing what makes us Canadian, Harper’s Conservatives have shamefully chosen to delete equal rights, including marriage, for gays [...]

Dear Minister Kenney,     On January 16, four days after the earthquake, the Government of Canada promised to fast track reunification of Haitian families.    I applauded that announcement and have been working with your office to assist in the processing of Haitian children to Canada. However, thirty five days after the earthquake, Canadians [...]

TORONTO – The open letter calling on federal leaders to commit to a national early childhood education and child care program sent by the Child Care Advocacy Association Of Canada is right on the mark, says New Democrat MP Olivia Chow (Trinity-Spadina). “They are absolutely right that we need to go for the gold for [...]

  Olivia Chow and the New Democrat team are urging other party leaders to put partisan politics aside and make the welfare of Canadian women and children a priority in the next session of Parliament. 

Dear Minister Kenney: I urge you today to commit to bringing adopted Haitian children home to their new families immediately. I understand the need for due diligence, preventing child trafficking should always be a priority.  However, these children have been through this process, they have been approved by Haitian Social Services. They are known to [...]

Sat 16 Jan 2010 TORONTO – Today’s government announcement regarding expedited immigration and adoption processes and additional support for Haitian-Canadian families is a commendable step in the right direction, though more changes are needed, according to New Democrat Immigration Critic Olivia Chow (Trinity-Spadina). “The government has announced a number of commendable changes to immigration and [...]

TORONTO – In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Canada needs to expedite the immigration process and bring Haitian adoptees into the country now, says New Democrat Immigration Critic Olivia Chow (Trinity-Spadina).