Budget Fails to Address Priorities of Farmers

March 5th, 2010

Ottawa, ON – Alex Atamanenko, MP (BC Southern Interior) NDP Agriculture Critic, says it’s time for the government to get their priorities right. “Instead of substantially addressing the farm income crisis affecting so many other sectors the government has chosen to undermine the grain industry, one of the few sectors that is doing just fine,” accused Atamanenko in response to the federal budget.

The New Democrat agriculture critic was highly critical of the Conservative priority to provide so called ‘marketing choice’ to barley and wheat producers when outlining their plans for the Canadian Wheat Board and the Canada Grain Commission. “The US grain companies will be the ones most thrilled with the government’s moves because in the absence of the CWB they would waste no time in replacing Canadian wheat, durum and barley in our export markets.”

“The majority of prairie grain farmers, who understand the value of a strong Canada Grain Commission and the CWB’s single desk monopoly, would prefer the government keep its interference to a minimum.”

According to Atamanenko there was no commitment towards the National Food Strategy that farmers and consumers are increasingly calling for. “This is especially disappointing considering the US has developed a comprehensive Healthy Food Financing Initiative to create market opportunities for their farmers while simultaneously providing more nutritious and affordable food for its citizens,” stated Atamenko. “I would like to have seen much more in the budget to nurture the local food movement that is gaining in strength as Canadians try to do more to reduce the environment footprint, support farmers and eat healthier food.”

Atamanenko noted there was nothing that would address the dire situation facing apple and cherry growers in BC who have lost so much money due to the continued dumping by the US allowed under NAFTA that they are now considering marketing boards. “The emphasis of the budget is market access and trade even though this single minded pursuit has repeatedly and consistently failed to provide a stable business environment for our farmers,” stated Atamanenko.

According to the NDP Agriculture critic, cattle producers have been making less than half of what they made 20 years ago for quite some time even though for the most part exports have tripled. “While the budget has given some attention to new technology and cattle processing ($35million) it is not clear whether any of the $40 million slated for Specified Risk Material (SRM) will help cover the $31.70/head that our cattle producers must pay, which US farmers do not, in order to comply with Canada’s SRM standards.”

Atamanenko says the government seems oblivious to the fact that farm income programs are still failing to be bankable and responsive. Farm leaders are predicting that thousands of Ontario farmers will exit agriculture in the coming years, putting the local food supply in jeopardy. In spite of this, the federal government refuses to step up to the plate for the Risk Management Program that the province is willing to support and that farmers desperately need.
“All in all, what is clearly indicated in this budget is that the Conservatives determination to stay the course with these failed policies and lack of vision will ensure the number of family farms continue to decline.” concluded Atamanenko.

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Victims of Recession Lose Out - Banks Win Big in New Budget

March 4th, 2010

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 country, with billions in spending on corporate tax cuts rather than help lift seniors out of poverty by increasing the Guaranteed Income Supplement. Instead, they are promising nothing more than to consult seniors about their poverty. That`s not help. That`s a stalling tactic.

“Mr. Harper hasn’t learned anything from this economic crisis, which was triggered by a lack of regulation and reckless risk-taking by banks and financial speculators. Instead, he’s offering more of the same old policies that got us into trouble in the first place.”

In yesterday’s Speech from the Throne, the Harper government also promised that it would not raise taxes on “hard-working Canadians,” but it did just that in the budget.

“That little box on your paycheque labelled EI is where they are going to hit, starting in 2011, every wage earner and every employer in the country with $19 billion in new taxes. They’re taking from you and giving to the banks and big oil.”

According to BC Southern Interior MP Alex Atamanenko, there is nothing in the budget to address climate change. “They are in effect removing the Environmental Assessment Agency and transferring their responsibility to the National Energy Board. In effect, those promoting development will be the ones policing its effect on the environment,” said Atamanenko. “This is clearly not acceptable. This budget is worse than you could have imagined”.

That tax burden is going to be even heavier for residents of Ontario and British Columbia who will begin, this summer, paying the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) on everything from funerals to vitamins, haircuts and movie tickets.

“The sad thing about this whole process is the fact that we have wasted valuable time with prorogation only to come back and receive a lot of glossy booklets that do very little to address those who are suffering,” concluded Atamanenko.

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Cutbacks at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital

March 1st, 2010

Honourable Kevin Falcon, Minister of Health Services
Room 337
Legislature Building
Victoria, BC
V8V 1X4

Dear Minister Falcon:

RE: Operating Room staff and hours cutbacks at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital

I write to underline the seriousness of the situation at the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital (KBRH), given the cutbacks announced by the Interior Health Authority to the KBRH Operating Room staff and hours.

Despite sincere and effective measures presented and carried out by the surgical team at the hospital, saving around $350,000, the IHA is still going ahead with their cuts. This is not only disheartening to staff, but now threatens the very viability and capacity of the surgical program at KBRH.

An open letter by KBRH surgeons and anesthesiologists states the IHA decision is “effectively closing 1/4 of your operating rooms at KBRH Trail”. It says “Of even greater concern to us is the proposed cut to OR nursing positions” explaining that these very professional, highly-skilled nurses are a scarce commodity, especially in rural communities.

The Chief of Surgery at KBRH, Dr. Andre De Greef stated in an article in the Trail Times: “…we have our surgeon’s and anaesthesiologists leaving…” and “…they are fed up and they’re looking for other positions.”

What is evident is the level of frustration of our health professionals with the IHA, a level that threatens the critical mass needed for viable surgical services in a rural community. Even surgeons need to make a living. Cut back hours and loss of necessary OR support nurses but them in an untenable position. Let me underline that health professionals are very hard to recruit and keep in rural areas.

The open letter from surgeons and anesthetists to Kootenay-Boundary residents states “these cuts represent yet another direct reduction to your access to surgical care” and “your health has already been impacted before these additional cuts are taken in to consideration”.

These health professionals believe that “a critical line has been crossed” with the closure of operating rooms and the associated nursing cuts at KBRH. The doctors and nurses have taken effective measures and are well-positioned to know what measures can effectively be taken without critically compromising patient access to surgical care.

Minister, the IHA is ultimately responsible to you, and I would urge you to meet with the hospital’s surgical team to discuss this most recent IHA decision and develop a decision-making process that focuses on the viability of quality surgical services in this rural region and sets a standard of care to the highest possible, not to the lowest common denominator in the Province. Health professionals in this region should be applauded for trying to achieve and maintain patient safety and quality care.

Thank you for your time and consideration of this correspondence.

Sincerely,

Original signed by

Alex Atamanenko, MP
BC Southern Interior
CC: Katrine Conroy, MLA, Kootenay West
Michelle Mungall, MLA, Nelson – Creston
Dieter Bogs, Mayor, City of Trail
Dr. Andre de Greef
All Media

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Selling our Sovereignty in ‘Buy American’ Negotiations

February 26th, 2010

With Parliament prorogued the Harper government has been busy wrapping up a last minute and lop-sided deal with the U.S. on how to handle the ‘Buy American’ provisions in their 2009 stimulus legislation. With just a few days left before the bidding was closed on the $275 billion U.S. stimulus fund, 98% which was already committed, the deal was finally signed on February 12. With very little time for Canadian companies to bid on the few remaining contracts worth up to $5 billion the deal did not even provide any guarantee or mechanism to enforce Canadian access to these funds. In return Canadian provinces and municipalities are obliged to provide U.S. companies access to infrastructure procurement projects, valued at $25 billion, until September 2011. Another consequence of this deal is that we have agreed to let the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Government Procurement dictate forever how procurement and purchasing is to be handled by our provincial and municipal governments.

For little more than a symbolic gesture on the part of the Americans and without any debate or a vote in the House of Commons, Stephen Harper is unilaterally giving up our sovereign right to give preference to local goods and suppliers on local infrastructure projects. In doing so he is setting the precedent for further erosion of our sovereignty as provincial and municipal contracts are offered up to the European Union in an incentive to sign a free trade agreement with Canada.

Across the country infrastructure procurement projects have been effectively used by provincial and municipal governments to create jobs and stimulate sustainable economic development. Unlike B.C.’s Gordon Campbell who has one of the worst records when it comes protecting procurement rights, Manitoba and Nova Scotia NDP governments have taken some steps to protect certain sectors of their economies, as have some other provinces.

With no Buy Canadian Act of our own similar to the Bill introduced by federal New Democrats in the House of Commons, our country will be deprived of a key economic tool to provide the same leverage that Americans and every other industrial economy have developed in order to ensure jobs are created and stay at home.

After selling out our softwood lumber and manufacturing sectors Harper is tying the hands of provincial and municipal governments so they can’t give preference to local businesses even though the US has found ways to exclude American policies from its own WTO commitments. Let us also not forget that we have made it almost impossible for our fruit and vegetable producers to compete with cheap subsidized American produce.

It’s difficult to imagine how any of this works in favour of our sovereignty, especially as we try to create jobs for Canadians in these difficult economic times.

In the 2006 Speech from the Throne, Stephen Harper promised that “significant international treaties will be submitted to votes in Parliament.” In other speeches he has promised transparent and accountable government. What we have instead are broken promises, a padlocked Parliament, the HST and a brand new trade arrangement that was negotiated in secret. Rest assured that New Democrats will be taking this government to serious task when the doors of Parliament are finally open to us once again on March 03.

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Atamanenko Welcomes Passport Office to Open in Kelowna

February 24th, 2010

Castlegar, BC – The anticipation is mounting with the date of a new Passport Canada office opening soon in Kelowna BC for residents of the southern BC interior.

“My staff has been in conversation with Passport Canada and, based on that conversation, has had confirmed that an issuing office will be opening in Kelowna in early March,” said Atamanenko.

“Finally southern interior residents will have a place to access Express pick up service for their passport applications,” he added.

“It is good to see the Conservative government sticking to their promise to open the facility in early March. My congratulations go to MP Ron Canaan (Kelowna – Lake Country) for his part in helping to make this happen.”

According to officials, and earlier news releases, the new Passport Canada office will not offer 24 hour urgent service, but can offer express service where applicants can apply in person and pick up their passport from 2 to 9 business days. Satellite passport offices work in conjunction with larger passport offices to offer the full range of passport services, except the urgent next-day service as satellite offices have no local printing capacity.

The new office will be located at 110-1835 Gordon Drive, Kelowna – also known as the Capri Centre. The office will be open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

“My constituency office staff will continue to help constituents review their applications, and I will offer assistance in emergency situations. But after years of fighting for this, I am very happy that it will now be much easier for people to obtain a wider range of passport services closer to home,” said Atamanenko.

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Home Renovation Tax Credit is Worth Repeating

February 23rd, 2010

The Home Renovation Tax Credit (HRTC) program recently came to an end. By all accounts it was such a success that people are clamouring for the government to continue the credit for another year. New Democrats agree, and are calling for the credit to be maintained and enhanced to promote energy-efficient, green technology for home improvements.

The goal of energy efficiency makes sense for all Canadians. It fits well with our desire, and new obligation by way of the Copenhagen agreement, to reduce our greenhouse gas output. For residents of BC, more efficient energy consumption makes economic sense as well, as we soon could be taxed at a higher rate for our energy if the Harmonized Sales Tax becomes a reality. For this reason alone it makes sense to tie green technology to an extension of the HRTC.

For people with neither the means nor the ability to complete home renovations last year, an extension of the HRTC would provide another chance to take advantage of the credit. The HRTC is a positive means the government can use to encourage taxpayers to contribute to the economic recovery in an opt-in manner—an important consideration given that we are not yet out of the economic crisis that gave rise to the HRTC.

Consumer spending and confidence are important elements of recovery. Extending and enhancing a popular and effective measure like the HRTC makes more sense than dropping our guard and hoping the recovery continues. What the government should have learned from this exercise is that people respond well to incentives. Out of the many different stimulus measures offered federally, this was by far the most equitable and least contentious.

NDP Finance Critic Thomas Mulcair said of the credit, “This was a time the government got it right.” Despite its popularity the HRTC it is not without its problems. It is important to understand that the HRTC is a refundable tax credit—a person has to be paying federal income tax in order to be eligible for it. Simply put, it is not a rebate. People who do not pay tax to the federal government have no means to take advantage of the credit.

New Democrats made the pitch to extend and improve the HRTC at a press conference. Had the House of Commons been in session (as it was meant to be), the proposal would have been part of the pre-budget consultations of the Finance Committee. The Canadian Retail Building Supply Council, the Canadian Hardware & Housewares Manufacturing Association and the Canadian Home Builders Association have requested an extension of the tax credit program into 2010. These groups have all reported increases in renovation activity, from boosts in residential building permits to greater sales at local hardware stores. We will find out soon enough if the Finance Minister has been listening to Canadians.

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Atamamenko Disappointed at Harper’s Response to Buy America

February 19th, 2010

Canada and the United States have given Canadian companies a very brief opportunity to compete for US stimulus package dollars worth $4 – $5 Billion. According to BC Southern Interior MP, Alex Atamanenko, this is a lop-sided deal.

“Limited access to US stimulus funding for Canadian companies while guaranteeing US firms access to provincial and municipal infrastructure spending worth $25 Billion does not sound like a fair agreement”, stated Atamanenko. “It is unconceivable that in these difficult economic times we are not trying to protect Canadian jobs. There should be no question that local firms and contractors should be given preference in any of our local infrastructure spending projects”.

In Atamanenko’s words, this agreement has set a precedent for further erosion of our sovereignty. “The European Union (EU) would dearly love to get its hands on Canadian building projects. Our PM is hoping to offer provincial and municipal contract as an incentive to the EU to sign a free trade agreement with Canada”, said the BC MP.

“As our Leader Jack Layton has stated, given the potential job losses across Canada, there needs to be discussion and a vote in the House of Commons before proceeding with this agreement. The fact that this was signed during the prorogation of Parliament is not acceptable. The sovereignty of our country is at stake”, concluded Atamanenko.

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Afghanistan

February 12th, 2010

It is hard to imagine that before the 1979 Soviet invasion, Afghanistan was a country where many ethnic groups and tribes lived in harmony with their neighbours. They had a subsistence economy and a central government. Unlike today there was no sign of extremist inspired suicide bombings or a heroin based economy. It took thirty years of military occupation by foreign armies to bring that about. No one has ever bothered much to consult the Afghan people in a respectful way and decisions on their future have largely been made by powerful outsiders for their own strategic interests.

Against this backdrop we now have high level NATO officials acknowledging their military failures and trumpeting a new strategy that will finally allow an Afghan led and negotiated peace process which will even include the Taliban. Former US Ambassador to Afghanistan, Ronald E Neumann has said that foreign forces and their Afghan partners will not be able to achieve a military victory. Robert Gates, the US Defence Secretary has described the Taliban as part of Afghanistan’s ‘political fabric’. Afghan President, Hamid Karzai stated, “We must engage in negotiations, bring back those Taliban who are willing to return, who have been driven out by fear and coercion and the mistakes we’ve all made. They are part of this country and must be called back…”

The senior NATO Commander, US General McChrystal believes that a political solution to all conflicts is not only the right outcome but an inevitable one. In his Commander’s Assessment report dated August 30, 2009, available online and well worth a read, he notes that the focus must be on “obtaining a greater understanding of the social and political dynamics in all regions, building relationships and protecting civilians.”

What I find most hopeful is that Greg Mortenson and his book Three Cups of Tea has been influencing US military commanders to engage with the people and show more respect for Afghanistan’s religion, culture and traditions. Mortenson has been facilitating meetings between US General McChrystal the top NATO Commander and the influential Shura, who are telling him that what they need is more ‘brainpower’ and less ‘firepower’. They say the bombings that are killing civilians must stop and to come to them (Shura) to take care of militants who are giving them a problem. They say they are most grateful for the trainer troops that have been sent to help the people and would like to see more of that.

It is certain that even with a negotiated process it will be a long road to sustained peace. However, I am convinced that getting all players together to engage in a dialogue has to be a more hopeful way to achieve an end to this conflict than endlessly repeating the failures of the past.

In 2006, when NDP Leader Jack Layton called for negotiations with the Taliban he was ridiculed by the Conservative government and accused of not supporting our troops. Two years later however, Defense Minister Peter McKay was saying Canada would support talks between the Afghan government and Taliban elements that renounced violence but then took no action to move that forward.

As a Canadian I am disappointed that our government has not seized the opportunity to take the lead in promoting a peaceful settlement. Our troops have done an admirable job under very difficult circumstances and have disproportionally suffered heavy casualties. Because of our experience in Afghanistan Canada has a golden opportunity to move the peace process forward.

Our Prime Minister took the lead on the Haiti earthquake disaster by convening a meeting of key foreign ministers. Let’s see him do the same for the people of Afghanistan.

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Atamamenko Critical of Post Office Amalgamation

February 12th, 2010

BC Southern Interior MP, Alex Atamanenko, is questioning the January 11th amalgamation of the Trail and Rossland post offices with the Castlegar post office. According to Atamanenko, this step was taken without prior consultation with the communities affected.

“Canada Post did not respect article 14 of the Canada Postal Service Charter which clearly states that there must be consultation with affected customers and communities at least one month prior to any proposed amalgamation or closure”, said the BC Southern Interior MP. “I have written a letter to the head of Canada Post asking her to reconsider this decision and to meet with all the stakeholders.”

Both Ed Evans, President of Local 842 CUPW and Peter Hawkins, President of CUPW Local 716 have stated that this decision by Canada Post has resulted in a number of problems, including having one less wicket clerk at the Castlegar post office.

“The Trail postal installation lost two full time positions in the amalgamation. These two fully trained wicket clerks were put on night shift in Castlegar where the mail is now processed”, said Evans. According to Hawkins, this restructuring has resulted in additional costs to Canada Post of $180 - $200 per day.

“I urge Canada Post to work with its employees and our communities to find a workable solution to this unfortunate decision”, concluded Atamanenko.

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MP Community Forums for Warfield-Rossland and Beaverdell Residents

February 12th, 2010

“A One-stop service with your elected officials”

CASTLEGAR – BC Southern Interior MP Alex Atamanenko will be hosting more in a series of “MP Community Forums”. Elected officials from other levels of government will join Atamanenko in an open panel presentation to constituents on their latest hot topics, followed by an open discussion, with questions and comments sought from residents.

ROSSLAND-WARFIELD:
On Thursday February 18th, the Forum will be held at the Warfield Community Hall at 7:00 to 9:00 P.M. for Warfield and Rossland area residents.

Atamanenko will be joined on the panel by:

* Katrine Conroy, MLA for Kootenay West
* Jim Nelson, Mayor of Warfield
* Greg Granstrom, Mayor of Rossland
* Kathy Wallace, RDKB Director for Rossland, and
* Bert Crockett, RDKB Director for Warfield.

Atamanenko thanked the Village of Warfield and Administrator Vince Morelli for helping to organize the evening event and for Warfield providing refreshments for the evening.

BEAVERDELL:
On Friday, February 19th, the MP Community Forum will be held at the Beaverdell Community Hall at 6:30 PM for Beaverdell and area residents. Atamanenko will be joined by RDKB Area E Director Bill Baird. Refreshments will also be served, and Atamanenko thanked Yvonne Martin and other local residents for their help to set up the evening.

“I have found these forums to be very useful and would like to thank my elected colleagues for agreeing to take part,” stated Atamanenko. “I invite all citizens of these communities and their surrounding areas to attend, and bring their questions, concerns and comments. I look forward to a good discussion and sharing of ideas.”

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