Archive for the ‘Human Rights’ Category

Statement in the House of Commons

Tuesday, June 21st, 2011

Mr. Alex Atamanenko (British Columbia Southern Interior, NDP):
Madam Speaker, I would just like to make a comment that I have been following the file of Canada Post and its effect on our rural communities for quite a while now. I have seen some pretty devastating policies that cut back part-time work and that transferred people [...]

Has Canada Lost Its Way - Part IV - Foreign Policy

Friday, December 31st, 2010

In the previous op-ed I talked primarily about Canada`s role in Afghanistan and how we have shifted our foreign policy away from the middle ground peace-keeping focus to active combat.
Another disturbing trend in our policy is our shift in Middle East thinking. For decades Canada has attempted to promote a balanced approach to the long-lasting [...]

The State of Democracy in Canada

Tuesday, December 21st, 2010

One of the hallmarks of a democratic state is its commitment to free, public and political expression.
Indeed, no society can call itself truly democratic if it does not guarantee its citizens the inalienable rights to gather, communicate their opinion and demonstrate their support for or against any political position they wish.
If these assertions are [...]

“Deserter Directive”: Letter to Minister Kenney

Friday, August 13th, 2010

DATE: August 13, 2010
TO: The Honourable Jason Kenney
Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism
[...]

“Stones Into Schools” Making a Difference in Afghanistan

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010

Like most Canadians I struggle to make sense of our mission in Afghanistan amidst daily headlines which tell of torture allegations, roadside bombs, the cowardly killing of civilians by unmanned U.S. drones, and the deaths of our military personnel. That’s why it is so inspiring to read about the successful work being done by [...]

Cuts to KAIROS - letter to Minister Oda

Monday, December 7th, 2009

Minister Beverley Oda, P.C., M.P.
International Cooperation
Place du Centre, 12th floor
200 Promenade du Portage
Gatineau, QC K1A 0G4
Dear Minister Oda,
On behalf of many Canadians, I urge you to reverse the recent cuts made by CIDA to KAIROS.
As you are aware, this decision in effect stops funding to 21 ecumenical and citizens’ organizations in Latin America, Africa, [...]

Atamanenko Criticizes Foreign Aid Cuts

Friday, December 4th, 2009

OTTAWA- The internationally recognized Canadian aid and social justice group KAIROS has received notice from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) that it is losing half of its total funding.
“KAIROS does tremendous work and this cut is mean-spirited and unnecessary,” said New Democrat International Cooperation Critic John Rafferty (Thunder Bay – Rainy River). “At the [...]

MP Urges Action on Visitor Visa Program

Friday, November 13th, 2009

Atamanenko throws his support behind Visitor Visa Fairness campaign
CASTLEGAR – BC Southern Interior NDP MP, Alex Atamanenko, is joining the efforts of his NDP caucus colleague and immigration critic, Olivia Chow, to demand change to the current visitor visa system – a system that includes an arbitrary approval process and no viable recourse for unsuccessful [...]

Canada - Columbia Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

40th PARLIAMENT, 2nd SESSION
EDITED HANSARD • NUMBER 087
Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act
Mr. Alex Atamanenko (British Columbia Southern Interior, NDP): Madam Speaker, with regard to this agreement, we have talked about labour rights and I want to underline the fact that Colombia is one of the most dangerous countries on earth for trade [...]

War Resisters (speech)

Thursday, May 29th, 2008

39th PARLIAMENT, 2nd SESSION
EDITED HANSARD • NUMBER 100
WAR RESISTERS
Mr. Alex Atamanenko (British Columbia Southern Interior, NDP): Mr. Speaker, this is a historic moment in the history of our country. We have a chance to make some history by taking a stand for justice and peace in this world as we charge our independent course.
We know [...]