Supporting Julian for NDP leadership

September 27th, 2011

For Immediate Release
September 27, 2011

ATAMANENKO SUPPORTS JULIAN FOR NDP LEADERSHIP

Castlegar BC - Alex Atamanenko, MP (BC Southern Interior) is encouraging Peter Julian, MP for Burnaby New Westminster, to run for the federal NDP leadership.

“I have worked with Peter for the past five years and feel that he is more than qualified to lead our Party. Although he is from British Columbia, he has lived in Quebec and other parts of Canada and has a distinct vision for our country. He would make an excellent Prime Minister”, stated Atamanenko.

According to Atamanenko, Peter Julian understands the issues around Canadian sovereignty, especially when it concerns trade and the farming sector.

“I am pleased to join my colleagues, Kennedy Stewart, Brian Masse, Rathika Sitsabaiesan and Isabelle Morin in our endorsement of Peter”, concluded the BC MP.

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On IRS enforcement in Canada

September 27th, 2011

September 27, 2011
Castlegar, BC

Original hand delivered on September 27/11

Honourable Jim Flaherty, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Finance
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6

Dear Minister Flaherty,

I want to thank you for your stand in support of dual US/Canadian citizens against the Internal Revenue Service’s cross border tax enforcement initiatives. After all, Canadians who live and work in Canada, invest and save in Canadian financial institutions, have no “offshore” accounts and are not evading taxes.

I am encouraged by your understanding of the impact not only on our financial institutions of the proposed US FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act) legislation, but also the impact on the futures of so many Canadians whose savings are threatened by IRS penalties.

In your current talks with the Americans I urge you to push the US to redefine their reporting criteria to distinguish between those US citizens who deliberately engage in illegal activity to evade US taxation and Canadians who annually report their income and financial accounts to the CRA. I urge you to make clear to US authorities that it is unacceptable for Canadian citizens to be under threat of heavy fines and/or legal action for not disclosing their Canadian bank accounts or for failing to file US tax returns. I also urge you to take measures to protect the sovereignty of Canadian businesses and institutions.

On behalf of those one million Canadian citizens affected, it is my hope that, in the spirit of cooperation, an agreement will be reached with the US government to ensure that Canadians are not made to feel like criminals by the newly introduced enforcement policies intended to fund a US stimulus package.

I look forward to hearing from you in the near future on this issue. Please rest assured that you have my full cooperation in this regard.

Sincerely,

Alex Atamanenko, MP
British Columbia Southern Interior

cc: Paul Dewar, MP - Foreign Affairs critic
Hoang Mai, MP - Canada Revenue Service critic
Peggy Nash, MP - Finance critic
all media

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CASTLEGAR GATHERING IN HONOUR OF JACK LAYTON

August 26th, 2011

MEDIA ADVISORY
AUGUST 26, 2011

CASTLEGAR, BC – The constituency office of Alex Atamanenko, MP, at 337 Columbia Avenue in Castlegar, will be open at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 27th to celebrate the life of Jack Layton and watch the state funeral live beginning at 11:00 a.m. PT. The service from Roy Thompson Hall will be broadcast via the web.

A book will continue to be available at the constituency office for residents who wish to send their messages and condolences.

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For more information: Alex Atamanenko, MP
(250) 365-2792 or 1-800-667-2393

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CONDOLENCES TO JACK LAYTON’S FAMILY, FRIENDS & COLLEAGUES

August 23rd, 2011

CASTLEGAR, BC – The constituency office of Alex Atamanenko, MP, is open 10 – 3 today for residents to drop by and sign a book of condolences for Jack Layton. The book will be available for messages and signing during regular office hours for the rest of the week.

A book is also available for messages at the MP’s Oliver constituency office this morning and tomorrow afternoon. People in the Princeton and Keremeos area will have the chance to add their messages on Thursday afternoon when Atamanenko’s staff person pays her monthly visit to that part of the riding.

Residents are invited to leave messages or share stories about how Mr. Layton touched their lives.

Those who cannot make it in person can go online to www.ndp.ca and click on Express your Condolences to leave a message about Jack Layton and what he meant to them.

Mr. Layton’s family has asked that in lieu of flowers – and to continue the work of making Canada a better place – donations be made instead to The Broadbent Institute, in memoriam.

Donations to the Broadbent Institute can be made online at: www.ndp.ca/inmemory

Or mailed to:
Broadbent Institute
c/o Canada’s New Democrats
300-279 Laurier St W
Ottawa, ON K1P 5J9

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For more information: Alex Atamanenko, MP – (250) 365-2792 or 1-800-667-2393

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ATAMANENKO UNCOVERS ABUSE OF AREA WORKERS BY CANADA POST

July 21st, 2011

CASTLEGAR, BC - Alex Atamanenko, MP (BC Southern Interior) is furious about the treatment of area postal workers discovered by one his staff during a visit to the Castlegar Post Office (PO) yesterday.

“It is clear that the Canada Post Corporation (CPC) feels empowered to degrade their employees in any way they choose knowing full well that the Conservative government will stand firmly behind them,” declared the BC MP.

According to Atamanenko, one of his constituency staff discovered a lone staff member struggling to keep up new processing methods recently imposed by the employer. It appears that commercial customers are now being instructed to take their batch mail to the back door which requires the staff member to not only cover the front desk but also to run to the back of the building to service customers there. This new responsibility was added without consultation with the Union. The relief staff person was off due to injury.

“Having a lone employee in the building raises serious security issues and Canada Post needs to be held to account on this,” declared Atamanenko.

Since the amalgamation of postal services in the three communities, the relief staff person in Castlegar must also relieve those on sick leave or holidays in Trail and Rossland, frequently leaving the Castlegar station with only two employees on staff. It should be noted that upon the time of amalgamation, Canada Post management promised that there would be no impact on customer service.

According to an employee, there are supposed to be 3 full-time staff members on at all times.

“CPC should be ashamed of the demoralizing treatment it is waging on the postal workers that are performing such a great service in our communities,” stated Atamanenko. “And, despite management claims, customer service is also suffering.”

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For more information please contact Alex Atamanenko, MP – 250-365-2792

Letter to the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister Responsible for Canada Post

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Postal Legislation – Affront to Democracy

June 29th, 2011

For Immediate Release – June 27, 2011

Ottawa, ON – Alex Atamanenko, MP, (BC Southern Interior) says that the lock-out imposed by Canada Post management was a draconian tactic to trample the rights of Canadian workers. Although they had initiated rotating strikes, postal workers agreed to keep the mail moving. Once the lock-out was announced, the Conservatives immediately tabled back to work legislation

“The only reason why there was no postal service across this country was because the government sanctioned locking the doors of post offices”, stated Atamanenko. “If the government truly felt that Canada post was such an important and necessary service, then why did they effectively lock the employees out?

New Democrats rose en mass and unified to show the government that taking away the rights of Canadians is not acceptable. “The extended debate in the House of Common was necessary so that parties could explore a settlement and so that the most negative aspects of the imposed contract could be amended. We came very close to doing this”, said the MP.

CUPW National President, Denis Lemelin, said that due to the NDPs intervention, time was allotted to resume negotiations between CUPW and Canada Post – regrettably, the negotiations ultimately failed.

The terms of the legislation offer less in salary than what Canada Post had offered, bring in a “two-tiered usage system, and effectively limit the power of the arbitrator to reach an acceptable settlement.

“I believe that this unfortunate tactic by this government is only the beginning. This is an attack on our middle class and fits with Harper’s narrow political agenda of privatization, deregulation and less government. It is crucial for all Canadians to unite and oppose the further erosion of our democratic rights”, concluded Atamanenko.

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For more information please contact Alex Atamanenko, MP – 250-365-2792

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Atamanenko Introduces Peace Motion in House of Commons

June 22nd, 2011

For Immediate Release

Ottawa, ON – BC Southern Interior MP Alex Atamanenko has introduced two motions in the House of Commons endorsing the establishment of a federal Department of Peace as well as developing the concept of a Civilian Peace Service in Canada.

The NDP MP is planning on re-introducing a private members bill first introduced by former MP Bill Siksay, this fall calling for the establishment of a Department of Peace.

“As we strive to regain our stature in the world as a broker for peace, it is important for our government to have a mandate to advocate for the non-violent resolution of conflict at home and abroad. I am very grateful to my former colleague Bill Siksay for taking this initiative which I am following up on”, stated Atamanenko.

His plan is to work closely with those of the Canadian Department of Peace Initiative (CDPI) and other advocates for peace to bring this issue forward.

According to J. J. Verigin, Executive Director of the Union of Spiritual Communities of Christ (USCC), an umbrella organization representing many Doukhobor people in Canada, “The establishment of a Department of Peace would have the support of a great many Canadians and could serve as an inspiration and even challenge to people and governments around the world to demonstrate their determination to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.

It would demonstrate our nation’s commitment to peace and resurrect our international reputation as a peacekeeper, and just as peacekeeping was a Canadian initiative born out of the necessity of that time, this too can be a Canadian initiative whose time has indeed come.”

Mr. Bill Bhaneja of CDPI also supports this initiative, “we are very pleased that Mr. Atamanenko has taken this important initiative as the two Peace Motions will lead to the re-introduction of the Private Member’s Bill on a Department of Peace. We hope they will expand the awareness and support for the need of a Federal Department of Peace in the new Parliament. CDPI will urge peace supporters across Canada to write to their MPs to endorse the two Motions. Since 2004, CDPI has been promoting the urgent need for a strategic focus for sustainable peace in the Federal Government, working towards a Culture of Peace at home and abroad and through its Minister provide the Prime Minister with advice and recommendations on effective conflict transformation through nonviolent means.”

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For more information please contact
Alex Atamanenko, MP - 613-996-8036

Pour diffusion immédiate

M. Atamanenko présente une motion de paix à la Chambre des communes

Ottawa (Ontario) – Le député de la Colombie-Britannique-Southern Interior, M. Alex Atamanenko, a présenté deux motions à la Chambre des communes qui proposent la création d’un ministère fédéral de la Paix ainsi que l’élaboration du concept de service civil canadien voué à la paix au Canada.

Le député néo-démocrate prévoit présenter de nouveau cet automne un projet de loi d’initiative parlementaire, déjà déposé par l’ancien député Bill Siksay, concernant la création d’un ministère de la Paix.

« Dans le cadre de nos efforts de reconquérir notre rang de représentant de la paix à l’échelle internationale, il est primordial que notre gouvernement dispose du mandat de préconiser la résolution non violente de conflits, tant ici qu’à l’étranger. J’exprime ici toute ma reconnaissance à mon ancien collègue Bill Siksay d’avoir lancé cette initiative et je m’empresse de la poursuivre. »

M. Atamanenko désire engager une collaboration étroite avec les gens du Canadian Department of Peace Initiative (CDPI) et autres défenseurs de la paix pour faire cheminer le projet.

Selon. J. J. Verigin, directeur général de la Union of Spiritual Communities of Christ (USCC), un organisme cadre qui représente une forte population de Doukhobors au Canada, « la création d’un ministère de la Paix, riche de l’appui de très nombreux Canadiens, pourrait servir d’inspiration et jouerait même un rôle d’influence auprès des populations et des gouvernements du monde entier dans leur détermination à épargner les horreurs de la guerre aux générations à venir. Une telle action démontrerait le fervent engagement de notre pays envers la paix et ranimerait notre réputation de gardien de la paix. Tout comme le maintien de la paix a été une initiative canadienne provoquée par les besoins de l’époque, ce ministère pourrait aussi être un signe des temps actuels. »

M. Bill Bhaneja du CDPI appuie cette initiative. « Nous nous réjouissons de ce geste important de la part de M. Atamanenko, car les deux motions permettront de ranimer le projet de loi sur la création d’un ministère de la Paix. Nous espérons que ce geste sensibilisera encore davantage le nouveau Parlement à la nécessité d’un ministère fédéral de la Paix. Le CDPI exhortera les défenseurs de la paix partout au Canada à écrire à leur député pour appuyer les deux motions. Depuis 2004, le CDPI s’emploie à dénoncer au sein du gouvernement fédéral l’urgence de créer une orientation stratégique visant à assurer une paix durable et à faire progresser la culture de la paix tant au pays qu’à l’étranger; de plus, par l’intermédiaire de son ministre, il présente des conseils et des recommandations en matière de résolution efficace de conflit par des moyens non violents. »

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Pour de plus amples renseignements, prière de communiquer avec
Alex Atamanenko, député - 613-996-8036

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Statement in the House of Commons

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 arbitrarily.

I have sort of come to the conclusion that Canada Post is functioning as a ruthless corporation, certainly in regard to rural B.C.

I would like the hon. member to comment. The other fact I learned is that Canada Post is mandated to make a profit but not only to make a profit but to give part of this profit back to the federal government. Other industrialized nations actually subsidize their national postal service.

I would like to hear the hon. member’s comments on what seems to be a ludicrous idea, that we have a corporation that here we have a corporation that is mandated to make a profit, not only to make ends meet but to give part of this money back to the federal government, and that institutes policies on the backs of the workers.

There is something that is not quite logical here. I would just like to hear the hon. members comments on this.

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Atamanenko: Time to Stand up for Striking Workers

June 15th, 2011

Ottawa, ON – Alex Atamanenko, MP, (BC Southern Interior) says that anyone who truly believes in democratic principles should be outraged that the Conservative government’s response to Air Canada’s (AC) employee strike action is to threaten back to work legislation that will criminalize their job action. “This is an unprecedented assault on labour rights and should be firmly denounced by all Canadians,” stated Atamanenko.

“Besides a 77 percent increase in his salary this year, Air Canada’s CEO Calin Rovinescu will enjoy a defined benefit pension of over $350,000 per year when he retires,” noted the BC MP. “Meanwhile Air Canada wants to cut and eventually eliminate the defined benefit pension plan for all of its workers and create a two-tier wage structure between old and new hires.”

At the same time, members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) have been locked out in response to their limited job action. While working to disrupt the public as little as possible, the message from CUPW is that the union is adamantly opposed to the unfair conditions proposed by Canada Post Corporation (CPC).

Despite the fact that CPC is a profitable Crown corporation and has been for a number of years, CPC continues to expect concessions from the workers. CUPW is asking CPC to negotiate in good faith, to hold the line on proposed wage roll-backs, to appropriately address workplace safety issues and attend to other crucial issues.

According to Atamanenko’s assistant, Laurel Walton, who visited CUPW workers locked out at the Castlegar post office this morning, “These workers are defending the future of Canada. If Canada Post gets its way, it will signal a downward spiral in working conditions for workers and the well-being of retired persons nation-wide.”

Atamanenko agrees and calls upon all working people, whether unionized or not, to support striking and locked-out workers.

“It’s up to each one of us to determine what future we want. Whatever we do, it will make a difference, one way or the other. When we support these workers and others, we let the corporations and the Conservative government know that contracts must include work for reasonable wages, workplace safety issues that are properly addressed and a pension that people can live on in their senior years,” he concluded.

For more information please contact Alex Atamanenko, MP - 613-996-8036

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Corporations over Canadians

June 6th, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 6, 2011

Corporations over Canadians
Conservative budget fails families and seniors

OTTAWA – New Democrat MP Alex Atamanenko feels that the budget presented today falls short of meeting expectations of Canadian families.

“As with all budgets, there are some positive aspects such as providing permanent gas tax dollars for predictable long-term infrastructure funding for municipalities. However, overall the budget fails to make life more affordable for Canadian families still struggling to recover from the effects of the recession,” stated Atamanenko.

According to the BC MP, there is nothing in the budget to substantially lift seniors out of poverty or to fix frontline health care. “On January 1, 2012 the Conservatives will hand over a further $2 billion to the corporate sector in the form of tax breaks. Instead of giving money to those who need it the least, would it not make more sense to double the CPP for seniors, hire more doctors and nurses and to implement a national affordable housing strategy?”

With a planned cut of $3.2 million to Western Diversification in 2011-12, the BC Southern Interior MP is worried this will affect all the good work that Community Futures programs do to assist small businesses. “There should be more money for regional economic development and not less. The total cuts to Western Diversification will be $17.8 million by 2014. This is clearly not acceptable,” said Atamanenko.

Atamanenko also has concerns about the planned one-year strategic and operating review. “It is my fear that public sector employees will be targeted much the same as the workers at Canada Post. The Finance Minister is trying to find ways to balance the budget. If he is giving tax breaks to corporations and committed to maintaining transfers to the provinces, the target will, without a doubt, be our public service. Just as with the postal workers, we need to ensure that good union jobs are not contracted out to the private sector with a loss of pay and benefits. Budgets should not be balanced on the backs of workers,” concluded Atamanenko.

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For more information, please contact:
Alex Atamanenko, MP – 613-996-8036

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