Atamanenko seeks to give Conscientious Objectors the right to stop paying for war

November 28th, 2011

November 28, 2011

Atamanenko seeks to give Conscientious Objectors the right to stop paying for war

Ottawa, ON – Alex Atamanenko, MP (BC Southern Interior), introduced a Private Members Bill in the House of Commons today that would give conscientious objectors an official sanction to spend their taxes on nonviolent alternatives to war.

Bill C-363, would allow Canadians, who object to paying taxes for military purposes on conscientious or religious grounds, to divert an amount equal to the military portion of their income tax to a special account that could only be allocated to non-military peace-building purposes.

“Having the ability to register with Canada Revenue as a conscientious objector to war and direct some of your tax money directly towards promoting peace in the world lies at the very heart of what democracy is all about,” stated the BC MP.  “For those who believe we are all responsible for our nation’s military actions and role in the world, this right is fundamental.”

A particular tenet of the bill is that regulations would be developed in consultation with Conscience Canada Inc., Mennonite Church Canada, Mennonite Central Committee of Canada and the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Canada.

“I am honoured to have the opportunity to continue the work begun by my retired NDP colleague Bill Siksay, who authored the original bill.  Thanks to Anna Kirkpatrick and Conscience Canada for the valuable input they provided to strengthen Bill C-363.”

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For more information:

Alex Atamanenko, MP – (613) 996 8036

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Be Aware of Passport Application Changes, Proposed Fee & Office Move

November 23rd, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NOVEMBER 22, 2011

Castlegar – “As of December 1st, 2011 Passport Canada will be requiring that applications for children under 16 years of age be accompanied by further proof of parentage documentation,” said Alex Atamanenko, MP for BC Southern Interior.

“I want to remind constituents of this so there are no last minute surprises and they will have time to apply for new birth certificates listing BOTH parents, should they currently not have such a certificate,” he added.

Effective December 1, 2011, parents or legal guardians must provide with their child’s passport application a detailed government birth certificate, naming both parents, or an order of adoption naming the adoptive parents. Certain other requirements may also apply.

All legal documents that refer to custody, the mobility of, or access to the child must be provided. If a divorce has been granted, a copy of the divorce judgment or order must also be provided. If a separation agreement exists, it must also be provided with the application. Read the rest of this entry »

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Conservatives impose closure on controversial crime bill to hide from Opposition

November 19th, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NOVEMBER 18, 2011

Castlegar, BC – According to Alex Atamanenko, MP for BC Southern Interior, the Conservatives are hiding from opposition scrutiny by invoking closure to limit the Justice Committee’s debate on the government’s controversial omnibus crime bill, C-10.

“This is just the latest of seven examples this session where Stephen Harper’s Conservatives have moved to bypass parliamentary work and prevent MPs from doing what we were all were elected to do by Canadians,” noted the BC MP.

Atamanenko says there are 208 clauses that should undergo a thorough parliamentary scrutiny, as well as hundreds of amendments that will undoubtedly not be discussed at all. Bill C-10, which has sparked numerous controversies across the country, will probably be adopted practically as is. This is a problem for the Provinces because it is they who will have to pick up the tab for what is being regarded by experts and opposition critics as an expensive and ineffective approach to criminal justice.

“I can see why the Conservatives don’t want to come under any further scrutiny in the face of the fire-storm they have brought down on themselves,” stated Atamanenko. “But, this kind of authoritarian rule and abuse of power has no place in a Parliamentary democracy.”

The omnibus crime bill has been the object of severe criticism since being introduced. The provinces are refusing to pay the bill for these changes to the Criminal Code, which would increase prison population while denying young offenders the possibility of rehabilitation. The bill makes little sense in the face of Canada’s falling crime rates, especially as they have steadily declined over the last 20 years.

“Provincial leaders have raised serious and justifiable concerns about this bill. They’re worried they can’t afford it, and that it won’t make communities safer,” concluded Atamanenko. “By putting a gag order on democracy the Conservatives are saying they don’t care what the provinces think and they are not interested in what experts say or what the facts are. Worst of all they are saying they don’t care what Canadians think.”

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For more information:

Alex Atamanenko, MP 1-800-667-2393 or 250-365-2792

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Quebec “Orange Crush” Comes to BC Southern Interior

October 17th, 2011

BC Southern Interior NDP Riding Association

October 14, 2011

Some of the “Orange Crush” wave of newly-elected, young Quebec MPs will be in the West Kootenays at the end of October, joining in on local events.

On Saturday, October 29th at the Fireside Inn in Castlegar, the federal NDP Riding Association of BC Southern Interior will be holding its Annual General Meeting from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. It will feature a presentation by MP Alex Atamanenko and an introduction of the newly-elected MPs, followed by a chance to meet and speak with the MPs at a reception immediately after the meeting.

A Gala Fundraising Dinner will follow in the evening at the Fireside Inn, beginning at 5:30 PM. Guest Speakers include Atamanenko, MPs Alexandrine Latendresse, Philip Toone and others.

Everyone is invited to attend both events and meet these dynamic new Quebec MPs who will share their stories about the orange wave which swept Quebec and engaged so many youth and others in the last federal election.

For further information or to purchase or reserve tickets phone 250-365-7633 or email snowdance@shaw.ca.

There are also plans for the new MPs to make some guest appearances at other upcoming events in Castlegar, Nelson and Kaslo. Stay tuned for more information!

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Vince Salvo 250-365-7633
Bev Onischak 250-365-5780

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ATAMANENKO RE-INTRODUCES BILL TO BAN HORSE MEAT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION

October 6th, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 5, 2011

OTTAWA – New Democrat Agriculture Critic, Alex Atamanenko (BC Southern Interior) has re-introduced a Private Members Bill that would effectively shut down the slaughtering of horses for human consumption in Canada. “Since I first introduced this bill in the last Parliament, tens of thousands of Canadians have petitioned the government to legislate an end to this practice,” said Atamanenko. “I think it’s high time the government listened.”

According to the BC MP, the odds are enormous that certain drugs, prohibited for use during the life of any animals destined for the human food supply, are routinely being administered to horses,” said Atamanenko. “It is irresponsible for Canada to allow the sale of meat from horses as a food item when they have never been raised in accordance with the food safety practices required for all other animals.”

Atamanenko points to the inexpensive, easily available and widely used anti-inflammatory drug, phenylbutazone (bute) or ‘horse’s aspirin’ as it is commonly called, as just one example of what is quite likely to be prevalent in horsemeat. Bute is a known carcinogen and its use is illegal in any animal that enters the food supply.

According to Atamanenko, at least fifty per cent of the horses being slaughtered in Canada are imported from the US where horse slaughter has been banned. The meat is then sold to markets in Europe. There are no regulations in the US to prevent horse owners from administering banned substances because horses are not regarded or treated as food-producing animals. “On top of that the US believes it is our task to verify the data in the EID passports as we are the ones selling the meat for human consumption,” noted Atamanenko.

Under pressure from the European Union (EU), Canada has introduced a new ‘equine passport’ system, the data from which is to be verified by the slaughter houses, to track the health history and medical treatments of horses arriving at slaughterhouses, including those from the States.

“The EID system is fraught with loopholes and it is quite a stretch to think that information on hundreds of thousands of horses gathered from every nook and cranny across Canada and America, will be complete or accurate,” concluded Atamanenko. “The right thing for the government to do would be to adopt Bill C-322 so the issue can be debated as soon as possible.”

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For more information:
Office of Alex Atamanenko, 613-996-8036

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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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