Irene in Parliament

LONDON –Despite thousands of job losses in the past year, and tens of thousands of families struggling to make ends meet, the federal budget fails to provide any substantial help to everyday Canadians

LONDON –After the introduction of the 2010 federal budget in the first week of March, Canada’s Finance Minister is embarking on tour to “sell” Canadians on the merits of his budget.

OTTAWA – New Democrat leader Jack Layton was joined by NDP Status of Women Critic Irene Mathyssen (London-Fanshawe), NDP Health Critic Judy Wasylycia-Leis (Winnipeg North) and NDP Children’s Issues Cr

For a second consecutive January the doors of the House of Commons are closed and Canadians are again denied a voice in our parliament.

Hansard Record, House of Commons, December 8, 2009

Mrs. Carol Hughes (Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, NDP):

Madam Speaker, before I ask a question of my colleague, I want to read a letter from one of my constituents, Carole Lalonde, from Elliot Lake.

She says:

Hope U are fighting for us NOT to have HST in Ontario. It may help the Ontario gov't, but it sure would NOT help us, the seniors, and lower income people. This is going to cost us an additional 8% on so much, and our income stays the same. I don't hear of any plans to increase our pensions, and we could sure use it. Everyone gets a raise except the ones that need it the most.

My colleague spoke about pensions and she spoke quite eloquently about the needs of women. Could she maybe speak a little more on that and respond to the fact that too many seniors live in poverty,

Hansard Record, House of Commons December 8th Ms. Irene Mathyssen (London—Fanshawe, NDP): Madam Speaker, I would like to share my time with the member for Sault Ste. Marie.

I believe it is essential for me to speak today, on behalf of my constituents, against this insidious new tax. I say this because when it became clear that the party in power was determined to inflict a new tax on the people of Ontario and British Columbia, I sent out a mailing to the residents of London—Fanshawe. I asked them what they thought of the HST, the new tax that Conservatives and Liberals plan to enact on July 1, their gift to Ontario and British Columbia on Canada Day.

I communicate quite regularly with my constituents and they respond in significant numbers. We have a good dialogue, and I always appreciate hearing from them.

However, the response to the HST survey was astounding. I received hundreds and hundreds of mail-backs, emails and letters. I have never had such a response.

Mr. Jim Maloway (Elmwood—Transcona, NDP):

Madam Speaker, I note the member pointed out that she had an outpouring of support from her constituents for her position against the HST. She is backed up in that by the Ipsos Reid Canwest News survey just out yesterday, which shows a whopping 74% of the people in Ontario are against this tax.