Ms. Irene Mathyssen (London—Fanshawe, NDP): Mr. Speaker, in an ideal world, the budget would help people, but in Conservative Ottawa budgets are used to weaken retirement security and cut old age security. In Conservative Ottawa, Canadians are forced to work two years longer before they can retire. Expert after expert after expert has contradicted the government and said OAS is sustainable.
Ms. Irene Mathyssen (London—Fanshawe, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, at the Status of Women committee, I introduced a motion to study the 1993 equality action plan from the Canadian panel on violence against women. My motion calls on the committee to examine the document and develop an action plan to address its recommendations.
Ms. Irene Mathyssen (London—Fanshawe, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, in October of last year I asked the Minister of Veterans Affairs who cared for our soldiers after they came home from deployment. The government likes to tout that it supports our troops. However, the minute those troops become veterans, they are all but forgotten.
FEBRUARY 4TH, QUESTION PERIOD
Ms. Irene Mathyssen (London—Fanshawe, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, there is a troubling pattern of the Conservatives ignoring due process when it comes to the care of our veterans. Today the ombudsman's report provides the latest example of unfair treatment of veterans seeking disability benefits.
Ms. Irene Mathyssen (London—Fanshawe, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, rail freight customers, from farmers to mining companies, are suffering because railway companies have a virtual monopoly when it comes to the vital rail lines that Canadians need to get goods to market.
