Chris's Posts

The Electrical Worker Online

Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper came to power promising to cut regulations and shrink big government. But a new bill backed by the Tories promises to substantially expand federal authority in at least one area: the internal workings of Canada's labour movement.

Bill C-377 would force labour unions to publically disclose all their financial transactions to the federal government — everything from office supply purchases to salaries — creating onerous reporting requirements for union leaders and staff.

With so much at stake, this year’s federal budget could have made a positive difference here in Hamilton.

Instead, on almost every front, this budget fails Canadians.

It does little to create jobs, something Stephen Harper had promised for months. Instead, this budget weakens the environmental review process for Mr. Harper’s friends in the oil and gas industry. And it attacks our most vital public services—including health care and public pensions.

TFWP changes put Canadian jobs at risk, drive down wages

OTTAWA – Conservative changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) could allow employers to hire TFWs without properly ensuring that Canadian workers aren’t available while over one million Canadians are out of work, according to the NDP.  These changes jeopardize worker’s rights in Canada and have serious repercussions on the Canadian economy.

Ms. Chris Charlton (Hamilton Mountain, NDP): Mr. Speaker, let us be absolutely clear. Only the Conservatives are under investigation for dirty tricks. The parliamentary secretary knows that.

The parliamentary secretary knows the investigation into voter suppression is getting wider. Investigators were in northern Ontario to interview people there who were victims of this voter suppression scheme. These people were called on election day and directed to polling stations 20 miles away.

Mountain and Hamilton Centre MPs in shadow cabinet

 By Mark Newman | Hamilton News Staff

Chris Charlton says she’s always been interested in helping develop policy when it comes to social issues and now the Mountain NDP MP has her chance.

“I’m thrilled,” said Charlton after Opposition Leader Thomas Mulcair moved her from party whip and made her the critic for Human Resources and Skills Development in the anticipated shuffle of the shadow cabinet. “A whole lot of issues important to our community reside in that ministry.”