Statements
Posted on March 8, 2010
For Immediate Release
March 8, 2010
OTTAWA – Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff made the following statement today on International Women’s Day:
“International Women’s Day is an occasion to celebrate the economic, political and social achievements of women across the globe. Throughout this week, commemorative events across Canada will reflect on women’s progress over the decades, and the challenges that still remain before all women achieve true equality.
Only days ago, all Canadians proudly cheered on the remarkable success of our women athletes at the Vancouver Olympics. Sadly, government action hasn’t matched the achievements of our women. Women’s equality has taken a step back under the Conservative government’s regressive policies, which have led to a growing gender gap in this country.
Canada’s federal government should be leading by example by adopting policies and programs that help more women and girls to participate in all aspects of society. Only then will all women truly succeed – and when women succeed, all of Canada wins.
On behalf of the Liberal Party of Canada and our Parliamentary caucus – particularly the Liberal Women’s Caucus – I invite all Canadians to participate in events in their communities that celebrate women. And I encourage everyone to make every day women’s day by doing your part to ensure a bright, safe and prosperous future for all women and girls.”
Liberal Status of Women Critic Anita Neville added:
“International Women’s Day allows us – all of us – to reflect on the incredible achievements of women in Canada and around the world over the decades. Many women today enjoy a prosperity and freedom their mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers could only dream of.
But that is not the whole story. This week is also a time to take a hard look at what still needs to be done to bring opportunity to all women. There are still far too many women – here at home and across the globe – living with poverty, prejudice and/or abuse, solely because they are women. The Harper government has not helped matters – they have attacked women’s rights to pay equity, left women out of their economic stimulus plan, dismantled child care agreements and failed to take concrete action or call an investigation into the national shame of more than 500 missing and murdered Aboriginal women.
Today, as with every day of the year, I wish success and health for all women.”
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Posted on March 5, 2010
SO31 Members Statement on the Paralympics (05MAR10)
Mr. Speaker,
Vancouver is a community transformed by the electricity of the 2010 winter Olympic Games. We embraced the athletes, the crowds, the foreign languages heard on the streets. We celebrated our Host First Nations with pride. With the rest Canada we waved our flags, and sometimes wept; riveted by the spectacle of human bravery, of hopes dashed and triumphs seized.
And now Vancouver’s glow of good cheer is re-ignited by the Paralympic Torch flame’s westward odyssey. Now its radiance falls on the disabled and Paralympians, illuminating their extraordinary courage and achievements.
Vancouver will offer these remarkable competitors the same warmth we showed Olympians and will cheer them on just as loudly.
Sadly, the Prime Minister has moved to eliminate the break-week scheduled during the Paralympics.
But I know my colleagues will strive to equally honour our Paralympians, so they do feel recognized as first-class athletes – and the source of inspiration – that they truly are.
Posted on March 4, 2010
For Immediate Release
March 4, 2010
VANCOUVER – Liberal Member of Parliament for Vancouver Quadra, Joyce Murray, made the following statement today regarding Israeli Apartheid Week:
“This week on campuses across Canada and at the University of British Columbia in my own riding, Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) is taking place.
Israel, like any other state, is responsible for any violations of human rights and humanitarian law. Dissent and opposition to individual actions of the Israeli government are both legitimate and permitted both in Canada and in Israel; just as political dissent is permitted and encouraged with respect to any democratic nation.
However, public calls for the destruction of Israel and Jews wherever they may be must be condemned and have no place in Canada or anywhere else in the world.
IAW aims to delegitimize Israel’s very existence – checkpoints, inflammatory language and deliberate attempts to portray the Jewish state as criminal undermine any attempt for legitimate dialogue or debate to occur. The kind of vehemently anti-Israel language promoted by Israeli Apartheid Week only serves to heighten the tension in our communities around the tragic conflict in the Middle East.
At a time when Canadian students should be engaging in pro-peace campus debates and positive change, the intent of the IAW campaign appears to solely demonize and undermine the state of Israel and, in turn intimidate and alienate Jewish and non-Jewish students alike.
On behalf of the Liberal Party I would like to encourage all Canadians to reject all forms of anti-Semitism, racism and intolerance, both within Canada and around the world.”
The 6th annual Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) will take place in Canada from the 1st to the 14th of March 2010. It is part of a global campaign of calls for divestment, boycotts and proclamations against the state of Israel.
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Posted on March 2, 2010
Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff and Liberal Critic for Amateur Sport and the Vancouver Olympics Joyce Murray made the following statement today as the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games draw to a close:
“I want to congratulate all the athletes that took part in the Olympic Games. Each of these performances made the Olympic spirit live once again“, said Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff.
“It is with great pride that we say farewell to the 2010 games and congratulate all participants for representing Canada with such talent, enthusiasm and vigour on the international stage. And we thank all of the families and coaches that have supported our athletes every step of the way, helping them deliver performances of a lifetime at the Olympics.“
“Following a magnificent gold medal win by our men’s hockey team, we can truly say that these games brought Canadians from coast to coast to coast together in a show of patriotism that was truly inspiring. Whether it was our athletes who gave it their all to make us the country that won the most gold medals in any winter games, or the thousands of volunteers, the organizing committee, the Aboriginal communities, or the fans, everyone can be proud of how we welcomed the world to our doorstep, and made these games such a success.“
“On behalf of the Liberal Party of Canada and our Parliamentary caucus, I salute all Canadians who made these games their own, and showed the world what a great host nation we can be. I also look ahead with great anticipation to the upcoming Paralympic games starting March 12th, when we will once again wow the world with our pool of talent and Canadian hospitality.”
“It has been a great joy to welcome the world to my city, and I am so very proud of everyone who participated in these games,” said Ms. Murray. “It’s because of the dedication and patriotism displayed by all – from the athletes, volunteers and organizers, to the exuberant fans right across the country – that these games have been an unprecedented success. I have never been so proud to call Vancouver and Canada my home. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is something I and all Canadians will not soon forget. Congratulations to all.”
Posted on January 13, 2010
For Immediate Release
January 12, 2010
OTTAWA– Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff released the following statement after reports of an earthquake in Haiti:
Tonight, I join Canadians across the country in expressing my concern and solidarity with the Haitian people as we learned of the earthquake that hit their country earlier today. As we continue to monitor reports and new information from officials on the ground, we stand ready to do whatever we can to offer help to the people of Haiti.
In the days ahead, we must work together to ensure the safety of all those affected by this earthquake, and we offer our support and encouragement for any efforts by the Government of Canada to bring quick assistance to this region.
On behalf of the Liberal Party of Canada and our parliamentary caucus, I offer our steadfast commitment to stand with the people and the government of Haiti, the many Canadian citizens living in Haiti today, and the Haitian community here at home as recovery from this quake begins.
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