Latest News & Updates

IN THE NEWS ~ Burnaby MP critical of George Derby Centre layoffs

Burnaby-New Westminster MP Peter Julian is criticizing a recent move at a local veterans' care home to fire nearly 100 unionized staff and contract out their jobs.

Burnaby's George Derby Centre, which provides care for approximately 300 veterans, announced last week that more than 90 staff would be laid off at the end of April. Faced with a limited budget from the Fraser Health Authority, the non-profit centre is planning to contract out housekeeping, food and nutrition, laundry, clerical and activity staff, in order to provide more care hours for the residents.

IN THE NEWS ~ NDP dubs Nexen takeover bid key issue in Calgary Centre byelection race

CALGARY - The federal NDP waded into the heart of the oilpatch Thursday,

accusing the Conservative government of delaying its decision on the proposed

$15.1-billion takeover of Nexen Inc. by a state-owned Chinese company to push

it past the upcoming byelection in Calgary Centre.

NDP candidate Dan Meades - accompanied by Opposition natural resources

critic Peter Julian - said CNOOC's bid for Calgary-based Nexen is ringing alarm

NEWS ~ George Derby health care workers losing jobs

Burnaby, BC    Peter Julian, NDP MP (Burnaby-New Westminster) has denounced the disrespectful actions of the government towards Veterans and their families.

“The Harper Conservatives have been demoralizing our veterans by continually implementing reckless cuts to services. Managing and supporting long term care facilities that address the evolving needs of veterans is a commitment that the government of Canada should never waver from. In Ottawa, the Department of Veterans affairs will be cutting 804 jobs over the next three years. Closer to home in Burnaby, the George Derby Centre will be firing in house staff and contracting out their work to private companies, affecting close to 100 trusted employees who have become part of the family to the veterans�, said Julian.

IN THE HOUSE ~ Question ~ Conservatives missed deadline for national security evaluation on CNOOC

Mr. Peter Julian (Burnaby—New Westminster, NDP): Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Conservatives seemed to have trouble understanding their new investment agreement with China. Maybe they should actually read it.

Under this agreement, if the CNOOC-Nexen takeover is approved, CNOOC will have the same rights as any Canadian company to buy up new oil leases and expand operations.

IN THE NEWS ~ Photos, pizza and a pub – how Ottawa watched Obama win

In a city full of politicians, Tuesday’s U.S. election was the talk of the town. Here’s

how Ottawa watched Barack Obama’s re-election play out.

The U.S. ambassador takes a stand

At the Chateau Laurier, U.S. Ambassador David Jacobson hosted an “election night viewing party,� where invited guests could cast a ballot and have their picture taken standing between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney. The ambassador, who has said he serves “at the pleasure of the president� and must remain neutral told reporters all week that he was going to go home and watch the results in his pyjamas as soon as polls closed. However, at one point during the night he let slip that he hoped the American people would allow Mr. Obama and him – to keep their jobs.

NEWS ~ Time for Conservatives to respect veterans: NDP

NEW WESTMINSTER – At the beginning of Veterans’ Week, the NDP is denouncing the cavalier manner in how the Conservative government treats those who have bravely served our country.

Local NDP MP Fin Donnelly, (New Westminster—Coquitlam & Port Moody) expressed his dismay at the appalling treatment of veterans: “Canadian veterans bravely served our country and deserve dignity and respect,� said Donnelly. “The Harper government's disregard for our veterans is appalling. It is time for the government to stand up for the men and women who fought for our country�.

IN THE HOUSE ~ Question ~ Why are Conservatives not allowing public consultations on Nexen?

M. Peter Julian (Burnaby—New Westminster, NPD): Monsieur le Président, pour le manque de respect envers la démocratie, les conservateurs ne sont presque jamais tombés aussi bas.

Nous sommes tous préoccupés qu'une journaliste du Selkirk Record ait perdu

son emploi parce qu'un député conservateur a dérogé aux lignes de communication officielles du premier ministre sur Nexen. La liberté de presse est un pilier fondamental d'une démocratie forte.

IN THE NEWS ~ Government gives itself more time to review controversial Nexen takeover bid

OTTAWA - The Harper government bought itself some more time to deal with a political hot potato, extending a review of the controversial $15.1-billion bid by a Chinese state-owned company to acquire Calgary-based oil and gas producer Nexen Inc (TSX:NXY).

Industry Minister Christian Paradis said in a news release issued Friday evening that the Investment Canada Act review of the proposed purchase has been extended by 30 days until Dec. 10.

IN THE NEWS ~ Ottawa gives itself more time to review controversial Nexen takeover bid

The Harper government bought itself some more time to deal with a political hot potato, extending a review of the controversial $15.1-billion bid by a Chinese

state-owned company to acquire Calgary-based oil and gas producer Nexen Inc. (TSX:NXY).

Industry Minister Christian Paradis said in a news release issued Friday evening that the Investment Canada Act review of the proposed purchase has been extended by 30 days until Dec. 10.

IN THE HOUSE ~ Question ~ Why is this Conservative government so irresponsible?

M. Peter Julian (Burnaby—New Westminster, NPD): Monsieur le Président, la date butoir pour l'approbation de la transaction Nexen est maintenant à seulement neuf jours. Si cet accord est scellé, une société d'État chinoise se verra conférée un droit illimité d'acheter des ressources naturelles canadiennes.

En raison de cette nouvelle entente d'investissement, si le Québec, par exemple, essaie de limiter la propriété étrangère de ressources naturelles de quelque façon que ce soit, le Québec pourrait se faire poursuivre aux tribunaux.

IN THE HOUSE ~ Notice of Motion re. Nexen at the Standing Committee on Natural Resources

November 1, 2012

Notice of motion ~ Peter Julian, M.P.

That the Standing Committee on Natural Resources recommend that the government reject the proposed takeover of NEXEN by CNOOC; that the Committee conduct hearings on foreign takeovers of Canadian Oil and Gas companies to assess the impact on Canada’s production, transportation and exportation of Oil and Gas resources, on domestic added value and employment, on national security, and on Canada’s ability to chart a sustainable and independent energy policy; and that the Committee report back to the House.

IN THE HOUSE ~ Question ~ Will the minister support open and transparent hearings on the Nexen takeover bid?

Mr. Peter Julian (Burnaby—New Westminster, NDP): Mr. Speaker, we found out yesterday that the Minister of Natural Resources admitted that he did not “know very much about energy projects�.

What cheered me was that he was willing to admit it and ask questions to get facts.

This is novel and unparalleled for a Conservative minister. He actually asked