Latest News & Updates

IN THE NEWS ~ NDP's rejection of Nexen deal pushes Harper into tight corner

Jameson Berkow, Financial Post

National Post (all but Toronto); Financial Post, Page FP1

CALGARY - Canada's official opposition has conducted its own "net benefit" test of China's $15.1-billion attempt to buy a Canadian oil sands producer and issued the deal a failing grade.

The federal New Democratic Party Thursday urged Prime Minister Stephen Harper to prevent Calgary-based Nexen Inc. from being sold to CNOOC Ltd., a state-controlled enterprise backed by China's Communist government. While unsurprising given the party's recent statements on the proposed deal, the move, experts say, was designed to provide the NDP with political capital.

IN THE NEWS ~ NDP won't back Chinese bid for Nexen, citing lack of openness about the bid

Jason Fekete

   Prime Minister Stephen Harper says CNOOC's takeover bid for Canadian energy company Nexen "raises a range of difficult policy questions" for his

government as it decides whether to approve the transaction.

   The prime minister's comments Thursday - some of his strongest yet on the issue - added more intrigue to a day that saw the NDP announce it opposes the

IN THE NEWS ~ Ottawa must reject Nexen deal:NDP

   NDP has finally come out strongly against CNOOC's $15.1-billion takeover of Nexen, citing lack of transparency in the approval process, and an alarming

number of questions left unanswered by the federal government for its decision to oppose the deal.

   "The Conservatives failed to act in good faith and inform the public of the consequences of this takeover. We're talking about a company that plays a

NEWS ~ Government must reject Nexen's foreign takeover

“The Conservatives failed to act in good faith and inform the public of the consequences of this takeover. We’re talking about a company that plays a key

role in a critical sector of our economy,� said Natural Resources critic Peter Julian.

Announced in July, this $15.1 billion transaction raises many questions, including whether or not CNOOC will protect jobs and keep the head office in Canada. It is also unclear how Canada’s environmental standards will be enforced with regards to the sustainable development of its resources.

IN THE HOUSE ~ Question ~ Will the Minister vote tonight to consult the public on the Nexen takeover bid?

Context : Question

Mr. Peter Julian (Burnaby—New Westminster, NDP): Mr. Speaker, let us go back two years when every single Conservative MP in the House voted to make public hearings a mandatory part of the foreign investment review. It was November 16, 2010. The government has simply stopped listening to Canadians.

The minister for small business said yesterday that government has no role, quote,

IN THE HOUSE ~ Speech - Debate on Official Opposition Day Motion on Nexen takeover bid by CNOOC

That, in the opinion of the House, the government: (a) should not make a decision on the proposed takeover of Nexen by CNOOC without conducting thorough public consultations; (b) should immediately undertake transparent and accessible public hearings into the issue of foreign ownership in the Canadian energy sector with particular reference to the impact of state-owned enterprises; and (c) must respect its 2010 promise to clarify in legislation the concept of "net

NEWS ~ Nexen: NDP tables motion calling for public consultations

Discontent over potential Nexen takeover intensifies

OTTAWA – The potential takeover of Nexen by the Chinese Company CNOOC continues to divide. New Democrats tabled a motion today calling for public consultations to properly inform Canadians, once and for all, of the impact of this transaction.

“A growing number of Canadians are opposed to the takeover. A recent survey states that half of business executives oppose the Nexen takeover if there aren’t any real advantages for the country,� said Energy and Natural Resources critic Peter Julian, who tabled the motion.

IN THE NEWS ~ MP Julian calls for immediate telecom access for deaf Canadians

Burnaby-New Westminster NDP MP Peter Julian was among those who gathered recently to raise awareness of a need for immediate telecommunications access for deaf Canadians.

Julian, who had previously served as executive director of the Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, spoke to the crowd in downtown Vancouver in sign language.

Speakers called for provision of a permanent video relay service (VRS) in Canada that provides services in spoken English and French, and signed languages, American Sign Language and Langue des Signes Québécoise.

IN THE HOUSE ~ Question ~ Will this government launch public consultations on the impact of a Nexen takeover?

Context : Supplementary Question

Mr. Peter Julian (Burnaby—New Westminster, NDP): Mr. Speaker, it is in the best interests of Canadians to actually hold public consultations.

It is a few days away from the deadline. We are still waiting for the Conservatives to define net benefit, something they have been promising since 2010, and we have

seen the consequences of inaction on this when we have watched companies Vale Inco break their promises with impunity. Canadians deserve better than that.

IN THE HOUSE ~ On Official Opposition Day Motion on Unemployment Insurance

Context : Questions and Comments

Mr. Peter Julian (Burnaby—New Westminster, NDP): Mr. Speaker, I enjoyed, as I always do, the speech from the member for Hamilton Mountain. She is a very passionate advocate for ordinary Canadian families.

She pointed out that this is nothing less than a punch in the gut to seasonal workers, to families that are just trying to get by, to make sure they have

IN THE HOUSE ~ Speech - on Bill C-383, An Act to Amend the International Boundary Waters Treaty Act and the International River Improvements

Context : Debate

Mr. Peter Julian (Burnaby—New Westminster, NDP): Mr. Speaker, the NDP is pleased to rise in this House to support Bill C-383.

I would like to start by thanking all of the Canadian activists who have been pushing for years to ensure that we do not have water exports or inter-basin water

transfers. Canadians across the country have been concerned about this.

IN THE NEWS ~ Harper's Tory MPs divided over abortion

OTTAWA - Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservative MPs have been left seriously divided over the issue of abortion after a controversial motion was

defeated in the House of Commons Wednesday.

By a vote of 203 to 91, MPs defeated the motion by Conservative MP Stephen Woodworth instructing parliamentarians to study whether a fetus is a

human being before the moment of birth.