Michael Redmond

NDP Express Concern for Children over Summer Break FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- Montague, PE-(June 22, 2016) The Leader of the NDP today has expressed his concern for children at risk and for low income families as schools across PEI close down for summer holidays. "It can not be understated what a huge role schools, teachers, staff and administrators play in looking after our children", states Redmond... The NDP Leader points to the work by Island schools and staff to feed and clothe children, offer programs, and counsel families. When schools close for the summer months many children across PEI will no longer have access to those resources nor the stability of breakfast and lunch programs, after school programs and the consistency, continuity that our education systems provide. "Summer is supposed to be an enjoyable time for kids, however this is not the case for many Island children. One in 4 children and 1 in 5 families are food insecure on PEI". NDP leader Mike Redmond argues Premier Wade MacLauchlan should address. Specifically, what measures is the current government doing to address the needs of low-income families on PEI? "The issues around poverty are not diminishing, in fact they are growing, we need a collaborative effort from all levels of government, education, health, social services and justice to provide care. We also need our municipalities and Federal leaders to be part of the solution. After all it takes a village to raise a child.", concludes Redmond. Mike Redmond Leader, NDP PEI Phone: (902)-388-7102 Email: [email protected]

I was very honoured to join in the walk yesterday marking World Refugee Day. The PEI Association for Newcomers to Canada held its World Refugee Day Walk to mark the occasion. Since 2001, more than 1,000 people have come to Prince Edward Island as refugees. In the past number of years, the Province has welcomed 40-to-60 refugees on an annual basis. Since November 2015, as part of the Federal Government's commitment to settle 25-thousand Syrian refugees, PEI has welcomed 222 Syrian refugees. By the end of December 2016, Prince Edward Island expects to welcome another 80 refugees. We have done so much as a province, and we can do more.

NDP Concern over Highway Intersection FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- Montague, PE-(June 20, 2016) The Leader of the NDP today has expressed his concern over the Trans Canada Highway #1 in Mt. Albion that connects to Route #5, via the 48 Road. "There are multiple areas of concern on this very important road that connects to Kings County", states Redmond... The NDP Leader has pointed out areas of concern, a left turn on a highway with on coming traffic coming around a bend at high speed, a merge lane coming from the 48 Road that is much too short, and a very important service station which sits between the two. Redmond has sent an email to Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy Minister Paula Biggar, asking that the area of concern be reviewed and changes be made to make access from all areas safer. "This is a very important artery to Kings County, and the last service stop along the way. It really is fraught with danger areas. We are asking the Minister to review all access points and come up with a plan that will make travel safer for all Islanders.", concludes Redmond. Mike Redmond Leader, NDP PEI Phone: (902)-388-7102 Email: [email protected]

The NDP's Foreign Affairs critic, Hélène Laverdière described the Liberal's decision as hypocritical. "Justin Trudeau himself called for an inquiry, but now in government, he has flip-flopped on the issue," she said. "Instead of the transparency he promised, we are seeing Liberals use Conservative-style excuses for not holding an inquiry. There are serious allegations here and the reputation of Canada and our military is at stake." ... http://www.cbc.ca//polit/afghan-canada-prisoners-1.3640411 See more

NDP Concern over UPEI Lock-out FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- Montague, PE-(June 10, 2016) The Leader of the NDP today has expressed his concern over the impending lock-out that seems certain to come at the University of Prince Edward Island. "It is a very difficult time for staff and faculty at the University, we are again heading towards a shut down over a contract not a decade after the last strike", states Redmond... Redmond also pointed out the fact that both UPEI and Holland College are exempt from FOIP (Freedom of Information Legislation), the public doesn't see where their tax dollars go. These institutions have been a political patronage dumping grounds for decades. "It is unacceptable for both these institutions to continue to go hat-in- hand to government for more money every year, just as it is unethical that our provincial government uses post secondary institutions to hire friends and families of their respective political parties", concludes Redmond. The NDP Leader pointed to the funding increase from the provincial government has increased 71% from 2007/08 a little over 55 million to this years budget 2015/16 of over 78 million for our 3 post secondary Institutions College Acadie, UPEI and Holland College. "The funding increases are simply no longer sustainable, we need our post secondary institutions to live within their budgets", explains Redmond. Redmond has asked Premier Wade MacLauchlan to examine the possibility of merging UPEI and Holland College into one post secondary institution. "We are a small province of a population a little over 145,000 people, we cannot continue funding both institutions at the rate we are", states Redmond. The NDP would like to review services of both institutions and to begin the review at the very top. The NDP does not believe there is a need for 2 Presidents, 2 Vice Presidents, 2 Athletic Departments and pointed to the possibilities of duplication of services like the registrar's office, procurement services, and facilities management. " We know the University is on the verge of locking out it's professors, staff and faculty, we know the University has let a multi-million dollar turf facility fall into disrepair, all this while they have increased tuition at Holland College by 2% and UPEI by 3%. There seems to be some very serious management issues and the people of this province should not have to pay for their mismanagement ", concludes Redmond Mike Redmond Leader, NDP PEI Phone: (902)-388-7102 Email: [email protected]

Rural Internet Access Second Rate FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- Montague, PE-(June 9, 2016) The Leader of the NDP is calling access to rural internet in Kings County as second rate. The NDP Leader, Mike Redmond, is reacting to his own experiences as a farmer and small business owner. On Tuesday, May 31st, Redmond's internet was knocked out via a lighting storm, but his carrier Bell Aliant would not repair the downed internet connection until Friday June 3. "There are many business...es, farmers, fisherman and residents that count on having access to the internet and almost four days without service is unacceptable", states Redmond The NDP would like a full public review of internet services on PEI; what providers are available, what the expectation from those providers, is there government support to these companies? Many residents have complained that access in rural PEI is poor. The NDP Leader also wants to know how the business of Bell Aliant is structured, who is Bell Aliant using for service calls, is the multi-National company using cheaper labour in the Philippines to collect bill payments ? The NDP Leader went as far as to send an invoice to Bell Aliant for four days loss of Internet access, stating the negative affect the loss of internet had on his business operations. "There is an expectation from Bell Aliant that we signed a contract for services, well, that contract works both ways. They have a legal responsibility to service their customers, and in this and many cases in rural PEI, that is simply not happening", concludes Redmond. Mike Redmond Leader, NDP PEI Phone: (902)-388-7102 Email: [email protected]

NDP Question Health Appointments FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- Montague, PE-(June 3, 2016)... The Leader of the NDP today is condemning the appointments of Blaine MacPherson, former VP of Cavendish Farms and proponent of more deep water wells, and Warren Ellis, former potato farmer as being the complete antithesis of what a Health Board is supposed to represent. "This is an example of the Liberal Party's backroom deals, exposing the ugly truth that money does purchase influence on PEI", states Redmond. In particular, the NDP Leader was critical of the appointment of Warren Ellis. Ellis is the former potato farmer who was found guilty last year of the 2011 and 2012 fish kills in Trout River and fined $70 K. Mr. Ellis and family are big contributors to both the Liberal and Conservative Parties. Over the past 8 years the Ellis Family has contributed almost $70 K to both political parties, $41,300.97 to the Liberal Party of PEI, and a further $27,700.66 to the Conservative Party of PEI. The NDP Leader would also like the Liberal Premier to provide an answer as to whether the 3.7 million dollar government loan to Ellis was paid back? Ellis received this loan just before he sold his potato farm. "This once again demonstrates the Liberal Party's move towards lifting the moratorium on high capacity wells. They are stacking the deck at Health PEI, moving towards a corporate agenda", concludes Redmond. Mike Redmond Leader, NDP PEI Phone: (902)-388-7102 Email: [email protected]

Government & Opposition Lost Opportunity FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- Montague, PE-(May 18, 2016) NDP Leader has called the closing of the Legislature after only 23 days, a lost opportunity to inform, debate and challenge our democracy. 'It was a missed opportunity for our legislative system to be truly informative and discuss some very important issues", states Redmond.... The NDP pointed to major issues that require our political leaders to be present and accounted. The Water Act, Electoral Reform and the soon to be announced auditor generals report on the E-Gaming Scandal. Now today the Guardian shows both Liberal & Tory Parties received large donations from the Irving family just before the election. http://www.theguardian.pe.ca//Payday-for-P.E.I.s-politic/1 "There is no surprise here, both parties support lifting the moratorium on high capacity wells, neither supports true electoral reform and they are both running scared of the AG's report because there are big Liberal and Tories involved in that scam. Liberal & Tory, same old story", concludes Redmond. Mike Redmond Leader, NDP PEI Phone: (902)-388-7102 Email: [email protected]

We continue to not deal with the problem. Chasing away the poor and homeless will not deal with the issue of poverty and the growing inequality in this Country. http://www.cbc.ca//charlottetown-panhandling-pei-agressive

I have had numerous conversations, and meetings with Barb and Jon. These are wonderful people, good people, folks who both have had health issues dramatically affect their everyday lives. It is important to note $9500.00 a year for one person is living in poverty, for 2 people it is extreme hardships. We need a system that catches people when they fall, not finds ways to deny basic human rights. In Prince Edward Island, the definition of spouse is: two people who are lega...lly married, or two people who have lived together in a conjugal (sexual) relationship for 3 years or more, or two people who are living together in a conjugal (sexual) relationship and are the natural or adoptive parents of a child or children. The term common-law is no longer a legal term because it is contained within the definition of spouse. The last resort is to file a human rights complaint, but what options are left for folks who need our help? http://www.cbc.ca///pei-social-assistance-denied-1.3566425

http://www.cbc.ca//ndp-leader-mike-redmond-e-gaming-scanda

NDP Wants Clarity and Update on E-Gaming Scandal FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- Summerville, PE-(May 3, 2016) NDP Leader is looking for Premier Wade MacLauchlan to provide an update, along with timelines, so that all Islanders may see the Auditor General's full report on the E-Gaming file. "We want to be sure that all Islanders have a chance to see this report before the Liberal Government attempts to send it off to the RCMP and avoid commentary for another extended period of ti...me", asks Redmond. In Premier MacLauchlan's year end interview with the Guardian the Premier stated, What weve said all along is that we are bringing a new way of doing business and Islanders will have the auditor generals report. We intend to take that to heart and act on it and to square up to any issues that are pointed out by the auditor general. Premier MacLauchlan. http://www.theguardian.pe.ca//P.E.I.-taxpayers-will-like/1 "When is the Report now expected to be delivered? And how will it be delivered to all Islanders, as promised by the Premier?", concludes Redmond. Mike Redmond Leader, NDP PEI Phone: (902)-388-7102 Email: [email protected]

The single biggest issue we have with our political institutions, is that they are not representative of the common person. Salaries, pensions, additional pay for committee work, perks, and expense accounts. I wonder if we bring provincial mla salaries on PEI back to the avearge yearly earnings, how many people would run for office? Likewise how many MP's from this great Country would still be in Ottawa. Political work should be to the benefit of people, not oneself. http://news.nationalpost.com//mps-senators-get-pay-hike-as

"Canada-wide savings from national pharmacare at between $4 billion and $11 billion per year, depending on how the program is structured." http://rabble.ca//liberals-veto-national-pharmacare-while-

NDP Wants Answers from UPEI President FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- Summerville, PE-(April 28, 2016) NDP Leader, Mike Redmond wants University of Prince Edward Island President Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz to explain recent job cuts to staff working in residence at UPEI. "The President must make a public statement on job cuts; the numbers, the impact on students, and if additional cuts are planned. The President has a responsibility to be open and transparent when it comes to the operatio...ns and direction of the University", states Redmond. The NDP points to a 3% fee increase to student fees in 2015/16, cuts to departments, course registration minimums. UPEI's budget stands at over 107 million, almost 31 million comes from Island taxpayers, and the NDP Leader wants answers and more transparency at both post secondary institutions, UPEI & Holland College. The NDP has long argued that post secondary institutions must fall under FOIP(Freedom of Information Legislation). "Public dollars fund both UPEI and Holland College, and the public have the right to know how these funds are spent", concludes Redmond. Mike Redmond Leader, NDP PEI Phone: (902)-388-7102 Email: [email protected]

NDP Leader Talks Decisions in a Global Context FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- St. Peters Bay, PE-(April 26, 2016) NDP Leader, Mike Redmond addressed the PEI Federation of Municipalities AGM yesterday in St. Peter's Bay. The NDP Leader urged all Municipalities to think globally when decisions are made in our communities. Decisions must be made with respect to the affects on our environment and the people across this Country and around the world. "All levels of governance have a ma...jor impact on our well being, we are Islanders and Canadians and as such must be leaders on the world stage", stated Redmond. Decisions like filling in ditches in Charlottetown have cost the taxpayers 25 million dollars and have had a negative impact on the environment and the water supply. On the federal level Redmond was critical of the Liberal Governments sale of arms to Saudi Arabia, pointed to their abysmal human rights record and the war in Yemen, that has killed some 3000 people, 700 of whom were children. "We have a social responsibility to create a sustainable future for all of our children, poverty, housing and the grave inequalities that exist are equally shared with all levels of government", concluded Redmond. Mike Redmond Leader, NDP PEI Phone: (902)-388-7102 Email: [email protected]

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca//niki-ashton-justin-trudeau-c

http://www.cbc.ca//canada-saudi-arabia-arms-transparency-l

Senators are not answerable to anybody. Theyre unelected and unaccountable, and thats the obvious point to make here and it is an institution that weve argued for decades simply has to go. NDP Leader Mike Redmond http://www.theguardian.pe.ca//P.E.I.-political-leaders-d/1

NDP Leader Wants Clear Question on Electoral Reform FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- Montague, PE-(April 18, 2016) NDP Leader Mike Redmond is voicing his Party's concern over the presented five options for the question on electoral reform. "The question should be very simple, do you support FPTP(First Past the Post) or PR(Proportional Representation). The Standing committee has made the question way too difficult," states Redmond. ... The NDP is also questioning the process, how will the plebiscite be measured and applied? Will the option with the most support be automatically implemented, even if does not have majority support? Will there be any limitations on spending by the mainstream poltical parties other than Elections PEI? "We remaining skeptical about the process and government must supply a clear question for Islanders to consider", concludes Redmond. Mike Redmond Leader, NDP PEI Phone: (902)-388-7102 Email: [email protected]

A very busy week has come to an end. I had the pleasure of attending the Food Exchange AGM(terrific presentations) on Wednesday. A stop in the house to listen to the debate in the legislature. Press releases on the rights of the child and tax avoidance schemes. Meeting with families and finding solutions to inequalities that exist in our governance model. Certainly my hi-light of the week was attending the Cattle Producers AGM. Wonderful learning opportunity, chance to listen to farmers, seeing all the hard work being done on PEI, and all the efforts at the Atlantic Beef Plant finding markets and opportunities for our beef industry.

NDP Wants Answers on Tax Avoidance Schemes NDP Leader Mike Redmond is asking Premier Wade MacLauchlan to disclose information and answer questions related to tax avoidance schemes which appear to point that Island Abbey Foods International has presently three offshore companies in Bremuda. "I want the Premier to answer some very simple questions. Firstly, is Island Abbey Foods avoiding paying taxes with these off shore companies?" asks Redmond. With the recently release of... Panama Papers, we've found that millions of dollars in tax avoidance schemes have been set up by Canadian Companies and now even companies on PEI appear to be involved. "The Premier must also explain his involvement in this company. Is the Premier of PEI an investor in Island Abbey Foods Inc.? Redmond also points to a government recruiting document from the Liberal government used to recruit at least one company to PEI by indicating it could show them how to avoid paying taxes on PEI. "Islanders want and deserve answers. The Liberal government of PEI was recruiting companies to come to the Island with the explicit hook of not paying taxes; taxes that would alleviate our current economic crisis. We have a Premier who is cutting teachers and commissionaires at the hospital in a province with deplorable rates of poverty. Meanwhile, he appears to be part of questionable investments. He needs to answer these questions, concludes Redmond. Mike Redmond Leader, NDP PEI Phone: (902)-388-7102 Email: [email protected]

NDP Leader Supports Call for Child Advocate FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- Montague, PE-(April 15, 2016) NDP Leader, Mike Redmond is supporting a Conservative call to create a child advocate position on PEI. "We must take seriously the role government has in protecting our most vulnerable in society", states Redmond. ... A recent inquest into the death of 4-year-old of Nash Campbell, recommended P.E.I. establish a child advocate position. P.E.I. is the only province in Canada without a child advocate. The NDP Leader has asked the Conservatives and all parties to take the issue of protecting the rights of the child a step further. The NDP would like to see PEI enact legislation from the UN's Rights of the Child. Guiding Principles-UNs Adoption of the Rights of the Child Children have the rights to: Protection (e.g., from abuse, exploitation and harmful substances) Provision (e.g., for education, health care and an adequate standard of living) Participation (e.g., listening to childrens views and respecting their evolving capacities) Specific protections and provisions for vulnerable populations such as Aboriginal children and children with disabilities "The province needs a framework to ensure all children on PEI have the same opportunities and rights", concludes Redmond. Mike Redmond Leader, NDP PEI Phone: (902)-388-7102 Email: [email protected]

There can be no good reason, no excuse for selling arms to a country that kills innocent children, men and women. Our 4 MP's and Premier should simply be ashamed of themselves. http://www.cbc.ca//pol/saudi-arms-deal-documents-1.3533082

http://www.cbc.ca//pei-ndp-leader-redmond-child-poverty-1.

NDP Leader Wants Summit on Child Poverty FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- Montague, PE-(April 8, 2016) NDP Leader, Mike Redmond is calling on all political leaders, Premier Wade MacLauchlan's and the Minister Family and Human Services Tina Mundy to host a province wide summit on eradicating child poverty on Prince Edward Island. "It is inconceivable that in an agriculture and fisheries rich province we have children going hungry and living with food insecurity." states Redmond.... The NDP Leader was reacting to todays story that more than 22% of Island families are living with food insecurity and that children more than one in five are experiencing food insecurity which are the worst numbers in all of Canada. http://www.cbc.ca//prince-/p-e-i-food-insecurity-1.3525018 The NDP Leader would like the province to put an immediate plan to deal with the issues today and to formulate a long-term plan that addresses income, housing, child care, food, transportation, and health care "We need to hear from Islanders develop an immediate plan, have a long-term vision and strategy, one that would include in our opinion a Basic Income Guarantee, ensuring no one is left behind and living in poverty'', concludes Redmond. Mike Redmond Leader, NDP PEI Phone: (902)-388-7102 Email: [email protected]

The unacceptable becomes the norm, we simply cannot accept 1 in 5 children going hungry. http://www.cbc.ca//prince-/p-e-i-food-insecurity-1.3525018

How did our 3 Liberal MP's vote for the Canada-Panama Free Trade agreement. http://www.parl.gc.ca/HouseChamberB/ChamberVoteDetail.aspx

http://www.cbc.ca//mulcair-asks-trudeau-about-cbc-tax-avoi

NDP Leader Congratulates Premier on Reviews FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- Montague, PE-(April 3, 2016) NDP Leader, Mike Redmond sent a congratulatory email to Premier Wade MacLauchlan on his undertaking of three separate provincial reviews of the City of Charlottetown's departments. "It takes great courage to embark on bringing openness and transparency to all levels of government. I take this opportunity to congratulate the Premier on a truly ambitious undertaking," states Redmon...d. The province is reviewing the City of Charlottetown's Fire, Police, and Water & Sewer Departments . Redmond asks the Premier to take the reviews one step further; "We would like to see Public Works department reviewed, as well as hiring practices within City Hall and full disclosure on how taxpayers monies have been spent under this Mayor's Leadership. We also want the City of Charlottetown and all municipalities to follow under Freedom of Information Legislation." explains Redmond. City Hall just passed a budget forecasting a 1.5 million dollar deficit, and has hired a new CAO with a dubious track record. "Obviously we are concerned about the financial management and leadership at City Hall. Decisions such as spending 20-25 million on ditch infilling, community advisory committees, and political hiring's, and having a 1.4 million dollar beautification slush fund have greatly cost city taxpayers while simultaneously excluding essential services to many residents. The Province has a responsibility to step in when those decisions leave people vulnerable, cause significant damage to our environment, and impact other outside communities." concludes Redmond. Mike Redmond Leader, NDP PEI Phone: (902)-388-7102 Email: [email protected]

NDP Hails Historic Day for Island Women FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- Montague, PE-(April 1 , 2016) Chair of the NDP Women's Committee Aleida Tweten has congratulated Premier Wade MacLauchlan, Health Minister Robert Henderson and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women Paula Biggar on an historic day." states Tweten. ... The P.E.I. government announced on Thursday it's moving to provide abortion services on the Island for the first time in almost 35 years along with a new women's reproductive health centre that will offer a number of services, including medical and surgical abortions. PEI is the last province in Canada to provide abortion services. "This is a day to celebrate and acknowledge all of the hard work, the continued fight for access for reproductive rights services for Island women. The many groups, women and men who have fought diligently for our Chartered Rights in this province, it is just a wonderful announcement," concludes Tweten. Aleida Tweten Chair of the NDP PEI Women's Committee Phone: (902)-213-2277 Email: [email protected]

Happy Easter everyone. Beannachtaí na Cásca gach duine.

http://www.msn.com//latest-arrests-in-quebec-c/ar-BBqDw4d

http://www.theguardian.pe.ca//Opposition-MLA-wants-full-/1

Premier Ignoring Environment, People and Our Collective Future FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- Montague, PE-(March 16, 2016) ... NDP Leader, Mike Redmond has labeled Premier Wade MacLauchlan's state of the economy address short sighted and pandering to big business. "We have a Premier who speaks only of growth, rather then sustainability, who hasn't addressed poverty or low wages and who is short sighted on environmental issues." states Redmond. By not addressing issues around food insecurity, poverty, environment, or the ill fated Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) the NDP Leader believes the Premier is selling out Islanders. "We have a premier who speaks in one breath about breaking down trade barriers and in the same sentence talks about buying local programs. He obviously has not read the TPP Deal, where there will be no buy local programs, good paying jobs will be sent whereever big corporations can find cheaper non-unionized labour, and our health care costs for pharmaceuticals will sky rocket. His presentation was nothing short of smoke and mirrors pandering to big business at the expense of hard working Islanders." concludes Redmond. Mike Redmond Leader, NDP PEI Phone: (902)-388-7102 Email: [email protected]

NDP PEI Marks International Womens Day FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Charlottetown, PE (March 8, 2016) The New Democratic Party of Prince Edward Island joins today with people in PEI and around the world in marking International Womens Day. Since 1913, March 8th has been set aside as a day of celebration of the achievements of women worldwide, and a day to remember the courage, perseverance and activism of women who have fought for equality. Aleida Tweten, Participation of W...Continue reading