Once again it would seem that EI reform is the hot topic on the hill.  Prime Minister Harper has changed his stripe somewhat by giving a further extension to EI benefits from five weeks to twenty weeks. 

 

Human Resources Minister Diane Finley said that the proposed legislation would cost $935 million and would provide additional benefits from five to twenty weeks; depending on how long an eligible individual has been working and paying into EI. 

 

Unfortunately the details of how the sliding scale will work are not ready for public consumption yet.  Does the extension of benefits help with the massive qualification problems faced by 60% of Canadians?  However, it does look as if both the NDP and the Bloc will support the motion averting the threatened fall election. 

The Conservatives have been actively shoring up support by bending on their stance for EI reform and continuing the Home Renovation Tax Credit. 

These types of motions are exactly how minority governments are meant to work.  Minority governments must work together to ensure that the voice of the public is heard and reacted to.  During this economic meltdown the last thing needed is to go back to the polls or pirogue government. 

At the All Canada Progress meeting journalist, Mike Duffy, had an interesting spin on why there wouldn’t be a fall election.  He pointed out that a large number of MP’s were first elected in 2004 and would not be eligible for a lifetime pension if they didn’t get past 2010.  How much of that played into the decisions to support the Conservative we will never know but you can rest assured that it was a factor. 

Also announced by Finance Minister Flaherty on September 11th was a $600 million dollar “shovel ready” Toronto infrastructure influx, $200 million to be contributed by the feds from their $4 billion dollar infrastructure fund.  The additional funds will be coming directly from the City of Toronto. 

Mayor Miller stated that the money would directly create or save approximately 7000 jobs in Toronto.  The money is to be used for roads, sewer and building projects in the city.  This follows on the heels of the feds refusing to use stimulus money for the purchase of streetcars, which would also put our membership to work, a very mixed message coming out of Ottawa. 

A five-year project for Union Station’s central subway platform will be divided in two parts and doubled in size to create more space for waiting passengers, widening of the stairwells, and a connection to the Queens Quay streetcar loop. 

The $137.5 million project has been on the planning board for quite sometime, but has headed to the Toronto Transit Commission meeting for final approval with work getting under way early 2010. 

The subway platform overhaul is additional to a $640 million restoration of Union Station that has created new GO Transit concourses, and plans for Via passenger lounges, retail zones and links to the underground PATH system.  All of these projects are designed for two purposes, stimulus work and eventually a 2015 Pan American Games bid.  Construction is to be completed by 2014. 

The City of Toronto has actively been pursuing both the provincial and federal governments for investment dollars to stimulate growth in our region. 

The provincial by-election in St. Paul’s was won by, Liberal Dr. Eric Hoskings.  Conservative, Sue-Ann Levy, a Toronto Sun columnist, was second and Julian Heller, the NDP candidate, followed in third. 

The by-election was called after Liberal Cabinet Minister, Michael Bryant, left provincial politics to become the CEO of Invest Toronto. 

Many had thought that the harmonized sales tax, implemented by the government, would have played a bigger role in the by-election but in the end support for the Liberals in the riding was strong enough to give them another convincing win. 

Deputations by industry groups, including the IBEW, were given regarding the “College of Trades”.  While the concept of the “College” is being fairly well received the devil is in the details on how it will be rolled out.  As the committee meetings continue we will endeavour to keep you updated. 

For more news and campaigns check the COPE website at www.lu353.org/cope

 

Fraternally,

Steven Martin, COPE Chair