David McGuinty

Political battle heats up over energy strategy

David McGuinty — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:22:49 +0000

Political battle lines are being drawn over a proposed national energy strategy, with industry groups onside and the Conservatives and opposition parties sparring over what it should include.
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Liberal natural resources critic David McGuinty on Tuesday highlighted Redford’s call for a national energy strategy, saying she’s raising some important questions about where the country is headed on energy development.

Read the full story in the Ottawa Citizen.

Conservatives, NDP ‘irresponsible’ on Keystone: David McGuinty

David McGuinty — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:34:19 +0000

The Conservative and NDP’s polarizing positions on the Obama administration’s Keystone pipeline decision are irresponsible and unproductive, Liberal natural resources and energy critic David McGuinty told iPolitics Thursday.

Read the full story at iPolitics.

Liberal Statement on the Keystone XL Pipeline Decision

David McGuinty — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:42:56 +0000

OTTAWA– Liberal Energy and Natural Resources critic David McGuinty made the following statement on the decision by President Barack Obama regarding the Keystone XL pipeline:

“The Liberal Party of Canada supports the sustainable development of our natural resources. Nevertheless, large-scale developments like the Keystone XL pipeline, the oil sands or the Northern Gateway proposal must adhere to the most stringent environmental assessment and review.

In approving these projects federal governments have a unique and crucial responsibility to balance economic development, energy security, environmental and socio-economic factors to arrive at a decision that is in the best interests of their citizens.

In that vein, President Obama made a decision which he feels is in the United States’ national interest. In Canada, we encourage our federal government to develop and adhere to free and open environmental assessment processes that allow for substantive public debate and input from stakeholders, including Aboriginal peoples, as it considers our future economic prosperity.”

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Rules for Resource Projects Need an Overhaul: Minister

David McGuinty — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:13:52 +0000

Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver says Canada needs to overhaul the rules for approving major resource projects—now.
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David McGuinty, the Liberal’s natural resources critic, said without specifics, Oliver’s calls to overhaul project review regulations amounted to little more than a “cheap ruse” calculated to appeal to specific voters.

Read the full story in the Epoch Times.

Liberals Welcome 2012 as the World Year of Sustainable Energy

David McGuinty — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:05:04 +0000

OTTAWA AND TORONTO – Liberal Natural Resources critic David McGuinty and Liberal Environment critic Dr. Kirsty Duncan made the following statement today in advance of the opening of the 2012 European Council for an Energy Efficient Economy World Sustainable Energy Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.

“Liberals warmly welcome the United Nations’ designation of 2012 as the World Year of Sustainable Energy. There can be no doubt that encouraging member countries to implement sustainable energy strategies is imperative. Liberals understand that the groundwork for sustainability must be laid in a manner that is both environmentally and economically advantageous – and that a vibrant 21st Century world economy is dependent on such innovation,” said Mr. McGuinty.

“In June 2012, the world will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the historic Rio Conference on Environment and Development – a conference that will forever be remembered for coining the term ‘sustainable development’. Now, more than ever, it is time for nations to recognize that time is of the essence if we are to be true to those words and reverse the damaging effects of climate change,” he concluded.

“The World Sustainable Energy Conference in Geneva is a critical step on the road to the UN Rio + 20 Conference on Sustainable Development scheduled for June,” added Dr. Duncan. “Europeans will be seeking solutions and consensus on green job creation strategies and we wish them every success.”

Concluded Dr. Duncan, “Liberals will be closely monitoring all developments leading up to Rio + 20, and we urge the Conservative government to take a leadership role at that Conference instead of the obstructionist role recently taken at Durban where Canada abandoned previously agreed upon international climate change obligations. Liberals are also calling on the government, in this World Year of Sustainable Energy, to review any gaps in the implementation of Canada’s Federal Sustainable Development Strategy. ”

Family of seven realizes Habitat dream

David McGuinty — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 20:01:09 +0000

In need of a safe and affordable home, Ahmed Ali and his family realized their dream on Dec. 15 when they were handed keys to their new house thanks to Habitat for Humanity.
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David McGuinty, member of Parliament for Ottawa South, thanked the volunteers and presented special awards to some of the volunteers through his Ottawa South volunteer initiative program.

Read the full story in the Ottawa South EMC

Holiday message

David McGuinty — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 23:05:29 +0000

Total’s Joslyn mine approval triggers Tory calls for speedier review process

David McGuinty — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 14:53:28 +0000

The Harper government has approved Canada’s fifth oil sands mine after the project spent six years under regulatory scrutiny, prompting a senior cabinet minister and energy executives to argue lengthy reviews are unacceptable.
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Liberal environment critic David McGuinty said the Conservatives appear determined to gut the environmental review process to accelerate approval of major resource projects.

He agreed some regulatory systems can be made more efficient, but said Mr. Oliver is setting unrealistic time limits.

“It’s not a question of speed, it’s a question of credibility,” Mr. McGuinty said.

Read the full story in the Globe and Mail.

$9B Joslyn oil sands project gets green light

David McGuinty — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 20:07:23 +0000

Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver says Canada’s environmental review process takes too long and it should be streamlined so it doesn’t last any longer than two years.
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“You can wave a wand and say you are going to drop it from six (years) to four to two. Well, why not one? Why not not have it? Why not six months? If you think you know what the predestined outcome of the process is going to be, then why have the process?” asked MP David McGuinty, the Liberals’ natural resources critic.

Read the full story on CBC.ca.

SO31 – Heron Emergency Food Centre

David McGuinty — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 19:10:32 +0000

Mr. Speaker, the Christmas season is upon us. It is a time of great joy, a celebration of family and of concern for one another.
The Heron Emergency Food Centre has been fighting hunger in my riding of Ottawa South for over 23 years. Working with the Ottawa Food Bank, supported by the city of Ottawa and assisted by the generosity of churches and local residents, the Heron Emergency Food Centre is crucial to our community, distributing over $325,000 worth of food to over 13,000 neighbours each and every year.
I want to recognize and sincerely thank its dedicated team of volunteers, who generously donate their time to meet the needs of so many individuals and families in our area.
I would like to encourage residents of Ottawa South to join me in making a donation of either non-perishable food or money to the Heron Emergency Food Centre this holiday season. I encourage all of my colleagues in the House to do the same to the food centres and distribution centres in their ridings.

Petitions – The Environment

David McGuinty — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 15:15:19 +0000

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36 it is an honour to rise in the House today to present two petitions on behalf of many Ottawa residents.
I would like to recognize the advocacy efforts of my constituent Mr. Joe Parchelo of Ottawa South.
I am also pleased to table a petition on behalf of Mr. John Dorner of the Archdiocese of Ottawa.
The petitioners wish to build support for positive Canadian action at the United Nations conference on climate change in Durban, South Africa.
It is a privilege to table these petitions on behalf of very concerned local citizens.

Hard-hit forestry sector sees its future in the bio-economy

David McGuinty — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 15:09:16 +0000

The federal government’s failure to have a comprehensive forestry strategy leaves the country unprepared to effectively deal with the forestry sector’s needs, say opposition MPs.
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However, it’s not just the industry that is at risk, but the forests themselves. As with every part of Canada’s environment, climate change poses a huge threat to Canadian forests, Liberal MP David McGuinty (Ottawa South, Ont.) said.

Read the full story in the Hill Times.

Presenting a petition on Climate Change

David McGuinty — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 17:05:05 +0000

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, it is an honour to rise in the House today to present a petition on behalf of many of my constituents in my riding of Ottawa South. I would like to recognize the efforts of members of the Holy Cross Parish and, particularly, Mr. John Dorner of the Archdiocese of Ottawa.

The petitioners wish to build support for positive Canadian action at the United Nations Conference on Climate Change in Durban.

It is a privilege to table this petition on behalf of my constituents.

Liberal Website Becomes More Accessible to People with Physical Disabilities

David McGuinty — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 19:49:14 +0000

OTTAWA— To mark the upcoming United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Liberal Party of Canada is proud to announce changes that make the Liberal Party’s website, and soon all related micro-sites, more accessible to individuals with physical disabilities.

“A quarter of the global population is directly affected by disability, either themselves or as care-givers to family members or friends,” said Liberal Leader Bob Rae. “When we eliminate barriers to information, people are able to participate more fully in social, civic, and economic life, and we are all better off.”

Mr. Rae rose in the House today to speak on this important issue. He noted that by taking this important step and leading by example, the Liberal Party of Canada is calling on the federal government to join other jurisdictions in finding innovative ways of increasing accessibility to digital information for disabled persons.

“Accessibility is not only an issue of basic human rights but also one of citizenship,” concluded Liberal Human Resources & Skills Development and Labour Critic Rodger Cuzner. “Provided with the right tools people with disabilities have immense capacity to contribute to society. By making websites more accessible we are moving one step closer to realizing this potential.”

International Day of Disabled Persons was established by the UN General Assembly to commemorate the end of the UN Decade of Disabled Persons (1983-1992). It is observed annually on December 3rd.

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Background:

Changes to liberal.ca have been made in partnership with eSSENTIAL Accessibility, a Canadian company committed to making online environments instantly accessible to individuals with physical disabilities. It empowers users with dexterity limitations that arise from a variety of conditions including stroke, paralysis, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and Parkinson’s disease among others. Moreover, it also helps those who have difficulty reading because of literacy deficiencies, limited English proficiency, dyslexia, or mild visual impairment. Organizations feature the eSSENTIAL Accessibility icon as part of a Disability Community Involvement initiative sponsored by March of Dimes Canada. The symbol displayed on the homepage acts as a clickable icon through which any visitor can download the assistive technology they require free of charge.

For more information visit: www.essentialaccessibility.com.

Contact:

Liberal Party of Canada
613-783-8403

Environmental groups question halt to committee’s work

David McGuinty — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:43:30 +0000

A legislated review of environmental assessment law by a House of Commons committee has come to a seemingly abrupt end, leaving environmental groups on the outside of the process.
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Liberal MP and former environment critic David McGuinty said the halt of the review is part of a wider Conservative strategy to shut down debate and forge ahead as the Tories see fit.

Environmental groups question halt to committee’s work

Keystone backers lobbied officials 56 times since May

David McGuinty — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 16:14:50 +0000

The proponents of a controversial pipeline project linking Alberta’s oil industry to refineries on the Gulf Coast of Texas attempted to lobby federal politicians and bureaucrats 56 times since May’s general election, according to reports filed under Canada’s lobbying registry.
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Liberal natural resources critic David McGuinty said the entire log of activity indicates an unprecedented mobilization of the government apparatus to lobby on behalf of a company.

Read the full story in the Ottawa Citizen.

Parliamentary Guide Program

David McGuinty — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 15:06:59 +0000

Recruitment for the 2012 Parliamentary Guide Program has begun. Application deadline is January 13.

Liberal MP suggests PM ‘beholden’ to big oil

David McGuinty — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:44:27 +0000

Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s role in the Keystone XL oil pipeline debate suggests that Harper has been bought by big oil, a Liberal MP said Tuesday.
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In an interview, McGuinty floated the possibility that Harper is in the pocket of oil companies because they may have secretly paid off hundreds of thousands of dollars of his leadership campaign bills back in 2002.

Read the full story in the Chronicle Herald.

Tories to push new seats bill, Wheat Board bill, budget bill through House in five weeks

David McGuinty — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:57:22 +0000

The majority governing Conservatives are determined to get their second budget implementation bill, their seat redistribution bill and their bill to end the Wheat Board monopoly all passed within the next five weeks before the House adjourns for Christmas, says Government House Leader Peter Van Loan.
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Liberal MP David McGuinty (Ottawa South, Ont.) told The Hill Times recently that the use of time allocation has to be seen in a bigger context. He said that Conservatives are using time allocation to rush through bills that they think are controversial and will reward their right-wing base for being patient and loyal until it reached its majority government.

Read the full story in the Hill Times.

Feds bring in political loans limits, opposition parties want PM to disclose leadership contributors

David McGuinty — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:08:44 +0000

If the government wants to make political loans to party leadership candidates more transparent, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and other Conservative leadership candidates should disclose who funded their campaigns before the rules were changed, say opposition MPs.

“Until he actually openly discloses where he got his own money from and who paid his bills and where his minister of defence got his money from and who paid his bills, you cannot trust Stephen Harper when it comes to political money,” said Liberal MP David McGuinty (Ottawa South, Ont.).

Read the full story in the Hill Times.