Justin Trudeau is delighted with his new role for the Liberal Party of Canada

Posted on July 5, 2011

Ottawa, Ontario – Justin Trudeau has been named critic for Youth, Post-Secondary Education, and Amateur Sport.

“It is with much pleasure and enthusiasm that I get to focus on making sure that this government addresses the issues facing young people today,” the MP for Papineau announced today. “It is troubling that this government prefers to talk about youth only in relation to locking them up. I have long said that more needs to be done to guarantee a bright future for our youth, so I am committed to helping young Canadians become the powerful, engaged leaders that our communities need.”

The Liberal Party recognizes that our country’s prosperity depends on access to quality post-secondary education for all, and this will continue to be a focus for the new Critic.

As for Amateur Sport, despite Mr Trudeau’s long-standing support and involvement in athletic organizations and activities, he recognizes the need to familiarize himself with the issues facing amateur sports in greater depth. He looks forward to collaborating with the various associations and athletes who do such a great job of engaging and activating individuals and communities across Canada.

Mr. Trudeau thanks the Interim Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, Mr. Bob Rae, for the confidence he has shown in him and recognizes the opportunity he has to meet directly with citizens. “We must have these important discussions with Canadians and give them a voice in opposition to Stephen Harper’s majority government,” declared Mr. Trudeau.

Information :
Louis-Alexandre Lanthier
613-995-8872

The Bloc Chooses Not to Help Seniors

Posted on May 1, 2011

There is no room to question the legitimacy of a party elected by the population. However is a party that is intentionally “blocking” eventual negotiations with the provinces, without even thinking of having a discussion with them, actually working for you?

On March 2^nd, we proposed a Bill that would permit our senior citizens to use public transit for free, outside peak hours. Here is the official summary of the Bill:

This enactment allows the Minister of Finance to make direct payments to a trust established to help provinces, territories and municipalities to offer seniors free local public transit, anywhere in Canada, during off-peak hours.

Gilles Duceppe and the Bloc Québécois preferred to put your needs aside to profit from partisan politics which led to them voting against this Bill. The Bloc says that they are there for Quebeckers. Are they only there to defend those who support their cause or are they really there to help all of Québec?

As a Liberal Member of Parliament in Québec, I have always made it my duty to represent each and every citizen of Papineau, even those who have voted for the Bloc. This is why I voted in favour of this Bill and this is why I am proud of the propositions presented by Michael Ignatieff, as they are helping the elderly. In fact, the Liberal Party has proposed reforms such as:

A voluntary Supplementary Canada Pension Plan, to help more Canadians save more through our trusted national pension;
A stranded pension agency to give employees whose companies have gone bankrupt the option of growing their pension assets through the Canada Pension Plan; and,
Changes to the Bankruptcy Act to give long-term disability plans better protection

In addition to proposing important reforms on retirement, a Liberal government would increase the subsidies that are reserved for retirement homes – which would, in the end, improve the viability of the Canadian health care system. This would also allow for a more accessible home health care system in Québec.

Wherever your allegiance lies, your Liberal representation in Québec is here for you.