News

OTTAWA – New Democrats are calling on the government and opposition parties to consider two proposed measures relating to the Canadian Forces: the creation of the position of Inspector General and the appointment of a civilian Judge Advocate General.

NDP Defence Critic Jack Harris (St. John’s-East) and NDP Foreign Affairs Critic Paul Dewar (Ottawa—Centre) today proposed these reforms to increase transparency at DND.

New Democrat Member of Parliament Jack Harris (St. John’s East) is pleased with the quick actions taken by the Canada – Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB) in response to recommendations made by Offshore Helicopter Safety Inquiry Commissioner, Robert Wells, concerning search and rescue response time.

“I am both happy and relieved that serious action is being taken on this matter,” said Harris, who has standing at the inquiry and made a presentation about his concerns regarding search and rescue to the inquiry in December.

HARRIS’ CALLS FOR A CANADIAN FORCES SUPPORT CENTRE ANSWERED

St. John’s – The Canadian Forces opened a Joint Personnel Support Unit yesterday in St. John’s, something MP Jack Harris (St. John’s East) has been calling for.

“Last March, when the initial eight of these centres were opened, I was concerned because Newfoundland and Labrador wasn’t one of the planned locations,” said Harris. “I immediately called on the Canadian Forces to open one in this province.”

New Democrats work to call witnesses before appropriate parliamentary committees

OTTAWA - In light of developments Wednesday at the Military Policy Complaint Commission’s investigation into the torture of Afghan prisoners, New Democrat Defence Critic Jack Harris held a press conference today seeking answers from Defence Minister Peter McKay and the Prime Minister.

“Peter Mackay and the Prime Minister must come forward and tell Canadians exactly what they knew, and when they knew it. That is the clearest, fastest, and most honest way to proceed,” said Harris.

OTTAWA – New Democrat Defence Critic Jack Harris (St. John’s East) is calling for an independent inquiry into the Defence Department’s handling of sex abuse allegations after new evidence emerges contradicting the top brass.

Recently published reports refute the Military’s findings into rape of boys by members of the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police.

Members Statements
18 September 2009

Mr. Jack Harris (St. John's East, NDP):

Mr. Speaker, it was very disturbing to learn that Canadian Forces veterans who have served in peacekeeping and other missions since the Korean War are denied the use of long-term care facilities and hospital beds provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Members Statements
September 18, 2009
Re: Veterans

Mr. Jack Harris (St. John's East, NDP):

Mr. Speaker, it was very disturbing to learn that Canadian Forces veterans who have served in peacekeeping and other missions since the Korean War are denied the use of long-term care facilities and hospital beds provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Ottawa – Member of Parliament Jack Harris (St. John’s East) challenged the Conservative Government in the House of Commons today to reject the changes to the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization convention amendments and file an objection to NAFO.

Minister of Fisheries, Gail Shea, refused to agree and cited the Newfoundland and Labrador Government’s support for the measures. This, however, is contradicted by a recent letter from Premier Williams to the Prime Minister criticizing the convention amendments.

St. John’s – As students return to the classrooms for a new academic year, Member of Parliament Jack Harris (St. John’s East) is calling on the federal government to follow the example of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador when it comes to interest on student loans. Beginning in August, the province eliminated the interest on the provincial portion of student loans, on top of the existing tuition freeze for post-secondary education.

ST. JOHN’S – Today New Democrat M.P. Jack Harris (St. John’s East) held a news conference exposing the failure of the Department of National Defence to do any follow-up or assessment report regarding the search and rescue efforts following the Cougar Helicopter crash off Newfoundland on March 12, 2009. The crash cost 17 lives; two of the offshore workers escaped the helicopter, but only one survived.