Rodger Cuzner, MP

Statement on the Westray Coal Mine Tragedy

OTTAWA— Liberal Human Resources & Skills Development and Labour critic Rodger Cuzner made the following statement today to commemorate the Westray Coal Mine tragedy:

“Twenty years ago today, a spark deep in the southeast section of the Westray Coal Mine in Nova Scotia triggered a massive explosion that trapped and killed 26 miners. The force of the blast shattered windows and shook homes in nearby Stellarton and New Glasgow.

Today, we remember those miners who died a needless death–deaths that were the result of greed, mismanagement and failed government oversight.

Rescue teams and draegermen worked tirelessly and in treacherous conditions in search of survivors. Their bravery and heroism captivated the nation and put a spotlight on worker safety and corporate accountability. Their efforts led Parliament, under the leadership of my former colleagues Liberals Martin Cauchon and Andy Scott, to unanimously pass the Westray Bill.

The Westray Bill was a positive step, but we are reminded today that more can and needs to be done to improve worker safety and corporate accountability in our country.”

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Cuzner deeply concerned over cuts to Parks Canada in Cape Breton-Canso

DOMINION, NS – Cape Breton-Canso M.P. Rodger Cuzner made the following statement today in reaction to the Conservative government’s cuts to Parks Canada yesterday:

“The tourism industry in Cape Breton-Canso will be hard hit by these cuts across the board but I’m especially concerned about the slashing of jobs and hours at Fortress Louisbourg, one of Parks Canada’s greatest treasures and the largest national historic site in the country.

“This means a shorter tourism season, fewer hours for seasonal workers who depend on the Fortress and the other Parks Canada sites for their livelihoods and a reduction in business for local restaurants, gas stations and bed-and-breakfasts. The cuts will also impact students who are already struggling to find summer work because the government closed student summer job centres.

“It’s deeply disturbing that the Conservative government does not see the value in these sites, the people who work so hard to keep them going, and the communities that depend on them.”

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For more information:

Laurel Munroe
Communications Manager/Executive Assistant
Rodger Cuzner, MP
Cape Breton-Canso
902-842-9403 (office)
902-574-1705 (mobile)

http://rodgercuzner.liberal.ca

Cuzner calls on government to increase commitment to Canadian workers

OTTAWA – Now that the federal government has decided to dramatically reduce delays for hiring temporary foreign workers, it must do the same for the 1.4 million unemployed Canadians who are waiting months to receive their Employment Insurance cheques, says Rodger Cuzner, the Liberal critic for Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.

Employers wishing to hire temporary foreign workers must apply for a labour market opinion (LMO) which assesses how those workers would potentially affect Canadian jobs. The Minister responsible for HRSDC announced Wednesday that the government will speed up the process so employers will receive a LMO within 10 days, instead of the 16-18 weeks it can currently take.

“If the Minister can snap her fingers and reduce LMO wait times from 112-126 days to 10 days, why can’t she reduce the wait for the hundreds of thousands of Canadians who are waiting months to have their E.I. claims processed while they struggle to put food on the table?” Mr. Cuzner asks.

As for the increasing demand on the temporary foreign worker program, it highlights the Conservative government’s failure to create a plan to develop a home-grown talent pool of skilled workers, says Mr. Cuzner. He also questions why, with 1.4 million Canadians out of work, 150,000 foreign workers are expected to be processed this year alone.

“Just last month, the Minister herself chastised the Nova Scotia government for looking at foreign workers instead of its own unemployed to build ships,” Mr. Cuzner says. “She said ‘Why would we want to bring in people from outside when we have people here who need the jobs and who can do them? It only makes economic sense.’ Once again, this Minister is talking out of both sides of her mouth. She should take a position and stick to it.”

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For more information:

Laurel Munroe, Communications Manager/Executive Assistant
Phone: 902-842-9403 (office) 902-574-1705 (mobile)
Email: Rodger.Cuzner.c1a@parl.gc.ca

Cancellation of fisheries policies will lead to death of communities: Cuzner

DOMINION, N.S. – While the Conservatives are refusing to properly consult with fishermen over the future of the fishery in Atlantic Canada, Liberals are speaking directly [...]

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