Press Releases

When a crowd of protesters converges on Confederation Building today to protest the government’s decision not to open the House of Assembly for debate, Lorraine Michael and members of the NDP caucus will be there to welcome them.

Organized by the Occupy NL movement that has been ongoing at Harbourside Park in St. John’s for more than a week, today’s protest will be joined by the provincial labour movement and the students’ union at Memorial University.

NDP leader Lorraine Michael (MHA Signal Hill- Quidi Vidi) today questioned the state of democracy in Newfoundland and Labrador, noting that important issues like the lack of work at the Marystown shipyard are not being debated in the House of Assembly.

Premier Dunderdale said she will not open the House of Assembly for a Fall session. Michael says the Dunderdale Conservatives have no interest in being held accountable for the problems at the shipyard.

NDP Leader Lorraine Michael (MHA, Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi) is observing Persons’ Day with a pang of sadness this year.

“It is, as always, uplifting to reflect on the progress women have made since October 18, 1929, when we were first recognized as persons under Canadian Law,” said Michael. “This year, however, is our first Persons’ Day without Nancy Riche.”

The Persons’ Awards, more formally known as the Annual Governor General's Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case, were established in 1979 to mark the 50th anniversary of the landmark Privy Council decision.

NDP Leader Lorraine Michael (MHA, Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi) has renewed her call for a truly independent offshore safety authority in the wake of the most recent report of a spill into the ocean off Newfoundland and Labrador.

Last Thursday, the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (CNLOPB) announced that Husky Energy reported a spill of about 600 litres of drilling fluid from its GSF Grand Banks rig early Thursday morning.

(Grand Falls) NDP Leader Lorraine Michael called attention again today to the crying need for a province-wide 9-1-1.

Speaking in Grand Falls, Michael reiterated her call for emergency telephone service in every part of Newfoundland and Labrador.

“Newfoundland and Labrador is the only North American jurisdiction without province-wide 9-1-1,” Michael said today. “I have been calling for this for the entire five years since I was elected leader. Despite commitments in the House of Assembly and ongoing public assurances, government still has not implemented this system.

NDP Leader Lorraine Michael reaffirmed that her party is committed to making life more affordable for the people of the province.

“People want their lives to be more affordable. This is what they are telling my NDP team as we have knocked on countless thousands of doors over the past few months,” said Michael. “They are talking to us about pensions, childcare, jobs, student loans, rental costs or retirement, and about being able to pay for the basic needs of their lives.”

Port Union - NDP Leader, Lorraine Michael was joined today by NDP candidates Darryl Johnson for Bonavista South and Vanessa Wiseman for Trinity North as she viewed the storm damage in Trouty and Port Union.

“Our rural communities live close to the line. Every day we live with boil water orders but we unfortunately have storms like Igor or Ophelia that can push a community over that line,” said Michael.

NDP Leader Lorraine Michael was joined today by NDP MP Megan Leslie of Halifax, the party’s former health critic, to discuss the negotiations for the Canada Health Accord.

The current health agreement between Ottawa and the provinces expires in 2014. About 20 cents of every dollar spent on health in Newfoundland and Labrador comes from the federal government.

“We need strong leadership to get the best for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians,” Michael said today.

NDP Leader, Lorraine Michael, today is commenting on the death of former Party President and lifelong friend Nancy Riche.

“I have known Nancy for 30 years. She was a leader in Canada’s labour movement and the New Democratic Party besides being an inspiring feminist and a strong promoter of human rights.”

“Nancy worked unstintingly to help the vulnerable and she believed in a better future for all of us in Newfoundland and Labrador.”

NDP Leader, Lorraine Michael today reaffirmed support for the senior citizens of our province on National Seniors Day. She vowed to continue her fight on issues that matter in seniors’ lives such as home care and long term care.

“National Seniors Day is a special day for senior citizens all over the world. It's time for us to give our senior citizens and retirees the respect they deserve. People who have worked hard to contribute to this province should be assured of basic needs in their retirement,” says Michael.