Friends,

You have likely heard that US construction conglomerate Caterpillar Inc. is closing the Electro-Motive Canada (EMC) plant in London, Ontario. The announcement was made this morning.

You will recall that this is the facility where 465 workers were locked out January 1st, after refusing to have their wages and benefits cut in half.

You may not know that the closure comes on the heels of a mighty lucrative year for Caterpillar Inc. This company is raking in billions of dollars in profits – $4.9 billion, to be exact. This is the highest level of profit the company has ever had.

Make no mistake about it – at the heart of the decision to close EMC is pure greed, the level of which is breathtaking. But more disturbing is how often this story is repeated in Canada. Despite the economic and personal hardship affecting communities right across the country, the Harper Conservatives simply refuse to take action.

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Vancouver / February 3, 2012 – Peggy Nash, MP (Parkdale—High Park) and NDP leadership candidate, today released a plan to ensure better access to pensions and retirement security for more seniors.

“It is unacceptable that 11 million working Canadians are without a workplace pension,” said Nash, “And that number is steadily rising.”

In the wake of speculation about whether the Harper Conservatives will delay the OAS (Old Age Security) eligibility age from 65 to 67, Nash says her plan is about improving access rather than reducing it.

“Instead of creating additional uncertainly for Canadians about their ability to retire securely, we need urgent and achievable solutions to this widespread problem.”

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Vancouver / February 2, 2012 – Peggy Nash, MP Parkdale—High Park and NDP leadership candidate, put out today a comprehensive strategy to protect wild salmon habitat and support sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.

“The Harper Conservatives have failed our coasts, failed our fisheries, and failed our local economies,” said Nash. A comprehensive report released Thursday by the Royal Society of Canada clearly outlined Canada’s failure to protect marine biodiversity and called for new action to manage and preserve our vital fisheries.

“I will fight for our fragile ocean and coastal ecosystems, and I will respect the voices of British Columbians advocating on their behalf.”

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Winnipeg / February 1, 2012 – Following a tour stop on Tuesday in Winnipeg, NDP leadership candidate Peggy Nash (MP for Parkdale—High Park) received an endorsement from MLA Sharon Blady.

“Peggy Nash is a leader with a proven track record, a vision for a strong progressive future, and the ability to represent Canada on the world stage,” said Blady.

“Our next leader and next Prime Minister must be able to work with Canadians to build a strong and sustainable economy and advance important social programs like a national childcare strategy. Peggy’s skills as a negotiator, communicator, and advocate make her our best choice.”

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