Rob Oliphant calls on Conservative Government to immediately apologize and compensate Ahmad Elmaati

March 2, 2010

OTTAWA – Last week, the Honourable Justice Frank Iacobucci issued a supplement to the public report he prepared following his Inquiry into the detention and torture of three Canadians, Abdullah Almalki, Ahmad Abou-Elmaati and Muayyed Nureddin.  This supplement, which focused on the detention of Mr. Elmaati in Egypt, includes evidence held back from the original report on October 21, 2008.  Citing national security concerns, the Conservative Government refused to allow this information to be published.  The release of the supplement today obviously indicates that no such threat ever truly existed. More...

Harper government refuses to help veterans in need

For Immediate Release
February 11, 2010

OTTAWA – The recent cases of Canadian veterans being shut out of Ste. Anne’s veterans hospital is just the latest example of how the Harper government is abandoning our veterans in need, Liberal Veterans Affairs Critic Rob Oliphant said today. 

“Veterans groups signed on to the 2006 New Veterans Charter with the understanding that the government would use it to meet the needs of veterans as they arose,” said Mr. Oliphant.

“The Charter gives Veterans Affairs Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn the discretion to step in and ensure things like this don’t happen. And yet he won’t even respond to inquiries made to him by family members who are fighting to get their loved ones the health care they deserve.” More...

Rob Oliphant, MP condemns Conservative inaction on repatriation of Omar Khadr

February 8, 2010

TORONTO -   In a statement, Rob Oliphant, Member of Parliament for Don Valley West, repeated his call for the repatriation of Omar Khadr to Canada.  “As a Canadian citizen, he deserves fair, transparent and just treatment before a legitimate court of law. The Supreme Court of Canada has now agreed that the Canadian government has violated his rights as a Canadian Citizen.”  Oliphant said

“While I am hopeful that Mr. Harper does the right thing, and brings Omar Khadr home, I equally understand that if he does not it will further expose the flagrant and continued disregard for our Charter of Rights and Freedoms,” Oliphant said. “This only further exposes this Government’s refusal to protect Canadians abroad,” he continued. More...

MP Rob Oliphant Speaks out on the Prorogation of Parliament

January 7, 2010

TORONTO- On December 30, 2009, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced his decision to shut down Parliament for the second time in just over a year’s time.

“It is clear that Prime Minster Harper`s decision to shut down Parliament has more to do with politics than with good governance and is his way of avoiding difficult questions and hiding from public scrutiny,” said Mr. Oliphant.

This prorogation will not stop Liberal parliamentarians from working, however. On January 25, when Parliament was to have resumed, Mr. Oliphant and his Liberal colleagues will be back at work in Ottawa. During that first week, the Liberal Caucus will host working sessions on a series of issues, working with Canadians as they prepare for the “Canada at 150” conference in March. Mr. Oliphant will personally be hosting a session in his capacity as the Official Opposition Veterans Affairs Critic. More...

Rob Oliphant, M.P., awaits action, not words, on recognition of foreign credentials

November 30, 2009

TORONTO–While welcoming the new federal-provincial agreement on recognition of foreign credentials, Rob Oliphant, Member of Parliament for Don Valley West, called on the Harper government to take more concrete actions to help new Canadians.  “What new Canadians are really looking for is an opportunity to use their skills to help build a better Canada.  They need Canadian experience to help make a contribution.  Foreign credential recognition is only a part of this goal.  This government must ensure they are creating these jobs as well.” Oliphant said.  More...

Liberal Veterans' Critic expresses outrage at Fredericton War Memorial vanadlism

November 10, 2009

OTTAWA– The Liberal Party of Canada’s Critic for Veterans Affairs, Robert Oliphant, M.P. for Don Valley West, made the following statement today on behalf of the Official Opposition regarding the damage done to the Fredericton War Memorial:
 
“As millions of Canadians prepare for Remembrance Day observances to honour Canadian Veterans and the men and women who have served with courage and dignity in the Canadian Forces, I join with all Canadians in denouncing the vandalism done this week to the Fredericton War Memorial.. More...

Liberal MPs stand up to protect Canadian Nortel Employees

October 21, 2009

OTTAWA– Today, in the House of Commons, Liberal MPs presented over 1400 pages of petitions signed by Canadians concerned with the Government’s response to the announced sale of Nortel to a foreign buyer.  Liberal Members of Parliament Robert Oliphant (Don Valley West), Judy Sgro (York West), Ruby Dhalla (Brampton-Springdale) and David McGuinty (Ottawa South), tabled these petitions for the Government’s review in front of a packed gallery of supporters who were in Ottawa for a rally on Parliament Hill earlier that day.. More...

Rob Oliphant Awarded 2009 Parliamentary Intern

October 16, 2009

OTTAWA– Rob Oliphant is pleased to welcome Allison O’Beirne as his Parliamentary Intern for the Fall Session of Parliament. Rob is honoured to be one of the three Liberal Members of Parliament chosen to host an Intern. Interns are selected through a rigorous national competition and then they choose Members of Parliament to work and learn with. They participate in a year-long academic seminar and have comparative study tours to legislatures in Canada and abroad. Over the past 40 years, they have contributed greatly to the quality of work on Parliament Hill and have gone on to outstanding careers in the public and private sectors. More...

Robert Oliphant named Liberal Party of Canada Critic for Veterans Affairs

October 6, 2009

OTTAWA– Michael Ignatieff, Leader of the Official Opposition, announced today an addition to the Liberal Party of Canada’s Shadow Cabinet.  Robert Oliphant, Member of Parliament for Don Valley West, was introduced as the Party’s new Critic for Veterans Affairs and was elected vice-chair of the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs.  More...

Rob Oliphant, MP Presents Bill Requiring Pension Funds to Disclose Environmental, Social or Governance Considerations in Investing

September 15, 2009

OTTAWA – Robert Oliphant, Liberal Member of Parliament for Don Valley West, is set to introduce a Private Members’ Bill this week in the House of Commons.  The Bill calls for amendments to the Pensions Benefits Standards Act, 1985, requiring public and private pension plans to disclose considerations given to environmental, social or governance factors during the selection, retention, or liquidation of investments under the plan’s responsibility.

“This bill is about transparency. It will ensure that clear information about the way investment decisions are made is available to protect pension plan members. It also recognizes the significant role pension funds play in the Canadian economy,” Mr. Oliphant said at a Press Conference today. More...

Rob Oliphant, MP expresses outrage over Harper Conservatives' ignoring of citizenship rights

August 14, 2009

TORONTO – Rob Oliphant, Member of Parliament for Don Valley West, called on the Harper Government to apologize immediately to Toronto resident Suaad Hagi Mohamud and review government policies to better protect Canadians travelling abroad. 

“Canadian citizenship should be an inalienable right,” Oliphant said.  “This Government continues to demonstrate a selective disregard in its responsibility to protect and serve Canadian citizens abroad.”  Mr. Oliphant was incensed over the recent decision by government officials to declare Ms. Mohamud an imposter, thus handing her over to Kenyan officials to face prosecution and imprisonment.  Despite having over ten pieces of identification, Ms. Mohamud was still denied her rights as a Canadian.  Mr. Oliphant continued, “Her Government wasted no time in turning its back on her.” More...

Rob Oliphant Calls on the Government to Apologize and Compensate Abdullah Almalki, Ahmad Abou-Elmaati and Muayyed Nureddin

June 18, 2009

OTTAWA – Rob Oliphant, Member of Parliament for Don Valley West, welcomed the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security Report tabled today in the House of Commons which calls on the Government of Canada to formally apologize and provide financial compensation to Messrs. Abdullah Almalki, Ahmad Abou-Elmaati and Muayyed Nureddin.  

Mr. Oliphant, a member of the Committee, has repeatedly brought this issue forward as an important public policy issue as well as a moral issue.  The Public Safety and National Security Committee has spent the last several months conducting an extensive study reviewing the findings of Justice O’Connor’s (Maher Arar) and Justice Iacobucci’s (Almalki, Abou-Elmaati, and Nureddin) inquiries.  These inquiries found that Canadian officials contributed to the torture of these men by sharing false information with foreign security agencies. More...

Stock the Shelves Event at Flemingdon Food Bank's New Location

May 21, 2009

The Flemingdon Anglican Ministry, who has taken the sole responsibility of operating the Flemingdon Food Bank for the last five years, recently received an unexpected eviction notice due to a redevelopment of the Flemingdon Plaza. This crisis pulled the Thorncliffe and Flemingdon communities together to find a solution as all agreed that the community could not afford to lose the food bank.  More...

Rob Oliphant Welcomes Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff's Statement on the Crisis in Sri Lanka

February 27, 2009

Rob Oliphant, Member of Parliament for Don Valley West, strongly endorses Liberal Leader, Michael Ignatieff’s statement on the crisis situation in Sri Lanka. “It is time this Government takes action on this tragic situation. Our Party is taking a lead on this issue and is demanding a real response from this Prime Minister,” said Rob Oliphant.  “The Tamil community is reaching out to us, begging for help. Canada has a strong reputation for responding to international human rights abuses and we cannot be silent this time. How can the Conservative Government sit back and ignore their fellow Canadian’s plea for immediate intervention? Something must be done now,” he continued. More...

Don Valley West MP says the Prime Minister Must Call on the U.S. to Release Omar Khadr Immeadiately from Guantanamo Bay

February 12, 2009

Rob Oliphant, Member of Parliament for Don Valley West, welcomed the recent letter to President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Harper which was signed by Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff and the other opposition leaders.  “This letter appeals to President Obama for the immediate release of Canadian Omar Khadr from detention at Guantanamo Bay; “something our party has been calling on for far too long” said Mr. Oliphant.  “We have heard nothing but silence from Mr. Harper since the announcement on January 21 by President Obama to temporarily adjourn Mr. Khadr’s case for 120 days. This is simply not acceptable” he added. More...

Rob Oliphant, MP Speaks at Vigil in Response to Suffering of Tamil Community

February 5, 2009

OTTAWA - Member of Parliament Rob Oliphant spoke at the Parliament Hill vigil on Wednesday, where he called on the Canadian Government to demand an immediate ceasefire from the Government of Sri Lanka and to allow aid to be delivered to the Tamil communities in Sri Lanka.

Mr. Oliphant responded to the lack of relief aid currently being provided by the Conservative Government. "We firmly call upon our Government to increase Canadian relief and development aid to Sri Lank, to help rebuild war-torn areas of the country, and assist international relief agencies in their attempts to deliver aid," he said. To date the Conservatives have only provided 3 million in relief aid to Sri Lanka. More...

Conservative Must Act to Address Soldiers' Health Care Needs

December 18, 2008

OTTAWA – A recent report by the Ombudsman for the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces exposes the need for the Conservative government to act to ensure that Canada’s soldiers enjoy the health care services they deserve, Liberal Veterans Affairs Critic Rob Oliphant said today.

“The time for study has passed. It is time this government took action to help our soldiers and veterans,” said Mr. Oliphant.

Mr. Oliphant was referring to the fact that this most recent report on operational stress injuries by Interim Ombudsman Mary McFadyn follows up on an earlier Ombudsman’s report that was first issued in 2002 and over half of the original recommendations have yet to be implemented by the Conservative government. More...