It is one thing to be aware that too many of our friends and neighbours do not have enough food, it is another thing altogether to walk a mile in their shoes.
In my long political career, I’ve visited countless food banks (in fact I’m visiting one or two next week). I’ve met with leaders in our community who work on this issue, like the amazing Dianne Swinemar at Feed Nova Scotia, and I enjoy supporting the Boys and Girls Club here in Dartmouth and their school breakfast program.

None of that compares to the feeling of being truly hungry. Below is my twitter feed throughout the day, from my eager anticipation to getting started, right through to the next morning when I had the most satisfying smoothie of my life.

Let me just say that I am so grateful not only to Feed Nova Scotia for inviting me to participate and get a better appreciation for hunger, but also to all those food banks, service organizations, churches, schools, and community members concerned about food security, who work hard to try and alleviate hunger in our community each and every day.

I recommit myself to work hard to end hunger for children and families.

1. Robert Chisholm ‏@RobertNDP 8 May
Two hours until my fast begins in support of Feed Nova Scotia. #hungerweek #cdnpoli #nspoli

2. Robert Chisholm ‏@RobertNDP 8 May
Hunger awareness starts here now. #hungerweek #Cdnpoli #nspoli

3. Robert Chisholm ‏@RobertNDP 8 May
Sister faster Megan. We’re in our Atlantic Caucus meeting. Doing okay 30 min in. #hungerweek #cdnpoli #nspoli pic.twitter.com/QpiWb4kfeX

4. Robert Chisholm ‏@RobertNDP 8 May
Still hanging in! Calling on all those concerned about children going to school hungry, join up!#hungerweek

5. Robert Chisholm ‏@RobertNDP 8 May
Way to go!”@caitBearnes: I have decided to fast for 24 hours @FEEDNOVASCOTIA to raise awareness for #HungerWeek”

6. Robert Chisholm ‏@RobertNDP 8 May
If you’re concerned about people going hungry in your community, join up Hunger Awareness!#hungerweek #cdnpoli #nspoli

7. Robert Chisholm ‏@RobertNDP 8 May
So now I’m thinking about lunch. I’m making the choice not to eat…imagine not having the choice. #hungerweek #cdndpoli nspoli

8. Robert Chisholm ‏@RobertNDP 8 May
I’m feeling hungry, think I’ll go get a sandwich. Oops not today I’m fasting how fortunate I am with choice. #hungerweek #cdnpoli #nspoli

9. Robert Chisholm ‏@RobertNDP 8 May
How are all the faster’s doing? This an important challenge for the issue of hunger in our communities, hang in! #hungerweek

10. Food Banks Canada ‏@foodbankscanada 8 May
@robertndp You’re doing great! Thank you for your fasting updates & for your support of #HungerWeek #HungerAwarenessWeek

11. Robert Chisholm ‏@RobertNDP 8 May
It’s 5.15 pm and I’m on duty and hungry. I’m just saying! #hungerweek #cdnpoli #nspoli

12. Robert Chisholm ‏@RobertNDP 8 May
I’m starting to float! Thanks. “@popoffculture: @RobertNDP Try drinking a lot of water? Either way, good luck!” #hungerweek

13. Robert Chisholm ‏@RobertNDP 8 May
6.45pm I’m not having dinner…luckily I can listen to my colleague Libby Davies, she is always very interesting. #hungerweek #cdnpoli

14. Robert Chisholm ‏@RobertNDP 8 May
Countdown to end of House Duty, 3 minutes! Getting light-headed (more than usual). #hungerweek #cdnpoli

15. Robert Chisholm ‏@RobertNDP 8 May
I’m at apartment watching hockey game. In a daze, dying to eat some peanuts, wondering what it will be like going to bed hungry. #hungerweek

16. Robert Chisholm ‏@RobertNDP 8 May
Thanks Matt, it’s important. “@matmla: @RobertNDP you’re doing great Robert. Keep it up! #nspoli”#hungerweek

17. Robert Chisholm ‏@RobertNDP 8 May
Heading for bed. Been quite a day. Thanks for the education Feed NS. Will see you at breakfast on Friday. #hungerweek

18. Robert Chisholm ‏@RobertNDP 9 May
Had a long night, now getting ready to make a protein smoothie with lots of fresh fruit. This has been quite an experience. #hungerweek

19. Robert Chisholm ‏@RobertNDP 23h
10 more minutes ’til my smoothie. Still can’t shake the notion of how many people won’t be having a smoothie or anything. #hungerweek

20. Robert Chisholm ‏@RobertNDP 23h
Great smoothie! Thanks Feed NS for inviting me to participate in this important challenge. See you at breakfast tomorrow. #hungerweek

“The Department of Fisheries and Oceans needs to sit down with the Provinces and Harvesters to come up with a plan to address these rock bottom prices,” said NDP Fisheries Critic Robert Chisholm.

In 2011 the lobster industry in Atlantic Canada had a landed value of over $600 million, annual exports were worth over $1 billion and employed 35 000 people.

“Communities in our region rely on the fishery for their livelihood,” added Chisholm. “Fishermen, their families and their communities simply cannot survive on these prices, a solution needs to be found.”

OTTAWA – In a move designed to reverse the Conservatives’ reckless changes to the Navigable Waters Protection Act, NDP Fisheries and Oceans critic Robert Chisholm (Dartmouth—Cole Harbour) introduced a bill in the House of Commons to restore protection to Nova Scotia’s Heritage Rivers – the Shelburne and the Margaree.

“The Conservative government has failed to reinforce environmental protections, choosing instead to gut existing laws,” said Chisholm. “These measures put Canada’s lakes and rivers at risk for unbridled, unregulated development, which will compromise the interests of cottagers, boaters, recreational anglers, outfitters, municipalities, and more. Canadians deserve better.”

Since the 1880s, the Navigable Waters Protection Act required any work that could affect the navigation of Canada’s lakes and rivers to undergo a strict environmental assessment. However, changes made to the Act by the Conservatives in their omnibus budget bill mean that fewer than two percent of Canada’s waterways are now protected.

“Canada’s lakes and rivers are a public resource that must be protected for future generations. The Canadian Heritage Rivers are iconic symbols of our Canadian history, culture and identity,” said NDP Environment critic Megan Leslie (Halifax). “The Conservatives’ short-sighted legislation will have a detrimental impact on the environment.”

Mr. Speaker, there is not much time, but I will try to make a couple of points.

First, the reason why we oppose this FIPA and why we want to engage in much more public discussion is that we want to see increased trade with countries like China, with emerging economies, but we want to ensure we have good agreements, agreements that promote Canada’s interests and protect our ability to maintain Canadian control over our natural resources and over key sectors. That is something the government seems to forget.

We want to ensure that foreign investors have clear and predictable rules that protect the interests of Canadians.

By negotiating bad deals and then delaying the ratification, as the Conservatives have done in this case, they are sending out mixed messages and foreign investors are confused about exactly the direction in which the government is going.

Finally, we want to engage with China in the exchange of ideas and culture so as to level the financial playing field. We need to understand better how our people and our businesses can do business in China and how we can be more successful.

We need to look at a country like Australia that has developed cultural links which provide education and training for businesses in its country in order to do very successful investing and business in China. That is the direction we need to head in our country.

The current FIPA is flawed because it fails to address Canada’s growing trade deficit which as of February of this year is $1billion.

Canada is an attractive location for Chinese investment because of our natural resources, including oil & gas, agriculture and our fisheries. In fact Chinese investment in Canada has grown significantly over the past decade to its current level of nearly $11billion – unfortunately this is significantly more than Canadian investment in China, which as of 2011 was estimated to be around $4.5 billion.

The current FIPA will protect Canadian investment that is already established and does little to address the trade and investment barriers that exist for new investment – this is unacceptable.

China with a population of 1.3 billion people is one of the most attractive markets in the world and is an emerging market for Canadian businesses and investment but China’s significant economic growth does not automatically translate into business success for investors and there are a couple of reasons for this.

First, China’s economic liberalization policies are still new compared to those found in other parts of the world and many policies still favour Chinese investors over foreign investors despite moves towards opening the market.

Second, while China is working diligently on deterring and preventing corruption, bribery remains an issue in the country.

What this Government should be doing instead of rushing into an investment agreement that is clearly no in the best interests of Canada and Canadians, is engaging in cultural exchanges that further promote Canadian business and investment in China.

I recently read an article by Professor Josephine Smart out of the University of Calgary. She makes a very compelling argument on how to advance Canadian interests in China and I urge members to read her article if they have the chance.

She discusses the culture of doing business in China and argues that Canada should invest in institutional support so that Canadian’s can acquire ‘cultural competency’ to interact with their Chinese counterparts.

She suggests that Canada should fund and promote China studies, language training and scholarly exchange programs, similar to those seen in Australia.

This is not the first time that Australia has been mentioned as a model for how Canada should negotiate its trade and investment deals and I urge the Government to review and consider the merits of the Australian model.

In sum, New Democrats would like to see an investment agreement with China that is reciprocal and protects and promotes Canadian investment in China. We understand the potential of the Chinese market for Canadian businesses but we need to address the barriers to investment through such mechanisms as cultural and educational exchanges.

I’m proud and pleased to say that three important policy resolutions that were drafted by our riding of Dartmouth – Cole Harbour have been debated and successfully passed. I am proud of, and grateful to, our membership for supporting these resolutions:

Resolution on Coastal and Marine Area Protection;
“New Democrats believe in Canada’s commitment to protect at least 10% of coastal and marine areas by 2020 as committed to under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.”

Resolution to Reverse changes to Fish Habitat Protection, to Navigable Waters Protection, and to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act;
“Be it resolved that New Democrats call on the Conservative Government to reverse changes to fish habitat protection, to Navigable Waters Protection, and to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act; and

Be it further resolved that the federal government immediately implement the 75 recommendations identified in the Cohen Commission Report; and

Be it further resolved that cuts to funding for fisheries science and ecosystem management be restored.”

Resolution on Affordable Housing;
(We accepted a friendly amendment that includes additional resolutions that were submitted by the Quebec section.)

“New Democrat believe in implementing a national strategy to ensure secure, adequate, accessible and affordable housing for Canadians in partnership with provinces, municipalities, Aboriginal communities, non-profit and private sector housing providers and civil society organizations, including those that represent groups in need of adequate housing.

BE it further resolved that the NDP continue to remind Canadians that housing is a fundamental right for all, and undertake to protect this right and enshrine it as a justicable right under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

BE it further resolved that the NDP call on the federal government to increase investment in social housing, and additionally to maintain and increase funding for the Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS).

BE it further resolved that a registry of the social housing units available in Canada be created, and a mechanism for controlling transactions on social housing units funded by the CMHC be instituted.

BE it further resolved that an NDP government would adopt a law requiring that the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) work in conjunction with other involved stakeholders to develop a national housing strategy.”

DARTMOUTH – Today New Democrats reacted to the tragic death of Rehtaeh Parsons of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

“We are all deeply shocked and saddened by the news of Rehtaeh’s death,” said Robert Chisholm, MP for Dartmouth Cole-Harbour. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends. We also call on authorities to find answers to the family’s questions.”

“At times of tragedy like this we ask ourselves what more could have been done,” said NDP MP Dany Morin. “As legislators we need to act now to put in place the laws and services that will support Canadians who are struggling to address the increasing incidents of bullying and harassment.

“What happened to Rehtaeh should never happen to anyone,” said Chisholm.

“Fish are a renewable resource that has provided employment and economic growth in Canada for generations,” said NDP Fisheries critic Robert Chisholm (Dartmouth – Cole Harbour). “Unfortunately the Conservatives are putting our fisheries at serious risk. Their irresponsible budget cuts and policy changes threaten thousands of coastal communities across our country.”

There is little detail in the budget on what programs and services will be affected by the cuts but language in the budget suggests further closures of regional DFO offices through ‘consolidating decision-making authorities’.

“Cutting science, centralizing decision making, ignoring habitat protection; these are the great failures of past federal governments and the Conservatives seem determined to make them the failures of the future as well,” said Chisholm.

Canada’s fishing industry is worth over $5 billion annually and provides more than 130,000 jobs to Canadians.

NDP Science and Technology critic Kennedy Stewart (Burnaby – Douglas) will be introducing the following Opposition Day Motion which will be debated tomorrow:

“That, in the opinion of the House, a) public science, basic research, and the free and open exchange of scientific information are essential to evidence-based policy-making; b) federal government scientists must be enabled to discuss openly their findings with their colleagues and the public; c) the government should maintain support for its basic scientific capacity across Canada, including immediately extending funding, until a new operator is found, to the world-renowned Experimental Lakes Area Research Facility to pursue its unique research program.”

“National Sustainable Seafood Day would encourage Canadians to choose eco-certified seafood products. This day would also support our growing sustainable seafood industry and promote sustainable fishing practices,” said Donnelly.

At a time when many fish and other marine species are facing the threat of extinction, we urgently need to offer more sustainable seafood products to Canadians, in order to ensure the longevity of our natural resources and the preservation of their eco-systems.

“More and more Canadians are looking for healthy, sustainably sourced food,” said NDP Fisheries & Oceans critic Robert Chisholm (Dartmouth – Cole Harbour). “The goal of a National Sustainable Seafood day is to raise awareness about responsible fishing practices that protect our environment, our fisheries resources and add value to our economy,” added Chisholm.

I don’t think that is sufficient public engagement and I told them so when a representative met with me to explain their plans. I also made my position clear when I wrote to the CSC and when I spoke with the District Director over the phone.

I explained that I felt the community deserved the same respect that I was afforded by offering to meet in person to explain the nature of this new facility, and to answer questions. I strongly recommended, and continue to call for a public information meeting to be held in the nearest residential community. I suggested the Dartmouth North Community Centre for such a meeting.

Anyone with concerns about the project is asked to email HalifaxCCC@csc-scc.gc.ca or call 1-855-897-7022.