This week in Ottawa, the New Democrat caucus began the process to map out our strategy to care for working families. Canadians elected the second-largest New Democrat caucus in our history with 37 seats, with key breakthroughs in Quebec, Alberta, and Newfoundland and Labrador. New Democrats continue to lead this Parliament by having the highest percentage of women elected of any party. I am very proud to be a part of this new and stronger caucus.

Throughout the recent election campaign, I heard the anxiety from Hamilton families about the economic downturn. People are worried about their jobs, their pensions, their savings, their homes and their children’s future, and they want to know if they are going to be safe and secure.

Hamilton, Stoney Creek and Canada need strategies for the hardest-hit sectors of the economy, particularly manufacturing; we need to increase access to skills training and apprenticeships and reward companies who create jobs in Canada while creating disincentives for those who ship jobs overseas. Thousands of hard-working Canadians are struggling to pay the bills and support their families because they are forced to rely on a succession of insecure, low-wage jobs.

We can do better. Every worker deserves a fair day's pay for a fair day's work, respect in the workplace, and a secure pension. During this upcoming session of Parliament, I will call upon the government to:

• keep jobs in Canada, encourage innovation, and help you balance your budget by putting a stop to consumer gouging.

• invest in new energy solutions, affordable housing, and education and training for workers and young people.

• ensure that opportunities are shared with working families and individuals, not taken away through tax giveaways to those who need them least.

As we said during the campaign, New Democrats will ensure Parliament listens to the issues of the kitchen table, not just the boardroom table. With a larger caucus we have a stronger mandate to stand up for everyday families during the upcoming economic uncertainty and that’s exactly what we will do.

The people of Canada did not vote for a Conservative majority government. The Canadian people want all four political parties to work together to create solutions for everyone. This new Parliament is an opportunity for Canada’s leadership to show that it can come together. New Democrats believe that all political parties need to consider what needs to be done, by Parliament as a whole, to ensure Canadian families are protected.