October 2003 | Libby Davies - MP for Vancouver East

Libby Davies Presents Plans to Reunite More Families in Canada

VANCOUVER - Vancouver East NDP MP Libby Davies held a press conference today on her votable Bill to help more families reunite in Canada. Davies was joined by Mary-Woo Sims, former B.C. Chief Human Rights Commissioner.

Davies' “Once in Lifetime” Bill, called C-436, would allow a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to sponsor, on one occasion, a family member who would otherwise not qualify under family class provisions.

BC Wome's Centres

Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP): Mr. Speaker, 37 women's centres in B.C. are facing closure because of a decision by the B.C. Liberal government to eliminate 100% of their funding.

Violence against women is on the rise, more women are facing poverty, women are denied access to legal aid and daycare is being cut too by the meanest and most vicious provincial government that has targeted the most vulnerable in our society. The question is, why is the federal government not doing anything?

Davies Points Finger at Prime Minister-in-Waiting Paul Martin for BC Governments' Welfare Time Limits

OTTAWA - Libby Davies, MP for Vancouver East, today challenged the federal government to intervene in the BC government's decision to institute a 2-year time limit for welfare recipients.

"The former finance Minster's elimination of the Canadian Assistance Plan has paved the way for the BC government to be the first province to impose time limits for social assistance", said the federal NDP Social Policy critic in Question Period today.

Welfare Reform in BC

Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP): Mr. Speaker, the former Finance Minister's elimination of the Canada Assistance Plan has paved the way for the B.C. government to be the first province to impose time limits on social assistance. The 24-month rule will put tens of thousands into destitution and is being challenged today in B.C.

There is a clear federal responsibility here, through transfer payments and under the Constitution, to provide essential services to all Canadians.

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