December 2013

Statement on Supreme Court Ruling on Prostitution Laws

I welcome the landmark decision today by the Supreme Court of Canada that strikes down 3 laws relating to prostitution. They ruled that bans on street soliciting, brothels, and people living off the avails of prostitution are unconstitutional and create serious risks for sex workers.

The exploitation, murder and violence against sex trade workers in Canada happens at an alarming rate, and until today, the laws dealing with prostitution remained unchanged and governments remained unwilling to realistically deal with this growing public safety issue. These laws have been a failure, both from the perspective of assisting and protecting sex workers as well as in mitigating the impacts of street prostitution on local communities.

I also congratulate and thank the many advocates who never gave up in pressing for these changes in order to uphold the rights and safety of sex workers.

All levels of government must carefully review Supreme Court’s decision. Any new laws that are contemplated must be done in consultation with sex workers - to determine what needs to be done to protect the rights and safety of sex workers, as well as the wider public.

I applaud the ground-breaking work of the three complainants, and Professor Alan Young for bringing forward the original case to the Ontario courts, and for drawing attention to the inherent rights of sex workers. I applaud the work of Katrina Pacey of Pivot Legal Society, in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, for her courage and perseverance in bringing this important issue forward.

It has taken many years of advocacy and legal challenge to reach this historic decision.

Community Links Bulletin - January to March 2014

Dear Friends,

Happy New Year to all of you! And welcome to the latest edition of my Community Links Bulletin! The bulletin’s priority is to inform residents and organizations in East Van about the activities and services carried out in our community.

Flaherty betrayed Ontario, broke promise on health transfers: health minister

TORONTO - The federal Conservatives have betrayed Canada's most populous province by breaking their promise over health-care funding, Ontario Health Minister Deb Matthews charged Tuesday. The Harper Tories promised all provinces a six per cent increase in health transfers, but they're only giving Ontario 3.4 per cent in 2014-15, she said. That means Ontario is out $300 million, while Alberta is getting about $1 billion more — a 38 per cent increase, Matthews said...The federal New Democrats say Finance Minister Jim Flaherty is using the oldest trick in the book. "To download to the provinces and to take care of your own health at the expense of somebody else, and that's what they're doing," said NDP health critic Libby Davies. "But I don't think it works because what he's doing is betraying the trust of the premiers and it means his word doesn't count for anything."

The original article, Flaherty betrayed Ontario, broke promise on health transfers: health minister was published on

December 17, 2013

in Winnipeg Free Press. Author: Maria Babbage

Speaking at Nelson Mandela Tribute

Teaser:

Granville Island Preformance Works on Dec 15th

Happy Holidays!

You're Invited to our Seasonal Open House!

NDP SUPPORTS LGBT EQUALITY IN INDIA

OTTAWA – In response to Wednesday’s ruling by the Indian Supreme Court upholding a 153-year-old legal provision criminalizing gay sex, New Democrats are supporting calls from the LGBT community around the world for the Indian Parliament to delete the provision once and for all.

“The Indian Supreme Court has said that it is up to the legislature to determine the legality of homosexuality in India,” said NDP foreign affairs critic Paul Dewar (Ottawa Centre). “Canada should call on the Indian government to eliminate this discriminatory law without delay.”

In a landmark decision in 2009, the Delhi High Court ruled that the ban on gay sex was unconstitutional. The Indian government did not appeal the ruling, but a number of private organizations chose to pursue the case to the Supreme Court, leading to Wednesday’s verdict. Although the Supreme Court upheld the current law, the justices said the parliament should consider legislating changes to the statute, which dates from colonial times.

“The Supreme Court of India has chosen to put the decision in the hands of the legislature,” said NDP LGBT critic Randall Garrison (Esquimalt – Juan de Fuca). “Therefore, the government of Canada should urge the Indian government to stand by its previous decision to accept the ruling of the Delhi High Court and immediately introduce legislation to ensure equality under the law for all Indians.”

Save Canada Post! Add your voice.

Dear Friends,

I know many of you heard yesterday's announcement about the massive cuts at Canada Post. I am very concerned about how these cuts will impact local mail delivery and the affordability of postal services, which are still a vital communication link for many Canadians. I am also concerned that these cuts will mean that over 6,000 postal workers will lose their jobs.

If you are also concerned about the cuts to Canada Post, print out a copy of the petition below, circulate around your neighbourhood and send it back to me.

Ottawa urged to improve dementia and Alzheimer’s strategy

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – It’s a disease on the rise, and there are now calls nationally for more of a focus on dementia, coming only days after a North Vancouver senior’s death. The federal government is being urged to come up with a better plan. NDP MP Libby Davies says people are worried about what will happen to them as they get older. “It’s basically a time bomb waiting to go off in terms of how it’s going to impact the next generation, and we just don’t have a timeline, a strategy, a plan in Canada to deal with it.” Canada is attending a G8 Dementia Summit tomorrow, but Davies says our country is trailing others. “There are many other countries that have much better systems and resources to respond to Alzheimer’s and dementia. In Canada, we don’t have that yet,” she adds.

The original article, Ottawa urged to improve dementia and Alzheimer’s strategy was published on

December 10, 2013

in News 1130. Author: Jason Howe

CANADA NEEDS A NATIONAL PLAN TO DEAL WITH DEMENTIA

OTTAWA – Canada is facing a looming crisis in the number of people afflicted with dementia—so New Democrats are calling on the government to develop a pan-Canadian strategy to deal with the disorder.

“G8 countries will hold a special summit on dementia tomorrow and Canada will be one of the few countries at the summit without a national dementia plan,” said NDP MP Claude Gravelle (Nickel Belt). “Canadians deserve better and I call on the government to support my bill C-356 to develop a national plan on dementia.”

Gravelle was joined by the Ottawa and Renfrew Alzheimer Society and Matt Dineen whose partner in her early 40s was recently diagnosed with dementia.

“I have written Health Minister Rona Ambrose as she prepares for the upcoming special December G8 Summit,” said Dineen. “A national dementia strategy is imperative for my family and so many others.”

747,000 Canadians live with dementia now. The number is expected to rise to 1.4 million by 2031. The illness costs the Canadian economy an estimated $33 billion including millions of hours of unpaid caregiving.

“Canada needs a dementia plan now,” said NDP health critic Libby Davies (Vancouver—East). “Claude Gravelle’s bill supports The Alzheimer Society's call for a national dementia plan to help reduce the burden of dementia and to support more people with the disease across Canada.”

DRUG SAFETY BILL A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

OTTAWA – After years of urging the government to take action to ensure the safety of prescription drugs in Canada, New Democrats welcome new safety measures.

“The NDP has long proposed ways to ensure better drug safety and we are pleased to see a bill that incorporates some of these ideas,” said NDP Health critic Libby Davies (Vancouver East). “We plan to study the details closely and engage with Canadians as we work to strengthen the bill.”

Bill C-17 includes a key NDP proposal which empowers Health Canada to issue drug recall orders and compel distributors to remedy any problems with prescription drugs. There are also stiffer fines and even the possibility of jail time for distributors who fail to withdraw unsafe products from the market. However, the bill is missing critical measures to improve reporting and communications about adverse reactions from physicians and pharmacies, and ensuring that information gets to the public in a timely manner.

“While this bill is a good start, unfortunately it looks like the Minister has missed an opportunity to increase drug safety in a comprehensive way,” said Davies. “Today I think many are wondering why she didn’t go further.”

A National Action Plan on Violence Against Women is Urgently Needed

Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP):

Mr. Speaker, the tragedy of l'École Polytechnique shocked us at the time and 24 years later continues to affect us. Today our thoughts are with the families of the women who lost their lives on December 6,1989, but we also remember that women continue to face violence in their workplaces and in their homes.

Can the minister tell the House what the government's plan is to eradicate violence against women in our communities?

Libby remembers Nelson Mandela in Parliament

Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP):

Mr. Speaker, I certainly appreciate my colleague raising her very thoughtful arguments, particularly as they pertain to indigenous people and their concerns about this bill.

It gives me the opportunity to stand in the House and reflect for a moment on the passing of Nelson Mandela, which we just heard about a few minutes ago. Even here today, as we are debating this bill, when we think of Nelson Mandela, we think of hhis enormous legacy for human rights and human dignity.

As parliamentarians, it is something that we uphold and honour. Even with this bill today, which is about indigenous rights, equality and dignity for people, it is something that we reflect on. I hope that we carry it forward as a legacy.

STATEMENT BY OFFICIAL OPPOSITION LEADER TOM MULCAIR ON THE DEATH OF NELSON MANDELA

It is a rare individual whose reputation for wisdom transcends time. Nelson Mandela, who died today at the age of 95, is one of them. New Democrats join others around the world in mourning the loss of this exceptional man.

Mr. Mandela devoted his life to fighting against injustice and defending, educating and caring for his people. An honourary Canadian citizen, he was a source of inspiration for all – from the most humble and impoverished to the world’s most powerful.

For 50 years, Mr. Mandela fought apartheid and racism. He guided South Africa towards racial equality and democracy, at the risk of his life, and at the price of his freedom. He is rightly considered the father of modern South Africa.

His country’s first black president, and a Nobel Peace Prize winner, Nelson Mandela is an extraordinary example of indomitable courage and faith.

The light that he brought to the world will continue to shine long after him.

“As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.”
– Nelson Mandela, Inauguration speech, May 10, 1994.

Libby speaks out on the NWT Devolution Act

Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP):

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to rise in the House today to participate in the debate on Bill C-15.

I want to commend my colleague, the member for Newton—North Delta, who spoke just before me. She and I are both from metro Vancouver, so we represent ridings in Canada that are very urban. We face urban issues around affordability of housing, citizenship and immigration, poverty, transportation, infrastructure, and so on. We have a lot in common in terms of our ridings and the fact that we are both part of the metro Vancouver region.

However, I want to say that even though we are members of Parliament from the urban area, we have a sense of connection with our colleagues who represent ridings in the North, and certainly our colleague from the Western Arctic, who is the main critic on the bill we are debating today. When we visit other ridings and other communities with our colleagues, it is quite fascinating to learn about the experiences, the history, the culture, and the life conditions in those communities.

I know, for example, that one of the issues my colleague from Western Arctic has tackled in a very passionate way is the living costs in the Northwest Territories, an issue that I think is very relevant to the bill we are debating today.

In fact, he produced a 53-page report in November, just last month. In that report, he lays out, with great analysis and factual information, the concern of increasing income inequality in the Northwest Territories. That is an issue I face in my riding as well. Income inequality is growing between the haves and the have-nots.

Conservative government must meet Canadians' health needs

Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP):

Mr. Speaker, the Health Council of Canada has panned the Conservatives for their lack of leadership. It has pointed to their repeated failures to meet clear commitments on the health accords.

Last month, the College of Family Physicians released an equally damning report.

The minister has had months to review these important reports by leading experts.

Does the minister agree that improvements are urgently needed and what will she do, today, to uphold our public health care system to meet the needs of Canadians?