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Nothing solved by eviction - Libby on BC forfeiture laws

March 10, 2010
The Vancouver Province
Bad luck and a bad crowd, but she's 'not a criminal'On a clear, crisp March morning, Marianne Christine Sullivan sits on a dock at Trout Lake in east Vancouver and talks about being homeless and broke after the B.C. government took her $562,000 home under civil forfeiture legislation....Vancouver East MP Libby Davies says the sad situation Sullivan faces as a homeless person likely means it will cost society far more in the long run than what was taken with the forfeiture. "It is unbelievable this could happen to her," she says. "The fact is, she is now living on the street and suffering from an addiction. What has been solved by making her homeless?
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Libby's support for activists' spotlight on homelessness

February 16, 2010
The Vancouver Sun
Activists pitch tent city on Downtown Eastside lotHundreds of homeless and poverty protesters -- using the Olympic spotlight to their advantage -- flooded into a vacant lot in the 100-block of West Hastings Street on Monday and erected a tent city. Libby Davies, NDP MP for Vancouver East, said she supported the tent city as a way to raise awareness for greater government support, especially by a federal government in need of a national housing strategy to help the poor and homeless.... "This is a prime site for social housing," she said. "I'm so happy so many people are here today to draw attention to this issue. It's a vacant lot and it's very visible, a symbol of what's going on in this neighbourhood."
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Libby's Housing Bill one step closer to reality

December 11, 2009 Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DECEMBER 11, 2009

NATIONAL HOUSING STRATEGY ONE STEP CLOSER BECOMING REALITY

OTTAWA- Canada is one step closer to having a national housing strategy, thanks to New Democrat Bill C-304, which cleared the committee stage yesterday.

“We have had tremendous support from civil society, municipalities, the private sector and groups from across the political spectrum,” said the Bill’s sponsor, New Democrat Libby Davies (Vancouver East). “This is a clear call for the federal government to step up and take an immediate and coordinated approach to address the growing housing crisis in Canada.”

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Assistance to Shelter Act, an open letter to Mayor and Council

December 3, 2009
Updates from Libby

Dear Mayor and Council,

I am writing to support Councillor Ellen Woodsworth's motion on the Assistance to Shelter act to be debated by Council today.

Many people have expressed their opposition and concerns to me about this Act passed by the BC legislature. It is a heavy handed and blunt legislative response to an issue of human dignity and rights concerning homelessness and housing.

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Libby in Parliament speaking out against the HST

October 2, 2009 Question Period

Question Period
House of Commons
HANSARD BLUED

Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, in July, an unemployed woman in Vancouver goes to JJ Bean for coffee in the morning and ding, 7% more.

She needs a haircut for a job interview, add 7%. Her car breaks down and she needs a tow, 7% more.

She takes a taxi to the job interview, 7% more. I could go on. Will the minister explain to the people of B.C. why they need an unfair tax increase when times are already so tough?

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Parliament passes Libby's Bill for a National Housing Strategy

September 30, 2009 Press Release

Ottawa – Today, Parliament voted to move forward with the New Democrats' National Housing Strategy, sending it to Committee.

“Parliament recognizes that it’s time for the federal government to step up and lead a coordinated approach to address Canada’s growing housing crisis,” said NDP MP Libby Davies (Vancouver East), the Bill’s sponsor. “Rising unemployment, housing costs, and the lack of safe, affordable housing affect the health and wellbeing of tens of thousands of Canadians,” said Davies.

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Homeless Count in Renfrew-Collingwood Neighbourhood: Get Involved!

September 25, 2009
Updates from Libby

Dear Neighbours,

On October 14, 2009, Collingwood Neighbourhood House will conduct a count of the homeless in the Renfrew-Collingwood Neighbourhood. I wanted to let you know of this important community initiative, and encourage you to get involved. I have advocated strongly for federal action for affordable housing and have received much support for my Housing Bill C 304, for a National Housing Strategy. For more information on my Bill please go to http://www.libbydavies.ca/parliament/speech/2009/04/01/libby-s-bill-nati... and http://www2.parl.gc.ca/content/hoc/Bills/402/Private/C-304/C-304_1/C-304....

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