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Latest Press Releases from Libby's office.

On International Women's Day 2010
March 8, 2010

Statement by New Democrat Leader Jack Layton on International Women’s Day

Women and men around the world recognize International Women's Day as a time to reflect upon and celebrate women’s social, political and economic achievements, both globally and locally. In this country, much progress has been made since Canadians first marked International Women’s Day in 1977.

Sadly, there is still much work to be done. Women across the world continue to suffer extreme poverty, violence and violations of their basic human rights.

Last month, the Canadian Feminist Alliance for International Action and the Canadian Labour Congress sent the United Nations a detailed report on the statistical decline in Canadian women’s equality and rights. The groups cited “systemic erosion” in the status of Canadian women since 2004.

CONSERVATIVE BUDGET A MISSED OPPORTUNITY
March 4, 2010

CONSERVATIVE BUDGET A MISSED OPPORTUNITY
Focus on corporate tax cuts ignores economic reality for many British Columbians

OTTAWA – Critical needs of British Columbians have been ignored by the federal budget say Vancouver MPs Libby Davies (Vancouver East) and Don Davies (Vancouver-Kingsway). The NDP MPs expressed their dismay over today’s budget which shows that the Conservatives have no comprehensive strategy for jobs, pensions, housing or the environment.

Libby's call for an apology
February 12, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FEBRUARY 12, 2010

PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE MUST APOLOGIZE FOR ATTACKS

VANCOUVER – Vancouver East MP Libby Davies is calling on the Prime Minister to apologize to her and retract the inflammatory and false statements made on Wednesday by his chief spokesperson Dimitri Soudas.

“Soudas’ comments misrepresented the actions of an elected Member of Parliament. This type of behaviour should be beneath the Prime Minister and his staff,” said Davies. “Soudas’ hot-headed statements undermined the integrity and dignity of the office of the Prime Minister.”

Conservatives ignore law and science to shut down InSite - Libby Speaking out for InSite
February 9, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FEBRUARY 9, 2010

VANCOUVER - Libby Davies, MP for Vancouver East, called on the Conservative Government today to explain their decision to ignore multiple court rulings in favour of keeping open InSite, Canada’s safe injection site.

“InSite saves lives,” said Davies. “The science proves it, and the B.C Supreme Court and B.C. Appeal Court agree. Yet the Conservatives continue to spend tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars on legal fees to try to shut it down,” added Davies. "Canadians want an explanation”

Libby joins Vancouver rally against prorogation
January 22, 2010

MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JANUARY 22, 2009

NDP MP LIBBY DAVIES TO JOIN VANCOUVER RALLY AGAINST PROROGATION

Vancouver – Vancouver East MP Libby Davies will join hundreds of concerned citizens at Saturday's “Rally for Canada, Stand Up for Democracy!” protest starting at the Vancouver Art Gallery.

The Vancouver rally is one of many that will take place across Canada to protest the Conservative Government’s move to shut down Parliament by proroguing the House of Commons back in December, 2009. Participants will march from the gallery to Victory Square.

WHAT: Rally for Canada, Stand Up for Democracy!

WHEN: 1:00 PM SATURDAY, JANUARY 23

WHERE: VANCOUVER ART GALLERY to VICTORY SQUARE
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“Hundreds of thousands of Canadians are speaking up to say they want their MPs back in the House of Commons,” said Davies. “They need help to recover from the recession, many are still struggling to find work, there is a pensions’ crisis, yet Stephen Harper chose to lock the doors of parliament instead of getting back to work.”

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Davies urges Harper government to respect the B.C. Court of Appeal decision on Insite
January 15, 2010

BC COURT OF APPEAL GOT IT RIGHT

Davies urges Harper government to respect the B.C. Court of Appeal decision on Insite

VANCOUVER – Today’s British Columbia Court of Appeal ruling to uphold the B.C. Supreme Court decision allowing Insite, the first safe injection site in Canada, to remain open is a victory following its six year struggle to operate.

New Democrat Substance Abuse Critic Libby Davies (Vancouver East) is urging the federal government to not appeal this decision to the Supreme Court of Canada.

“It would be a complete waste of public funds to appeal this decision. It’s time for the Conservative government to respect the Court’s decision and the overwhelming public support for Insite,” said Davies. “Insite prevents the transmission of infectious disease, and stabilizes lives enough to get people into the vital treatment they need. It must remain open, and the Conservative government must stop its unconscionable interference.”

More than 40 peer-reviewed research papers have demonstrated that Insite saves lives, saves money, and improves public safety.

“The Conservatives need to make decisions based on facts. It’s time they recognized that Insite is a critical and helpful means of addressing drug addiction,” said Davies.

Libby takes on the 2010 hunger strike relay to end homelessness
January 10, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JANUARY 10, 2009

MP LIBBY DAVIES TO START HUNGER STRIKE IN RELAY TO END HOMELESSNESS

Vancouver – Vancouver East MP Libby Davies will start a week long hunger strike today, as part of the 2010 Homelessness Hunger Strike Relay, with the main goal of getting Canada to implement a National Housing Program.

“Canada is the only G8 country without a national housing strategy and we see the deteriorating housing situation as a result of this political apathy,” said Davies. “We have such a severe crisis in Vancouver, with an almost zero vacancy rate, people are now crying out for every level of government to see this as a key priority.”

Libby renews call for public inquiry into Vancouver's missing women
December 17, 2009

Call to coincide with International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers

VANCOUVER – On the international day to raise awareness of violence and discrimination against sex workers, MP Libby Davies (Vancouver East) has renewed her call for a public inquiry into the actions of the Vancouver Police Department and the RCMP in their investigation of Vancouver’s missing women.

“I first raised this issue in Parliament in 2001, calling for an inquiry into police actions, and for the federal government to work with all levels of law enforcement to stop the disappearance of so many women from the Downtown Eastside,” said Davies. “Almost nine years later, many questions still remain.”

Libby's Housing Bill one step closer to reality
December 11, 2009

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.”

Libby and the NDP work to block the HST
December 2, 2009

CONSERVATIVES TO RAM THROUGH HST LEGISLATION

OTTAWA– The Harper government is attempting to shut down debate and ram through legislation on the harmonized sales tax (HST). On Wednesday, the Conservative government gave notice of a motion that would rush through all stages of the HST legislation before Christmas. Government Motion No. 8 would speed up the normal legislative process to have the bill pass the House of Commons in days rather than months.

“It seems like Mr. Harper is pulling a page out of Mr. Campbell’s playbook. Mislead, obfuscate and try limit public debate on the HST,” said New Democrat Deputy Leader Libby Davies (Vancouver East).