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Libby In Parliament

Libby on Bill C-475 an Act to Amend the Controlled Drug and Substances Act
March 9, 2010
Speeches in Parliament

MARCH 9, 2010
HANSARD
House of Commons

Debate on Bill C-475 an Act to Amend the Controlled Drug and Substances Act (Methamphetamines and Ecstasy)

Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak to Bill C-475. I would like to thank the hon. member for West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country for introducing the bill. It is very similar to a bill that was introduced awhile ago. I spoke to that bill and it went to committee. The fact that it is back before the House is evidence of the hon. member's serious intent to bring forward this issue. We certainly appreciate that.

I want to make a few general points about the bill as it relates to the larger issue of drug policy and what we have seen from the government. While on the one hand the bill deals very specifically with substances that are involved in the selling, production or import of amphetamines and ecstasy, as it relates to the larger issue, we have to be aware that reliance on an enforcement strategy and an approach that is focused on the Criminal Code is not going to solve the very major issues we are facing with drug addiction and substance use in our society.

On International Women's Day 2010
March 8, 2010
Press Release

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
Press Release

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.

Air Canada outsourcing - a joint letter from the federal NDP BC Caucus
March 3, 2010
Open Letters to Ministers & Public Officials

Libby and her BC colleagues sent the following letter to Transport Minister John Baird
March 3, 2010

The Hon. John Baird, P.C. M.P.
Minister for Transport
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6

Dear Minister Baird,

In your January 12, 2010 letter in response to our colleague Bill Siksay and co-signatories regarding the future of Air Canada and its employees, you recognized the strategic importance of Canada’s air transportation system, of which Air Canada constitutes a critical component.

In addition to referring to the federal government’s role in helping ensure the financial viability of Air Canada, you highlighted Air Canada`s role in connecting Canadians from coast to coast to coast and beyond.

A key component of maintaining the integrity of Canada’s transportation system is ensuring that a critical mass of technical and maintenance aviation servicing expertise remains in Canada. This is, of course, in addition to safety and security concerns.

Regrettably, in spite of Air Canada receiving federal funding support, Air Canada’s management has been relentlessly outsourcing the servicing and maintenance of its aircraft in low-cost developing countries. This is an issue that we have raised many times in the House, and at committee as well as in previous correspondence with your department.

Sisters in Spirit funding at risk
February 18, 2010
Open Letters to Ministers & Public Officials

February 18, 2010

Helena Guergis
Minister of State Status of Women
733 Confederation Building
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6

Dear Minister Guergis,

I write to urge you to commit to renewed funding for the Sisters in Spirit initiative of the Native Women's Association of Canada, without delay.

As the Minister of State for the Status of Women you have repeatedly praised the Sister in Spirit initiative in the House of Commons as being a “great research project...extremely successful in raising awareness to the issue of violence against aboriginal women and girls.” As recently as December 2009, the Secretary of State for the Status of Women described the initiative as the “groundwork,” from which to “attack the root causes of violence against aboriginal women and girls.”

Libby's call for an apology
February 12, 2010
Press Release

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
Press Release

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 Speaking out on Medical Marijuana - Health Canada Must Consult With Stakeholders
February 4, 2010
Open Letters to Ministers & Public Officials

Hon. Leona Aglukkaq
Minister of Health
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6

Dear Minister Aglukkaq,

Thank you for your August 2009 letter in response to my call for a full public review of the Canada’s Marijuana Medical Access Regulations (MMAR).

In your letter, you outline your plan to amend the MMAR to address the Supreme Court of Canada’s ruling that Paragraph 41 (b.1) violates the Charter or Rights and Freedoms and “unjustifiably limits the ability” of authorized patients to access medical marijuana. You also mention the need to examine regulations concerning the use of medical marijuana in public.

Libby joins Vancouver rally against prorogation
January 22, 2010
Press Release

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
Press Release

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.