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Libby's Statements in Parliament

Libby speaking up for a lasting peace in the Middle East
November 26, 2009

(Libby Davies, MP Vancouver East): Mr. Speaker

I am honored that the report of the parliamentary delegation to the West Bank and Gaza, this past August, is now presented.

It was a significant and compelling experience and I am committed to raising awareness about the worsening humanitarian disaster in Gaza and the need to end the blockade, normalize borders, and end the occupation of Palestinian lands

I am deeply concerned that the Conservative government has so politicized the situation in the Middle East, and has gone so far as to attack MP’s and organizations who criticize the actions of Israel, as being anti-Semitic. Let’s be clear, Anti-Semitism has no place in Canadian society.

Libby on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
November 25, 2009

House of Commons
HANSARD BLUES

Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP): Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the NDP we recognize the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and call for an end to violence against women. In our communities, our homes and on our streets, too many women still live in fear, live without safe and secure housing or a safe place to turn in times of crisis.

In Vancouver's downtown east side and on B.C.'s Highway of Tears, women, mostly Aboriginal women, are disappearing and dying in frightening numbers, but their courageous sisters are standing up and speaking out against this epidemic. We honour the women who are daring to speak out.

Libby speaking up for Pension Reform
November 6, 2009

HANSARD
House of Commons
November 6, 2009

Ms. Libby Davies (MP Vancouver East)
Mr. Speaker,
Seniors in East Vancouver, the self-employed, and those approaching retirement, worry about the future as they watch their pension plans fall apart. Many seniors in our community live in poverty and it’s even harder to get by during this economic recession. The problems with Canada’s pension system are serious and must be fixed.

The NDP has introduced a comprehensive plan to reform Canada’s pension program.

Libby's Motion on Security Costs for Visiting Dignitaries
October 28, 2009

Libby tabled the following motion in the House of Commons to offset the high security cost to taxpayers of visiting dignitaries when they are invited to for-profit events.

M-456 — October 28, 2009 — Ms. Davies (Vancouver East) — That, in the opinion of the House, the government should introduce a formula for sharing the security costs for visiting former heads of state and dignitaries when these visits take place at the invitation of for-profit organizations or for for-profit events, and that the majority of the costs be assumed by the organizations or individuals organizing the event.

The Downtown Eastside Women's March
June 18, 2009

House of Commons
HANSARD

Libby Davies (MP Vancouver East)
Mr. Speaker, this month, I had the privilege of joining over two hundred women on Main Street in Vancouver for the 3rd Annual Downtown Eastside Women’s March for Housing.

Many of the women who marched live in shelters, on the street, and in dangerous and unstable housing. Still, they are strong and determined in their fight for: Social Housing, Childcare, and Healthcare for all.

Libby's Motion for Public Transit
April 2, 2009

Libby tabled the following Motion in the House of Commons on April 2nd, calling for tax-exempt benefits for employer-provided transit passes.

Public Transit
M-351 — April 2, 2009 — Ms. Davies (Vancouver East) — That, in the opinion of the House, the government should consider making employer-provided transit passes an income tax-exempt benefit.

Libby Speaks out Against the Exploitation of Migrant Workers
June 19, 2008

Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP):

Mr. Speaker, the reason that Atlantic Canadians are being turned down is so that big oil companies can move faster on their cheap labour strategy, aided and abetted by the Conservative government.

Yesterday we learned that Chinese temporary foreign workers in the tar sands were paid one-eighth of what Canadians get for doing the same work. Another report from BC found that migrant workers in Canada are “under conditions that amount to indentured servitude”.

Speaking Out Against Conservative's $54 Billion EI Theft
June 2, 2008

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in the House today to speak to these amendments at report stage of Bill C-50. My colleague from Acadie— Bathurst is the NDP EI critic and all of us in the NDP caucus are very concerned and disturbed about what is taking place on Bill C-50 and the significant changes that are taking place to the Employment Insurance system.

NDP Statement in the House of Commons on the earthquake in China
May 15, 2008

Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP): - Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the NDP, we express sorrow and concern regarding the tragic and devastating earthquake in China. We offer our sincere condolences to the victims and families in Sichuan, Beichuan, Shaanxi, Gansu, Chongqing, Yunnan and Henan and other areas that were affected.

The loss of life, the suffering of communities and the grief of individual families is deeply saddening. We extend our deepest sympathy to those who are suffering losses in China, as well as to the Chinese Canadian community who are coping with this loss and the unknown whereabouts of family and friends in the wake of this terrible tragedy.

All Canadians share this grief and loss, and hope for recovery and support to rebuild the lives of survivors and their communities. We urge the Canadian government to demonstrate its compassion and support by providing any immediate assistance possible.

Our thoughts and prayers are with China and its people.

SPEAKING OUT: on April 28 Day of Mourning
April 28, 2008

Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP): - On this April 28, the National Day of Mourning, New Democrats honour our sisters and brothers who have lost their lives or suffered injury and illness in the workplace.

Shamefully, Canada has one of the highest fatality rates of any OECD country. Between 1996 and 2006, close to 9,000 workers died from workplace accidents and illness. Hundreds of thousands more suffered work-related injuries and health problems. Despite the urgent need for safer workplaces, governments are weakening health and safety rules and enforcement.