Where Vancouver leads in LGBT progress: Local politicians make history in Canada – Libby Davies
Where Vancouver leads in LGBT progress: Local politicians make history in Canada
It’s well known that the first openly gay Canadian MP was the NDP’s Svend Robinson. The long-time Burnaby-Douglas parliamentarian was first elected in 1979 and came out in 1988. The first female LGBT MP was the NDP’s Libby Davies, who represented Vancouver East from 1997 to 2015. She came out in 2001 and remains a close friend of Robinson’s.
The original article, Where Vancouver leads in LGBT progress: Local politicians make history in Canada was published on July 26, 2017 in The Georgia Straight. Author(s): Charlie Smith
NDP Leader Tom Mulcair’s statement on National Nursing Week
NDP Leader Tom Mulcair’s statement on National Nursing Week
House of Commons
HANSARD
May 6, 2013
Hon. Thomas Mulcair (Outremont, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, today marks the beginning of Nursing Week.
Nurses are the lifeblood of our health care system, and they play a vital role in promoting and protecting our well-being.
Optimal use of their skills would signal that we acknowledge their professional training and autonomy. It would also increase timely access to care.
Nurses, nurse practitioners and licensed practical nurses are the backbone of Canada’s health care system. During National Nurses Week, let us acknowledge and thank them for the vital role their highly trained skills play in protecting and promoting the health of Canadians in every region.
Allowing nurses a scope of practice concomitant with their skills and training is one sure way to improve access to quality health care across the country. Let us all work to make that a reality.
Health Canada scrambles to approve new meds in wake of drug shortage
Health Canada scrambles to approve new meds in wake of drug shortage
OTTAWA – Canada's health minister says government officials are working around the clock to review applications for 23 medications that could help ease the nationwide drug shortage…The Tories unanimously backed an NDP motion on Wednesday calling on the federal government to adopt an immediate drug-shortage action plan and implement a national strategy in the wake of the current shortage. NDP health critic Libby Davies said she wasn't surprised all parties supported the move. "The pressure had really been building," she said, citing the vast number of Canadians impacted by the shortage.
The original article, Health Canada scrambles to approve new meds in wake of drug shortage was published on March 15, 2012 in Toronto Sun. Author(s): Kirsty Kirkup
B.C. NDP cabinet includes bright minds, but there are still political potholes to avoid – Libby Davies
B.C. NDP cabinet includes bright minds, but there are still political potholes to avoid
When the NDP governed in the late 1990s, the party made a big deal of having three ministers of South Asian ancestry: Ujjal Dosanjh, Moe Sihota, and Harry Lali. This was taken as a sign that it embraced diversity. But when it came to the senior ranks of the bureaucracy, it was pretty monochromatic. One senior civil servant in that era, Suresh Kurl, even documented how few people of colour were working for the government. The front of the house looked diverse, but the corridors of government power were still very, very white.
The original article, B.C. NDP cabinet includes bright minds, but there are still political potholes to avoid was published on July 21, 2017 in The Georgia Straight. Author(s): Charlie Smith
Book Review: Libby Davies’ ‘Outside In: A Political Memoir’
Book Review: Libby Davies’ ‘Outside In: A Political Memoir’
“Noteworthy about Libby Davies’ political autobiography Outside In: A Political Memoir is that it offers us a more complex form of reminiscence: the book includes not only the decisions of political elites but also the role of political activists and social movements — those on the outside — in their struggle against larger structural forces. The text inspires engagement and should be read by every member of a progressive social movement or political party.”
The original article, Libby Davies’ ‘Outside In: A Political Memoir’ was published on October 16, 2019 in rabble.ca. Author(s): Thomas Ponniah
Libby asks the Conservative government to secure funding for HIV-AIDS organizations
Libby asks the Conservative government to secure funding for HIV-AIDS organizations
House of Commons
HANSARD
December 1, 2011
Ms. Anne Minh-Thu Quach (Beauharnois—Salaberry, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, the government is dragging its feet on funding for community organizations through the federal initiative to address HIV/AIDS in Canada.
Organizations had to wait months before applying for funding and a number of them may now have to close their doors because of the delays. Today, we are still in the dark about the Conservatives’ proposed new funding formula.
On this World AIDS Day, will the government finally announce the funding criteria and provide an explanation for the delays?
Mr. Colin Carrie (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, several community groups across the country are doing excellent work in this area. Other proposals will be made in the future. Last year alone, our government invested $42 million in HIV/AIDS research.
Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, if these organizations are doing excellent work, as the parliamentary says, then why is the government stalling on giving the information to these organizations?
The fact is these organizations need secure funding now before their doors close. These organizations work on the front line every day and their services are vital to the quality of life of those living with HIV-AIDS.
Without reliable information from the government, their ability to plan for the future is at risk. There is no rationale for the delay in AIDS funding in Canada.
August 2004
Conservatives decision to shake off salt bill leaves bad taste
Conservatives decision to shake off salt bill leaves bad taste
I can’t say I was surprised when the Conservative government used its majority in the House of Commons in May to defeat a private member’s bill that would have required food manufacturers to lower sodium levels in their products or to alert consumers if they have not done so. After all, following their creed, they would see this as an unwarranted intrusion on business. And in regard to regulating the amount of sodium that can go into a food product, they believe in a voluntary approach. That would be nice if it would actually happen, but pardon me for being dubious.I believe that left on their own food manufacturers will provide the government and the food-buying public with nothing more than lip service. The bill, C-460, was sponsored by Libby Davies, MP Vancouver East, who is the NDP Spokesperson for Health. Beyond seeking a limit on sodium content, it also wanted to ensure that consumers had access to objective, clearly understandable and non-misleading information to facilitate healthy food choices. I found it hard to quarrel with the bill’s intent, as did all the opposition parties, many health organizations and the Canadian Association of Retired Persons.
The original article, Conservatives decision to shake off salt bill leaves bad taste was published on July 13, 2013 in The Sault Ste Marie Star. Author(s): Doug Millroy