Libby asks the Conservative government to reverse their reckless cuts to Health Canada
Libby asks the Conservative government to reverse their reckless cuts to Health Canada
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HANSARD
House of Commons
April 2, 2012
Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, the parliamentary secretary knows that OAS is sustainable.
All Canadians know that the Conservatives hid their plans to cut OAS during the last election, the same thing that they did to health care.
Not only does the budget unilaterally cut health care transfers; it also cuts Health Canada by over $300 million.
All in all, the Conservatives have failed to show leadership on health care and have remained silent on critical issues like pharmacare and the accountability of health care dollars.
Will the Conservatives reverse their reckless cuts to Health Canada?
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq (Minister of Health and Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, the opposition’s claims that health transfers would be cut is absolutely false. Clearly, the opposition is unable to do its math; in fact, federal transfers for health care will increase faster than provincial spending. Last week’s budget confirmed that our government will transfer record amounts of health transfers to the provinces and territories, climbing to approximately $40 billion by the end of the decade.
Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, the minister’s math is wrong. The government is ignoring inflation and population increases.
The Conservatives cannot escape. The Prime Minister broke his promise on health care, and cash-strapped provinces will have to pay the price.
Experts, including the Parliamentary Budget Officer, agree that the Conservative formula will cost provinces over $30 billion. There is no getting away from that.
Will the government finally listen to Canadians and provinces and reverse its decision to download billions of new costs to the provinces?
A week for housing
Libby's words of support for Gladys Radek and the Walk4Justice
The Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users looks back on 20 years fighting for human rights
The Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users looks back on 20 years fighting for human rights
In October 1997, Libby Davies had just been elected as the NDP MP to represent Vancouver East, a position she held until 2015. In a telephone interview, she recounts her first meeting at the church. "It’s a long flight of stairs up to that room," she begins. "It was very dark, it was extremely crowded. There were people sitting on the floor. There were flip-chart pages all along the walls, because Ann Livingston always used to write down what people said." Davies was greeted with skepticism. "Oh, a politician," she remembers a member of the audience said as Osborn introduced her. "But I told them that I was there because I was their member of Parliament," Davies continues. "That they were my constituents, and I was hugely concerned about what was going on with the overdoses and the criminalization of users, and that I was there to help them."
The original article, The Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users looks back on 20 years fighting for human rights was published on September 4, 2017 in The Georgia Straight. Author(s): Travis Lupick
Libby's Bills to stop discrimination based on social condition
PBS Interview: Canadian court OKs doctor-assisted suicide, but who’s eligible
PBS Interview: Canadian court OKs doctor-assisted suicide, but who’s eligible
In March, Canada's Supreme Court ruled unanimously that all Canadians have a constitutional right to have doctors help them die. Special correspondent John Larson reports from British Columbia on how doctors, patients and politicians are grappling with how to set rules and eligibility in the next year JOHN LARSON: A member of parliament, Libby Davies, has supported right-to-die issues. She says, despite the court’s ruling, the current government may delay any new law until after the national elections next October. Click to listen or read the full interview.
The original article, Canadian court OKs doctor-assisted suicide, but who’s eligible? was published on April 1, 2015 in PBS. Author(s): PBS Newshour
Petition for Libby's National Housing Strategy Bill C-304
Contradictory Pot Laws in Need of Immediate Reform
Contradictory Pot Laws in Need of Immediate Reform
OTTAWA – Libby Davies, NDP MP from Vancouver East, called today on Prime Minister Paul Martin to move quickly to re-introduce marijuana reforms when Parliament returns in October.
“In light of Marc Emery’s arrest last month for “passing a joint” and the recent arrests on Commercial Drive, Parliament needs to have a realistic discussion about the laws governing adult marijuana use,” said Davies.
“We are seeing huge legal problems with the lack of rational and just laws governing marijuana,” said Jack Layton, Leader of the Federal NDP.
Marc Emery, President of the BC Marijuana Party, is currently serving a sentence for trafficking after sharing two marijuana cigarettes with others after an anti-prohibition talk in Saskatchewan.
“Many are likely not aware but “sharing a joint” is considered trafficking under our current federal laws,” said Davies. “I had an amendment when Parliament considered changes to the marijuana laws last fall which would have struck this from the books, but the Liberal dominated committee voted it down.”
Yesterday on Commercial Drive in Vancouver police raided a store that was openly selling marijuana and arrested six.
“These sorts of situations are going to continue if Paul Martin and the federal government refuse to face the issue, and as result lives are ruined because of criminal convictions. And communities and local business will be unfairly affected by police raids,” said the Vancouver East MP.
The Federal NDP will continue to push for changes to the marijuana laws when Parliament resumes this fall. These will include: amnesty for past possession convictions, reduction or elimination of fines for personal possession, and non-punitive measures for personal cultivation.
Leadership in Transitioning Times Panel – Libby Davies
Leadership in Transitioning Times Panel
This year’s High Ground forum included a keynote plenary on the topic “Leadership in Transitioning Times” with Libby Davies (Social activist, former MP and Deputy Leader of the NDP), Josha Macnab (Director, Pembina Institute BC), Craig Suave (City Councillor of Montreal), and Stephanie Smith (President, BCGEU). Description: Environmental and social upheaval, shifting values and economies – amplified by new media and impacted by shrinking mainstream media resources – are changing the leadership landscape. In this Saturday morning plenary, our keynote speakers reflect on our transitioning times and share the opportunities and challenges they see for those who lead. Watch the video of the panel in the link.
The original article, Leadership in Transitioning Times Panel was published on April 15, 2017 in Centre for Civic Governance. Author(s): Centre for Civic Governance