East Van lesbian artist awarded Queen’s medal

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East Van lesbian artist awarded Queen’s medal

Approximately 200 people filled the Heritage Hall in East Vancouver Jan 23 to honour the area’s Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal recipients. Among the recipients were lesbian human rights activist Ellen Woodsworth, and accomplished lesbian filmmaker Elaine Carol…“She does extraordinary work with youth at risk,” says Vancouver East MP Libby Davies, who distributed the medals. “You can tell that she loves the theatre and she loves empowering young people and she makes it, in many instances, a life-changing experience for them.” Carol “works day and night,” Davies continues. “She’s an amazing, dedicated cultural artist and producer in our community. She’s also a great queer activist in the community and the passion she brings to who she is, what she does, and how she empowers other people means a lot to the community. I’m very glad to have recognized her.”

The original article, East Van lesbian artist awarded Queen's medal was published on January 24, 2013 in Xtra News!. Author(s): Shauna Lewis

Housing

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Posted on 2005.02.25

Housing

Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP): Mr. Speaker, what does the Prime Minister say to the 1.7 million Canadian households that desperately need affordable housing? What does he say to homeless people around the streets? What does he say to aboriginal people off reserve?

In his rush for Conservative support, he betrayed them and there is anger and outrage that he broke his own promise for $1.5 billion for housing while rewarding his corporate buddies.

I challenge him to get out on the street at night, experience the impact of what he has done and then think about his corporate tax cuts. Is he willing to take that responsibility and see what he has done?

Hon. Andy Scott (Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, first of all the promise of $1.5 billion in new housing will be kept. That was repeated in the throne speech.

The reality is that money that is available now, about $800 million, has simply not been spent.

On the question of first nations housing, we have a round table process in place. It is slated to come to a conclusion this spring. The Minister of Finance has acknowledged that we will need more money and we will get it.

Statement on Canadian Blood Services proposal to end ban on blood donations by gay men

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Posted on 2013.01.22

Statement on Canadian Blood Services proposal to end ban on blood donations by gay men

Canadian Blood Services has made a request to Health Canada to change the current lifetime ban on men who have sex with men from donating blood to a five-year deferral. This would mean that any gay man who has abstained from sex with a man for at least five years would be allowed to donate blood.

New Democrats believe that criteria for donating blood for all Canadians should be developed on a behavior based model. The screening process for blood donation would be much safer overall in reducing the risk of transmission of blood borne diseases by focusing on each individuals’ behavior rather than their sexual identity.

While this request from Canadian Blood Services is a step in the right direction, it continues to discriminate against a specific group of people. A five-year ban on the ability for gay men to donate blood is not science based and is still just as discriminatory as a lifetime ban.   

Other jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom and Mexico have successfully implemented fair and non-discriminatory policies for blood donations.  New Democrats call on Canadian Blood Services and the federal government to respect human rights and develop non-discriminatory policies that uphold the safety of our blood supply and encourage the broadest participation in strengthening this important part of our health care system.

Libby Davies, NDP Health Critic

Randall Garrison, NDP LGBTQ Critic

PM MUST SHOW LEADERSHIP, AGREE TO MEETING WITH FIRST NATIONS LEADERS

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Posted on 2012.12.30

PM MUST SHOW LEADERSHIP, AGREE TO MEETING WITH FIRST NATIONS LEADERS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 30, 2012

OTTAWA–As Attawapiskat First Nation Chief Theresa Spence’s hunger strike enters its fourth week, New Democrats are calling on the Prime Minister to show leadership and avoid a tragedy.

“We are urging the Prime Minister to act swiftly, in a spirit of reconciliation, and assure Chief Spence he will meet this January with elected Aboriginal leaders,” said Paul Dewar after visiting with Chief Spence. “As the New Year dawns, the government must live up to its past commitments and begin forging a more respectful relationship with First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.”

Dewar was joined by Charlie Angus, Mathieu Ravignat and a strong delegation of NDP MPs in visiting Chief Spence on day 20 of her hunger strike.

“New Democrats join with Canadians from coast to coast to coast in expressing their concern for Chief Spence’s health,” said Angus, the Attawapiskat Chief’s local MP. “She is voicing concerns shared by many across the country and simply asking for respectful dialogue between the government and elected Aboriginal leadership.”

With a growing wave of grassroots action sweeping First Nation communities, including hunger strikes in other regions, the NDP said concrete action is needed to address the legitimate issues being raised.

“Now is the time for leaders to sit down together and work out solutions — and New Democrats stand ready to assist in these efforts,” said Ravignat. “The government must fulfill its promises from last January’s meetings and start working in partnership with First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.”

 

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