Libby questions the Conservative government's changes to food and drug approvals
About this site
About this site
This site was built in the Open Source Drupal platform.
Fonts:
accessibility:
By: Dawn Buie
For help email:
ON 40-YEAR ANNIVERSARY, NORTH COAST TANKER MORATORIUM AT RISK
ON 40-YEAR ANNIVERSARY, NORTH COAST TANKER MORATORIUM AT RISK
ON 40-YEAR ANNIVERSARY, NORTH COAST TANKER MORATORIUM AT RISK
BRITISH COLUMBIA – Forty years ago, the Canadian government introduced a moratorium banning oil tankers from the north and central coast of British Columbia. On the anniversary of the moratorium, the BC Caucus of NDP MPs released the following statement:
“As we approach the 40-year anniversary of the north coast tanker ban, the Conservative government is paving the way for unprecedented oil tanker traffic off BC’s coast and gutting the environmental review processes. In light of this, New Democrats are reiterating their call to uphold the ban, and protect BC waters from the risks of a devastating spill.
BC NDP MPs believe that the tanker moratorium is at risk due to the Conservative Government’s promotion of the proposed Northern Gateway Project.
The introduction of crude oil super tankers to BC’s North Coast proposed by this project would require eliminating the current tanker moratorium that has been in place for 40 years.
British Columbians have been clear – the risk of allowing super tankers off the coast greatly outweighs any benefit to our communities. An oil spill in the fragile coastal waters of British Columbia would irreversibly devastate BC’s coastline. Over 130 First Nations bands have also rejected the Northern Gateway project, as it tramples on the titles and traditional rights of these Nations. The Union of BC Municipalities also opposes the project.
In a historic vote on December 2010, the House of Commons passed an NDP motion directing the government to immediately introduce a legislated ban. The government has taken no action. worse, they chose to introduce massive regulatory changes in their 2012 budget which would weaken pipeline review processes and allow Ottawa to overrule any decision made by the National Energy Board.
British Columbians are proud of our stunning coastal waters. The coast directly and indirectly supports tens of thousands of jobs, brings visitors to our province and has deep spiritual significance for many peoples. Compromising this national treasure for short-term gain is short-sighted, irresponsible, and reckless.
We urge the Conservative government to bring forward a legislated ban on oil tankers to protect our coastline for future generations”
Libby urges the Conservative government to provide funding for the Mental Health Strategy
Libby urges the Conservative government to commit to the Mental Health Strategy for Canada
Libby urges the Health Minister to reinstate funding for the Federal Tobacco Control Strategy
Libby urges the Health Minister to reinstate funding for the Federal Tobacco Control Strategy
Libby urges the Health Minister to reinstate funding for the Federal Tobacco Control Strategy
May 3, 2012
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq
Minister of Health
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0A6
Dear Minister,
I am writing to express my concerns over the recent cuts to the Federal Tobacco Control Strategy (FTCS). The FTCS is the largest anti-tobacco program run by Health Canada. By reducing the FTCS budget by $15 million annually, your government is cutting more than a third of the strategy’s annual funding, putting the health and well being of Canadians at risk.
Since its inception in 2001, the FTCS has helped curb smoking across the country. Between 1999 and 2010, FTCS initiatives helped reduce adult smoking rates from 25 per cent to 17 per cent. In this same period of time, smoking rates amongst Canada’s youth aged 15 to 19 decreased from 28 per cent to 12 per cent. The federal government has the obligation to help reduce the number of Canadians who use tobacco products. As over 5 million Canadians still smoke, and over 50 per cent of long-term regular smokers die of smoking related diseases, it is reckless to cut FTCS funding.
Tobacco remains the leading preventable cause of disease and death in Canada. Whereas your government is attempting to cut costs by reducing the FTCS budget by $15 million, direct health care costs from tobacco are more than $4.4 billion per year. This strategy saves the government money, saves the lives of Canadians, and institutes safeguards that promote the health and well-being of young Canadians.
Canada has always been a world leader in tobacco control. The funding cuts to the Federal Tobacco Control Strategy will ultimately deter the progress this program has achieved, placing Canadians at risk of developing detrimental diseases such as cancer. I urge you to reinstate full funding to Health Canada’s Federal Tobacco Control Strategy.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter, and I look forward to your reply.
Sincerely,
Libby Davies, MP
Vancouver East
NDP Health Critic