Feed aggregator
Libby urges the Conservative government to protect public health care from CETA
Libby questions the Conservative government on the health effects of asbestos
Libby questions the Conservative government on the health effects of asbestos
House of Commons
HANSARD
February 10, 2012
Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, it still raises the question: why are they ignoring the mountains of scientific evidence that shows that asbestos causes cancer?
The government is still trying to find new markets in the developing world to export this deadly substance. It is even opposed to warning other countries about the danger. It has blocked the inclusion of chrysotile asbestos on the list of dangerous products under the Rotterdam convention.
I ask again, why is the government ignoring the evidence and turning a blind eye to asbestos victims?
Hon. Christian Paradis (Minister of Industry and Minister of State (Agriculture), CPC):
Mr. Speaker, for more than 30 years, the Government of Canada has been supporting the safe use of chrysotile. Recent scientific studies have shown that chrysotile can be used safely in a controlled environment.
Protect Old Age Security - Tell us what YOU think!
Libby's Hill Times Editorial on Health Care
My concerns about the Northern Gateway Pipeline
My concerns about the Northern Gateway Pipeline
My concerns about the Northern Gateway Pipeline
Dear Friends,
I know many of you are concerned about the impacts of the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline.
My NDP colleagues and I strongly oppose this project because it is neither in the best interests of Canadians, nor does it meet the criteria of what constitutes sustainable development. There are significant environmental concerns, including damage related to the construction of the pipeline, as well as from potential oil spills along the pipeline and from oil tankers navigating the hazardous waters on the northwest coast of British Columbia. Spills of this nature would jeopardize the fishing and tourism industries in BC putting tens of thousands of livelihoods and the stability of those communities at risk. The wild salmon economy alone generates $1.7 billion each year in BC. The Conservative government is playing fast and loose with BCs economy and ecosystems.
The pipeline would contribute to the rapid and unchecked expansion of Canada’s oil sands that the current government has permitted without any regard for economic sustainability, or the effects of this unchecked development on greenhouse gas emissions and the resulting climate change.
Development of the oil sands should take place within the context of a coherent and credible national energy strategy that will be good for the Canadian economy and good for our environment, one that has a transition to green energy and renewable technologies at its core. It is unacceptable that this Conservative government chases one raw bitumen pipeline project after another that serves only corporate profit interests to the detriment of our national interests.
I believe that the environmental assessment process must include the voices of all Canadians who have a stake in outcome, from first nations to local residents, from small business to industry. To declare opponents to a project “radicals” or try to slander them as representing foreign interests is anti-democratic. It is hypocritical that Mr. Harper considers foreign oil interests his friends while branding people who care about our environment as enemies.
It is particularly concerning the level of disrespect this government has show towards the First Nations whose traditional territory this pipeline would cross. Instead of defending the rights of the First Nations, which have been affirmed by the Supreme Court of Canada, the government has chosen instead to damage the development of healthy and fair relationships with the first peoples of Canada.
I’ll continue to speak out and oppose the government’s moves to abrogate its duty for decisions made to uphold the public interest, not private interests.
Libby
If you would like to read more about my concerns about the Northern Gateway pipeline, check out my speeches in Parliament on the issue:
Libby Davies talks about her winter sitting
Libby Davies talks about her winter sitting
Q: What do you have to look forward to over the winter sitting? A: Healthcare is my file right now, so that’s taking up a lot of my time, and it’s a very big file, and we have great NDP members on the committee, so we’re dividing it up and each specialising on certain things, so I’m very happy about that. We’re working as a team. We are going to be generating a bigger campaign around the future of medicare. Besides that, issues that come out of my riding that in some ways are very much related to healthcare, such as affordable housing and homelessness, the rights of sex workers, the impacts on drug users from the “war on drugs” – these are issues that are ongoing, whether it’s Insite, or what’s happening to sex workers in the court challenges that are happening right now. These are things that I’m paying attention to because they don’t get a lot of attention in parliament, and I feel like l have to be a strong advocate for those issues, and I want to be a strong advocate. Those things are also very much a part of the work that I do.
The original article, Libby Davies talks about her winter sitting was published on February 8, 2012 in Xtra! News. Author(s):
Libby urges the government to limit trans fats
Libby urges the government to limit trans fats
House of Commons
HANSARD
February 7, 2012
You can view Libby asking this question here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJV3osWdhPY&feature=youtu.be
Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP):
When it comes to putting the health of Canadians first, Conservatives are failing on every front.
Trans fats are the leading cause of heart disease and high cholesterol. This is something that particularly affects children. The House agreed to the NDP motion to regulate and limit this dangerous substance.
Why is the health minister now ignoring expert advice and siding yet again with industry, instead of acting to protect the health of Canadians?
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq (Minister of Health and Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, our government continues to make prevention and health promotion a priority. That includes reducing trans fat in foods. Results from the trans fat monitoring program show that we are making real progress, as close to three-quarters of pre-packaged foods under review met the reduction targets. I have also instructed my department to continue its engagement with stakeholders to identify the challenges and how best to overcome them without adding a regulatory burden.
Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, the truth is that the government is always full of the excuses given to it by industry. The government had a chance to help families but it failed to act.
Health experts are clear, the provinces are onboard and families are trying to make healthier choices for their kids. In fact, there was a plan in place but the large food companies complained and, guess what, the minister killed it.
In 2009 the minister wrote, “further action is needed”. Can the minister tell us if she was wrong then or if she is wrong now?