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NDP CONCERNED BY RECKLESS PLAN TO APPROVE FOR-PROFIT BLOOD CENTRE
What’s wrong with the Left in Canada? We asked the Left. – Libby Davies
What’s wrong with the Left in Canada? We asked the Left.
[editorial note: Macleans oddly forgot to note that I was NDP House Leader for 8 years – the first long term appointment of a woman in this role. They also chose not to include the note that accompanied my response to their query “I’m not very keen on the questions – they are very simplistic and play into the divide of politics. And the questions as posed reinforce a kind of black and white view of the political world that most Canadians don’t relate too. I always think it’s more about issues – and how we see critical issues and our stance on a particular matter. Anyway – having given you my scepticism about what this story might be about – though I do get that it’s easy for political parties to play to their base – here are my answers to your two questions : ] Libby Davies Former Health Critic, [NDP House Leader} and Deputy leader of the NDP. Member of the Order of Canada. What is wrong with the left today? The left has a tendency to unnecessarily divide and split itself rather than striving for a more disciplined stance that is based on shared values. What really bothers you about the right? A lack of interest in factual information and evidence based decision making.
The original article, What’s wrong with the Left in Canada? We asked the Left. was published on January 24, 2019 in Macleans. Author(s): Macleans
Interview with Unusual Sources – CFMU 933 Hamilton – Libby Davies
Interview with Unusual Sources – CFMU 933 Hamilton
Libby Davies recounts a particularly turbulent time in her career as an MP, in which a ‘media’ ambush turned her support for Palestine into a political football. Davies is presenting her revealing memoir “Outside In,” about her personal life and political career, on Sunday June 9. Davies’ book is an example of the challenges and struggles faced by trailblazing activists, and the attempts to improve NDP positions on foreign policy and other issues. Listen to the interview below.
The original article, Interview with Unusual Sources – CFMU 933 Hamilton was published on in CFMU 933 Hamilton. Author(s): Brendan Stone
NEW DEMOCRATS RAMP-UP CAMPAIGN TO REVERSE HARPER’S COAST GUARD CUTS
STATEMENT BY OFFICIAL OPPOSITION LEADER TOM MULCAIR IN RESPONSE TO OPEN LETTER ON SOCHI OLYMPICS AND LGBT RIGHTS
CONSERVATIVES DISMISS UN CALL FOR ACTION TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST ABORIGINAL WOMEN – Libby Davies
CONSERVATIVES DISMISS UN CALL FOR ACTION TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST ABORIGINAL WOMEN
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 19, 2013
OTTAWA – New Democrats are condemning the Conservatives for claiming to take violence against Aboriginal women seriously, while repeatedly rejecting UN recommendations for a comprehensive national review on the issue.
Today, a Conservative government envoy dismissed criticisms of its approach from the UN Human Rights Council.
“It’s shocking that Canada refuses to act to end violence against Indigenous women,” said NDP Status of Women critic Niki Ashton (Churchill). “It is time for the Conservatives to tackle systemic issues facing Indigenous peoples and establish a nation-to-nation relationship.”
In May, Ashton introduced a motion calling for a national inquiry and an action plan to end violence against women.
“Violence against Aboriginal women is a crisis in Canada,” said NDP Aboriginal Affairs critic Jean Crowder (Nanaimo-Cowichan). “Until the Conservatives accept their responsibilities outlined by the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, we cannot move forward in a positive and meaningful way.”
In Washington DC Supporting TroopsHomeFast – Libby Davies
In Washington DC Supporting TroopsHomeFast
WASHINGTON, DC- Over the past 2 days I have had the privilege to be involved in an anti-war hunger strike action, organized by CODEPINK, a major women’s peace group in the US. The action, TroopsHomeFast, has had broad support since it began July 4, calling for the immediate withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.
Long term fasters (now in day 24) have been in front of the White House, drawing attention to the illegal occupation of US forces in Iraq and the deadly cost to civilian, Iraqi, and US lives.
On my first day, I joined the action on the afternoon the Prime Minister of Iraq visited Washington, DC, and was able to participate in a press conference across the street from the Iraqi Embassy. Outside the Embassy, CODEPINK organizers called for a meeting with Prime Minister Al-Maliki, urging him to listen to the Iraqi people, not George Bush, and support the Iraqi reconciliation plan to end the occupation and withdraw the US troops.
After discussions on the street outside the Embassy, representatives of the Embassy said they would deliver the groups letter to the PM, requesting a meeting.
On day 2, I spoke with fasters in Lafayette Park adjacent to the White House, and delivered a message of solidarity from Vancouver’s StopWar.ca in front of the White House with a megaphone, as Bush and Al-Maliki held a press conference on the other side of the iron fence on the lawn of the White House. Tourists and passers-by clapped when I said I was a Canadian Member of Parliament, in DC to support the TroopsHomeFast action.
Later in the day we returned to the Iraqi Embassy, and set up chairs and banners on the street, awaiting the arrival of the Iraqi PM to press the demand for a meeting. CODEPINK supporters made a wonderful colourful impact, with pink banners, pink umbrellas, their trademark pink t-shirts, pink bags, and leaflets. Cindy Sheehan, a key US peace activist, and part of the CODEPINK contingent, sat calmly in front of the Embassy, ready, along with others, to be arrested for refusing to move after 3 warnings from police.
Intense negotiations with Washington DC police who were on the scene, resulted in agreement that the anti war activists would move to the end of the block (now cordoned off by police and teeming with Secret Service personnel in dark glasses), on the basis that representatives of the Iraqi Embassy would allow Cindy Sheehan and Medea Benjamin (organizer of CODEPINK and TroopsHomeFast) to go into a reception being held for the PM at the Embassy. As expected they were not allowed in, but resolved to return the next day.
It is wonderful to see the level of commitment, organization and detail of these American peace activists. They are so appreciative of support from Canada. They have a daunting task here in the US, and it’s not easy to get media coverage. But they do have strong cross-sector support. I have met a retired US Army Colonel, a US soldier representing, Iraq Veterans Against the War, a high school student, raging grannies, and many more.
CODEPINK displays a marvellous tenacity, that is creative and bold, and it is inspiring to see them in action.
Of course we have a massive job to do in Canada too, to defeat Harper’s drive to support Bush’s illegal and immoral wars. In that way, we need to develop stronger solidarity between US and Canadian peace activists, as shown at the World Peace Forum held in Vancouver in June.
I will return home with a stronger resolve to work with likeminded people to oppose military aggression and war, and the oppression and denial of Human Rights.