The B.C. Court of Appeal has dismissed a federal government appeal of an exemption granted InSite, Vancouver's supervised-injection site, which means the facility — the first of its kind in Canada — will remain open. The federal government is expected to appeal Friday's ruling, a split 2-1 decision that carries an automatic right of appeal, to the Supreme Court of Canada. Dr. Julio Montaner, president of the International AIDS Society, called Friday's court ruling "a tremendous victory for [those of] us involved in the Downtown Eastside. It sends a very clear message to [Prime Minister] Stephen Harper and his draconian policies." New Democrat MP for Vancouver East Libby Davies told the rally that the federal government should not waste further time and money on an appeal.

While serving drinks at the Patricia Hotel in the early ’70s, she, by chance, met social-justice activists Libby Davies and Bruce Eriksen, which led indirectly to a job at the fledgling DTES residents association. The rest, as they say, is history, although Swanson is always loath to talk about her part. “It can’t be personal, it can’t be about Jean,” she said.

Libby Davies, a Canadian politician and social activist will discuss How To Make Change during a live, online fundraising event on January 24, 2021

Libby Davies, former Vancouver East MP & DTES organizer, talks about the 40-year anniversary of saving the Carnegie Centre for the community

A recent poll of more than 1,200 people from Narrative Research suggests Canadians are divided over the issue, with 44 per cent supporting decriminalization. Support was highest in B.C. at 53 per cent. “What we can do is reassure the prime minister and federal officials, Vancouver knows what it’s doing,” said Libby Davies, a former NDP MP and longtime Downtown Eastside activist. “We have a really stellar history of harm reduction, of steady progress, measurement and accountability. They should trust Vancouver.”

For New Democrats, conventions often generate ‘vigorous and energetic’ debate on ’emerging policy’ issues among the party faithful, says former NDP MP Libby Davies.