Libby urges the government to improve food safety measures
Libby supports food safety
SOCIAL HOUSING: NDP AND ORGANIZATIONS URGE CONSERVATIVES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY
Parliament's Digital Makeover
SOCIAL HOUSING: NDP AND ORGANIZATIONS URGE CONSERVATIVES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY
SOCIAL HOUSING: NDP AND ORGANIZATIONS URGE CONSERVATIVES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY
Dear Friends
I am happy to announce that the NDP’s bill for a National Housing Strategy will have its first hour of debate this week. I know many of you recognize the need for adequate, accessible
secure and affordable housing, and we came close to making this a reality in the last Parliament. I will be speaking at a roundable on housing tonight in Ottawa, to voice my support for this bill. Check out more information on the bill below.
Sincerely,
Libby
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 15, 2012
OTTAWA – On the eve of the first hour of debate on Bill C-400 on housing, New Democrat Housing critic Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet (Hochelaga) as well as Marie-Claude Morin (Saint-Hyacinthe – Bagot), who initiated the bill, join many groups and associations in calling for urgent assistance from the federal government to finance social housing.
“Canada is the only G8 country without a national housing strategy. In 2009, Stephen Harper pledged before the UN Human Rights Council to work more efficiently with the provinces and territories to ensure that all Canadians have access to affordable housing. It’s time to fulfill this promise and that’s exactly what C-400 will accomplish,” said Morin.
Bill C-400 seeks to ensure secure, adequate, accessible and affordable housing for all Canadians. Boutin-Sweet begins a tour on housing this fall to consult the public upon this issue and elaborate the NDP’s national housing strategy.
“The federal government’s disengagement with respect to its social housing responsibilities is blatant and growing. The provinces are running out of resources. The lack of social housing and its deterioration due to the lack of funding are at a critical level. Over 1.5 million families don’t have access to social housing. It’s more than time to help them,” said Boutin-Sweet.
Mount Pleasant Legion
Mount Pleasant Legion
Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP): Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise in the House today to congratulate the Royal Canadian Legion Mount Pleasant Branch 177 in my riding of Vancouver East. The branch marked its 60th anniversary in a remarkable way by an important landmine clearance project.
Its contribution will support de-mining operations for a 12 week period in Afghanistan, one of the most heavily mined countries in the world. As part of the Adopt-A-Minefield global campaign, this project will fund the work of a 30 person team from the Afghan Technical Consultants.
The Mount Pleasant Legion has a long history of contributing to the community. This latest initiative is another fine example of its service and commitment to human security and peace. The global landmine crisis has killed or maimed tens of thousands of people worldwide. The eradication of anti-personnel mines is a vital task facing the international community and action needs to be taken.
I applaud the Mount Pleasant Legion’s initiative. This is an excellent project taken up by this branch and it most definitely lives up to its motto, “We joined to serve – we’re serving still”.
Mount Pleasant Legion
Libby remembers Nelson Mandela in Parliament
Libby remembers Nelson Mandela in Parliament
House of Commons
HANSARD
December 5, 2013
Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, I certainly appreciate my colleague raising her very thoughtful arguments, particularly as they pertain to indigenous people and their concerns about this bill.
It gives me the opportunity to stand in the House and reflect for a moment on the passing of Nelson Mandela, which we just heard about a few minutes ago. Even here today, as we are debating this bill, when we think of Nelson Mandela, we think of hhis enormous legacy for human rights and human dignity.
As parliamentarians, it is something that we uphold and honour. Even with this bill today, which is about indigenous rights, equality and dignity for people, it is something that we reflect on. I hope that we carry it forward as a legacy.
Libby asks the Minister to take responsibility in the recent E.coli outbreak
Libby asks the Minister to take responsibility in the recent E.coli outbreak
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House of Commons
HANSARD
October 5, 2012
Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, on September 13 the Canadian Food Inspection Agency yanked XL’s exporter licence at the request of U.S. officials. The minister of agriculture and his department determined that this meat was not safe enough to be sold to American consumers, yet he did not pull XL’s Canadian licence for another 14 days.
Therefore, for 14 days the minister of agriculture allowed the same tainted meat that was not safe enough for Americans to be sold to Canadian families. Why?
Hon. Gerry Ritz (Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, I welcome the question from the member opposite. It gives me another chance to say that food safety is a priority for this government.
The CFIA began acting on September 4 and has continued to act based on science and information as it becomes available.
Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, the minister’s response is again very short on the facts, so let us review those.
The minister said he was aware from day one of all of the activities, which means he knew about the broken safety equipment. That means he knew on September 6 that XL Foods was withholding critical data from government officials. It means he knew on September 13 that meat from XL was not safe enough for American consumers.
Why then did he withhold vital public health information from Canadians?
Hon. Gerry Ritz (Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, as I said, the CFIA, based on science and timely access to information, began operating on September 4 in the best interests of Canadian consumers. It continues to do that. The member opposite chooses to ignore that there is a timeline that has been well-published on the CFIA website that answers a lot of those questions.
Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, yesterday was a watershed day for taking responsibility. First, the CFIA took responsibility for its part in this recall. Then XL took responsibility for the faulty operations at the plant. The only person with the infallibility complex who refuses to take responsibility is the minister of agriculture himself.
When will he apologize for his failure to keep Canadians informed and tender his resignation?