Libby urges PM Harper to pressure Syria for Dorothy Parvaz's release
Extraditing Canadians for US Laws
Extraditing Canadians for US Laws
Ms Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP): – The federal NDP opposes the extradition of Marc Emery, Gregory Keith Williams and Michelle Rainey-Fenkarek to the United States. We believe it is wrong to extradite people for an offence that would not – and in this case, did not – result in them being charged in Canada.
In the U.S. they face a minimum 10-year sentence which could be raised to a life sentence. The federal NDP believes we should not be sending individuals to face harsh punishment in another country when we have agreed as a society their actions are not worthy of prosecution here in Canada.
This case once again points to the confusing and contradictory nature of the federal Liberal government’s marijuana laws. We should recognize that the arrests of these Canadian citizens is more related to political pressure on Canada to cooperate with the U.S. war on drugs than on any harm that has been created by the actions of these individuals.
I will continue to urge Justice Minister Irwin Cotler to consider Canadian justice in his decision on this case and not be swayed by the laws and practices of the U.S.
Libby in the News
Libby promotes proportional representation to increase women's presence in Parliament
Budget Fails to Support Affordable Housing
Budget Fails to Support Affordable Housing
Budget Fails to Support Affordable Housing
BUDGET FAILS TO MAKE LIFE BETTER FOR CANADIANS
Libby questions the Conservative Government’s Accountability
Libby questions the Conservative Government’s Accountability
House of Commons
HANSARD
March 22, 2011
Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, Bruce Carson, an advisor to the Prime Minister, knew everything about lobbying laws. He knew all about the loopholes, the same loopholes the NDP tried to close, loopholes the Conservatives wouldn’t close.
Now we know why. The Accountability Act was just for show. Former government officials, right out of the Pime Minister’s Office, are still able to sell their services to people looking for access to power, despite the five-year ban.
When will the Conservatives close the loopholes and prevent “another Carson” from doing the same?
Hon. John Baird (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, as a matter of first priority, this government brought in the Federal Accountability Act that got tough on people who leave government for five years. I think the law is very clear. When issues arose with respect to one individual, we did the responsible thing. We immediately referred the matter not just to the RCMP, not just to the Ethics Commissioner, but also the Commissioner of Lobbying. Let me be very clear. Those who break the law should face the full force of the law.
Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, Bruce Carson was out there selling access to government: to the Environment Minister and to the Indian Affairs Minister; using his girlfriend as a front.
The truth is that the Conservatives would never have called the police if it had not have been for the work of the Aboriginal Peoples’ Television Network. Bruce Carson would have kept right on doing it if he hadn’t been caught out.
How can the Conservatives still tolerate these loopholes in their Federal Accountability Act?