March 2007
Mitchel Raphael on politicians and drugs, plus the metalhead MP
Mitchel Raphael on politicians and drugs, plus the metalhead MP
OTTAWA – NDP MP Libby Davies spearheaded, and MPs from all parties co-hosted, what was billed as an Expert Panel on Drug Policy Reform. All panellists agreed the war on drugs has been a huge disaster and a waste of money. Portuguese Ambassador Pedro Moitinho de Almeida spoke of his country’s success with decriminalizing drugs.
The original article, Macleans Magazine was published on December 9, 2010 in Macleans Magazine. Author(s): Mitchel Raphael
Comments on Missing Women Trial
Libby Davies Recognized for Achievement in Drug Policy at International Conference
Libby Davies Recognized for Achievement in Drug Policy at International Conference
Libby Davies Recognized for Achievement in Drug Policy at International Conference
NEW ORLEANS – NDP MP Libby Davies (Vancouver East) is in New Orleans this weekend, where she will receive the Justice Gerald Le Dain Award for Achievement in the Field of Law.
Davies is being recognized for her “outstanding drug policy reform work” at the 2007 International Drug Policy Reform Conference, hosted by the U.S. based Drug Policy Alliance and the Criminal Justice Policy Foundation.
The award is named after retired Supreme Court Justice Gerald Le Dain, Chair of the 1970 Canadian Commission on the Non-Medical Use of Drugs. The Commission recommended that the government’s drug strategy focus on frank education, not suppression, and argued that marijuana possession should be decriminalized.
Libby Davies, the NDP Spokesperson for Drug Policy, sat on the 2002 Special Parliamentary Sub-Committee on the Non-Medical Use of Drugs and has been a long time advocate of harm reduction, regulating drug use, and addressing drug use as a public health issue.
Davies is leading a Campaign for Common Sense Drug Policy, and continues to fight along-side activists across Canada to protect Vancouver’s safe injection site, InSite.
January 2010
NDP Slams Conservatives for Breaking AIDS Funding Promise
NDP Slams Conservatives for Breaking AIDS Funding Promise
OTTAWA – The Conservative government’s decision to cut community AIDS funding is simple negligence, say NDP Health Critic Judy Wasylycia-Leis (Winnipeg North) and NDP MP Libby Davies (Vancouver East).
“The Conservatives are recklessly diverting money from important community AIDS prevention programs to let themselves off the hook for commitments they made to the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation,” said Wasylycia-Leis.
Media reports today confirmed that Ontario AIDS groups will see a 30 per cent funding cut, with more cuts to come for community groups across Canada. Money earmarked for these groups is being moved to satisfy a February 2007 commitment to the Gates Foundation that agreed to put $139 million in new funding toward a Canadian HIV vaccine program.
“Community AIDS groups across the country are struggling to deliver programs to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS. Now this government is breaking its promise for new funding for an important AIDS vaccine and threatening the future of local AIDS groups,” said Davies.
“This government continues to ignore evidence-based results when it comes to public health issues,” said Davies. “It has removed harm reduction from its drug strategy, and is pouring more and more resources into enforcement while virtually abandoning treatment and prevention programs.”
“What Canadian AIDS groups need now is additional, stable funding. The minister of Health must know that these cuts will directly result in the loss of lives,” said Wasylycia-Leis.
The NDP is calling for the minister of Health to honour his commitment for new funding for a Canadian HIV vaccine program and ensure that there will be no cuts to existing HIV/AIDS programs.
2014-07-10 – Letter to Minister Ambrose – Safety Code 6 – 2014 Public Consultation
2014-07-10 – Letter to Minister Ambrose – Safety Code 6 – 2014 Public Consultation