Where are all the lesbians in federal politics?

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Where are all the lesbians in federal politics?

It's 2010 — where are all the out lesbians in federal politics? Currently, there are only two out lesbians in Parliament — NDP MP Libby Davies, and Conservative Senator Nancy Ruth — while there are four out gay MPs, and a number of others for whom their sexuality is an open secret on the Hill. Why so few lesbians?

The original article, Where are all the lesbians in federal politics? was published on October 19, 2010 in Xtra.ca. Author(s): Dale Smith

Libby asks the government how they are acting on the NDP’s motion to address drug shortages

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Posted on 2012.04.3

Libby asks the government how they are acting on the NDP’s motion to address drug shortages

April 3, 2012

Hon. Leona Aglukkaq

Minister of Health

House of Commons

Ottawa, ON
K1A 0A6

Dear Minister,

I am writing to ask for an update on the steps you have taken to follow-up on the NDP’s motion on drug shortages.

On March 14, 2012, Parliament vote unanimously to support the NDP’s motion on drug shortages, which stated:   That, in the opinion of this House, the government should: (a) in cooperation with provinces, territories and industry, develop a nationwide strategy to anticipate, identify, and manage shortages of essential medications; (b) require drug manufacturers to report promptly to Health Canada any planned disruption or discontinuation in production; and (c) expedite the review of regulatory submissions in order to make safe and effective medications available to the Canadian public.

I am hoping you will be able to update me on the work of the government to implement the actions outlined in this motion.  I have a few specific questions, including:

  1. How many applications has Health Canada received from drug companies who can temporarily supply medications impacted by drug shortages?
  2. When does Health Canada anticipate completing its approval process for these expedited medications?
  3. What steps are you taking to create a national strategy to address drug shortages?
  4. When do you anticipate bringing in a mandatory reporting system for drug shortages?

I look forward to hearing about the immediate actions you are taking to implement the motion passed in Parliament, which would help thousands of Canadians who urgently require many medications currently in short supply, in order to receive treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and to ease their chronic or post-operative pain.

Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

Sincerely,

Libby Davies, MP

Vancouver East

NDP Health Critic

Hunger Strike Day 7 – Thankyou

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Posted on 2010.01.16

Hunger Strike Day 7 – Thankyou

Almost finished week 55 of the Hunger Relay Strike to End Homelessness! Tomorrow I hand over that imposing wooden spoon at noon…..

The week has actually gone quickly and the support quite wonderful, so thanks to all the good folks who dropped by the Carnegie to say hello and show their support for the need for housing. To my friend Sharon – was good to see you on your day off no less, and see how you encouraged people to write messages to Harper and Parliament.

Today was quite busy and Janet from my office spent a couple hours with me inside Carnegie, doing our ‘Traveling Community Office’ that we often do on Saturdays at various locations, so that people can raise issues and bring in case work if they can’t make it to our constituency office during the week. We heard lots – as we usually do – and will follow up on specific matters. Then it was outside to continue with peoples comments on the flip chart, and some media interviews, including Working TV with Julius and Sonia, who are always terrific and on the go, and Laura from SFU radio (I’m not sure I got your name right), who has been following the blogs and came down to do a short interview with great questions. Also Fairchild TV who wanted to know how the Olympics would affect the inner city. I let them know lots of people have raised the Olympics and how they see it draining all the money and there’s nothing left for them. But I also remember one guy at Main and Hastings who made it quite clear he loves the Olympics and thinks its great they are in Vancouver.

Some of the comments today were pretty cool – including a local resident who wrote a quote from a legendary woman, Delores Ibarri alia Pasionara, who was a leader in the Spanish Communist Party and an anti fascist in the 1930’s who said… “Better to die on your feet than live on your knees.” Then Dave, who has come by every day to talk, added a very funny one at the last minute before we packed up…..

Prorogue the Govt
Prorogue the Olympics
Prorogue 2010
Take a Vacation
Leave Libby in Charge
She loves Canada
She’ll take care of us

So now I got all these big sheets of paper – covered with comments short and long, heartbreaking and powerful, funny, angry, sometimes a bit off the wall, but always real. Megan in my office has the patient task of typing them all up and then we will set about getting the info out.

A few blogs ago I said I would say more about the Poverty Olympics – here’s the link www.povertyolympics.ca, It’s the 3rd Annual coming up Feb. 7. It’s a humourus and pointed take on the Olympics as it relates to poverty.

Well, that’s it for today and week 55! It’s been a blast – a tremendous experience. I’m honoured to be a small part of this great effort to end homelessness and make housing a right for all people. As I head back to Ottawa for our federal NDP caucus meeting on Monday, and then back to the un-Parliament Jan. 25 (screw the locked doors!), I commit to do everything I can to get Bill C304 passed and housing built. I’ve learned a lot, laughed a lot and met great folks this past week – not to be forgotten.

Libby

Canada Summer Jobs program 2009

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Posted on 2009.01.19

Canada Summer Jobs program 2009

Dear Friends,

RE:Canada Summer Jobs 2009

I’m writing to let you know that the federal government has launched its Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) 2009 program. More information about this program can be found at:

http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/epb/yi/yep/programs/scpp.shtml

Canada Summer Jobs is federal government initiative of the Summer Work Experience program. It provides funding for not-for-profit organizations, public-sector employers and small businesses with 50 or fewer employees to create high-quality summer job opportunities for students between the ages of 15 and 30.

Applications for CSJ are available as of February 2, 2009 in Service Canada offices and online at www.servicecanada.gc.ca/csj2009 The deadline for employers to submit completed applications is February 27, 2009. Applicants will be notified if they have been selected to hire students in May, 2009.

I’ve learned that the budget for 2009 is the same as it was in 2008, which will be very tight given the size and depth of need in our community. I’ve communicated my concern by writing to the Hon. Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development. I’m including this letter below for your reference. If you also have concerns, I encourage you to write to the Minister also at: finled@parl.gc.ca

Service Canada staff will assess each application based on the eligibility requirements and assessment criteria, including local priorities and rating scale. To give your application a good shot at success, it is absolutely critical to address these criteria and all the priorities as much as possible in a manner that is clear, plain and provides concrete ideas and examples.

If you have any questions, you can contact 1-800-935-5555 or go to the website.

If you’re making an application, I wish you the very best.

Sincerely,

Libby Davies, MP (Vancouver East)

———————————————

January 16, 2009

Hon. Diane Finley
Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6

Dear Minister,

RE: Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) 2009

I am writing to express my grave concerns about the budget for the CSJ program in my constituency of Vancouver East. I realize the information we have received from your office about this program is prior to the new Federal Budget to be announced January 27th. I hope you have lobbied hard as a Minister to ensure that the CSJ program is at least doubled, as part of an economic stimulus package.

In order to respond to Canada’s current and future economic challenges, it is imperative that the federal government encourage programs that spur both job creation and skills development for young people. Further, as you know our population is aging and the pool of skilled workers is shrinking, so there must be fundamental plans to get our young people trained. This is sound public policy.

I am proposing that CSJ be used as a tool for young people to obtain training, mentoring, and employment opportunities over the long term. This significant investment in youth would complement your government’s push for a pro-growth environment, which is critical to the long-term success and strength of the Canadian economy.

However, the budget allocation for 2009 is $423,473, a grossly inadequate amount which will not address the issues I mentioned above.

Moreover, this amount does not address the needs of both students and the community. The current budget will mean that many high quality, career-related student jobs will go unfilled. Students will not be able to gain concrete work experience nor earn the crucial salary that they depend upon to pay tuition fees. Further, important services for children, families, and communities that are at risk will not be delivered.

CSJ is a longstanding program and deservedly so. It provides an excellent opportunity to create high-quality summer job opportunities for students, plus provides funding for not-for-profit organizations, public-sector employers and small businesses. Unfortunately, despite its importance and widespread benefits, the budget allocation has been totally inadequate. I respectfully urge you to increase funding to this excellent program. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Original signed by

Libby Davies, MP (Vancouver East)

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