PARLIAMENT WILL DEBATE COMPENSATION FOR THALIDOMIDE SURVIVORS
PARLIAMENT WILL DEBATE COMPENSATION FOR THALIDOMIDE SURVIVORS
PARLIAMENT WILL DEBATE COMPENSATION FOR THALIDOMIDE SURVIVORS
[[{“type”:”media”,”view_mode”:”media_large”,”fid”:”331″,”attributes”:{“alt”:””,”class”:”media-image”,”typeof”:”foaf:Image”}}]]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 25, 2014
PARLIAMENT WILL DEBATE COMPENSATION FOR THALIDOMIDE SURVIVORS
OTTAWA – Parliament will debate an NDP Opposition Day motion this Thursday calling for compensation for thalidomide survivors.
“Victims of thalidomide have waited for over fifty years to get the support they deserve,” said NDP health critic Libby Davies (Vancouver East). “I hope we can count on the support of all parties as parliament debates NDP’s motion in support of thalidomide survivors.”
In 1961, the Government of Canada approved the sale of thalidomide as a safe drug to treat nausea for pregnant women. The drug had tragic consequences for many families. The government has never apologized for the devastation it caused. After decades of discussing compensation, it provided an inadequate one-time payment to survivors.
“Canada’s thalidomide survivors are considerably worse off than their peers in other countries,” said NDP MP Djaouida Sellah (Saint-Bruno–Saint-Hubert). “Parliament now has a real chance to do the right thing and support the victims.”
Full text of NDP Opposition Day motion follows:
That, in the opinion of the House: (a) full support should be offered to survivors of thalidomide; (b) the urgent need to defend the rights and dignity of those affected by thalidomide should be recognized; and (c) the government should provide support to survivors, as requested by the Thalidomide Survivors Taskforce.
NDP URGES COMPENSATION FOR THALIDOMIDE SURVIVORS
NDP URGES COMPENSATION FOR THALIDOMIDE SURVIVORS
NDP URGES COMPENSATION FOR THALIDOMIDE SURVIVORS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NOVEMBER 23, 2014
NDP URGES COMPENSATION FOR THALIDOMIDE SURVIVORS
OTTAWA – The NDP is urging the government to provide fair compensation to survivors of the Thalidomide tragedy – victims who have struggled for decades with the tragic consequences of using this drug, which had been approved by the Canadian government as a safe drug for use by pregnant women to deal with morning sickness.
“For over 50 years, Canadian victims of Thalidomide, and their families, have dealt with severe side effects, pain, and hardship – suffering that has mostly been invisible to Canadian society. It is time that this changed,” said Libby Davies (Vancouver East), NDP Health Critic.
Canada was slow to pull this drug from the market, leading to a larger number of Canadian victims. And while many countries, including Germany and the United Kingdom, provided ongoing compensation and support to Thalidomide survivors, Canada’s government failed to follow suit.
“We have tabled a motion calling on the government to provide the victims with the support they need as they continue to deal with the tragic consequences of using this drug,” concluded Davies. “It is time for Canada to do the right thing and I hope we can count on the support of all parties to get Thalidomide survivors the help they deserve.”
The text of the NDP’s motion:
That, in the opinion of the House: (a) full support should be offered to survivors of thalidomide; (b) the urgent need to defend the rights and dignity of those affected by thalidomide should be recognized; and (c) the government should provide support to survivors, as requested by the Thalidomide Survivors Taskforce.
http://www.ndp.ca/news/ndp-urges-compensation-thalidomide-survivors
In Washington DC Supporting TroopsHomeFast
Libby Calls for a National Housing Strategy
Libby Calls for a National Housing Strategy
An important private member's bill introduced by New Democrat MP Libby Davies — the Secure, Adequate, Accessible and Affordable Housing Act — is at second reading in the House of Commons. Bill C-304 positions housing as a human right and it would oblige the government to create a national strategy around housing, in consultation with provincial and municipal partners.
The original article, Prime Minister playing fast & loose with the law was published on April 13, 2009 in Capital Xtra. Author(s): Dale Smith
Libby introduces transparency motion at Health Committee
Questioning the Minister on civilian oversight of CSIS
Questioning the Minister on civilian oversight of CSIS – Libby Davies
Questioning the Minister on civilian oversight of CSIS
Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP): Mr. Speaker, we know that members of the House were in attendance at the funeral of Corporal Nathan Cirillo today, and I know that we all were there in spirit, even as we continued our work today here in the House. Yesterday the government tabled new proposals to expand the powers of CSIS. These measures require careful study, particularly the role of special advocates.
Alongside providing more powers to CSIS, will the government also be moving forward on improving civilian oversight at the same time?
Hon. Steven Blaney (Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague, the member for Vancouver East, for paying tribute to Corporal Cirillo and Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent. Today, our entire country is mourning a courageous man, a symbol of the best Canada has to offer. We are able to be parliamentarians and govern today because people sacrificed their lives and protected us.
Today we thank them from the bottom of our hearts.
Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP): Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the minister’s words, but we also come back to the business at hand before the House. The Arar commission concluded in 2006 that improved civilian oversight of CSIS was needed, but for eight years, the Conservatives have ignored this recommendation. In the 2012 budget bill, the Conservatives eliminated the CSIS inspector general, and now there are two vacant positions on the Security Intelligence Review Committee.
After three consecutive years of cuts, is the minister re-examining the resources available to CSIS?
Hon. Steven Blaney (Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, CPC): Mr. Speaker, regarding the hon. member’s two questions, there are provisions in the bill tabled today that would take into consideration the privacy rights of individuals. It is a good tool that would improve the safety of our country, and we intend to move forward. With regard to oversight of our intelligence, we have strong and robust oversight. We formerly had NDP members sitting on the advisory committee on that oversight body. I expect that our intelligence will follow up on its recommendations.
Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP): Mr. Speaker, the reality is that SIRC is already overstretched and is not getting the co-operation from CSIS it needs. The minister does know this.
In fact, the report tabled on Friday noted that this small oversight body, now with only three members, reported “significant delays” in receiving information from CSIS. In one case, it said it was “seriously misled”.
I ask the minister again: Will he ensure that there will be enhanced civilian oversight to go along with any expanded powers of CSIS?
Hon. Steven Blaney (Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I expect that the committee that oversees the operations of our intelligence agency will be properly completed. I thank the committee for its important report on the intelligence activities. It is important to maintain trust between our Canadian Security Intelligence Service, the review committee, the government, and Canadians, and all for the sole purpose of protecting the public. We will continue to support the efforts of the review committee so that it can achieve its mandate and be accountable to all parliamentarians.