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Libby Davies, NDP Deputy Leader, Won’t Run Again In 2015

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Libby Davies, NDP Deputy Leader, Won’t Run Again In 2015

VANCOUVER- NDP stalwart Libby Davies announced Friday she will not seek re-election next year. After 40 years in public life, both as an MP and city councillor, the veteran Vancouver MP said: "It just felt like it's time to call it a day.'' The 61-year-old has represented the riding of Vancouver East since 1997, winning six consecutive federal elections. Her decision is a blow for New Democrats.

The original article, Libby Davies, NDP Deputy Leader, Won't Run Again In 2015 was published on December 12, 2014 in Huffington Post. Author(s): The Canadian Press

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

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