Category: Uncategorized
Libby attends 2010 World AIDS Conference
Remembrance Day
Letter requesting improved access to health care in both official languages
Harper government mum on why Vancouver immigration raid was filmed by TV crew
Harper government mum on why Vancouver immigration raid was filmed by TV crew
OTTAWA — The federal government is hoping to “educate” Canadians about the efforts of its border guard agents by taking part in a B.C.-based reality TV program, the Canada Border Services Agency said Friday. The CBSA was responding to critics who say the show, which films agents arresting drug smugglers and “phoney immigrants,” is a taxpayer-funded attempt to promote the Conservatives’ law-and-order agenda. Opposition MPs and a B.C. criminologist also said Border Security: Canada’s Front Line violates the privacy and dignity of individuals being filmed…“I think it’s appalling,” said New Democratic Party deputy leader Libby Davies. “People are presumed innocent until they’ve gone through due process. Having your face blasted on a reality TV show and having to sign a waiver, often under pressure, is I think a loss of a person’s rights and dignity and respect.”
The original article, Harper government mum on why Vancouver immigration raid was filmed by TV crew was published on March 16, 2013 in The Vancouver Sun. Author(s): Peter O'Neil
STATEMENT ON THE DISBANDING THE HEALTH COUNCIL OF CANADA
STATEMENT ON THE DISBANDING THE HEALTH COUNCIL OF CANADA
I was deeply dismayed yesterday to learn of the Conservative government’s decision to disband the Health Council of Canada. For the past decade this group has monitored the progress of the 2004 Accords, and has undertaken the valuable work of reporting on the federal government’s actions to fulfill its Accord commitments.
The Conservative government’s decision to cut the Health Council of Canada’s funding is clearly related to their abysmal performance in following through on the Health Accords. The Health Council’s reports have shown the Conservative government’s lack of leadership and initiative on key Health Accord issues, such as expanding home care, reforming primary care, enhancing service for Aboriginal Canadians, and improving prescription drug coverage.
This decision indicates this government’s willingness to walk away from the Health Accords renewal in 2014. It demonstrates their lack of concern for our public health care system and the promise made in the 2004 Health Accords, that all Canadians have the right to access high-quality and timely public health care. This government is passing off health care to the provinces, first by cutting the health care transfers by $36 billion and now they are eliminating the body that provided oversight to federal action on health care.
While the Conservative government turns their back on our public health care system, the NDP continues to work to renew and expand public health care. It’s more important than ever that the Conservative government be held to account on the Health Accords and the need to uphold the Canada Health Act. The NDP will be vigilant and strenous in this task.
Libby questions the Conservative government’s attack on our public health care system
Libby questions the Conservative government’s attack on our public health care system
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House of Commons
HANSARD
April 17, 2013
Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP):Mr. Speaker, it seems that cutting $36 billion in health care funding just is not enough for the Conservatives. Now, they are dismantling the Health Council of Canada, the organization that monitors whether commitments set out in the health accords are actually being met.
This latest move is nothing less than advocating all accountability to Canadians on our health care system.
Why are the Conservatives attacking our public health care system?
Hon. James Moore (Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, that is a truly ridiculous attack. In fact, our government, again, in budget 2013, is increasing funding for health care. At a 6% escalator, we are increasing health care funding in every single year that we have been in government and we are increasing funding every year going forward, through until 2016. In fact, the federal government’s rate of increase in health care spending is larger than that of any province in the country, including NDP provincial governments. We take no lessons from the NDP in defending the principles of Canada’s health care system.
Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, the Health Council of Canada and the health accords are examples of federalism at its best, but with one year left in the current accords, no sign of negotiations on the horizon and $36 billion less in transfers, the future is very bleak, indeed.
Will the Conservative government rescind the unilateral imposition on the provinces and commit to continue to fund the important work of the Health Council of Canada?
Libby urges improved drug safety measures
HARPER FAILS TO SHOW LEADERSHIP ON HEALTH CARE
Libby urges improved drug safety measures
Libby urges improved drug safety measures
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House of Commons
HANSARD
April 16, 2013
Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, incredibly, it was 17 months ago that the Auditor General alerted the Minister of Health to the problems with drug safety. It has taken that long to get any action.
Now we have over 1,000 patients in Ontario and New Brunswick who have received diluted chemotherapy drugs from a company operating in a legal loophole.
Incredibly, Marchese Hospital Solutions has no provincial or federal oversight, and its products were never inspected. Surely this cannot be allowed to go on, putting the patients’ health at risk.
Why is this minister not taking immediate action to ensure a safe supply of chemotherapy drugs?
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq (Minister of Health, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister for the Arctic Council, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, my thoughts and prayers are with the individuals and families who have been affected by this situation. I have written to the Ontario health minister to voice my concerns. I have also instructed Health Canada officials to co-operate fully with the investigation which the Wynne government is leading.