Davies Welcomes Ruling on Medical Marijuana

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Posted on 2008.02.11

Davies Welcomes Ruling on Medical Marijuana

OTTAWA – NDP MP Libby Davies applauded yesterday’s Federal Court ruling striking down a regulation restricting medical marijuana growers from supplying more than one user.

“Until now, Health Canada has severely limited access to Canadians who have a legitimate need for medical marijuana,” said Davies. “Any challenges to this ruling would be negligent. The government must move forward with the necessary changes immediately.”

Currently, patients can grow their own marijuana, get it from a designated grower, or from the Government of Canada. A grower cannot supply more than one user. Judge Strayer’s ruling calls those restrictions arbitrary and unconstitutional.

The expense, quality, and accessibility of the Canada’s medical marijuana program have long been questioned and Davies has repeatedly called on the Auditor General to review the program. Her latest appeal came after it was revealed that Health Canada has a mark-up price of 1,500 percent on its marijuana. Many government users are in arrears and have been forced to discontinue use.

“The Government’s restrictive and overly bureaucratic policies have forced thousands of seriously ill Canadians to turn to illegal sources for their marijuana,” said Davies. “In light of Judge Strayer’s ruling, these restrictions must be lifted now.”

Davies supports the recommendations for, at minimum, higher ratios for suppliers to buyers. She is calling for the expansion of, and fairer access to, Canada’s Medical Marijuana program for all Canadians who need it.

On Overcharging by Cable Companies

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Posted on 2008.02.8

On Overcharging by Cable Companies

Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP): – Mr. Speaker, when it comes to sticking up for consumers, the Conservatives cannot be trusted. We saw it on ATM fees, on cellphone charges and on credit card rates.

Now we learn that at CRTC hearings, for two years the government failed to take action to protect consumers from cable company overcharge. We are talking about more than $1.2 billion owed to Canadians.

Would the government tell us why ordinary Canadians are overpaying for cable services and why the government has done diddly-squat to stop it?

[…] the Canadian television fund was not meant to be a hidden tax to consumers. We all remember last year’s fiasco when Shaw and VidĂ©otron refused to live up to their obligations. In fact, they were forced to reverse themselves, despite the lack of leadership from the heritage minister.

Cable companies must live up to their obligations and they cannot do so by ripping off Canadians.

Why is the government letting cable companies pass the buck to consumers? Why is the government refusing to take action to protect Canadians from these cable company fee grabs? Why is the government not taking action?

NDP Wins Emergency Debate on HIV/AIDS in Vancouver East: MPs Will Debate Conservatives’ Failing Drug Strategy for Aboriginal Communities

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Posted on 2008.02.7

NDP Wins Emergency Debate on HIV/AIDS in Vancouver East: MPs Will Debate Conservatives’ Failing Drug Strategy for Aboriginal Communities

OTTAWA – NDP’s Deputy Leader Libby Davies (Vancouver East) says the Conservatives’ current drug strategy is failing the Aboriginal communities of Vancouver.

Recent reports have highlighted that aboriginal injection drug users in Vancouver were twice as likely as non-Aboriginal users to be infected with HIV.

“The NDP is demanding greater action and a debate on finding solutions to this growing crisis,” said Davies. “The Conservatives are not paying attention to the research and reports. Yet, the conclusions are clear – their American-style drug strategy is not working. It must be changed to save the lives and health of Aboriginals.”

The NDP put forth a motion to have an emergency debate in the House of Commons today and has been accepted.

“Stephen Harper’s government continues to fail Aboriginal Canadians,” said Davies. “Support for community-based Aboriginal health and treatment programs is needed. Why is this government ignoring this crisis and abandoning the community during their time of need? This is unacceptable.”

NDP Releases Open Letter to Justice Minister

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Posted on 2008.02.6

NDP Releases Open Letter to Justice Minister

FEBRUARY 06, 2008 – OTTAWA – NDP MP Libby Davies (Vancouver East) released an open letter to Justice Minister Rob Nicholson calling for him to intervene in the ongoing extradition hearings of Marc Emery.

Davies says it is clear that the US arrest and application for extradition of Mr. Emery, along with Gregory Williams and Michelle Rainey, are political in nature and are designed to pressure Canada into cooperating with the failed US “war on drugs”.

“The Conservative government, in particular Justice Minister Rob Nicholson, must step in immediately and make it clear to the United States government that Canada will not allow this extradition,” said Davies.

Conservative Drug Strategy Failing Aboriginals

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Posted on 2008.02.8

Conservative Drug Strategy Failing Aboriginals

OTTAWA – New Democrats are demanding urgent action from the federal government on the crisis of HIV infection among Vancouver’s aboriginal drug users. The release of a new study reporting that aboriginal injection drug users in Vancouver were twice as likely as non-aboriginal users to be infected with HIV is cause for great concern. The research is clear: the Conservatives’ American-style drug strategy doesn’t work. This study shows that the government’s failed drug strategy may actually be threatening the lives and health of aboriginal Canadians. This study is yet more evidence of how Stephen Harper’s government is failing aboriginal Canadians. The government should address this health crisis by increasing support for community-based aboriginal health and treatment programs.

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