Letter to Ministers about Taser Guns

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Posted on 2004.11.1

Letter to Ministers about Taser Guns

Hon Anne McLellan and Hon Irwin Cotler
House of Commons, Ottawa ON, K1A 0A6

Dear Ministers,

I am writing about an issue of serious concern regarding the use of Taser guns. Many police departments use the Taser as a way to cut rates of injury and death during arrests. However, a growing number of deaths have involved Tasers, particularly when the devise is used on drug users or those with heart conditions.

As I am sure you are aware, two deaths this year in my riding have involved Taser guns during interactions with police. Both Robert Bagnell and Roman Andreichikov had Tasers used on them the night of their deaths. There are six corner investigations under way in Canada involving the use of Tasers.

It is imperative that the government position themselves in the debate to ensure public safety as there are currently no federal standards or even monitoring of the use of Tasers. There are growing numbers of people who are skeptical about the devise and their impact on those that are already marginalized in our society as a result of mental illness, drug use, poverty or general dysfunction.

I believe it is imperative that the federal government review the use of Tasers and report with recommendations on their further use.

I look forward to your response on this important matter.

Yours Sincerely,
Libby Davies MP
Vancouver East

Cc: BC Civil Liberties Association

DRUG SAFETY BILL A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

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Posted on 2013.12.6

DRUG SAFETY BILL A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 6, 2013

OTTAWA – After years of urging the government to take action to ensure the safety of prescription drugs in Canada, New Democrats welcome new safety measures.

“The NDP has long proposed ways to ensure better drug safety and we are pleased to see a bill that incorporates some of these ideas,” said NDP Health critic Libby Davies (Vancouver East). “We plan to study the details closely and engage with Canadians as we work to strengthen the bill.”

Bill C-17 includes a key NDP proposal which empowers Health Canada to issue drug recall orders and compel distributors to remedy any problems with prescription drugs. There are also stiffer fines and even the possibility of jail time for distributors who fail to withdraw unsafe products from the market. However, the bill is missing critical measures to improve reporting and communications about adverse reactions from physicians and pharmacies, and ensuring that information gets to the public in a timely manner. 

“While this bill is a good start, unfortunately it looks like the Minister has missed an opportunity to increase drug safety in a comprehensive way,” said Davies. “Today I think many are wondering why she didn’t go further.”

Paul Martin, Architect of Social Inequality? Yes, Says MP Davies – Libby Davies

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Paul Martin, Architect of Social Inequality? Yes, Says MP Davies

Liberal B.C. government will cut people off welfare on April 1, 2004

The original article, Paul Martin, Architect of Social Inequality? was published on November 24, 2003 in The Ottawa Hill Times. Author(s): Libby Davies

Libby Davies Presents Plans to Reunite More Families in Canada

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Posted on 2003.10.30

Libby Davies Presents Plans to Reunite More Families in Canada

VANCOUVER – Vancouver East NDP MP Libby Davies held a press conference today on her votable Bill to help more families reunite in Canada. Davies was joined by Mary-Woo Sims, former B.C. Chief Human Rights Commissioner.

Davies’ “Once in Lifetime” Bill, called C-436, would allow a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to sponsor, on one occasion, a family member who would otherwise not qualify under family class provisions.

“I believe Canada’s immigration system must have a much stronger emphasis on family reunification and I believe this bill would begin to address this shortcoming,” said Davies.

The idea has already received tremendous support. In the year 2000, groups in Vancouver collected over 15,000 signatures in support of this policy change. The idea was floated by the former Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Elinor Caplan during the 2000 election but was later dropped.

“The reason we received support is because the current definitions are so narrow and restrictive that it becomes very difficult to undertake family reunification under the present policies,” commented Davies.

Relatives under these proposed changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) would be regarded as a family class sponsor, even though they would not be one of the relatives outlined in the Act.

“It has been clear that over recent years the federal government’s migration targets have not been met,” said Davies. “This “Once in a Lifetime” bill would allow them to do so and to live up to their own commitment to promote family reunification.”

Davies has also invited the public to submit their immigration “horror stories.” Five of the worst cases will be brought to the attention of the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada, urging him to deal with the mess and chronic backlogs that plague his department.

Davies will have the first hour of debate on Bill C-436 in Parliament on Monday November 3rd at 11 am (EST).

Davies Points Finger at Prime Minister-in-Waiting Paul Martin for BC Governments’ Welfare Time Limits

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Posted on 2003.10.20

Davies Points Finger at Prime Minister-in-Waiting Paul Martin for BC Governments’ Welfare Time Limits

OTTAWA – Libby Davies, MP for Vancouver East, today challenged the federal government to intervene in the BC government’s decision to institute a 2-year time limit for welfare recipients.

“The former finance Minster’s elimination of the Canadian Assistance Plan has paved the way for the BC government to be the first province to impose time limits for social assistance”, said the federal NDP Social Policy critic in Question Period today.

Paul Martin, as finance minister in 1995 eliminated national welfare standards, this has left the door open to provincial governments to eliminated social assistance even to people in need. As of April 1, 2004 the Government of BC will begin cutting people off welfare if they have been receiving assistance for more than 2 years.

“This is going to result in tens of thousands of people being without a means to support themselves and clearly violates rights protected in the Canadian Charter of Rights of Freedoms”, said the Vancouver East MP.

Community organizations from across BC are preparing a constitutional challenge to the 24-month time limits on social assistance. “The federal government is going to have to sit up and listen to this legal challenge as it highlights their failure to protect constitutionally entrenched rights and to guaranteed the provision of essential public services”, adds Davies.

The court challenge will argue that the 24-month cut off violates basic human rights guarantees under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Section 7 and 15 of the Charter outlines an individual’s right to life, liberty, security of person and equality under the law. Section 36 of the Constitution also applies in this case, as it jointly obliges the federal and provincial governments to provide essential public services to all Canadians.

“The federal government has to stand up and say these changes are unlawful and must be stopped now. They have a responsibility to Canadians and it is shameful if they hide behind the excuse that it is out of their jurisdiction”.

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