Protect Old Age Security - Tell us what YOU think!

February 9, 2012
Updates from Libby

All Canadians work hard and play by the rules. They shouldn’t have to work two years longer just to pay for Conservative fighter jets and corporate giveaways.

It’s not just seniors, but future generations of Canadians who are worried about Harper’s attack on retirement security.

Come meet MP Irene Mathyssen, NDP Seniors' Critic, and tell us what YOU think.

When: Monday February 13, 9:45 – 11:45am
Where: Peter Kaye Room
Library Square Conference Centre
Vancouver Public Library, 350 West Georgia St

Libby's Hill Times Editorial on Health Care

February 9, 2012
Updates from Libby

The Next Generation of Health Care: The Time for Federal Leadership is Long Overdue

Across our country, no other public social service is cherished as much as our healthcare system and its underlying principles set in the Canada Health Act. Canadians appreciate the peace of mind of knowing that whatever health problem they have, help is available to them, regardless of their ability to pay.

But that’s not to say that our system is perfect. There are still many improvements that need to be made to ensure Canadians get proper value for money from our healthcare system, and at the rate at which costs are increasing, the current status quo just won’t do.

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Fat chance: no new regulations for trans fats, say Aglukkaq

February 8, 2012
The Vancouver Sun
Fat chance: no new regulations for trans fats, say AglukkaqOTTAWA — Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq confirmed Tuesday the federal government won't fulfil a promise to regulate trans fats in foods if voluntary measures failed. Facing questions from the Opposition in the House of Commons about newly released internal records showing she killed a government plan in 2009 to impose strict limits on trans fats in food products after the voluntary approach didn't get the job done, Aglukkaq said she won't add a "regulatory burden" to industry..."Health experts are clear, the provinces are onboard and families are trying to make healthier choices for their kids. In fact, there was a plan in place but the large food companies complained and, guess what, the minister killed it. In 2009, the minister wrote, 'further action is needed.' Can the minister tell us if she was wrong then or is she wrong now?" NDP health critic Libby Davies asked Aglukkaq during question period Tuesday.
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Libby Davies talks about her winter sitting

February 8, 2012
Xtra! News
Libby Davies talks about her winter sittingQ: What do you have to look forward to over the winter sitting? A: Healthcare is my file right now, so that’s taking up a lot of my time, and it’s a very big file, and we have great NDP members on the committee, so we’re dividing it up and each specialising on certain things, so I’m very happy about that. We’re working as a team. We are going to be generating a bigger campaign around the future of medicare. Besides that, issues that come out of my riding that in some ways are very much related to healthcare, such as affordable housing and homelessness, the rights of sex workers, the impacts on drug users from the “war on drugs” – these are issues that are ongoing, whether it’s Insite, or what’s happening to sex workers in the court challenges that are happening right now. These are things that I’m paying attention to because they don’t get a lot of attention in parliament, and I feel like l have to be a strong advocate for those issues, and I want to be a strong advocate. Those things are also very much a part of the work that I do.
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Libby urges the government to limit trans fats

February 7, 2012 Question Period

Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP):
When it comes to putting the health of Canadians first, Conservatives are failing on every front.

Trans fats are the leading cause of heart disease and high cholesterol. This is something that particularly affects children. The House agreed to the NDP motion to regulate and limit this dangerous substance.

Why is the health minister now ignoring expert advice and siding yet again with industry, instead of acting to protect the health of Canadians?

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My concerns about the Northern Gateway Pipeline

Libby Davies's picture
February 8, 2012
Blog entry

Dear Friends,

I know many of you are concerned about the impacts of the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline.

My NDP colleagues and I strongly oppose this project because it is neither in the best interests of Canadians, nor does it meet the criteria of what constitutes sustainable development. There are significant environmental concerns, including damage related to the construction of the pipeline, as well as from potential oil spills along the pipeline and from oil tankers navigating the hazardous waters on the northwest coast of British Columbia. Spills of this nature would jeopardize the fishing and tourism industries in BC putting tens of thousands of livelihoods and the stability of those communities at risk. The wild salmon economy alone generates $1.7 billion each year in BC. The Conservative government is playing fast and loose with BCs economy and ecosystems.

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Libby supports regulations for safer cosmetic contact lenses

January 31, 2012 Speeches in Parliament

House of Commons
HANSARD
January 31, 2012

Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP):

Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to speak to Bill C-313.

I would like to thank the member for Sarnia—Lambton for bringing forward the bill. Some of my colleagues already spoke to the bill in the first hour of debate and signified our support for this legislation and that certainly continues. I do not know that there is more information to add in the second hour of debate, but it is important that we have a second hour of debate.

I want to begin my remarks by speaking more generally about what the bill raises in an important sense.

The health care system in Canada is huge. We have many health care concerns, such as natural health products and the mainstream health system itself. There is no doubt that we live in an age where more and more cosmetic-type therapies, aids and assistance, whether they are in drugs or other forms, are available on the market. One only has to look at television or any form of mass media to see the incredible amount of advertising and promotion of all kinds of products. One the one hand we can say that is a good thing in that consumers have lots of choice in this country. On the other hand, as Members of Parliament we hear stories from our constituents of things that have happened to people or complaints that have been made.

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