Blogs

Protection of our public health care system always ranks as Canadians’ number one concern. It reflects deep Canadian values of fairness and accessibility in the provision of basic services that we all need. I hear all the time from people who are very worried about what the Conservative government is up to when it comes to health care.

This week, Victoria will host the Premiers’ conference on health care. But their meeting has already been undermined by the federal Finance Minister’s unilateral declaration on future federal funding for health care, when the current Health Accord runs out in 2014.

Last week, the Parliamentary Budget Office indicated in a report that the government’s new formula will reduce the proportion of federal funding to health care. This leaves the provinces holding the bag and will cause enormous pressure in the long run on the provision of vitally needed services.

It's becoming increasingly clear that the federal government is backing out of its role; abdicating any federal leadership on an issue critical to Canadians.

This past week, I travelled with Libby on my first riding visit to Vancouver East. On Tuesday morning, we had the honour of attending a ceremony at the Victoria Square Cenotaph for National Aboriginal Veterans Day.

Many people do not know that National Aboriginal Veterans Day takes place each year on November 8th (three days before Remembrance Day) in order to recognize the special contribution Aboriginal veterans have made to protect our country and the freedoms we enjoy. More than 7,000 First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people have proudly served their country, with over five hundred of them having lost their lives doing so. But for many years, Aboriginal veterans were discriminated against - being unjustly denied the recognition and benefits given to all other veterans in Canada.

I didn't know young Jamie Hubley from Ottawa, but his recent death by suicide is so very tragic and troubling that I've been thinking about it ever since I read the news.

It must be very hard for his family and I offer, like many, my deepest condolences and sympathy for their loss.

In this day and age we tell ourselves that homophobia, bullying, and violence against the LGBT community are mostly things of the past. But the horrible face of homophobia is still here and queer youth are too often, confronted with this reality. I feel terrible that this lovely young person, a figure skater, who loved music, could not escape the bullying.

Today, as I stood in the grand, marble hall of the Supreme Court of Canada, awaiting the decision on Insite, my thoughts were back at Main and Hastings, knowing that many folks were gathered there, very early in the morning, to await this important decision.

When we heard the decision I felt an enormous sense of relief and victory. I listened to Dean Wilson, one of the two original plaintiffs, who went before the assembled media and poured his heart out about what Insite meant to him and drug users, former and current. He told quietly about how Insite helped him in his recovery. He spoke about the years of struggle it has taken to reach this important decision.

Dear Friends,

I am proud to stand with East Vancouver and join First Nations, Metis, and Inuit people in celebrating National Aboriginal Day. On this special day, I urge all of us to find a way to celebrate and honour the aboriginal community.

I wish to take this opportunity to reaffirm my commitment to address the inequality faced by First Nations communities. Aboriginal people face daily challenges that other communities do not, and have been ignored by governments for too long. I am committed to making change happen in order to build a better future.

At the federal level, we must provide the funding and support to First Nations for better health care, education and healthy living, coupled with greater recognition of the rights necessary to making critical decisions within the community. We must work harder to value the aboriginal history of Canada and all that First Nations peoples have contributed to our culture. As a part of this, I would encourage you to check out "First Nations 101", a book about First Nations people, written by Lynda Gray (Tsimshian). More information about the book's launch can be found at www.firstnations101.com.

Federal New Democrats are proud to forge a partnership, to foster economic opportunity, to fight discrimination, and to work together for healing and hope for the future.

All the best on National Aboriginal Day.

Sincerely,

Libby

It’s the end of a busy week and first chance to think about how things went on Bill C-304, to ensure secure, adequate, accessible and affordable housing for Canadians.

It was great to see the Red Tents on Parliament Hill on Tuesday! They are a familiar site from Vancouver, where during the 2010 Olympics last February, hundreds of red tents "popped" up as a visible reminder of homelessness. The fact they made it to Parliament Hill is a reflection of the huge campaign (www.redtents.org) that’s been underway to increase awareness about housing issues.

Thankyou to the many dedicated folks who made it out and also organized actions in many communities on that day including a rally in Victory Square in my riding of East Van.

Feb 14 - the 19th Missing Women's Memorial March in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside - it was a day of much emotion, support and community spirit. Imagine that after the rain the sun came out, a warm wind blew through Main and Hastings, and high, high above us, eagles circled - looking down on the memories of the missing women, and the thousands who have come out in support. The families, many Aboriginal, drums beating, posters of women missing, and elders and kids, were all assembled as the solemn procession headed down Main Street, finally winding its way back along E. Hastings, with stops along the way, to smudge the memories of women in particular places of significance.