Don
DAVIES, M.P. Don Davies, MP 2951 Kingsway, Vancouver BC V5R 5J4 Tel: 604-775-6263
Va n c ou ve r K in g s way
Pa r l i am e n t ar y Re p o r t - November 2012 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Question Period Private Members Bills Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) Opposition Day Motions Speeches in the House Foreign Investment and Promotion and Protection Agreement with China (FIPA) Create Your Canada Consulting with Residents
Greetings from Don Dear Neighbours, I believe it is very important to be accountable to you. This report highlights the different ways I bring your voice to Ottawa. Being your Member of Parliament includes asking questions in the House, working in committee, giving speeches and moving motions in Parliament. It is an honour to serve you and represent Vancouver Kingsway. Please do not hesitate to contact my office with your concerns, ideas, or requests for help with federal programs.
親愛的鄰居， 我相信對選民問責非 我相信對選民問責非 常重要。 常重要。 這份通訊說明我如何把您的聲音帶到渥太華。身為 您的國會議員，我的工作包括在國會內提出問題、 參與委員會的工作、發表演說和推動國會動議。 能夠為您服務和代表溫哥華–京士威是我的榮幸。 能夠為您服務和代表溫哥華–京士威是我的榮幸。 若果您有任何意見、構想，又或需要尋求聯邦服 若果您有任何意見、構想，又或需要尋求聯邦服 務，請您與我的辦公室聯絡。 務，請您與我的辦公室聯絡。
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Don Davies, MP
Bringing Young Voices to Ottawa
View photos at flickr.com/photos/mpdondavies Photo: Wilson Wu, Kaitlyn Fung and Don Davies in Parliament
Create Your Canada is a contest where students in Grades 11 and 12 draft and submit proposals for new federal legislation. The aim of the contest is to encourage students to take an interest in how Canada is governed. Don has run the contest for 3 years. The 2012 winners are Grade 12 students Kaitlyn Fung and Wilson Wu from Windermere Secondary. They jointly submitted an idea to create a national program to recycle electronics that contain toxic materials, such as cadmium, mercury and lead. The prize was a trip to Ottawa where Don introduced their bill, escorted the students around Parliament, and toured them through the House of Commons Chamber and the Library of Parliament. They also watched from the Parliamentary gallery as Don introduced their idea as legislation in the House of Commons. (Note: costs of the trip are paid entirely by Don Davies) Congratulations Kaitlyn and Wilson! www.vancouverkingsway.createyourcanada.ca Vancouver Kingsway
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Introducing Legislation One of the jobs of an MP is to propose legislation. Don Davies has introduced 13 bills in the 41st session of Parliament. Two of his recent bills are: Bill C-450 - Changing Voting Hours in British Columbia This bill changes voting hours in a federal election from 7am-7pm to 8am-8pm.
This bill is necessary because: • BC has the earliest closing time for polls in Canada (in some parts of the country, polls are open until 9:30pm). • Many working people find it difficult to make it to the polls by 7pm. • British Columbians should have the same opportunities to cast their vote as all Canadians. Bill C-455 - Eliminating Toxic Electronic Waste* This bill will ensure that all electronics containing toxic substances in Canada will be recycled in a responsible manner. This bill is necessary because: • Electronics are everywhere in our lives today (computers, tablets, smart phones, etc). • We must act now to properly recycle electronics in order to ensure the health and well-being of future generations. *This bill is the winning entry in Don’s ‘Create Your Canada’ contest. Read more about it on page 3. 4
Don Davies, MP
Question Period Each day during Question Period in the House of Commons, the Opposition is given a chance to ask questions of the Government. 每日在國會的答問時段，在野 黨都可以向政府提出問題。 As the Official Opposition Critic for International Trade, Don Davies usually asks about trade matters. 身為官方在野黨的國際貿易評 論員，戴偉思都會就貿易議程 提問。 Here are samples of his questions. 以下是戴偉思所提出部份問題的節錄。
October 17, 2012 On the human rights impact assessment of the Canada –Colombia Free Trade Agreement (The report) contained no reporting whatsoever on the effects of the free trade agreement on human rights. There were no measurements, no consultations with people on the ground, no analysis of the human and labour rights situations as they stand now. Instead, what we got was a restatement of economic statistics that we already know. My question to the Government is this: How can Canadians and the international community take Canada seriously on the issue of human rights when it does not live up to the commitments that it makes in writing? Vancouver Kingsway
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Question Period October 15, 2012 On the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) with the European Union: For months, the Trade Minister has denied he is looking at signing a deal with Europe that would increase the price of medicine. He called it a myth. Now we learn that the Minister has been studying exactly that and found that extending drug patents could cost Canadians as much as $2 billion per year. Will the Minister now admit that this deal could raise the price of prescription drugs for Canadian seniors? 2012年10月15日 就與歐盟所制定的全面經濟貿易協議（CETA）： 多個月來，貿易部長都否認他正在尋求與 歐洲簽訂會增加我們藥物價格的協議。部 長說這只是誤傳。但如今我們卻發現，部 長正在研究此事並且發現延長藥物專利 權，會令加拿大人每年多付高達20億元的 費用。 究竟部長今日會否承認，這項協議會增加拿大長 者的處方藥物費用？
WATCH DON IN QUESTION PERIOD: http://www.youtube.com/user/dondaviesndp
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Don Davies, MP
Question Period October 18, 2012 On the Canada-China investment deal (FIPA): Mr. Speaker, it took 18 years to negotiate a trade investment deal with China but Conservatives want it approved in 21 days. They refuse to bring it before the House for debate, a vote or input from Canadians. Trade with China is important for our economy if it is done right. However, Conservatives are proving to be incompetent negotiators. They agreed to a 31-year deal that lacks reciprocity, fails to open doors for our companies in China and abandons Canada’s commitment to an open and transparent arbitration process. Why will Conservatives not allow debate and input for this important deal? 2012年10月18日 就加拿大與中國的投資協議（FIPA）： 議長先生，加、中兩國共用了18年時間 來商討這份貿易投資協議，但保守黨政 府卻只想用21日時間來批准。他們贊同 這份欠缺互惠基礎、未能為加國公司打 開中國大門，以及背棄加拿大對開放和 具透明仲裁的承擔。 為何保守黨政府不容許就這項重要協議作出辯論 和諮詢呢？ READ MORE ABOUT FIPA: http://www.dondavies.ca/canadachina-fipa/ Vancouver Kingsway
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Speeches in the House One of the roles of MPs is to give speeches and engage in debate on the bills and motions that come before Parliament.
On Bill C-43 Faster Removal of Foreign Criminals Act “I would call on the Minister to quit playing politics and actually solve the real problems of the immigration system and produce a modern immigration system that can quickly, efficiently and fairly process every application. There is no reason that any application across the board should not be processed from start to finish within 24 months, that we should not have a fully computerized system and that Canadians have accountability from the bureaucrats making decisions.”
On Bill C-15 Strengthening Military Justice in the Defence of Canada Act “I believe all members of the House want to see that members of the Canadian Forces are guaranteed the very Charter rights that we send them into harm’s way to fight on our behalf, and part of those rights are, when an individual faces a potential criminal sanction, they have a right to counsel. They have a right to a judge that is independent. They have a right to transcript and a meaningful right to appeal. Bill C-15 does not allow this and I urge all members of the House to work on this bill to address those serious problems.” 8
Don Davies, MP
Speeches in the House Here are samples of the speeches Don has given this Fall.
On trade with Colombia and human rights “New Democrats took a principled stand against this deal not because we were anti-trade. On the contrary, we are and always have been supportive of expanding trade opportunities for Canadian business. We opposed this deal because the Conservative government ignored experts and moved forward with an extreme trade agenda that ignored human rights. Can we pursue a pro-trade policy that respects human rights? Can we sign trade agreements that have positive effects on the environment and labour standards? Can we expand Canadian exports, create goodpaying jobs in Canada and increase our value-added products? New Democrats say ‘yes’; Conservatives say ‘no’. Why not?”
On the NDP motion for a public, transparent study of the foreign takover of Canadian oil company, NEXEN “I encourage and urge all members of this House from all parties to agree with this very reasonable motion that simply calls for an evidence-based, open and transparent public discourse before we make this important decision. The people of Canada, and the people of Alberta in particular, own the reserves of oil and gas in this country. We need to ensure they have their say.” Vancouver Kingsway
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加拿大最近與中國簽署了外國投資保護協議（FIPA）
中國現時的經濟在世界排行 第二，並且很快會成為全 球之最。若果能夠妥善處 理，FIPA可以為兩國帶來經 濟增長。不過，若果處理不 善，FIPA將會為加拿大帶來 反效果。 一直以來戴偉思都在國會擔當著領導角色，他就這 項協議的透明度和缺點提出關注。 這項協議缺乏互惠基礎，它容許法律訴訟秘密地進 行，並且會阻止加國政府以加拿大人民利益的角度 制定政策。 新民主黨主張政府採取審慎的態度，在國會未有進 行全面研究、辯論和聽取加拿大將會受到影響的有 關單位意見之前，暫延批准這項協議。 新民主黨支持以開放及進取的方式進行貿易。與中 國制定互惠的經濟關係是加拿大的重要目標，但我 們必須確保，任何簽訂的協議都必須有效地推廣加 拿大人的利益和協助建立強健的環球經濟。
在經貿方面，新民主黨支持採用開放及進取 的態度。我們相信與中國建立互惠的經濟關 係對加拿大十分重要，但同時我們必須確保 任何簽訂的投資協議均必須有效地顧及加拿 大人的利益和有助建立强健的環球經濟。
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Don Davies, MP
Canada-China Investment Deal (FIPA) The Canadian Government recently signed a Foreign Investment Protection and Promotion Agreement (FIPA) with China. China is the second largest economy in the world, and it will soon be the largest. If done well, a FIPA could help foster economic growth in both countries. However, if it is not done well, a FIPA could have a negative impact on Canada. Don Davies has been the leading voice in Parliament, raising concerns about the lack of transparency and shortcomings of this agreement. This agreement lacks reciprocity, it allows for lawsuits to happen in secret and it may prevent Canadian governments from making policies that it thinks are in the best interest of Canadians. The NDP is calling for caution and asking the Government to postpone the ratification of this agreement until there has been a full study and debate in Parliament with input from Canadian stakeholders.
New Democrats support an open, progressive approach to trade. Pursuing mutually beneficial economic relations with China is an important goal for Canada, but we must ensure that any investment agreement we sign effectively promotes Canadian interests and builds a stronger global economy.
Vancouver Kingsway
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Opposition Day Motions The Government controls the agenda in the House of Commons. However, Opposition Days are a part of the Parliamentary schedule that allow opposition parties to guide debate for the day. Here are excerpts of the motions the NDP has brought forward since the House resumed sitting in September.
October 2, 2012 The proposed sale of Canadian oil company NEXEN by the stateowned Chinese company CNOOC raised many questions for Canadians about the issue of foreign ownership of Canadian natural resources. Our motion called on the Government to conduct thorough, public, and transparent consultations on the issue of foreign ownership. It also asked for clarification on what is considered to be a “net benefit� when the Government decides whether or not to approve a foreign takeover of a Canadian company. Decisions about our energy industry will affect our environment and our economy. We have to act now to make sure that we get it right.
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Don Davies, MP
Opposition Day Motions October 1, 2012 The Conservative Government recently brought in major changes to the Employment Insurance program. Despite assurances to the opposite, the changes have actually discouraged people to take part-time work and have left low-income Canadians worse off than before. Our motion exposed these problems and called on the government to work with all parties to make changes immediately.
September 20, 2012 With the Canadian economy facing unprecedented risk and uncertainty, it is time to stop, think and make a plan. New Democrats called on the Prime Minister to meet with the Council of the Federation (all provincial and territorial government leaders) to work together to build a balanced 21st century economy. Vancouver Kingsway
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Trade with the European Union (CETA) As the International Trade Critic for the Official Opposition, Don has been raising questions and concerns about the CanadaEuropean Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). The EU and Canada have an extensive trading relationship and history. Expanding trade opportunities with the EU represents great opportunities for Canadian business. However, leaked drafts of the agreement have raised serious concerns. Two of the major concerns are:
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PATENT RULES CETA could require important changes to patent laws that could raise the cost of prescription drugs by $2.8 billion/year. GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT For the first time in the history of free trade agreements, CETA could set restrictions on municipal and provincial procurements. This means that it could prevent cities and provinces from favouring local businesses, including local food and produce, when making purchases.
Important policies like setting the price of drugs and allowing democratically elected governments to set policies should not be decided in secret! 14
Don Davies, MP
Consulting With Residents In September I met with the seniors at Chelsea Park to hear their priorities. When Parliament resumed in the Fall, I rose in the House to relay the messages I heard:
“...These folks come from all walks of life and have a deep well of experience and knowledge. They have a strong love of Canada and a desire to see a nation that works for every Canadian. They want us to build a strong public health care system and expand coverage for dental prescriptions and extended care. They care deeply about the environment and want sustainable economic development that preserves our natural bounty. They want to see us focus on creating good, well-paying jobs here in Canada that people can raise their families on, just as they did. They want a government that acts respectfully and ethically. New Democrats stand squarely with the Chelsea Park seniors and will work diligently to follow their sage advice. I encourage the Government to heed that advice....� Vancouver Kingsway
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I want to hear from you. What issues would you like Don to address? Comments:
Don Davies
Member of Parliament / Vancouver Kingsway
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Don Davies
Member of Parliament House of Commons Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
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