Spring 2011 Parliamentary Report

DON

DAVIES, M.P. VA N CO U V E R KINGSWAY Spring 2011

PARLIAMENTARY REPORT

WORKING FOR YOU...

In Ottawa and In Our Community Community office: 2951 Kingsway Avenue Tel: 604-775-6263 Email: Davies.D@parl.gc.ca Web: www.DonDavies.ca Write postage-free to Don Davies, MP House of Commons, Ottawa ON K1A 0A6

Greetings from Don Dear Neighbours, Since Parliament resumed sitting in January, I’ve been working hard in Ottawa and here in our community.

In the House of Commons, I have raised many issues important to residents of Vancouver Kingsway. The need for affordable housing, secure and improved pensions, support for small business and good jobs, strong healthcare and a sustainable environment are just some of the many issues I have addressed on your behalf.

I have also been focused on getting practical results for our community.

I am happy to report that we have secured over $12 million in Canada infrastructure funds - all invested right here in Vancouver Kingsway. These funds have been used on many projects, ranging from repairing roads and sewers, renovating rental and cooperative housing and supporting research and development enterprises.

All are helping to make our community a better place to live.

I will continue to do my best to make sure Vancouver Kingsway’s interests are well represented on the national stage.

As always, I look forward to listening to your ideas and helping you with all of your federal issues.

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Don Davies, MP

Being Accountable to You - How Don Voted Since my last report to you, Parliament has voted on dozens of topics. I believe it’s important to be accountable to you, and for you to know the positions I am taking on your behalf. A full list of my voting record and how any MP voted can be found at www.howdtheyvote.ca Restoring the mandatory long-form census Strengthening regulation of Genetically-Modified Organisms (GMO’s) Extending the military mission in Afghanistan Creating a national affordable housing strategy Spending $16 billion on stealth fighter jets Strengthening rules for foreign takeovers of Canadian companies Increasing accountability for Canadian mining companies operating abroad Reducing taxes on large, profitable corporations Sharing private data on Canadian air travellers with the US government Giving preferential trade deals to human rights violators Improving and increasing pensions Increasing participation and consultation for victims in our justice system Protecting transgendered Canadians from violence and discrimination Strengthening our pardon system Increasing Employment Insurance benefits Preserving the gun registry Restricting community rehabilitation options for first-time, non-violent offenders Establishing a Canadian Environmental Bill of Rights Creating government-mandated restrictions on choice of building materials Re-enacting police powers to arrest people without charge for up to 1 year

Vancouver Kingsway

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Your Voice in Ottawa 您在渥太華的聲音

103,188

The number of words Don has spoken in Parliament 戴偉思在國會的發言數按 字數統計多達 103,188 個字

#3

Don’s overall rank among the 308 MPs for words spoken 在所有308位國會議中， 戴偉思的發言按字數統計 位列第三

#1

Don’s rank among BC MPs for words spoken

#4

Don’s overall rank among the 308 MPs for the introduction of Private Members Bills 按提交的私人法案數統計， 戴偉思在308位國會議員中位 列第四

14

The number of Private Members Bills Don has introduced. This is 10 times the average for an MP! 戴偉思提交了14份私人法案， 是國會議員平均提交法案數的 10倍。 4

在卑詩省的國會議員中， 戴偉思的發言按字數統計 位列第一 Private Members Bills 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0

Don Average MP Don Davies, MP

Your Priorities in Action Don has introduced 14 Bills and 12 Motions in the House of Commons. Here they are: Bill C-327 - Designate a Canadian Autism Day Bill C-346 - Mandatory country of origin labelling for food Bill C-347 - Fish labelling as farmed or wild Bill C-446 - Ban floor-crossing by MPs Bill C-458 - Ban oil tankers off the B.C. coast Bill C-495 - National office for fire and emergency statistics Bill C-517 - Tax credit for veterans’ organization dues Bill C-528 - 0.7% of GNP for foreign aid Bill C-529 - Tax credits for energy efficient products Bill C-543 - Change B.C. Voting hours to 8am-8pm Bill C-550 - Student loan refunds for family doctors and nurses Bill C-578 - Prescription drug and dental coverage for seniors and children Bill C-594 - Expand voting hours to 7am-10pm Bill C-598 - Remove HST from medical device batteries

Motion 268 - Fund school seismic upgrades Motion 293 - Fund cycle paths and walkways Motion 302 - Anti-homelessness programs Motion 303 - Reinstate the EcoAuto rebate Motion 304 - Financial relief for leaky condo owners Motion 305 - Support producer-run food co-ops Motion 353 - Equality for women ski jumpers Motion 457 - Foreign credential recognition Motion 458 - Property tax breaks for legions Motion 542 - Affordable housing at Little Mountain Motion 543 - Save Mount Pleasant pool Motion 569 - National Education Strategy Vancouver Kingsway

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Committee on Public Safety....

Don is the Vice-Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security.

This committee has oversight of CSIS, National Parole Board, Corrections Canada, Canada Border Services, and the RCMP.

MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTIONS • Don helped produce a 110 page report containing 71 recommendations for improvements to mental health and addictions services in Canadian prisons and in our community • In his work preparing this report, Don toured over 20 correctional facilities in BC, across Canada, and in Taiwan, Norway and the United Kingdom

CRIME PREVENTION • Don succeeded in launching a study on crime prevention that the Committee will be undertaking this Spring • Don has called for expanded crime prevention and victim services programs in our community, including federal funding for child advocacy centres for victims of sexual abuse, and renewed investments in antigang youth diversion programs

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Don Davies, MP

....and National Security INVESTIGATING G20 SECURITY • Don secured all-party support for his motion to convene five days of committee hearings on G8/G20 summit security • The committee inquiry heard from nearly 20 witnesses, including the Minister of Public Safety, government officials, students, protestors, academics and civil rights groups • The hearings helped reveal important information about summit security, including the Toronto police officers who removed their name badges and the lack of a warrant in the mass arrest of sleeping university students.

HOLDING CSIS ACCOUNTABLE • Don chaired the meeting that was held to question CSIS Director Richard Fadden about his comments regarding foreign influence of Canadian politicians • Don also secured the appearance of National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister Marie-Lucie Morin, and pressed her for the government’s position on Fadden’s comments

Interested in more details?

Access www.DonDavies.ca and go to the VIDEO section to view the YouTube recordings of the Committee hearings.

Vancouver Kingsway

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Your Vision for Medicare

On January 20th we held a public forum on our health care system.

The panel included NDP Health Critic Megan Leslie, Libby Davies, MP and representatives from Doctors for Medicare, the BC Health Coalition and the Council of Senior Citizens.

The room was packed with citizens from all walks of life: nurses, doctors, health technicians, care aides, and patients. All had one thing in common: a passionate commitment to a strong, public and improved healthcare system.

Some great ideas were discussed, including: • More efficient use of empty operating rooms and unused equipment (like MRI’s) • Training more technicians and health workers to deliver services • •

Protect and expand BC’s Therapeutics Initiative A national Pharmacare system to provide cheaper prescription drugs

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Enhanced support and services for mental illness Understanding and addressing the clear connection between poverty, inequality and health

Don will carry these ideas forward in Parliament.

Thanks to all who participated!

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Don Davies, MP