Libby Davies - MP for Vancouver East

Libby Davies calls for an end to the criminalization of medical marijuana users

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:48:36 +0000

Cover Date:

July 30, 2010

“The raids on Canada’s Compassion Clubs are an attack on patient’s rights and must stop,” said NDP MP Libby Davies (Vancouver East).

After years of openly supporting medical marijuana users in their communities, a number of compassion clubs in Quebec and Toronto have been shut down.

The clubs serve patients with chronic illnesses and have emerged largely in response to the gaps and problems with federal Marijuana Medical Access Regulations. The BC Supreme Court ruled in 2009 that the program is unconstitutional and needs to be changed, yet the Conservatives have failed to respond beyond the most minimal legally necessary changes.

“The recent raids will only serve to punish legitimate patients whose medical needs are being ignored by the federal government,” said Davies, the NDP Spokesperson for Drug Policy.

Davies has called on the current Conservative government as well as previous Liberal governments for an overhaul of the federal program that is costly and so difficult for patients to navigate, they are forced to turn to compassion clubs.

“Compassion Clubs must be allowed to operate and the federal Health Minister must immediately address the concerns of the BC Supreme Court, and ensures accessible, accountable Marijuana Medical Access Regulations,” said Davies.

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NEW DEMOCRAT MP LIBBY DAVIES SPEAKING AT 2010 WORLD AIDS CONFERENCE

Carli — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 16:53:01 +0000

Cover Date:

July 20, 2010

Davies to participate in panel on leadership for HIV/AIDS

OTTAWA – New Democrat MP Libby Davies (Vancouver East) is in Vienna, Austria for the 2010 World AIDS Conference. She is a panelist for the session Providing Leadership on Critical HIV/AIDS Issues, featuring Members of Parliament and government representatives from South Africa, Nepal, Austria and Kenya.

Davies was invited to attend the international convention because of her work around harm reduction and fighting HIV/AIDS, specifically her work with Vancouver’s safe injection site InSite. Her presentation is entitled “Why parliamentary leadership on harm reduction and the rights of people who use drugs is important, what barriers exist and how they can be overcome.”

The panel will be held Wednesday, July 21, 2010 from 11:00 – 12:30 CEST.

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For more information please contact:
Carli Staub, Office of Libby Davies
Phone: 613-992-6030 or 613-668-1904
Email: daviel@parl.gc.ca

Libby Says Stop the Stink!

Carli — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 20:48:13 +0000

I wrote to the Chair of Metro Vancouver's Environment and Energy Committee about the noxious smells emanating from the West Coast Reduction plant at the foot of Commercial Drive. Here it is:

Dear Mayor Trasolini,

RE: Bylaw to Address Noxious Smells from West Coast Reduction located at 105 North Commercial Drive, Vancouver

I am writing on behalf of constituents who have contacted my office about the noxious smells emanating from the West Coast Reduction rendering plant located at 105 North Commercial Drive, which is next to a large residential population. This has been an ongoing problem since at least 1997, when I was first elected as Member of Parliament for Vancouver East, so this problem and its efforts to address it have moved at a “glacial pace” as some residents have frustratingly described.

Specifically, I respectfully request that the Environment and Energy Committee exercise its authority to pass a strong bylaw to regulate these odours as soon as possible.

While I recognize that the plant serves a purpose, and there have been some improvements to contain smells over the years, please note that their presence still exists and can be not only highly uncomfortable, but also detrimental to physical and psychological health. The improvements have been described as a superficial and non-effective resolution to a long-standing and very significant problem in the community.

I have received regularly letters, emails, faxes, phone calls and visits from residents, all of which vociferously protest against the odours. I know that residents have also contacted Metro Vancouver and have clearly, and patiently, articulated the problems over the years and want to resolve the situation once and for all. Given that Metro Vancouver is responsible for air quality in our region, I respectfully request that the Environment and Energy Committee pass a strong bylaw to address noxious smells.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Libby Davies, MP
Vancouver East

Come Celebrate Summer!

Carli — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 18:41:09 +0000

For good eats and great summer family fun, join me at one of the neighbourhood barbeques this weekend!

Satuday, July 10th from 1:00 - 4:00
Thunderbird Community Centre
2311 Cassiar St., between E. 6th and E. 8th.

AND

Sunday, July 11th from 1:00 - 4:00
McLean Park
Keefer and Heatley

Bring your lawn chairs and have a blast!

Barbeques will be cancelled in the event of rain

Libby Davies Calls for Inquiry into G20 Mass Arrests

Carli — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:52:50 +0000

There must be a full inquiry into the mass arrests at the G20 and G8 meetings in Toronto.

It is without question that governments bear the responsibility to ensure security in and around events such as the G20 Summit. Equally, in our democratic society, freedom of speech and the freedom to peacefully protest must be carefully guarded.

The exorbitant billion dollar price paid by Canadians, ostensibly for security, raises serious questions about how security measures are carried out, how decisions for these costs are made, and how security impacts on civil rights.

A full and wide-ranging inquiry into what happened in Toronto leading to largest number of mass arrests in Canadian history is urgently necessary. All parties and all levels of government involved in hosting the G8 and G20 should co-operate to get it underway immediately.

Alternative media reports on the G8 and G20:
http://therealg8g20.com
http://rabble.ca/issues/g8-g20

Were your rights were violated during the protests? Information on how to file a complaint:
http://ccla.org/2010/06/29/resources-for-g20-related-complaints/

List of concerns about the security measures put forth by the CCLA prior to the summits.
http://ccla.org/our-work/current-issues/g8-and-g20/

NDP Calls For Hearings On G8/G20 Security

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 21:23:12 +0000

Cover Date:

June 30, 2010

On behalf of the NDP Caucus, the NDP Critic for Public Safety, MP Don Davies is calling for parliamentary hearings on G8/G20 Hearings.

NEW DEMOCRATS MAKE FORMAL REQUEST FOR COMMITTEE HEARINGS ON G8/G20 SECURITY

OTTAWA – New Democrat Public Safety and National Security Critic Don Davies (Vancouver Kingsway) has written a letter to recall the House of Commons Public Safety committee to study all issues surrounding security at the G8 and G20 summits.

The letter has been circulated to other parties for their signature, and will trigger a committee meeting within five days of its receipt by the committee clerk.

“The implementation of summit security has raised critical issues that the committee needs to start work on immediately,” said Davies. “Serious questions have been raised about the conduct of security personnel, violations of civil liberties, violence and property destruction and the questionable political decisions that led to these problems.

“After spending $1 billion on security, Canadians deserve answers.”

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Libby attends 2010 World AIDS Conference

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 19:22:33 +0000

Rights Here, Right Now – the 23rd International World AIDS Conference

Dear Friends,

This year’s International World AIDS Conference held in Vienna will highlight the importance of Human Rights in the effective response to HIV.

I am honoured to be participating in the Conference this year on a panel discussing the topic of Leadership and Critical HIV/AIDS Issues. I will be focusing on harm reduction and the rights of people who use drugs.

In the lead up to the International World AIDS Conference, world experts have put forward the Vienna Declaration, calling for a scientific approach to illegal drugs in the fight against HIV.

I have signed on to the Declaration at www.viennadeclaration.com and am including a recent article about t below for your information.
You can read more about the AIDS Conference at www.aids2010.org.

Sincerely,

Libby

Experts call for new course on illegal drugs in fight against HIV

VIENNA (June 28, 2010): A team of experts and health organisations on Monday called for a scientific approach to illicit drugs, arguing that their criminalisation has been costly and ineffective and has fuelled a high HIV infection rate among intravenous drug users. The experts made the appeal in the lead-up to the 18th International AIDS Conference, to be held July 18-23 in the Austrian capital Vienna. They are launching a global signature drive for a declaration on a "science-based" approach to illegal drugs.

"As scientists, we are committed to raising our collective voice to promote evidence-based approaches to illicit drug policy that start by recognizing that addiction is a medical condition, not a crime," Julio Montaner, conference chairman and president of the International AIDS Society, said in a statement.

The failure by law enforcement to prevent the availability of illegal drugs where there is demand "is now unambiguous," the so- called Vienna Declaration says. The declaration - drafted by 32 medical doctors and leading specialists - appeals to governments, the United Nations and other international organisations to review the effectiveness of current drug policies, increase "evidence-based" drug addiction treatments and abolish compulsory drug treatments that violate human rights.

The declaration also calls for an increase in funding for drug treatment and "harm reduction" measures.

The consequences of failed drug-enforcement efforts are manifold, the declaration says, pointing to HIV epidemics fuelled by the unavailability of sterile needles, HIV outbreaks among prisoners and record incarceration rates in many countries.

The massive market for illicit drugs, worth some 320 billion dollars annually, has also destabilised entire countries, such as Colombia, Mexico and Afghanistan. Outside sub-Saharan Africa, intravenous drug use accounts for roughly one in three new cases of HIV, the declaration says. In some areas where HIV is spreading most rapidly, such as Eastern Europe and Central Asia, as many as 80% of those infected with HIV are intravenous drug users.

Alternative approaches to illicit drug use - such as those implemented in the Netherlands, Portugal, Switzerland and other countries - have proven effective, conference organisers said. - dpa

Community Links Bulletin - July / August 2010

Sun, 27 Jun 2010 23:44:35 +0000

Dear friends,

Welcome to the Summer edition of my Community Links Bulletin! The bulletin’s priority is to inform residents and community organizations in East Van about the activities and services carried out in our community. And we are compiling new editions of the bulletin so please feel free to send me your community updates, events or suggestions, for the next edition of the bulletin.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to wish you a happy summer and hope you will take the time to enjoy the activities in our community such as block parties, the East Van Farmers Market, Chinatown Night Market, the Powell Street Festival, and the PNE. There are also many great summer camps and activities for youth.

And don’t forget to join me at our East Van BBQs at Thunderbird Community Centre on Saturday, July 10 and MacLean Park on Sunday, July 11 (phone my office for details).

Happy Summer!

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The next deadline for submission to the Community Links Bulletin is Friday, August 6 for the September / October 2010 edition. Listings must be under 40 words and include event, date and time, location, sponsoring agency and contact name and number. Information can be emailed to daviel1@parl.gc.ca, faxed to 604-775-5811 or mailed postage-free to 2412 Main Street, Vancouver, BC V5T 3E2. Information in the Community Links Bulletin is subject to change without notice. Please check with the contacts provided to ensure accuracy.

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EVENTS & WORKSHOPS

 May 8 to October 23, 2010 – Vancouver Farmers Markets
Vancouver Farmers Markets (otherwise known as Your Local Farmers Market Society) is about people who love fresh food at festive gatherings. When you shop at Vancouver Farmers Markets, you help keep BC farmers farming. Here are the schedule at your local East Van markets:
Trout Lake Farmers Market: Saturdays, May 8 to October 23; 9 am to 2 pm; between Lakewood and Templeton
Main Street Station at Thornton Park: Wednesdays, June 2 to September 29 / 3 pm to 7 pm; 1100 block Station Street along Thornton Park across from the VIA Rail Station and near the Main St Skytrain Station. For more information, visit http://www.eatlocal.org/markets.html.

 July 3, 2010 - Sunrise Summer Kickoff
Time: 10 am to 3 pm; Location: Hastings Sunrise Parking Lot (2500 block Franklin Street)
This will be the 9th annual Sunrise Summer Kickoff. There will be a street hockey tournament for elementary school students, booths hosted by community partners and associations, and cultural performances for all to enjoy. Come and bask in the early summer sunshine. For more information, contact 604-215-2401 or email hastingsnorthbia@telus.net.

 July 11, 2010 - Open House and Plant Sale
Time: 10 am - 2 pm; Location: Prior and Hawks Avenues and Raymur and Malkin Avenues
Celebrate 25 Years of Community Gardening at Vancouver's magical eight acre gardens in the heart of the city! Highlights will include: Plant Sale; Garden Tours; Silent Auction; Honey Sale; Kids Zone; Tambai Marimba; Off-Grid Eco House; Permaculture; Bee-keeping; Composting; Winter Gardening with Grant Watson; Backyard Chickens/ Southlands Farms; Master Gardeners; Corsage Making; and more. For information, please contact 604-608-0384 or 604-253-3384 or visit strathconagardens.ca or cottonwoodcommunitygardens.ca.

 July 11, 2010 – Tibet Fest
Time: 10 am to midnight; Location: VanDusen Botanical Garden, Floral Room.
Co-hosted by the Tibetan Cultural Society of B.C. and Tsengdok Monastery Association, this is a Tibetan cultural event and fundraiser for Yushu earthquake relief. For more information, visit www.tsengdokrinpoche.com or contact 604-726-3869. Suggested donation $5.00.

 July 25, 2010 - International Bog Day
International Bog Day raises awareness about the need to protect these precious ecosystems as well as the benefits of bogs to the health of our planet. This fun filled day is ideal for people of all ages looking to have a good time with family and friends. For more information, contact the Burns Bog Conservation Society at 604-572-0373 or www.burnsbog.org.

 July 31 - August 1, 2010 - The 34th Annual Powell Street Festival
Time: 11:30 am to 7 pm; Location: Oppenheimer Park (400 Block of Powell Street)
The Powell Street Festival is an annual celebration of Japanese Canadian arts, culture and heritage that features something for everyone: dance, music, film and video, visual arts, martial arts demos, amateur sumo tournament, craft vendors, traditional displays, and of course, tons of scrumptious Japanese food. For information, visit http://www.powellstreetfestival.com/festival/festival.html.

 August 1, 2010 - Pride Parade
The 2010 Pride Parade will start in the heart of downtown Vancouver. The Parade begins at 12:00, Sunday August 1st at Robson and Bute, heads West down the hill to Denman street, follows Denman to Pacific and Beach Avenue and finishes at the Sunset Beach Festival Site. See the Parade Route Map at http://www.vancouverpride.ca/parade-route.

 August 7, 2010 - Celebration Metis
Time: 12 pm – 5 pm; Location: Vancouver Art Gallery
Celebration Metis is a free family event that features music, food, crafts and Metis history displays. For more information, contact Vancouver Metis Community Association at 604 828-3706 or email
jlscudel@telus.net. Web: www.vancouvermetis.com.

 August 14 - 15, 2010 – The 11th Annual Chinatown Festival
Every year thousands of festival goers converge on the streets of Columbia and Keefer in historic Chinatown to experience the biggest multicultural summer celebration in the area. Whether it is the yummy food stalls, the historic walking tours around Chinatown, or the exciting multicultural stage performances, there is something for everyone here at Chinatown Festival. This year is Vancouver Chinatown's 125th anniversary, and so this year's festival aims to "Leap from a Proud Heritage." Web: http://www.vancouver-chinatown.com/new/CTF2010/index.php

 August 28, 2010 – CNIS African Market 2010
Time: 11:45 am - 6 pm; Location: Courtyard at 1985 West Broadway
Organized by Canadian Network for International Surgery (CNIS), the market supports the local African diasporas and teaches Vancouverites about the diversity, beauty and issues of the African continent. There will also be Zambian wall painting, Ethiopian Tribal face painting, African story telling for kids and displays where people can try making African eco innovations. For more information, contact Karen of CNIS at 604-739-4708 or email karethe@cnis.ca.

COMMUNITY & GOVERNMENT SERVICES

 ARA Mental Health Action Research and Advocacy Association
ARA Mental Health offers advocacy services for mental health consumers living in the Greater Vancouver area. Advocacy or intervention includes: locating resources, accessing food, health and safety issues, medical/dental, substance abuse, child apprehension, appeals and tribunals, safe and affordable housing, legal referrals, counselling and one-on-one support. Hours are 9:30 am to 4:30 pm and a drop-in safe space with accessible computers is offered to mental health consumers. Address: 163 West Pender Street, Vancouver. Phone 604-689-7938.

 Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland
Big Sisters of BC helps vulnerable girls in our community by providing them with female mentors and friends who understand the unique challenges they face growing up female. Big Sisters strives to provide these girls (ages 7 – 17) with a “champion” – a mentor who is there to listen to them, cheer them on, and tell them they can do it through the Big & Little Sister program and the Study Buddy program. For more information, please visit www.bigsisters.bc.ca or contact 604-873-4525.

 Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre of BC - Vancouver
- Distress Line and Suicide Prevention Services - Need someone to talk to? Call the Crisis Centre in Vancouver for immediate, free, confidential, non-judgemental support, 24 hours a day, everyday. Call 604-872-3311.

- Volunteering - The Crisis Centre in Vancouver is looking for volunteers to answer calls from people in stressful situations and to assist with high school suicide prevention workshops. Four hours a week after excellent training. Call 604-872-1811.

 Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC)
If you have a complaint or feel you have been treated unfairly by a collection agency, you should contact the head of the collection agency, the agency’s ombudsman, the financial institution where you borrowed money, or your provincial regulator. The FCAC can help you determine whom to contact. The agency also informs Canadians of their rights and responsibilities when dealing with financial institutions and makes sure that banks and federally regulated trust, loan and insurance companies respect the laws and agreements that protect consumers. To reach the FCAC, call toll-free 1-866-914-6097 or visit www.fcac.gc.ca.

 Hastings Education Centre, Vancouver School Board
Location: 1661 Napier Street at the Britannia Community Complex
We offer tuition free courses for adults interested in Grade 12 completion or who have already graduated and would like to upgrade or consider a career change. This is part of the provincially funded “Education Guarantee” program. For more information and the list of tuition free courses, contact Hastings Education Centre at 604-713-5735 or visit www.hastingsed.com.We are currently registering for our summer term that begins July 5.

 OmbudService for Life & Health Insurance (OHLI)
OmbudService for Life & Health Insurance (OHLI) is a national independent complaint resolution and information service for consumers of life and health insurance products, including life, disability, employee health benefits, travel, and insurance investment products such as annuities and segregated funds. For more information, visit www.olhi.ca.

 Urban Native Youth Association (UNYA)
Metro Vancouver's only Native youth program-providing organization to empower youth through programs, including education & training, personal support, residential programs and sports and recreation. UNYA’s work also includes community development, research, advocacy, and cultural learning opportunities. For more information, visit http://www.unya.bc.ca/home. Contact information: 1618 East Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC V5L 1S6. Phone: 604-254-7732.

 Vancouver Homeless Storefront Office
Veterans Affairs Canada, in partnership with Wounded Warriors.ca, established the Vancouver Homeless Storefront Office to identify and help veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The storefront office will make it easier for vulnerable veterans to access the services and benefits they have earned and deserved. Wounded Warriors.ca is supporting the storefront office initiative by providing funding to offer immediate help to any homeless veterans such as vouchers for emergency provision of food, clothing, shelter and transportation. Contact information: Veterans Affairs Canada, Vancouver Storefront Initiative, 310 Alexander Street (in the Veterans Memorial Manor), Vancouver, BC V6A 1C3. Phone: 604-666-0244. Website: www.vac-acc.gc.ca.

 VEEES Community Service
newSTART Bridging Employment Program
newSTART Bridging Employment Program for Women offers an individualized 6-month program for any woman dealing with violence and abuse issues, whether she is currently on income assistance or not. Program components include counselling, employment-related skills workshops, a work experience placement, educational assistance and certification for First Aid and SuperHost. newSTART now provides continuous intake.

newSTART 1691 East Pender Street, Vancouver, 604-215-4344

newCHAPTER and newCHAPTER2 Community Employment Resource Centres
The centres offer free services to all job seekers, providing internet access, fax, phone, photocopying, one-on-one resume and job search assistance, and Service Canada Case Management services, including: development of Return to Work Action Plans and assistance with and submission of SDEB (skills training financial assistance) applications.

newCHAPTER 2106 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, 604-254-3353
newCHAPTER2 835 East Hastings Street, Vancouver, 604-215-2295

FUNDING $OURCE$ / AWARD$

 Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG)
The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG) is a taxable cash grant of $1,000 per year, to a maximum of $2,000 per person. The grant is available to registered apprentices once they have successfully completed their first or second year/level (or equivalent) of an apprenticeship program in a Red Seal trade. For more information on the AIG or other Apprenticeship Grants, visit http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/workplaceskills/trades_apprenticeship/aig/pro....

 BMO Employee Charitable Foundation - General Grants
General Grants are dedicated to helping charities to offer programs and services, and to purchase equipment, thereby directly serving the people in their communities who rely on them the most.
For more information, visit http://www4.bmo.com/vgn/charity/en/grants.html. Contact info:
BC and Yukon Division, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications, BMO Bank of Montreal, 595 Burrard Street, 22nd Floor, Vancouver, BC V7X 1L7. Phone: 604-665-7596, Fax: 604-665-2610.

 Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage Funding Opportunities - Local Festivals
The Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage Program helps you to celebrate your community, its past and its present. Eligible events and activities must be local - created by and for your community. They must be open and accessible to the public and strongly encourage and promote the participation of everyone in your community. The next deadline is September 30, 2010 for festivals starting between April 1, 2011 and August 31, 2011. For more information, visit http://www.pch.gc.ca/DAMAssetPub/DAM-fstCom-comFst/STAGING/texte-text/fs... or contact your Regional Office of the Department of Canadian Heritage. Address: 300 West Georgia Street, Suite 400, Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 6C6 / Email: wr-ro@pch.gc.ca / Telephone: 604-666-0176.

 Canada Interactive Fund
The objective of the Canada Interactive Fund is to support the creation of online Canadian interactive content and applications developed by Official Language Minority Community (OLMC), Aboriginal, ethno-cultural and other not-for-profit cultural organizations. The Department of Canadian Heritage is launching a call for proposals under this fund to allow not-for-profit cultural organizations throughout Canada to succeed in the online media environment. The deadline for the 2010-2011 Call for Proposals is July 15, 2010. For more information, visit http://www.pch.gc.ca/eng/1273769820147/1254454407677.

 Canada Small Business Financing Program
The Canada Small Business Financing Program seeks to increase the availability of loans for establishing, expanding, modernizing and improving small businesses. It does this by encouraging financial institutions to make their financing available to small businesses. Under the Program, a small business must apply for a loan at a financial institution of its choice. For more information, visit http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/csbfp-pfpec.nsf/eng/Home. Email: info@ic.gc.ca.

 Canada’s Citizenship Award 2010
The Canada’s Citizenship Award 2010, formerly the Citation for Citizenship award recognizes Canadian individuals who dedicate themselves tirelessly to active citizenship in their communities. A successful nominee is a Canadian who demonstrates exemplary citizenship by assisting newcomers to successfully integrate into the Canadian family. Or a Canadian who promotes active citizenship by putting into practice the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship. Recipients of Canada’s Citizenship Award will be announced during Citizenship Week which runs from October 18-24, 2010. For more information, visit www.cic.gc.ca/citizenshipaward. The deadline to submit nominations for this year’s award is September 3, 2010.

 Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities
Canadian Tire Jumpstart® is a community-based charitable program that helps kids in financial need participate in organized sport and recreation such as hockey, soccer and swimming. The program works with community organizations to form local Chapters that identify and approve the children who receive support. The next deadline is the last 2 weeks in July. For more information on funding eligibility and application process, visit www.canadiantire.ca/jumpstart/index.html.

 Coast Capital - Community Investment Grants
Community Investment Grants supports non-profit organizations in their efforts to help families achieve economic success. The grant will focus on projects that help low-income individuals and families, new Canadians and youth, and that clearly support one or more of the focus areas: Youth leadership; Economic revitalization; and Access and inclusion. Grants can be used for projects that support or provide services for individuals, families, and communities; and organizational development. Applying for a Community Investment Grant is a two-step process: Expression of Interest and Application. Next deadline to submit Expression of Interest is August 27, 2010. Web: https://www.coastcapitalsavings.com/About_Coast_Capital_Savings/Helping_....

 Co-operators Foundation - Grants and Financial Assistance
The Co-operators Foundation’s financial assistance is provided to social economy enterprises, emergent co-operatives, community economic development initiatives and other worthy causes in Canada. The grant will concentrate on initiatives for the development of emerging co-operative sectors and co-operative enterprises. For more information on the grant and eligibility, visit www.cooperators.ca/en/aboutus/sustainability/2_8_5.html. Contact Info: Director, Sustainability and Corporate Citizenship, The Co-operators, 130 Macdonell Street, Guelph ON N1H 6P8 or email to the_cooperators_foundation@cooperators.ca.

 Face The World Foundation
Face The World Foundation is dedicated to helping Vancouver's less fortunate. It looks to alleviate the pain caused by hunger, sickness, homelessness, mental illness and drug, alcohol and physical abuse. For more information about funding criteria and eligibility, or application form, please visit http://www.facetheworldfoundation.com/recipients.htm. Deadline for submission is September 1.

 Keg Spirit Foundation
The Keg Spirit Foundation will consider funding for both new and established projects based on the following criteria: organization must hold, in good standing, a current charity registration number; project must relate to children or youth in some way; and program should contain a mentoring component. Grants are typically in the range of $2,000 to $5,000. All applications are to be sent to The Keg Spirit Foundation at the address below: The Keg Spirit Foundation - Review Committee, Keg Restaurants Ltd., 10100 Shellbridge Way, Richmond, BC V6X 2W7. For more information, visit http://kegsteakhouse.com/en/foundation/apply-for-a-grant/.

 Kinder Morgan Foundation
The Kinder Morgan Foundation, which is the company's only source of philanthropy, makes direct grants to non-profit youth programs in communities where they have a significant presence or business interest. They focus their grant-making on these specific areas: Education; Arts and Culture. Their range of giving is between $1,000 and $5,000. They will not provide support more than once per calendar year to the same organization, and they prefer to provide support on a year-to-year basis rather than make multi-year commitments. Please read the guidelines section on their website for eligibility criteria. Deadlines are the 10th of every other month beginning in January. Contact Information: Kinder Morgan Foundation, 370 Van Gordon Street, Lakewood, CO, 80228 USA / Tel: 303-763-3471 / Website: www.kindermorgan.com/community/ / Email: km_foundation@kindermorgan.com.

 Margaret Mitchell Fund for Women
The Margaret Mitchell Fund supports programs and initiatives that promote economic and social justice for women in Vancouver East. Priority will be given to projects that alleviate poverty, promote equality and help women to gain confidence and power. For more information about the Margaret Mitchell Fund, please contact the VanCity Community Foundation at 604-877-7241.

 McLean Foundation
The McLean Foundation makes grants in a wide range of areas, including arts, conservation, education, health and welfare. For more information, visit www.mcleanfoundation.ca. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis. The McLean Foundation will only accept applications from organizations that have first submitted a letter of inquiry and then have been asked to submit a full proposal. Contact information: Attn.: Ms. Ev McTaggart, The McLean Foundation, 2 St. Clair Avenue West, Suite 1008, Toronto, Ontario M4V 1L5 / Tel: 416-964-6802 / Fax: 416-964-2804 / Email: info@mcleanfoundation.ca.

 Metropolis at Metrotown
Metropolis at Metrotown is committed to enhancing the lives of the people in our community. Registered non-profit organizations can apply for cash donations made possible by the Metropolis Express, a trackless train that runs through the corridors of Metropolis. The Metropolis Express is entirely funded by Metropolis at Metrotown and rides are offered by donation to charity. To be eligible, you must be: Burnaby, New Westminster or East Vancouver-based and demonstrate a significant and unique contribution to community life. For more information, visit
http://www.metropolisatmetrotown.com/community-investment.

 RMHC® Helping Hands Grant Program Deadline: August 6, 2010
The RMHC Canada® Helping Hands Grant Program assists registered Canadian children’s charities whose programs are community-oriented, and focus on improving the quality of life for children and families of children with serious and/or life- threatening illnesses or disabilities. For more information or contact info, visit http://www.rmhc.ca/HomeEn.aspx.

 Staples - Community@Work
Community@Work will focus charitable efforts in areas we know will positively impact our key stakeholders and support the communities we all work and live in. In order to be eligible to receive a corporate support, sponsorship or a community@work donation, we ask that your organization fall under one of the three areas: Entrepreneurship; Education; and Environment. For more information or to apply, visit http://www.staplesinthecommunity.ca/donation/Default.aspx. All eligible requests are evaluated and will be responded to in 30 days.

 Status of Women - Women's Partnership Fund
The Women's Partnership Fund provides contribution funding to projects that build partnerships between Status of Women Canada, eligible non-governmental recipients and public institutions to advance equality for women across Canada through improvement of their economic and social conditions and their participation in democratic life. The following issues have been identified as priorities: ending violence against women and girls; improving women's and girls' economic security and prosperity; and encouraging women and girls in leadership and decision-making roles. For more information on eligibility, visit http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/fun-fin/wpf-fpf/guide-eng.html.

 TD Financial Literacy Grant
TD Bank Financial Group and Social and Enterprise Development Innovations (SEDI), a charitable organization that helps low-income Canadians gain financial independence, officially launched the TD Financial Literacy Grant Fund with the first call for applications for funding. The new fund, managed by SEDI, will provide grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 to qualified community-based agencies, charities, and not-for-profit organizations to help integrate financial literacy training into services they deliver to their clients. The deadline for applications is July 31, 2010. For more information, and to submit an application, visit: www.sedi.org.

 Whole Foods Market
Whole Foods Market stores hold community giving days (otherwise known as "5% Days") where five percent of that day's net sales are donated to a local non-profit or educational organization. The groups that benefit from these 5% Days are as varied as the communities themselves. If you have questions about donation policy or want support, please contact the Marketing Director at your local store. (List of stores: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/canada/index.php).

 Vancouver Foundation – Grants and Community Initiatives program
Vancouver Foundation's Grants and Community Initiatives program is now accepting application in the following areas: Animal Welfare; Disability Supports for Employment Fund; Environment; Health and Social Development; and Youth Homelessness. There is a two-stage process - first stage is a Letter of Intent (LOI) which consists of a brief proposal to determine basic suitability. The second stage is submission of a full grant application by a specific date. The LOI is due July 23, 2010 with application due September 15, 2010. For more information on funding guidelines and application process, visit http://www.vancouverfoundation.bc.ca/grants/applicationdeadlines.htm.

GOVERNMENT & OTHER REPORTS … RECEIVED RECENTLY and only ONE copy for some publications. Availability is on a first come first served basis. To obtain it, please contact my office at 604-775-5800

1. Air India Flight 182: A Canadian Tragedy – Commission of Inquiry into the Investigation of the Bombing of Air India Flight 182 – 2010
2. Breaking the Silence: Soldiers’ Testimonies from Operation Cast Lead, Gaza 2009
3. Handbook for Canada’s Physical Activity Guide to Healthy Active Living – Public Health Agency of Canada
4. How Canadians Govern Themselves, 7th Edition – Eugene A. Forsey
5. Portrait of Home Care in Canada – Canadian Home Care Association – 2008
6. Sponsorship Breakdown – Useful information for people who need help when their sponsorship to Canada breaks down (English & Chinese) – Legal Services Society, 2003
7. Talking with Your Teens about Drugs – Government of Canada
8. The Canadian Privacy and Data Security Toolkit – Claudiu Popa
9. The Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement’s Common Experience Payment and Healing: A Qualitative Study Exploring Impacts on Recipients – The Aboriginal Healing Foundation Research Series – 2010
10. The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship – Citizenship and Immigration Canada
11. The State of the Friendship Centre Movement: 2009 – National Association of Friendship Centres
12. Your Emergency Preparedness Guide – Public Safety Canada

Libby receives Solidarity Award

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 17:45:00 +0000

Cover Date:

June 20, 2010

Vancouver- NDP MP Libby Davies (Vancouver East) was awarded the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) Solidarity Award on Saturday night at the Tri-annual NUPGE Convention in Vancouver.

Presented by the newly re-elected NUPGE president James Clancy, the award was given to Libby for her outstanding work for human rights for housing and homelessness.

The award recognizes Davies’s bill for a national housing strategy, Bill C-304. The bill is currently before the House of Commons and could have a final vote as early as the fall.

Libby's Bills to stop discrimination based on social condition

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 14:24:32 +0000

Cover Date:

June 17, 2010

Libby introduced two bills in the House of Commons to change the Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code to prohibit discrimination against a person based on their social condition.

Canadian Human Rights Act
Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP)
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-559, An Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act (social condition).

Mr. Speaker

This bill would amend the Canadian Human Rights Act to prohibit discrimination on the grounds of social condition. In doing so it would protect from discrimination people who are experiencing social or economic disadvantage, such as adequate housing, homelessness, source of income, occupation, level of education, poverty, or any similar circumstance. As the Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation and many other organizations have pointed out, a person's standing in society is often determined by his or her occupation, income, education level or family background.

As legislators, we know that we must be aware that tools are very much needed to promote and protect the economic and social rights of Canadians. This bill would send an important message to the public that people who are disadvantaged because of their social condition are equally deserving of dignity and protection from discrimination.
I hope that all members of the House will support this bill.
Criminal Code
Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP)
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-558, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (social condition).

She said: Mr. Speaker, I am very honoured to rise in the House today to present this bill. I would like to thank the member for Vancouver Kingsway for seconding this bill.

This bill is very important because it amends provisions of the Criminal Code to establish principles related to sentencing and describe the aggravating circumstances that require increased sentences to be imposed.

The bill requires an increased sentence where there is evidence that the offence was motivated by bias, prejudice, or hate based on social condition of the victim.

This bill is the companion to another bill that I will be introducing on social condition. It is done in recognition that there are people in our society who are disadvantaged because of social condition, because of poverty, homelessness, education and background and that they do face prejudice and discrimination. It is very important that we have the tools to address the reality they face in their daily lives.

I hope that all members will support this bill. This issue has been before the House many times. In fact, there have been many studies on the issue of social condition and how people do not have protection. This bill is aimed at addressing that to ensure there is dignity and respect for people based on social condition.