Parliamentary Report Nov 2012

DAVIES, M.P.Don

V a n c o u v e r K i n g s w a yP a r l i a m e n t a r y R e p o r t - N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 2

Don Davies, MP 2951 Kingsway, Vancouver BC V5R 5J4 Tel: 604-775-6263

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

2 Don Davies, MP

Greetings from Don

親愛的鄰居，

我相信對選民問責非常重要。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。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。

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。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。

3Vancouver Kingsway

Bringing Young Voices to Ottawa

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!

Photo: Wilson Wu, Kaitlyn Fung and Don Davies in Parliament

www.vancouverkingsway.createyourcanada.ca

View photos at flickr.com/photos/mpdondavies

4 Don Davies, MP

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:

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.

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.

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 the winning entry in Don’s ‘Create Your Canada’ contest. Read more about it on page 3.

Bill C-450 - Changing Voting Hours in British Columbia

This bill changes voting hours in a federal election from 7am-7pm to 8am-8pm.

5Vancouver Kingsway

Question Period

Each day during Question Period in the House of Commons, the Opposition is given a chance to ask questions of the Government.

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 re-statement 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?

October 17, 2012

以下是戴偉思所提出部份問題的節錄。

Here are samples of his questions.

As the Official Opposition Critic for International Trade, Don Davies usually asks about trade matters.

每日在國會的答問時段，在野黨都可以向政府提出問題。

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。

6 Don Davies, MP

Question Period

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?

On the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) with the European Union:

October 15, 2012

WATCH DON IN QUESTION PERIOD:http://www.youtube.com/user/dondaviesndp

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。

2012年10月15日

就與歐盟所制定的全面經濟貿易協議（CETA）：就與歐盟所制定的全面經濟貿易協議（CETA）：就與歐盟所制定的全面經濟貿易協議（CETA）：

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？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？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？

7Vancouver Kingsway

Question Period

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?

On the Canada-China investment deal (FIPA):October 18, 2012

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。

2012年10月18日

就加拿大與中國的投資協議（FIPA）：就加拿大與中國的投資協議（FIPA）：就加拿大與中國的投資協議（FIPA）：

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？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？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/canada-china-fipa/

8 Don Davies, MP


“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-43 Faster Removal of Foreign Criminals Act

One of the roles of MPs is to give speeches and engage in debate on the bills and motions that come before Parliament.

“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.”

On Bill C-15 Strengthening Military Justice in the Defence of Canada Act

9Vancouver Kingsway


Here are samples of the speeches Don has given this Fall.

“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 good-paying jobs in Canada and increase our value-added products? New Democrats say ‘yes’; Conservatives say ‘no’. Why not?”

On trade with Colombia and human rights

“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.”

On the NDP motion for a public, transparent study of the foreign takover of Canadian oil company, NEXEN

10 Don Davies, MP

加拿大最近與中國簽署了外國投資保護協議（FIPA）加拿大最近與中國簽署了外國投資保護協議（FIPA）加拿大最近與中國簽署了外國投資保護協議（FIPA）

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。

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。

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。



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。



11Vancouver Kingsway

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.

12 Don Davies, MP


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.

The proposed sale of Canadian oil company NEXEN by the state-owned 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.

October 2, 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.

September 20, 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.

October 1, 2012

14 Don Davies, MP

Trade with the European Union (CETA)

As the International Trade Critic for the Official Opposition, Don has been raising questions and concerns about the Canada-European 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.

PATENT RULESCETA could require important changes to patent laws that could raise the cost of prescription drugs by $2.8 billion/year.

GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENTFor 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!

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Two of the major concerns are:


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....”

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Parliamentary Report Nov 2012