In the News

Ontario NDP promises provincial dental plan that would ‘mesh’ with federal one

Federal NDP health critic Don Davies said Thursday that the federal NDP is “pleased” with its Ontario counterpart’s proposal to extend dental care to more people, saying it represents a “major expansion of coverage” towards the goal of universal access.

Mask Rule Must Remain: Tam

“Have we reached the endemic phase of Covid-19 in your view?” asked MP Davies. “In my view no,” replied Tam. “We are in a transition phase. An endemic period is where we have much more predictability on the pattern of this virus and we can then anticipate a more regularized response, if you like. We are not there yet.”

NDP Health Critic’s Statement on Budget 2022

Low-income Canadians can thank NDP MP Don Davies for a universal dental-care program

Fortunately, one local politician was paying close attention to this issue. Don Davies, the longtime NDP MP for Vancouver Kingsway, decided to push hard for a universal dental-care program.

‘There are still many unknowns,’ says epidemiologist, as MPs report public anxiety as mandates lift amid COVID sixth wave

NDP MP Don Davies (Vancouver Kingsway, B.C.), his party’s health critic, told The Hill Times that his read on the situation was that there are conflicting feelings in the Canadian public.

“On the one hand, as we enter our third year, there is definitely fatigue and a yearning for a return to normal,” said Davies. “On the other hand, I think there is great concern that restrictions that are being lifted may be premature, but I think both of those strains are very prevalent in the population.”

Going inside the room: How the Liberal-NDP confidence deal happened

Cabinet as a whole didn't know it was happening. Neither did the full NDP caucus. Some were consulted on specific issues. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland was brought in to talk about the budget needs. NDP health critic Don Davies said Tuesday he also worked to provide information to the leadership team.

NDP expects phased-in approach to national pharmacare promise in deal with Liberals

NDP health critic Don Davies says he expects the Liberal government to fulfill its renewed promise to deliver national pharmacare, but perhaps not all at once.

The Liberals have promised in their new confidence and supply agreement with the NDP that they will pass a Canada Pharmacare Act by the end of next year.

They have also agreed to task the National Drug Agency with the development of a national formulary of essential medicines and bulk purchasing plan by the time the deal ends in 2025.

Jagmeet Singh expects federal dental plan to remain faithful to NDP campaign promise

A 2020 report by the parliamentary budget officer offers some details on the NDP's vision.

The report is based on NDP health critic Don Davies' request to estimate the cost of a federal dental plan based on the current non-insured health benefits program, a federal benefits program for First Nations and Inuit in Canada.

The program includes more robust and preventive coverage than the federal dental program for refugees or federal inmates, which are aimed at emergency dental procedures.

Liberal-NDP dental plan would benefit millions of Canadians

The program was the centrepiece of an agreement announced Tuesday by the Liberals and NDP, that will see the former stay in power as a minority government until 2025 with support from the latter.

Canada to send anti-tank weapons, ammunition to Ukraine as critics accuse Ottawa of delays to lethal aid

Removing the visa requirement for Ukrainians to travel to Canada is “not under review,” according to the Department of Citizenship and Immigration.

Both Davies and Garnett Genius (Sherwood Park-Fort Saskatchewan, Alta.) said Canada should permit visa-free travel given the circumstance, with Davies noting more than 100 countries don’t require visas for Ukrainian citizens.