Thank you to Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce President Terry Deakin and Executive Director Jolleen Dick for inviting me to speak at its Breakfast Meeting last week. I started with a few words about success of the municipal and regional governments and the business community in attracting federal funding during my eight years in office as Member of Parliament. Federal investment during this period has been historic for the Alberni Valley as compared to the same period of Conservative representation prior to my election. Then, I invited questions from those in attendance. Most of the questions pertained to my work as the NDP critic for mental health and harm reduction and reflected concerns about the toxic drug overdose deaths in the community and the lack of accessible detoxification and treatment services. I continue to advocate for a health-based approach that is balanced with harm reduction services that will keep people alive combined with recovery programs for those who are ready for treatment and prevention and public education services that inform those who are vulnerable about the dangers.
