Business Development Bank of Canada- BDC

This week I had the chance to meet with the Business Development Bank of Canada (“BDC”) President and CEO Isabelle Hudon who has been travelling to meet with MPs across the country. I took the opportunity to turn the meeting into a roundtable and invited some economic leaders from our riding including Huu-ay-aht Elected Chief Councillor John Jack, Patrick Deakin (Economic Development Manager for Port Alberni), Lori Camire (Executive Director of Community Futures Alberni Clayoquot), Julie Sperber (President and CEO of Vancouver Island Economic Alliance), Tracey Clarke (Executive Director of the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce), Ramon Ramirez (Partner of Chinook Business Advisory and board chair of the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce). Ms. Hudon noted I was the first MP of the 177 she’s met who has invited community leaders to have a roundtable. One part of an MP’s job is connecting entrepreneurs directly with leaders of federal institutions, so I was thrilled to have this opportunity to get this group in the same room.

BDC plays an important role in fostering economic growth in Courtenay-Alberni, including providing $128 million in loans for businesses. Of that total, 40% has gone to women owned businesses and 6% to Indigenous owned businesses, which are above the national average for business loans. Ms. Hudon shared information about new envelopes of funding for Indigenous entrepreneurs, as well as about the increased partnership with Community Futures. Thank you very much to Ms. Hudon for making the journey to Vancouver Island and for the engaging discussion on how to build a stronger, more resilient economy, especially in rural Canada!

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Meeting with Graham Riches on the Right to Food

I appreciated meeting earlier this month with Qualicum Beach resident Professor Graham Riches to discuss Canada’s growing food-insecurity crisis and the need to recognize food as a human right. One in four Canadians now struggle to afford food, not because of shortages, but because incomes and social supports haven’t kept pace.

As the NDP critic for both agriculture and health, I very much appreciate Graham’s perspective and the depth of his academic work. He has authored and edited numerous influential books and articles on hunger in wealthy societies including “Food Bank Nations: Poverty, Corporate Charity and the Right to Food" (Routledge, 2018).

Canada committed to the right to food decades ago through the UN, yet successive Conservative and Liberal governments have allowed charity to replace responsibility. Graham and I talked about moving beyond food banks toward income security, enforceable standards, and a right-to-food framework that ensures dignity, health, and fairness for everyone. This is about putting people before corporate profits, and making sure no one is left behind.

In Parliament, New Democrats have fought hard for a guaranteed liveable income, at the very least starting with seniors and people living with disabilities.

Mood Disorders Society of Canada Meeting

It was a privilege to meet with representatives from Mood Disorders Society of Canada recently in Ottawa to discuss the important role of community organizations and peer support workers in helping Canadians with mental illnesses. They spoke about how the chronic underfunding of Canada’s mental health sector limits the ability of non-profit organizations to expand services and meet growing demand. We agreed that investing in community mental health organizations could reduce pressures on the healthcare system and help Canadians who are struggling. Finally, we talked about my Private Member’s Bill, C-414, which is pushing for parity between physical and mental health in our universal, public healthcare system. Canada is facing a mental health crisis and it’s clear we need systemic change so everyone can access care when they need it most.

Alberni Valley Multiplex- Skating Party

Great fun at the Alberni Valley Multiplex on Thursday as skaters of all ages took to the ice to glide the light fantastic! Thanks to the gang who travelled all the way from Ahousaht First Nation for the skating party and members of the Alberni Valley Rescue Squad who demonstrated their human pyramid building skills. Thanks especially to the Multiplex management and staff for creating a winter wonderland at the rink. It was truly magical and provided a chance to forget the worries of the world for a couple of hours.