Today is International Women’s Day which gives focus to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women. Thanks to the Canadian Federation of University Women (Parksville-Qualicum Branch) Vice President Christine Pagan for welcoming Jagmeet Singh and I for a “fireside chat” in Parksville on Wednesday. It was an opportunity to hear from women in our riding on issues of concern. Jagmeet talked to the gathering about NDP priorities and responded to questions about the rollout of pharmacare and other health benefits the NDP has forced the government to establish; guaranteed living wage; clean water in Indigenous communities; the toxic drug crisis; carbon capture; homelessness; and, the NDP’s motion to end the horrors in Gaza. Thanks to all those women who took time to attend this gathering and for the important issues that they raised with Jagmeet and I.