Thanks to YQQ CEO Mike Atkins for such a warm welcome to a BBQ celebrating Comox Airport workers and volunteers on Wednesday. Airport workers sometimes have to deal with hostility from stressed passengers and carry out otherwise thankless but essential work. They deserve our gratitude and I was pleased to thank them for their service. Over a great lunch, I learned from them about the efforts of YQQ to become carbon net-zero. Thanks to carbon credit purchases from Great Bear Rainforest, YQQ is already carbon neutral and with new solar panels, a battery-powered belt loader, and new hydroelectric in-ground power for starting the planes, are helping make the airport even more green. Congratulations to Mike and all those that make this airport such a success on Vancouver Island.
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.