MP Johns highlighted Port Alberni–based Coulson Aviation, a world leader in retrofitting and building aircraft such as the retired CC-130 Hercules, which have been successfully deployed internationally to combat wildfires. He underscored that investing in Canadian-built solutions would not only strengthen national resilience but also create high-skilled aerospace jobs here at home.
He said that people in his riding were seeing an "increase in intensity and cost of wildfires in Canada, not just in British Columbia but across the country that requires bold and timely action.
“Will the government commit in this budget to establishing a permanent national aerial firefighting fleet — so Canada can defend our communities from climate disasters while also meeting its NATO obligations?” Johns asked.
Mayor Law said the beaches are in a better state than they used to be, thanks to locals picking up trash and a clean-up campaign by MP Gord Johns. But Law wants policies to stop plastic from going into the ocean in the first place.
“Ideally, the federal government would step in and ban the manufacturing and sale of single-use plastics, but things happen in real time,” he said.
In a letter, MP Johns tells his constituents he didn’t participate in the standing ovation.
“I do not support or share the views of Charlie Kirk or the hateful, divisive politics he promoted. His record of misogyny, xenophobia, racism and homophobia runs counter to the values I hold and the inclusive, just Canada we are all working to build,” Johns said.
He added that he abhors political violence: “A democratic society cannot function if people are attacked or killed for their beliefs, no matter how much we may oppose those beliefs. Violence and extremism — whether in the United States or here in Canada — tear communities apart and endanger our democracy.”
