'State of the Island" Economic Summit

Great discussions at the 2024 ’State of the Island’ Economic Summit in Nanaimo. I love the group shot with these amazing economic leaders: Tseshaht First Nation Chief Ken Watts, former Huu-ay-aht First Nation Elected Chief Councillor Robert Dennis, four-time Mayor of Port Alberni, Ken McRae and City of Port Alberni Economic Development Officer Pat Deakin. The whole conference was about partnerships and for the limited time my schedule allowed me to stay, I enjoyed the panel discussions with Chief Watts, Carol Anne Hilton, former Chief Dennis, Huu-ay-aht Councillor Trevor Cootes and others on economic reconciliation. Congratulations to the organizers, speakers and delegates for such a wonderful conference.

Coastal Safety Issues with Tofino Mayer, Ucluelet Mayor, and Superintendent from Parks Canada

Thank you to Tofino Mayor Dan Law, Ucuelet Mayor Marilyn McEwen and Superintendent Dave Tovell and Liam McNeil from Parks Canada for taking time to meet on coastal safety issues of mutual concern. There are still actions that need to be taken, particularly by the federal governement to ensure the safety of local residents and the many thousands of visitors who come to the west coast of Vancouver Island to experience the beachers and waters on our coast. We had great conversations and I am pleased there is progress and a commitment to work on some solutions. 

Ahousaht First Nation Youth Centre Visit

Thank you to Ahousaht First Nation wellness councillor Darlene Dick for welcoming me to the Ahousaht youth centre this week. Darlene and I bumped into each other at the opening of the wonderful new Orca Lelum youth centre at Snaw-naw-as First Nation a few months back and she invited me to come to the community to learn more about the issues facing Ahousaht’s young people and the work of her fellow team members. The community is coping with a state of emergency related to the toxic drug crisis.
Allison and Whelan are the recreation coordinators and my old friend Daniel who now lives and works at Ahousaht is working on building a basketball team with twelve young people already signed up. We met at the Chahchumhiiyup Centre and heard about how the community gym is crowded with 45 to 60 kids until 11 pm. They need safe healthy spaces.
The community hopes to open another youth centre and I promised to continue speaking out for them on my return to Ottawa. Klecko Klecko for making a difference in the lives of Ahousaht youth.

Visit to Ahousaht Wellness Centre

Thanks to Ahousaht Elected Deputy Chief Sabrina Campbell and Elected Councillors Marla Kaloucokovale, Larry Swan, Angus Campbell, and newly elected council member, Herbie Dick for welcoming me back to their territory. The people of Ahousaht have always been close to my heart and it has been an honour to bring their voices to Parliament during my terms as Member of Parliament. I promised to continue to fight for them as they cope with a state of emergency due to the tragic loss of too many of their people to substance use issues. I appreciated Deputy Chief Campbell’s tour of the newly constructed Wellness Centre which the community plans to have open next Spring. I will continue my fight in Ottawa for the necessary operational funding for the community wellness centre. Klecko Klecko to all for your kind hospitality during my visit.

Tofino Volunteer Fire Department

Thanks to the men and women of the Tofino Volunteer Fire Department for their enthusiastic welcome during my visit on Monday and for their service and scarifice to the community. Great to see Mayor Dan Law, Fire Chief Mark McKeough, Deputy Chief Damon Johnson and their amazing team of volunteers.

I was given the honour of presenting a red helmet to Alex as she was promoted to Lieutenant as she replaced departing crew member Cody. Thanks to all for recognizing my work in doubling the tax credit for volunteer firefighters and search and rescue responders and, for my part, an opportunity to thank them for their support along with fire halls all across the country without which it wouldn’t have been possible. The Tofino crew is currently short four volunteers and is actively recruiting to bring their team up to thirty so please consider stepping up for duty if you live on the west coast.

BC Culture Days in Parksville

A great kickoff for BC Culture Days in Parksville last week. Congratulations to Lead Artist and Curator, Pattiann Withapea and the Oceanside Community Arts Council for their outstanding work in Community Outreach to bring these events to our community for four years running. Thank you to participating artists, performers and volunteers for bringing BC Culture Days to life. It is both an honour for Parksville to be chosen as the Provincial Kickoff City for 2024 and a tribute to the sponsors for their generous funding of this annual celebration of Arts, Culture and Heritage in Oceanside. May all your days be enriched with the gifts of culture in our community!

Alberni Valley Salvation Army Food Truck

Thanks to Michael and steve for sharing a shift with me on the food truck for Alberni Valley's Salvation Army. I was able to do double duty as the Member of Parliament, lots of important discussions with clients who showed up to enjoy a hot meal. I rely on input from constituents regardless of the challenges they are facing in our community. Looking forward to more shifts in the future!

Ribbon cutting for Memorial Avenue's Viewing platform

Such a wonderful celebration on the waterfront in Qualicum Beach this afternoon, the official ribbon cutting for the roundabout walkway and viewing platform on Memorial Avenue which was funded in part with a grant from the federal active transportation fund (which was created following my 2016 private members' bill for an active transportation strategy).
Also an opportunity to celebrate Qualicum First Nation artist Jesse Recalma's inspirational illuminated totem which has been installed at the centre of the traffic circle. As the PQB News reported, Jesse says “This piece is a footnote to the original Simon Charlie pole that stood at the intersection.” He explained, "I decided on the eagle and bear for this reason as Simon Charlie's style has really influenced how I do my work.” Mayor Teunis Westbroek added, “This project is a culmination of art, history, and community.” So true. Hychka from a grateful community to Jesse for this powerful gift for the ages. And to all those who contributed to his artistic spirit. And thank you to successive Town Councils and the planning and engineering departments for providing such a perfect setting for this wonderful public art.

Tseshaht First Nation- Orange Shirt Day

Thank you to Tseshaht First Nation for welcoming us to its territory on Orange Shirt Day, also known as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It is a day when we remember the children who died in the Indian Residential Schools, the suffering of all those who were removed from their families through many decades and the legacy of intergenerational trauma caused by the government’s policies. It was a day to re-commit to the reconciliation of historical wrongs and the implementation of all 94 Calls to Action by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Klecko Klecko to Elected Chief Councillor waamiiš (Ken Watts), Tseshaht Elders and all the community members who worked to make this year's walk and cultural events so successful and to the residents and visitors to the Alberni Valley for showing their support on this important day.

Tour de Rock riders in Port Alberni

It was a thrill to see the Tour de Rock riders in Port Alberni on Friday and to pay tribute to their mission at a fundraising dinner hosted by Royal Canadian Legion Branch 293 that evening.
I was privileged to sit with Port Alberni’s Chris Barrato (BC Ambulance Service/Sproat Lake Fire Department). Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock is an exciting annual event where police agencies and emergency service personnel cycle for 14 days across 1200 km on Vancouver Island, raising money for childhood cancer research and support services at the Canadian Cancer Society.
It was moving to have such emotional conversations with families who have been recipients of their fundraising over the years which has now reached $29 million since the ride started in 1977.
Thanks to the Legion, volunteers, cooks, servers and most of all, the riders and their support teams for bringing Vancouver Islanders together for this important cause. You can donate here:

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