In The Community

Remembrance Day Ceremony

 

Such a moving Remembrance Day ceremony in Parksville yesterday, including a fly-over at the eleventh hour. It was wonderful to connect with veteran Jack Rossiter who turned 100 this year. Jack served Canada in the Italian campaign 1943-45. Thank you to those who laid wreathes on my behalf throughout the riding: Meaghan Cursons in Cumberland, Donna Cloutier in Courtenay, the Hon. Deb Grey in Bowser, Lee Olimusik in Port Alberni, Bruce Ballingal in Qualicum Beach, Jessica Harris in Tofino and Rick Geddes in Ucluelet. Thank you especially to the volunteers and hundreds of residents who attended these ceremonies to remember those who sacrificed so much for our freedoms in Canada.

Royal Canadian Legion Qualicum Berach Branch No 76

Such a moving candlelight ceremony at the Royal Canadian Legion Qualicum Beach Branch No 76 today as community members placed candles in front of the cenotaph to remember those who served our country. Thank you to Lynn McLean and Christine Ross for keeping this tradition alive in our community and for inviting me to say a few words, And thank you also to all those who came out in the rain to pay their respects.

Honour Grace with a King Charles III Coronation Medal at Wickaninnish Community School l

Wonderful Andrew Bailey tribute to Nuu-chah-nulth Elder Grace George in the Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News. It was truly a thrill to honour Grace with a King Charles III Coronation Medal at Wickaninnish Community School last month, in recognition of her dedication to Nuu-chah-nulth language revitalization and over thirty years of service as an education support worker. Andrew writes: “Grace George had a front row seat to her dreams coming true as she watched students dressed in Nuu-chah-nulth regalia dancing and singing songs in the language she worked so hard to revitalize for them.” Grace told those gathered: “I would like to thank my homeland of Ahousaht for supporting me, they supported my language journey financially and emotionally,” and she dedicated her medal to her late brother Billy George Sr, her mentor.

Thanks to Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation elected Chief Councillor Elmer Frank, Ahousaht Tyee Ha’wilth Maquinna, SD70 Chair Pam Craig and principal Dani Stone for their words on this occasion. I am privileged to present this medal to twenty individuals in our communities who are distinguished for their contributions to community and country.

Poppy Flag Raising Ceromony

Thank you to the Qualicum Legion #76 for inviting me to attend the Poppy Flag raising ceremony and Poppy Campaign Kickoff for 2023 on Friday. Every year from the last Friday of October to November 11, tens of millions of Canadians wear a Poppy as a visual pledge to honour Canada's Veterans and remember those who scarified for the freedoms we enjoy today. 

The Poppy is distributed freely to all who wish to wear one, and the Legion gratefully accepts donations to the Poppy Fund, which helps military an RCMP veterans and their families. Thanks to QB Legion Poppy Campaign Chair Arlene King an outgoing Poppy Campaign Chair Bruce Ballingal for their service. 

King Charles III Coronation Medal to Respected Elder Grace George

It was my very great honour to present the King Charles III Coronation medal to respected Elder Grace George on October 16th at wonderful ceremony at Wickaninnish Community School in Tofino. The King Charles III Coronation Medal is awarded to 30,000 Canadians who have made significant contributions to their community and their country and there is no more deserving recipient than Grace.

I was privileged to present this honour to Grace on behalf of the Governor General of Canada for her dedication to Nuu-chah-nulth language revitalization over thirty years as an education support worker. Her dream of a day when children would enthusiastically learn their own language has come true because of her willingness to share her knowledge and provide loving guidance to her fellow educators. Klecko Klecko to Grace for making such a difference to so many.

Thank you to the children of Wickaninnish for their songs and dance and to Chief Elmer Frank, Chief Maquinna, Principal Dani Stone, Tofino Mayor Dan Law and School District 70 Superintendent Tim Davie, Chair Pam Craig, Trustees Janis Joseph and Cynthia Orr for attending.

'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.