NDP Leader and MP's visit to LUSH valley in Courtenay-Alberni

It was truly an honour to accompany our leader Jagmeeet Singh and North Island-Powell River MP Rachel A Blaney at Courtenay’s Lush Valley Food Action Society yesterday to announce one of the NDP specific demands for the upcoming budget: a national school lunch program. Canada is the only G-7 country without a national school lunch program.

BC currently covers 20% of the most vulnerable kids and we need the federal government to fill the gap. Lush Valley has been a strong advocate for a national program and has been picking up the slack in the Comox Valley but it should not fall to community organizations to do this work without support from all levels of government, as I told the media. In addition to ensuring that every child will have a healthy lunch, the program will alleviate a significant source of stress and financial burden for parents.

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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.

Alberni Valley Multiplex- Skating Party

Great fun at the Alberni Valley Multiplex on Thursday as skaters of all ages took to the ice to glide the light fantastic! Thanks to the gang who travelled all the way from Ahousaht First Nation for the skating party and members of the Alberni Valley Rescue Squad who demonstrated their human pyramid building skills. Thanks especially to the Multiplex management and staff for creating a winter wonderland at the rink. It was truly magical and provided a chance to forget the worries of the world for a couple of hours.

Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce Executive Director

Thank you to Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce Executive Director for inviting me to the Chamber's roundtable discussion with members last month. Issues raised during this meeting included: affordable housing, the impacts of cuts to foreign students, transitional issues in the aquaculture industry and business insurance. I very mush appreciate connecting with members at this annual event and receiving invaluable feedback about issues of importance to the business community in the Comox valley.