Thank you to North Island College President Lisa Domae and Community Engagement Executive Director Diane Naugler for taking time to discuss the need for affordable student housing in the north and central Vancouver Island. Students studying trades, for example, are enrolled in work-study programs and find themselves having to pay rent in two places—their place of work and the NIC campus. I reiterated my support for their proposal for federal funding towards construction of student housing and appreciated the briefing on the College’s plans for a 79-unit housing project in Port Alberni so students will no longer need to commute from Courtenay or Campbell River, sometimes in dangerous conditions, in pursuit of their education.
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.