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Economic and Environmental benefits of Waste Biomass Conversion for Heat and Energy

The federal government highlighted in the 2023 Fall Economic Statement the opportunity for Canada to leverage the economic and environmental benefits of waste biomass conversion for heat and energy. Extracting more value from forest biomass will offer significant opportunity for forestry workers and communities and is environmentally sustainable and and also in reduces the vulnerability of our forests to devastating fires. We have an outstanding example of this with the Catalyst paper mill in Port Aberni which employs 350 workers and is the only paper mill on the west coast of Canada. Yet the government has dragged its feet so this week I wrote to the Ministers of Finance, Energy and Natural Resources and Innovation, Science and Industry to urge them to get on with it!

 

King Charles III Coronation Medal

Universal Children's Day

Today is Universal Children's Day. Yesterday, I rose in the House of Commons to recognize and celebrate children's rights in Canada and worldwide. On this day, we recognize the declaration of the rights of the child and the convention of children's rights.

These rights include the right to be protected from violence and discrimination, and the right to life, health and education.

I also took the opportunity to recognize the delegations from UNICEF visiting parliamentarians and to salute the work of UNICEF and all child-focused organizations who take the time to educate Parliamentarians about how to meaningfully improve children's lives.

Over the last several years we have seen absolute devastation for children worldwide in conflicts, including Ukraine, and Palestine, and Sudan, and now in Lebanon. In too many places today children's rights are under attack. International law and human rights are under attack. And children bear the brunt of these conflicts.

New Democrats will always stand for the rights of children, and will make space for children and young people to raise their voices on the issues that matter to them.

Happy Universal Children's day!

Rose in the House of Commons for Universal Children's Day

Today is Universal Children's Day. Yesterday, I rose in the House of Commons to recognize and celebrate children's rights in Canada and worldwide. On this day, we recognize the declaration of the rights of the child and the convention of children's rights.

These rights include the right to be protected from violence and discrimination, and the right to life, health and education.

I also took the opportunity to recognize the delegations from UNICEF visiting parliamentarians and to salute the work of UNICEF and all child-focused organizations who take the time to educate Parliamentarians about how to meaningfully improve children's lives.

Over the last several years we have seen absolute devastation for children worldwide in conflicts, including Ukraine, and Palestine, and Sudan, and now in Lebanon. In too many places today children's rights are under attack. International law and human rights are under attack. And children bear the brunt of these conflicts.

New Democrats will always stand for the rights of children, and will make space for children and young people to raise their voices on the issues that matter to them.

Happy Universal Children's day!

NDP reacts to a new report showing Liberals' massive failure on mental health care

NDP Mental Health and Harm Reduction critic Gord Johns made the following statement in reaction to a new report showing that 2.5 million Canadians aren't getting the mental health care they need:

"Mental health is health. When you or someone you love needs care, you should get it. Cost-free.

Justin Trudeau and the Liberals promised Canadians they'd do better. Instead, they've let people down – Canada is doing three times worse on mental health than before the pandemic. Canada has a mental health crisis and care has been harder to come by as Canadians struggle to make ends meet. Too many go without the support they need because they can’t afford mental health services after paying for necessities like food and housing.

And the Conservatives would be no better, if given the chance, they'll do what Conservatives do best. Cut. Cut health care funding and cut mental health supports.

Both hurt our communities, loved ones, and especially the young people in our lives. The situation is grim right now for people who need help, but things can change. Supports can be better, Canada can deliver free, universal mental health care. Part of Canada’s COVID recovery needs to be a better focus on mental health care.

New Democrats would make mental health a part of our universal health care system – so that you don't have to pay out of pocket, we have a bill to do as much.”

Two Nuu-chah-Mnulth Women Awarded King Charles Medals

Port Alberni, BC

Two Nuu-chah-nulth women were awarded the King Charles medal in recognition of their decades of service to the community. Cyndi Stevens and Jeanette Watts received medals from MP Gord Johns at an elder’s dinner at the Port Alberni Friendship Center on November 12.

The King Charles III’s Coronation Medal commemorates the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III as King of Canada. Eligible candidates must have made a significant contribution to Canada or to a particular province, territory, region or community in the country, or have made an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada.

There are 30,000 medals being awarded across Canada. Johns said that he was tasked with nominating 20 people in his riding for service in their communities.

Johns said they were there to share a meal with the elders and “to honour two amazing women who have contributed immensely to the individual, family and community health and well-being of Indigenous people.”

Called on Federal Government to Re-Instate Critical Federal Funding

On November 5th, in question period I called on the federal government to re-instate critical federal funding which provides vital support to help people trying to find employment. This funding supports organizations like INEO Employment Services in Port Alberni who provide necessary training and capacity building for employment readiness.

This is not the time to cut funding like this, but to increased it as it has proven to be incredibly successful in building people up and helping fill gaps labour market shortages which supported our local economy and build resiliency in our local labour market.

Canada's Pharmacare Bill Update

I’m hearing lots of questions from constituents about Canada’s Pharmacare bill which the NDP has leveraged in this minority parliament. It became a reality last Thursday when it received royal assent.

Canada has been the only country in the world to offer universal healthcare without a pharmacare component. We started with diabetes and contraception which are essential and can cost many thousands of dollars out of pocket each year for Canadians. Agreements are required with provinces and our BCNDP government has already signed an MOU to provide this coverage.

It certainly wasn’t easy getting here, the Conservatives fought it all the way. But now, the 3.7 million people in Canada living with diabetes will have universal access to a suite of medications that reduce the risk of serious health complications and improve quality of life. The new program implements a universal first-dollar coverage Pharmacare plan for medications, meaning that the government pays the costs upfront.

The diabetes medications covered include first-line treatments that lower blood glucose levels, providing Canadians with access to essential therapies such as: Insulin which is used by patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes; Metformin, which is used by patients with Type 2 diabetes; and, medications often used in combination with insulin and metformin, including sulfonylureas and SGLT-2 inhibitors. For the full list, go here: https://bit.ly/4f6tC8K.

The new program will also support reproductive freedom by providing up to nine million women and gender diverse people in Canada free access to contraception.

We currently rely on a patchwork of private and public plans which defuse purchasing powers that can bring costs down. Still lots more work to establish a full-fledged program but now we have a framework with the goal to expand the number of covered medications in the future.

Without question, Pharmacare is the most significant enhancement to our healthcare system since the introduction of public healthcare in Canada.

Mental Health Services shouldn't come with a price tag

Ottawa- Today, on World Mental Health Day, NDP Mental Health and Harm Reduction Critic MP Gord Johns (Courtenay-Alberni) introduced a bill that aims to include community-based mental health, addictions, and substance use services in Canada's universal, public health care system. 

Every year, one in five Canadians experience a mental health problem or illness. A 2023 poll by the Canadian Mental Health Association found 87 percent of people living in Canada want universal mental health care. 

"Mental health is health. Anyone in need of mental health support should be able to find it, and not go broke when they get it," said Johns. "Canada is experiencing a mental health crisis, and the rising cost of living has poured fuel on the fire. Canadians are stressed and struggling to cope while supports like counselling or substance use disorder treatments are out of reach financially."

The liberal government promised to make mental health a full and equal part of Canada's public health care system but have failed to deliver any progress at a time Canadians need support more than ever. Johns' bill would ensure everyone can get access to the mental health services they need without worrying about the cost- the same way as visiting a doctor or going to the hospital: you pay with your health care, not your credit card. 

"As Canada faces compounding mental health, toxic drug, and homelessness crises, we can non longer accept a system where mental health care is treated as a luxury good. Untreated mental illness has enormous costs for Canadians, their families, and our communities," said Johns. "We urgently need a transformative change to our public health care system to ensure mental health is treated equally to physical health. That's what this bill aims to do" 

NDP Statement on World Mental Health Day and Mental Illness Awareness Week

NDP Mental Health and Harm Reduction Critic Gord Johns made the following statement: 

"Today, as we recognize World Mental Health Day and Mental Illness Awareness Week, we stand with those struggling with their mental health, and with those fighting for a public healthcare system that truly recognizes that mental health is health. 

We are all impacted by mental illness, either through personal experience or because we have watched people we know and love struggle. Every year, one in five Canadians experiences mental health issues, but too many cannot get help when they need it because of long waitlists or out-of-pocket costs. 

The rising cost of living has caused enormous stress for Canadians and worsened financial barriers that prevent people from accessing supports. The Liberal government promised to make mental health a full and equal partner of Canada's public healthcare system, but they have failed to deliver. 

As Canada faces compounding mental health, toxic drug, and homelessness crises, we can no longer accept a system where mental health care is treated as a luxury good. That is why today I am introducing a bill that proposes to bring community-delivered mental health services into our universal health care system. 

The NDP has always advocated for accessible mental health care, and we will keep up that fight until all Canadians can get support when they need it most."