In The News

IN THE NEWS - Courtenay-Alberni MP Gord Johns wants a national aerial firefighting fleet

MP Johns highlighted Port Alberni–based Coulson Aviation, a world leader in retrofitting and building aircraft such as the retired CC-130 Hercules, which have been successfully deployed internationally to combat wildfires. He underscored that investing in Canadian-built solutions would not only strengthen national resilience but also create high-skilled aerospace jobs here at home.

He said that people in his riding were seeing an "increase in intensity and cost of wildfires in Canada, not just in British Columbia but across the country that requires bold and timely action.

“Will the government commit in this budget to establishing a permanent national aerial firefighting fleet — so Canada can defend our communities from climate disasters while also meeting its NATO obligations?” Johns asked.

IN THE NEWS - Water-bottle ban Tofino's latest effort to tackle plastic waste

Mayor Law said the beaches are in a better state than they used to be, thanks to locals picking up trash and a clean-up campaign by MP Gord Johns. But Law wants policies to stop plastic from going into the ocean in the first place.

“Ideally, the federal government would step in and ban the manufacturing and sale of single-use plastics, but things happen in real time,” he said.

IN THE NEWS - Not Every Canadian MP Stood to Honour Charlie Kirk

In a letter, MP Johns tells his constituents he didn’t participate in the standing ovation.

“I do not support or share the views of Charlie Kirk or the hateful, divisive politics he promoted. His record of misogyny, xenophobia, racism and homophobia runs counter to the values I hold and the inclusive, just Canada we are all working to build,” Johns said.

He added that he abhors political violence: “A democratic society cannot function if people are attacked or killed for their beliefs, no matter how much we may oppose those beliefs. Violence and extremism — whether in the United States or here in Canada — tear communities apart and endanger our democracy.”

IN THE NEWS - NDP seeking to scrap labour code section that lets Ottawa shut down strikes

OTTAWA — NDP MP and labour critic Alexandre Boulerice said Tuesday his party plans to table a private member's bill this fall to scrap a section of the Canada Labour Code that lets the government shut down strikes.

Boulerice told a press conference that the Liberals and Conservatives have abused Section 107, which allows a minister to order binding arbitration and end work stoppages.

Last month, just hours after Air Canada flight attendants hit the picket line, Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu invoked Section 107 to order binding arbitration and get workers back on the job.

IN THE NEWS - Five takeaways from the first day of the fall sitting of Parliament

Quebec NDP MP Alexandre Boulerice said Monday his caucus is ready to collaborate with the government “if it gets results.”

Speaking to reporters outside of West Block, NDP MP Gord Johns said this isn’t the time for deep spending cuts and that he won’t support an austerity budget.

IN THE NEWS - 'Small but mighty' NDP caucus re-energizing supporters in Courtenay

"Right now the NDP couldn't be more relevant," MP Gord Johns said. "People want to talk about us being wiped out, well that hasn't happened. Right now people need us more than ever."

Johns talked about housing, cost of living and supporting the economy while facing tariffs from south of the border as priorities for his party.

IN THE NEWS - Courtenay-Alberni MP Gord Johns wins forest community champion award

"I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition from the Forest Products Association of Canada. Forestry has always been at the heart of our communities and our economy, and I believe its future lies in sustainable practices, innovation, clean energy and respect for the land and waters that sustain us," MP Johns said in the release.

He has represented Courtenay–Alberni as an NDP MP since 2015, advocating for environmental stewardship, sustainable economic development and strong communities.

Johns has advocated for the forest sector during his decade as an MP, promoting sustainable forestry, biomass innovation and value-added wood products that will create rural jobs and reduce waste.

“MP Johns is connected to his community and is a thoughtful champion of Canadian forestry. He is well aware of the importance of seizing the current moment to set our mills up for success for the future,” said Derek Nighbor, president and CEO of FPAC.

He recently introduced a petition to Parliament seeking implementation of the biomass investment tax credit which to strengthen the economy by using biomass energy as a sustainable way to create power.

IN THE NEWS - Wait times at ‘bloated and Byzantine’ CRA frustrates Canadians, B.C. MP says

“What we know is that when you owe the government money, they have no problem getting ahold of you,” Gord Johns, MP for Courtenay-Alberni, told Global News.

“And they’ll freeze your bank accounts, they’ll shut your business down, they’ll send their collection agents after you, and they’re gonna come after their money and they gonna get ahold you. But when you have a problem or a dispute or a concern over something to do with CRA or you need their help, you’re put on hold, often your call’s dropped, or no one answers the phone.”

IN THE NEWS - ‘It’s got to change’: Island MP lashes out at CRA delays

“It’s got to change, because the complaints keep piling up.”

That’s how Courtenay-Alberni Member of Parliament Gord Johns is feeling as complaints against the Canada Revenue Agency continue to add up.

“You know the government has no problem going after people if they feel they own them money but if people have questions or concerns they can’t get an answer,” Johns added.

“People are left frustrated. They need to re-open CRA offices so that people can actually go in and get some help. That was cut under the Harper era and things are even getting worse under this Liberal government,” said Johns.

IN THE NEWS - Ottawa sets 100-day timeline to fix CRA call centre delays

Gord Johns, an NDP MP in British Columbia, wrote his own letter to Champagne dated Aug. 26 in which he shared his constituents' complaints about the CRA's service.

He said his constituents reported dropped calls and spending long hours on hold, and sometimes had to wait weeks for the agency to address problems.

In his letter, Johns said typical wait times of three to five days to resolve concerns now stretch into weeks.

"While I appreciate and value the professionalism of CRA staff, these resource shortages are resulting in unacceptable service delays for both MPs and constituents," Johns wrote.

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