In The News

IN THE NEWS: MP Gord Johns Calls For Federal Recognition Of Wildland Firefighters

Wildland and forest firefighters currently remain excluded from the firefighter occupational category under the federal classification system, despite carrying out dangerous emergency response work including wildfire suppression, evacuations, and protecting communities and infrastructure.

Johns says those workers are doing the same frontline work as other firefighters but are being denied equal recognition and protections because of what he calls an outdated federal classification.

IN THE NEWS: Ship recycling receives support

The federal government is about to enact legislation demanding ship breaking operations be environmentally and socially responsible, at the request of Courtenay – Alberni MP Gord Johns.

With the Comox Valley Regional District filing a lawsuit against Deep Water Recovery at Union Bay, Johns said Canada needs better ship recycling guidelines and support for future ship recycling ventures.

“I’m asking the Prime Minister right now to include ship recycling in the national ship building strategy, which will release hundreds of millions of dollars for infrastructure so that we can do this in a responsible way and in the right way, but also do it quickly because these vessels pose an immediate threat to our coast and our environment and our economy,” he said.

IN THE NEWS: MP Johns rejects Pollievre’s Plan, says cuts should come from corporations

Courtenay – Alberni MP Gord Johns called the Conservative’s push to eliminate fuel taxes short sighted and naive.

He said Pierre Pollievre’s populist pitch to push prices down will lead to further pain down the road.

“They want to take taxes off of gas without making the big oil and gas companies that are going to profit even more with this war and put it on the backs of Canadians later, whether you’re running a deeper deficit or taking away important funding that’s critical for infrastructure, roads, things that people need and rely on,” he said.

Johns said price cuts should be covered by the oil companies who are profitting from the price spike related to the war in Iran.

Courtenay-Alberni MP Gord Johns holding town halls in riding communities

Courtenay-Alberni MP Gord Johns will be hosting a series of town halls in April, which will focus on understanding the economy.

“The economy affects every part of our daily life, from the cost of groceries and housing to the availability of good local jobs and the strength of our communities,” reads a press release on the town halls. “A strong economy means secure, well-paying work. It means wages keep pace with rising cost and young people building their future on Vancouver Island.”

OP-ED: New Democrats will always support and defend supply management

MP Johns: "Supply management is not a loophole. It is not a handout. It is a deliberate public policy choice that has kept family farms viable, food local, and rural communities strong for more than 50 years."

IN THE NEWS: Port Alberni raises $55,000 in Coldest Night of the Year walk

Elected officials were at the walk to support Sage Haven with Member of Parliament Gord Johns, MLA Josie Osborne and several city councillors attending.

Johns noted this is the first CNOY walk without Ellen Frood, Sage Haven’s former executive director who passed away in the fall.

“It was Ellen’s compassion and leadership that helped build Sage Haven into the safe haven it is today. So her legacy lives on in every life supported and every person who finds safety because Sage Haven is there for them,” Johns said.

IN THE NEWS: MP Gord Johns connects Port Alberni class with Nunavut through flag, culture

Johns was in Nunavut recently for the NDP’s caucus retreat. He and other NDP MPs visited Rankin Inlet, and Johns said he left the hamlet “humbled and energized” after speaking with workers and residents. He attended a traditional feast with other caucus members at the Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre.

“Nunavut is an experience that will stay with me always,” he posted. “I came away from this (feast) and our entire experience in Nunavut with even greater wonder and pride for the diversity of our country.”

IN THE NEWS: NDP health critic calls on federal health minister to challenge Alberta’s Bill 11

“We cannot let this happen, not in Alberta, not anywhere in Canada,” said Johns. “Public health care is one of the things that defines us as a country. It’s not a business opportunity; it’s a shared commitment we make to each other. We cannot allow it to be dismantled.”

IN THE NEWS: Seed protections for farmers supported by NDP Agriculture Critic Gord Johns

“Canadians know how important it is to keep seed in farmers’ hands. Thousands have signed an e-petition asking the government to drop its plans to restrict the age-old practice of saving farm seed. I am honoured to present this petition in the House of Commons today,” added MP Johns.

“I will keep fighting to make sure farmers’ voices are heard,” said Johns, who supports the NFU position that further entrenchment of largely foreign private plant breeding in the fruit, vegetable, and ornamental sectors will be a direct threat to food security, seed sovereignty and farmer autonomy.

IN THE NEWS: Make federal funding permanent for Canada’s suicide crisis helpline, say Conservative and NDP critics

NDP health critic Gord Johns (Courtenay-Alberni, B.C.) said the service “saves lives” and reduces pressure on emergency rooms.

“How do you attract long-term staff and how do you build the infrastructure that’s necessary? 988 is essential health infrastructure, so it needs to be treated like that,” Johns said about the short-term funding.

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