In The News

IN THE NEWS: Courtenay-Alberni MP introduces bill to make mental health services accessible

Courtenay-Alberni MP Gord Johns is introducing a new bill that aims to make mental health services accessible for all.

The bill, The Mental Health Parity Act, proposes that mental health, addictions, and substance use services into Canada’s universal, public health care system. It would introduce framework for the federal government to partner with provinces and territories to provide public coverage, and is modelled after the Canada Health Act. It will also include provisions to promote public accountability to reduce regional disparities in coverage.

“Canada is facing an affordability crisis at the same time as a mental health crisis. Too many Canadians can’t access mental health supports when they need them most because of out-of-pocket costs,” said Johns. “Neglecting Canadians’ mental health is costing families, communities, and our economy. It’s time to stop treating physical and mental health differently under our public health care system.”

IN THE NEWS: NDP MP Gord Johns Tables Bill To Make Mental Health Services Accessible For All

Courtenay-Alberni MP Gord Johns has introduced a bill in the House of Commons, aiming to bring mental health, addictions, and substance use services into Canada’s universal, public health care system.

Johns says Canada is facing an affordability crisis at the same time as a mental health crisis.

“Too many Canadians can’t access mental health supports when they need them most because of out-of-pocket costs,” said Johns.

IN THE NEWS: After daughter’s death, Canadian mom takes on Ukrainian seller of suicide kits

NDP MP Gord Johns, who has advocated for online harms legislation in the past, said it’s long past time for there to be an online regulator for Canadians.

“The online world can’t be this lawless space where corporations can exploit children without any consequences, and that’s what is happening right now,” he said.

IN THE NEWS: Vancouver Island MP calls for more equitable ferry fares across Canada

“According to the Library of Parliament, when you look at per passenger subsidy, on the east coast they’re getting about $291 per passenger. In B.C. it’s about $1.63 in terms of federal subsidies,” said Johns.

Johns argued for ferry parity in Parliament Wednesday. His full address can be found here.

“The issue is that Vancouver Islanders are asking why essential marine highways on the west coast aren’t treated with the same level of federal importance. The federal government keeps pointing to constitutional agreements signed more than 80 years ago and funding formulas created nearly 50 years ago when Vancouver island had 450,000 residents,” said Johns.

IN THE NEWS: MP takes Island issues to Ottawa

Courtenay – Alberni MP Gord Johns says there’s a huge disparity between east coast and west coast ferries.

He said BC Ferries received approximately $1.63 in federal funding per passenger, while east coast ferry systems received approximately $291 per passenger, roughly 178 times more than BC Ferries.

“We often hear about western alienation, well it’s real, and few large populations in Canada understand that feeling better than Vancouver Islanders,” he said. “This isn’t about taking away support from Atlantic Canadians – their ferry systems are essential national infrastructure – the question Vancouver Islanders are asking is why essential marine highways on the west coast aren’t treated with the same level of federal importance?”

Johns said the BC Ferries funding formula with the feds is more than 50 years old, when the population of Vancouver Island was around 450,000 people.

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."

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