In The News

IN THE NEWS: Island MP tables bill on veteran, RCMP and civil servant pension benefits

“It’s an honour to introduce this bill today, just ahead of Remembrance Day next week, which seeks to eliminate the gold digger clause, which penalizes spouses who marry after the age of 60,” said Courtenay-Alberni MP Gord Johns as he introduced his private members’ bill on Nov. 7.

“My bill amends certain acts related to survivor pension benefits so that spouses of Canadian military, RCMP and federal civil servants who marry after age 60 are not punished for having found love later in life,” said Johns.

“Over 8,900 veteran spouses don’t get the pension of the veteran when they pass away, and 98 per cent of those that are impacted are women, and so I mean this is an unfair policy that’s in place that harms spouses of veterans and caregivers,” said Johns.

IN THE NEWS: Coulson praises MP for federal support

Port Alberni’s Coulson Aviation could be in line for a share of $257 million for aerial firefighting if the Federal Liberal’s budget passes.

Company owner Wayne Coulson credits the political support of Courtenay – Alberni MP Gord Johns and others.

“Gord‘s been pushing extremely hard on the federal government to pivot and change and provide support to the promises, and working with Josie Osborne and Minister Ravi Parmar he’s been amazing,” he said. “They’ve been back east talking about the wildfire problems in the province, and BC is really looking to increase their initial attack capability with large airplanes.”

Island MP wants day of remembrance for Canadian forces killed in peacetime

“We should not forget the risks members of our Armed Forces face, even in times of peace,” said MP Johns.

Since 1914, an estimated 2,000 Canadian Armed Forces members have died in non-combat roles in Canada.

“We must also remember veterans who have lost their lives as a result of post-traumatic stress disorder,” said Johns. Between, 2013 and 2024, at least 177 members of the Regular Force and 36 members of the Reserve Force died by suicide.

“This day will ensure we never forget the service and sacrifice of those who made it their lives’ work to protect Canada and uphold Canadian ideals,” said Johns.

IN THE NEWS: NDP MP Gord Johns raises pipeline project issue in House of Commons

“Coastal First Nations have been clear for decades: there is no social license for crude oil pipelines and tankers on the Great Bear Coast,” said Johns on October 6.

“They have built a conservation-based economy that creates jobs, supports communities, and protects globally significant ecosystems. The Prime Minister promised no province or Indigenous group would be forced into a project they do not support—this government must keep that promise.”

Port Alberni eyed for West Coast ship dismantling, recycling hub

The association is part of a working group, led by Courtney-Alberni NDP MP Gord Johns and Mid Island-Pacific Rim MLA Josie Osborne, that has zeroed in on Port Alberni as an ideal spot for the effort.

“The Alberni Valley is uniquely positioned to attract the infrastructure and business investment needed for ship recycling and dry dock facilities,” Johns said, characterizing it as a potential “nation-building” project for Ottawa.

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.

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