OTTAWA – Over 20,000 Canadians have died of overdoses in the last five years and, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the opioid overdose epidemic has gotten even worse. Yesterday, the NDP’s critic for mental health and addictions, Gord Johns, introduced a private member’s bill to tackle this emergency by decriminalizing personal possession and taking a health-based approach to substance use.
“While Canadians have been living through the COVID-19 pandemic, another pandemic has also been impacting our communities. Despite what they say, the Liberals have continuously ignored calls from health experts, police chiefs and big Canadian cities to treat the opioid crisis like a health crisis,” said Johns. “The bill I put forward will make sure those suffering with substance abuse issues are not treated like criminals. It will make it easier for people to get the help they need without the stigma and unsafe supply those struggling with addiction have always faced.”
IN THE NEWS- Gord asks when government will finally take action on overdose deaths
OTTAWA — Member of Parliament Gord Johns (Courtenay-Alberni) rose in the House of Commons today to ask the Prime Minister when he will finally take action to prevent overdose deaths in Canada.
“The Public Health Agency of Canada reported an 88% increase in opioid related deaths last year,” MP Johns said, “The Prime Minister has repeatedly said we need to listen to public health officials to get through the pandemic but when it comes to the overdose crisis, he is ignoring those same health officials.”
IN THE NEWS- Canadians are feeling the impacts of climate change, while Justin Trudeau refuses to take leadership
COURTENAY - As devastating flooding continues in B.C., New Democrats are calling on the federal government to invest in the climate-resistant infrastructure communities desperately need. The Environment and Sustainable Development Commissioner’s report last week gave a dire warning about our future if we continue with the same approach to climate change. Local NDP MP Gord Johns (Courtenay-Alberni) is calling on the government to finally take meaningful action on the climate crisis by cutting emissions and helping workers and communities transition to a low-carbon future
“People in this province have faced the extremes of the climate crisis over the past few months with record breaking heat and devastating flooding,” said Johns. “Canadians cannot afford to wait while the Liberals refuse to take real action on this crisis. New Democrats will continue to fight to get Canadians the results they need."
IN THE NEWS - MP Gord Johns appointed mental health and addictions critic
Gord Johns, Member of Parliament for Courtenay-Alberni, has been appointed NDP critic for mental health and addictions by NDP leader Jagmeet Singh.
“Canadians have been through a lot in the past 18 months,” said Singh in a press release. “Now more than ever, they need elected leaders who will have their backs and fight for mental health and addictions supports. Gord Johns has been a tireless advocate for mental health and addictions supports both in the community and in parliament. Canadians can count on Gord to stand up for them and deliver on this critically important issue.”
IN THE NEWS-MP Gord Johns argues Fed should be held accountable for violence against Mi'kmaw fishery
The federal NDP fisheries critic Gord Johns says heads need to roll in Ottawa after an APTN News report revealed multiple federal agencies failed to protect Mi'Kmaw lobster harvesters from violent vigilante actions officials knew were coming last September.
"It's at every level of government and every department that they failed to protect those fishers and their safety" said MP Gord Johns.
IN THE NEWS- MP Johns calls on Federal Government to provide support to Veterans
Courtenay-Alberni MP Gord Johns has called on the federal Liberal government to provide support to local legions and other veterans services affected by COVID-19.
“We were encouraged when the Prime Minister promised that help was coming to veterans service organizations during one of his daily updates in June,” said Johns in a press release. “There has been nothing since then and veterans are increasingly isolated and in need of mental health and other services that have been interrupted because of the pandemic.”
IN THE NEWS- Comox Valley MPs Want Feds to Stabilize Childcare Sector
As businesses and the economy continue to re-open, New Democrats MPs are calling on the federal government to invest in building a universal child care and early learning system that delivers the help families need to go back to work.
“Canadians have been through a lot in the last few weeks. As people begin to go back to work we have to make sure they’re getting the support they need,” said NDP MP Gord Johns (Courtenay–Alberni). “Liberals have been promising child care since 1993 – that’s 26 years! Enough is enough. It’s time for the Liberals to stop making empty promises and actually make meaningful investments in child care.”
IN THE NEWS-Huuayaht First Nations- MP Gord Johns commits to helping on housing efforts
Huu-ay-aht leadership met with MP Gord Johns on Tuesday to discuss the Nations plans when it comes to housing in tits territory.
Johns gave the Nation his word that he would connect them with the people who hold portfolios relevant to housing and infrastructure. He said the fact that Huu-ay-aht is contributing a significant amount of money will be well received in Ottawa.
"You're the best at presenting information, and I am always happy to advocate for Huu-ay-aht First Nations," Johns said. "I can make sure you are talking to the right people and we just have to use the tools we have in Ottawa to move this forward"
IN THE NEWS-Powell River- MP Gord Johns asks Liberals to keep their promise for fish farms
Courtenay-Alberni NDP MP Gord Johns is asking the Liberal Government to stick to its promise of transiting to closed pen fish farms by 2025.
"The Liberals promised they would move to on-land, closed containment salmon farms on the BC coast by 2025. Now they're saying they won't even have a plan until 2025. It's too long to wait for a plan, people need action," said Johns.
"People across my riding depend on wild salmon, and with historic lows in salmon returns the government has to act immediately to get the transition started as soon as possible"
IN THE NEWS-MP Gord Johns' ocean plastics motion passes unanimously
A motion to combat marine plastics pollution was passed unanimously by a vote in the House of Commons today.
The private member motion, moved by Courtenay-Alberni MP, calls for a national framework for the reduction and eventual elimination of plastic pollution in aquatic environments.
"The passage of this motion with a unanimous vote is a tremendous victory for our oceans and coastal communities," Johns said in a press release. "It is a firm acknowledgement that direct and immediate action is required to fill the legislative and regulatory void related to marine plastic pollution in Canada.
IN THE NEWS- Motion for Veterans passes Unanimously in House of Commons
A motion to reallocate unspent funding for Canada's veterans passed unanimously in the House of Commons today.
Courtenay-Alberni MP and NDP Veterans Affairs Critic Gord Johns tabled a motion on Monday to reallocate the federal government's lapsed funding to improve services and benefits for Canadian veterans. Johns stood before the House of Commons and asked the federal government to "make sure of this lapsed spending so that veterans get the services they need'