Opinion: New Democrats will always support and defend supply management
By NDP MP Gord Johns
www.hilltimes.com/story/2026/0...
Great meeting with Jasmine Tomczyk, a passionate young Oceanside community advocate to talk about food security, regenerative agriculture, and supporting local farmers.
Food is a human right and building strong, sustainable local food systems is key to healthy communities and climate resilience.
Great visiting L'Arche Comox Valley in Courtenay and meeting with residents and ED Lynda Brosko. Their Anchorage Project would create supportive housing and community space for adults with diverse abilities. I’m continuing to advocate in Ottawa for federal support through CMHC.
Last week at committee (OGGO) I asked Transportation Safety Board Chair about Canada’s readiness for marine emergencies. After spills like ZIM Kingston, warnings persist. Too often First Nations, volunteers, and coastal communities bear the burden when disasters happen.Time
for Canada to fix this.
Happy International Women’s Day. Today we celebrate the leadership, resilience, & contributions of women and girls in our communities and around the world. It’s also a time to recommit to advancing equality, protecting hard-won rights, and ensuring every woman and girl has the opportunity to thrive.
At committee last week I questioned TSB Chair Yoan Marier about safety concerns in Tofino Harbour after the 2021 floatplane/water taxi collision. Communities shouldn’t be left to navigate federal safety systems. Ottawa must provide the tools and $$$ support needed to keep people safe.
Great meeting with Daniella Novak from the Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce. We talked about supporting local businesses, strengthening partnerships with the Town, and the Chamber’s important role connecting entrepreneurs in the community. Also, possibly the best Chamber office view anywhere!
@cmhanationalacsm.bsky.social
Mental health care must be treated as health care, with parity in our system.
I met with Sarah Kennell and SM Leduc from the Canadian Mental Health Association to discuss the need for federal leadership before nearly $600M in agreements expire in 2027.
Canadians deserve timely, accessible care.
Port Alberni is sending one of our own to the world stage, and we couldn’t be prouder. 🇨🇦
Chase Nicklin is heading to the 2026 Winter Paralympics tomorrow, representing the grit and heart of the Alberni Valley.
Let’s make some noise at home. Go Chase! Go Canada! 🍁
Nowhere has the “free market” solved an affordable housing crisis alone. As I noted Netherlands 34% non-market housing, Denmark 21%, Britain 16%, France 17%. Canada sits at just 3.4%. We need a real plan to scale co-ops, public and geared-to-income homes, with federal investment to match the crisis.
The NDP strongly condemns the American and Israeli bombings of Iran. This is a dangerous escalation already causing a wider conflict. Iran’s nuclear program must be addressed through the UN and the IAEA. Diplomacy, accountability and international law, not more war.
Saturday I joined the Coldest Night walk in Port Alberni. So proud of our riding with 3 events and communities showing up. Grateful to the organizers, volunteers and donors. Funds raised in Port Alberni supported Sage Haven and their vital work which strengthens families and our whole community.
The cuts have finally come to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Recently, more than 665 employees have lost their jobs, and we now know that seven research facilities across the country are slated for closure.
www.nfu.ca/canadian-gov...
Today pharmacare begins in B.C. New Democrats used our leverage in the House of Commons to force the Liberals to deliver this program. Hundreds of thousands will now receive free diabetes medications & menopausal hormone therapy. No more choosing between food and prescriptions. #Pharmacare
Joined the BCGEU and frontline wildland firefighters this week. Many are misclassified under the National Occupational Classification as forestry workers, not firefighters, blocking access to cancer screening, workers’ comp, and safety data. Parliament must fix this.
Met the Wounded Warrior Run BC at East Wellington Fire as they run across Vancouver Is. A show of solidarity with veterans, first responders, and families, and a call to support invisible wounds. Proud of Courtenay–Alberni runners Christina Horns and Karen Petraschuk. woundedwarriors.ca/donate/
Met with Kenton Boston of Canadian Men’s Health Foundation, reaching 2M Canadians with practical, evidence-based programs and delivering a 5:1 ROI in first-responder mental-health supports. Prevention, community connection and real accountability must be central to universal mental-health care.
Family doctors are stretched thin, yet Ottawa adds more paperwork. I called on the government to accept provincial disability approvals for the Disability Tax Credit, cut red tape, support our doctors, and ensure people with disabilities can access the benefits they deserve.
Honoured to bring a Nunavut flag to École Alberni Elementary in Port Alberni where students are learning about Inuit culture and Inuktitut in the spirit of reconciliation. Understanding and respect begin with learning. #PortAlberni, #Nunavut, #Reconciliation
Presented a petition in the House of Commons calling on the government to end the discriminatory “marriage after 60” clause that denies survivor pensions to veterans’ spouses. Veterans deserve fairness, dignity, and the right to love without penalty. It’s time to fix this injustice.
At the Legislature for the provincial budget last week to hear about the doubling of the Volunteer Firefighter Tax Credit. Huge shout-out to Stephanie Hiigginson and Parksville's Sean Wood for their leadership.
Met with @gordjohns.bsky.social today to discuss the $500M in stalled active transportation funding. 🚲🇨🇦
We are calling on Minister @gregorrobertson.bsky.social to approve pending applications NOW so communities don't miss the 2026 construction window. 🛠️
#CdnPoli #ActiveTransportation
Our coast is our home. I was proud to support Bill C-244 to hold vessel owners accountable and prevent abandoned boats from polluting our waters. We must also invest in ghost gear cleanup and responsible ship recycling in Port Alberni. Protecting our coast is protecting our future.
While on the west coast, I met with fishers, including Area G troller Dan Edwards, to hear concerns about the Salmon Allocation Policy review. People deserve clear answers, not fear or misinformation. Rebuilding wild salmon must be the priority. I will be taking this message to the minister.
Heartbreaking finish this morning. Team Canada left everything on the ice in an incredible gold medal game. Across Courtenay–Alberni and Vancouver Island, people were up early cheering together. Thank you to every player who wore the maple leaf with pride. You inspired us all.
Grateful to Cyndi Stevens for the invite to the Family Dinner at Port Alberni Friendship Centre, celebrating Hoobiyee and Lunar New Year. Heard from elders about housing and rising costs. I will keep pushing in Ottawa to renew funding for Friendship Centres so they can keep serving community.
Health care is too important to take for granted. In Parliament, New Democrats are asking the hard questions and pushing for pharmacare, mental health parity, and fair transfers. I’ll always stand up for public health care, because care must be based on need, not the ability to pay.
Co-chaired another Alberni Valley Ship Recycling Leadership Working Group meeting with Josie Osborne, FNs, and local partners. No decisions yet. This work will only move forward with Indigenous consent, strong environmental standards, and community support. Port Alberni deserves nothing less.
Ucluelet has secured over $19M in federal infrastructure funding and $2M+ for housing in recent years. Those investments help businesses grow and families stay. I’ll always be proud to stand with Ucluelet and advocate for this community in Ottawa. 2/2
