Federal NDP strategizes in Alberni

“It’s an incredible experience when your colleagues and the whole party centres and starts in the riding where I represent, in Courtenay – Alberni,” he said. “I’m just deeply honoured and deeply humbled that my colleagues would choose to start their journey here.”

Interim leader Don Davies said Vancouver Island is a microcosm of the Nation and is experiencing a housing, opioid, economic and climate crisis.

“I think all of those issues are very much affecting people here on Vancouver Island so the solutions and ideas that we’re hearing in Parksville, Courtenay and in Port Alberni are things that we can be able to bring back to Ottawa and help be part of the solutions moving forward,” he said.

The Tseshaht First Nation hosted the meeting and Chief Councillor Ken Watts said he was happy to educate the MP’s from across Canada about their issues, and support Johns in his work advocating for people on the west coast.

“It was beneficial because we want everyone to know not just our issues, but also our solutions as Tseshaht, and share that with the entire caucus so they’re aware of the work that we’ve done,” he said. “We also wanted to stand up Gord Johns in front of the rest of his party and talk about the work that he’s been doing, advocating on our behalf and to acknowledge him in front of his peers and to thank him for all the work he done, advocating not just for Tseshaht or for Nuu-chah-nulth Nation, but for his entire riding.”

The MP’s will be meeting today in Courtenay before returning to Ottawa on the weekend.

by David Wiwchar

Federal NDP strategizes in Alberni

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