CAMPBELL RIVER, B.C.-Jagmeet Singh says he loves Vancouver Island’s fresh air. The federal NDP leader visited Campbell River today.
He took a tour of the John Howard Society’s Foundry, a program that offers a variety of services for people between the ages of 12 and 24, and spoke at a Campbell River & District Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Singh was joined by North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney, who he called an “incredible advocate” and “strong champion” for the community.
During the visit Singh discussed what issues the NDP wants to address heading into next year’s federal election, with the focus being income inequality and protecting the environment. Singh says while the Liberal government touts the strong economy, everyday Canadians aren’t seeing the benefits.
He cited a recent Oxfam report that 82 per cent of the wealth generated in the world in 2017 went to the richest one per cent. Singh said an NDP government would take steps to close down offshore tax havens and other loopholes that keep the wealthiest from paying their fair share.
Another big issue is affordable housing, which he says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberals aren’t doing enough to fix:
Singh added the NDP would build affordable units right away, support co-operative housing models and take steps to address speculation in the real estate market.
Another problem affecting the country, and Campbell River in particular, that Singh discussed was the opioid crisis. He says we need to change the way we go about dealing with it:
Singh says an NDP government would declare the opioid problem a public health emergency and redirect resources away from prosecution and imprisonment to harm reduction and rehabilitation, which is similar to a successful model Portugal has put in place.
If you’d like to hear Singh speak in person, he’ll also be in Courtenay tonight for a free “JagMeet and Greet” open to everyone at the Florence Filberg Centre from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. You can register for that event at this website. He’ll be joined there by Rachel Blaney and Courtenay-Alberni MP Gord Johns.
Blaney said during today’s visit in Campbell River that’s she’s happy Singh has made a commitment to visiting as many places in Canada and speaking with as many people as possible, because the challenges facing rural and remote communities often get forgotten by party leaders.
