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Tuesday, August 18, 2015
» Election
NDP a vote for change: Johns
Local candidate believes the Canadian economy cannot grow without protecting the environment
MARTIN WISSMATH ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
G
ord Johns believes his party is the only viable challenger to the Conservative government in the upcoming federal election. Johns is running for the New Democratic Party in the newly formed Courtenay–Alberni riding, and started his campaign early this year. He’s campaigning for change. As a born-and-raised Vancouver Islander with experience running small business and local government on the West Coast, Johns is confident he can provide a voice in Parliament for the Alberni Valley’s socio-economic needs — needs that the Conservative government has neglected, he said. Those economic needs don’t have to sacrifice a concern for the environment, according to Johns; actually, the two work hand-in-hand. “We can protect the environment and grow the Canadian economy,” Johns said, adding you can’t have one without the other. The Conservatives have harmed Canada’s reputation internationally by their environmental practices in the last 10 years, said Johns, notably by “putting all their eggs in one basket” in a focus on developing the oil and gas industry. He upholds the Norwegian model, which sends hundreds of millions of dollars to developing countries to offset carbon emissions, as an example to follow. “This is the kind of leadership I’d like Canada to take,” he said.
Gord Johns at his new campaign office on 10th Avenue and Roger Street, with campaign volunteer Jane Armstrong. He owns a home in Port Alberni and his children attend local schools, he said. [MARTIN WISSMATH, TIMES]
Although the Conservatives have promised to balance the budget, they haven’t done that either, Johns noted. Their efforts at limiting federal spending have been at the expense of provincial and municipal taxpayers, he added. When asked about the proposed Liquefied Natural Gas shipment terminal on the Alberni Inlet, Johns praised the Huuay-aht First Nations involvement but said it’s too early for comment on the project.
As for the transshipment container hub: “I think that’s a great idea,” he said, adding there is “plenty of economic potential” in the Valley. As part of the NDP platform, Johns doesn’t believe in the “trickle-down” effect of boosting the economy by giving large corporate tax breaks. He advocates taxing big businesses, with wealthy executives, to provide subsidies for students, families and seniors. “Canada’s largest corporations
are going to have to pay their share,” Johns said. One way to help families is to subsidize early childhood education and set up a $15-perday childcare program, he described. That would free parents to enter the workforce and ease the burden of household debt, he said. By cutting healthcare spending, the federal government has reduced its contributions to 18 per cent of the healthcare budget, “downloading” the
remaining 82 per cent for provincial coffers, Johns said. He’d like to increase federal spending to 50 per cent. In particular, seniors are hurt by the Conservative cuts, he noted. Rather than NDP candidates being “whipped” into towing the party line, Johns said it’s a benefit when voters know that they are choosing a candidate who is “progressive” on social issues. “I’m definitely pro-choice,” Johns said. His healthcare views include support for doctor-assisted suicide, which requires a model that “protects people while they’re sane, to make sound decisions,” he said. He is always willing to listen to all sides, he added. The Alberni Valley, which consistently ranks low in socioeconomic assessments, needs help from the federal government to boost small business investment, infrastructure upgrades and the manufacturing industry, Johns said. The NDP proposes “an innovation tax credit to stimulate manufacturing,” he noted. That would benefit local lumber mills who need a break in order to afford better equipment, he said. “I’m not a forestry expert, but I do know that they need support in innovation and technology,” Johns said. The NDP leader, Thomas Mulcair, visits the riding today, though he won’t be in Port Alberni. Mulcair is in Parksville for a Rally for Change from 12–2 p.m. and in Courtenay at 6 p.m. Martin.Wissmath@avtimes.net
DISASTER
Fire destroys family’s home in Beaver Creek “The whole deck was on fire within seconds.”
KRISTI DOBSON ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
A fire left a young family homeless in the early hours of Saturday morning only nine days after relocating to Port Alberni. Christine Donaldson and Kodie Love are originally from Port Alberni and recently moved back to be closer to family. Along with their 16 1/2-monthold baby, they hadn’t yet settled into in a trailer on family property when it suddenly caught fire. Expecting a second child, Donaldson said the blaze struck before they had a chance to unpack and set them back on renovation plans. “We were doing renovations and had ripped out the carpet and did some painting,” she said. “All the wood for the flooring was on the deck and it was worth about $1,000. We’re just really disappointed.” At about midnight on Friday night, Donaldson stepped into the shower while Love took their son for a car ride to help him sleep. When she got out, she assumed Love was home, but
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Christine Donaldson, fire victim
A family that moved to the Alberni Valley less than two weeks ago was left without a home Saturday when a fire destroyed a house in Beaver Creek. The Beaver Creek Volunteer Fire Department attended to the blaze. [SUBMITTED PHOTO]
instead saw the deck on fire. “The whole deck was on fire within seconds,” she said. “I grabbed my phone and ran down the driveway to call 911. By then the whole place was up in smoke.”
The family did not have content insurance and so far estimate they have lost about $2,000 in renovation costs, as well as $2,500 in tools and equipment from family members. According to Donaldson,
the cause of the fire is still unknown. “It’s frustrating not knowing and I’m curious,” Donaldson said. “I hope they can figure it out so we have some closure.” The community has pulled
Questions raised about apartment development
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Proliferation of local distilleries means all kinds of new opportunity for some authentic local martinis.
together with an outpouring of support with donations of baby clothing, furniture, gift certificates and money. “The support is amazing,” Donaldson said. “It is unbelievable how Port Alberni pulled together. We also had support from Salmon Arm, Ontario and Grand Prairie. We are blessed to have so many people back us up.” Donaldson said they have enough baby clothes for now, but if anyone would like to donate furniture or kitchen items, a drop off location has been established at 4548 Alwyn Street. A gofundme.com fundraising site has also been set up under “Donaldson/Love family fire fund” where financial contributions can be made. Kristi.Dobson@avtimes.net
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