Clients of the Campbell River Food Bank were served by a special guest on Monday, as food bank volunteers put federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh to work stocking food bags.

Singh was in Campbell River as part of a visit to the North Island-Powell River riding. The goal of the trip was to learn from local non-profit and social services just what difficulties people in smaller centres, rural and remote areas are facing in relation to the housing, food security and affordability crises.

Singh met with Stefanie Hendrickson of the Campbell River and District Coalition to End Homelessness, Michaela Arruda of the Campbell River Community Foundation, Ian Baikie from Hama?Elas Community Kitchen, Tanille Johnston from the City of Campbell River and Jo Watson from the Campbell River Food Bank. North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney was also part of the discussion.

The roundtable focused on the areas of concern for these groups, particularly with the goal of bringing these stories to Ottawa to help advocate for smaller communities.

B次元官网网址淗ow things are done in Ottawa doesnB次元官网网址檛 always reflect how theyB次元官网网址檙e done in our communities,B次元官网网址� Blaney said.

The discussion included access to funding for non-profits, a feeling of disconnect between realities on the ground in these communities and how the federal government sees the situation B次元官网网址� definitions of B次元官网网址渁ffordabilityB次元官网网址� was a main topic of discussion B次元官网网址� and the fact that smaller communities do not have the same resources as bigger centres.

Hendrickson identified gaps in the funding provided by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, saying that some of the thresholds for affordable housing were B次元官网网址� B次元官网网址榓ffordable,B次元官网网址� but not (actually) affordable.B次元官网网址�

The second half of the discussion looked at potential solutions, including discouraging the financialization of housing. That means making it less attractive for corporations and financial companies to buy housing as a way to make money, which can be done through adjustments to tax laws in Canada. Other ways the federal government can help were identified, including extending grant funding beyond the B次元官网网址渂uildingB次元官网网址� phase.

Baikie and the Hama?Elas Community Kitchen were particularly affected by this. He said that during the beginning of the pandemic, there were plenty of grants available to build community services to help people through the pandemic. However, now that these have been in place for a few years, the funding is starting to dry up. Hama?Elas in particular is looking at grants that run out this spring, which Baikie says is B次元官网网址渟caring the living daylights out of me.B次元官网网址�

Singh thanked the members of the roundtable, telling them there are B次元官网网址渨ays to unlock potential solutions.B次元官网网址�

Singh then took a tour of the Campbell River Food Bank, filling a food delivery bag for a few customers and looking at the facility while learning about the needs facing the community.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e hearing more more stories from people that are having a hard time making ends meet,B次元官网网址� Singh said after the meeting. B次元官网网址淭he fact that people are hurting; it just really paints a picture of how tough things areB次元官网网址� the incredible people here have real great solutions and have real great ideas about how we can actually fix the problems B次元官网网址� We have to focus on the problems, but then look to solutions and thatB次元官网网址檚 what folks in the room were really quick to do.B次元官网网址�

Singh also visited Comox and Courtenay on Monday, touring the Canadian Forces Base with Blaney, meeting Comox mayor Nicole Minions and later with MP Gord Johns in Courtenay.