Courtenay – Alberni MP Gord Johns says he’s ready to defend his record in Ottawa as a federal election looms.
The first-time MP says he has proven you don’t have to have someone in government in order to access federal funds; you just have to have someone who is willing to do the work.
Johns says he’s brought back $100 million in federal funds to the riding in his first term as MP, compared with $16 million the previous Conservative MP brought to the riding in his 15 years – including 10 years in government.
“I think we’ve proven that the squeaky wheel approach and working together is successful,” he said. “We’re making up for a lost decade so we’ve got a lot of work to get done.”
Johns said he has worked closely with Port Alberni Mayor and Council to bring issues of concern to Ottawa, and bring back funds for municipal projects, and has been working closely with communities throughout the riding to get much-needed federal funding for water and waste-water infrastructure.
We contacted Conservative candidate Byron Horner for an interview, but he e-mailed the following quote:
“Mr. Johns has taken credit for municipalities and regional districts doing their job and applying for federal funding based on existing legislation and automatic funding available to all municipalities to upgrade aging water and wastewater infrastructure and has failed to deliver on his promises of affordability. A Conservative government will deliver real results on affordability for Islanders.”
Johns expects Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will drop the writ for the election within two weeks of Labour Day.
The federal election happens on October 21st
