Courtenay – Alberni MP Gord Johns rose in Question Period on Friday, demanding funding for the Alberni Valley.
Johns called on the Liberal government to immediately support the restoration of the Somass River sockeye salmon fishery and provide economic assistance to those affected in the Alberni Valley by its closure.
With slowdowns in the forest industry and the closure of the sockeye salmon fishery, Johns said federal funding is needed now.
Terry Beech, the parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans said funds will be available through the government’s $75 m coastal restoration project as part of the $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan
Johns said that program is to be shared amongst 12 regions over 4 years and is therefore not nearly enough.
He has vowed to keep fighting for more funding for the Alberni Valley.