Leader of federal NDP Jagmeet Singh stops by in Nanaimo

Singh says coming to Nanaimo is in part of hearing from those on Vancouver Island. Photo: Lauryn Mackenzie / CHLY 101.7fm

Leader of the federal NDP, Jagmeet Singh stopped by Nanaimo on Friday, March 8.

He and Nanaimo-Ladysmith MP Lisa Marie Barron spent some time volunteering at Loaves’ & Fishes free food market. 

Before the event, CHLY spoke to Singh about his visit. He said coming to Nanaimo and visiting other Vancouver Island communities is in part of hearing from community members on the island.

“Jack Layton used to always say this, and it's very true for New Democrats. We want to build a Canada where no one's left behind, and often people on the island have been left behind by conservatives and Liberals who've been in power in this country,” Singh said. “So New Democrats have made it our priority to make sure the island is not left behind.”

Singh spoke about some of the main measures he has been highlighting throughout the week including pharmacare. 

“We fought for pharmacare, which is going to save families money, we're going to make free diabetes medication and devices across this country available,” he said. “That's I mean, it's gonna save people money, improve our healthcare system. Take B.C. free birth control and take that across the country as well.”

The legislation for the federal pharmacare plan was tabled back at the end of February of this year. The plan looks at covering diabetes medication and birth control.

For timelines on pharmacare, Singh said it could happen as soon as possible. 

“With the specific classes of medication, it doesn't have to wait a year at all. It could be months, we can get provinces signed up very quickly,” he said. “In fact, in the legislation, we included that the government could start negotiating with provinces immediately. So there's no reason to delay.” 

He said he hopes to see it implemented this year.

Earlier this week on Wednesday, March 6th, Singh called for a national school food program to be implemented in the upcoming federal budget.

“To make sure every single kid in our country, when they go to school, they don't have to worry about having a clean, nutritious meal,” Singh said. “That's one thing you can take off their plate, parents have to worry about so many things. Let's make sure parents don't have to worry about their kids getting a good meal at school.”

At the Loaves’ & Fishes free food market, Singh spoke more about the national school food program. He said that currently, the Liberal government is covering 20 per cent of students country wide to receive free meals at school, but he would like to see that become 100 per cent.

“We're the only country in the G7 that doesn't have the program,” Singh said. “So we can look at the way other countries are doing it. How is Germany and France? How is the US doing it? It makes sure we're delivering the best program to cover students the best way possible.”

CHLY spoke with Peter Sinclair, the Executive Director of Loaves’ & Fishes Community Food Bank about Singh’s visit. 

He said as the organization is working towards a new warehouse. Loaves’ & Fishes has had the regional district of Nanaimo and the provincial government step forward to provide funding and now they are working with the federal government for the remaining money needed.

“We've been working very closely with Lisa Marie [Barron]. She has been a great advocate for not only the general work that Loaves’ & Fishes is doing but specifically this warehouse to benefit all of Vancouver Island,” Sinclair said.

He said a national school food program is critical for students to have food to eat.

“Providing food, so kids have food to eat, particularly when they're in class is critical,” Sinclair said. “Loaves’ & Fishes does actually provide food to over 100 other nonprofits and Indigenous communities on Vancouver Island, many of which are school meal programs. So any program out there that is going to increase the amount of food that is available for kids in schools. We're fully in support of that.”

Sinclair said $7 million is still needed from the federal government to create the new warehouse.

With files from Joe Pugh.

Funding Note: This story was produced with funding support from the Local Journalism Initiative, administered by the Community Radio Fund of Canada.