Courtenay-Alberni MP Gord Johns and Mid Island-Pacific Rim MLA Scott Fraser have invited the community of Port Alberni to join them for dinner at the Friendship Centre on Friday, Jan. 19 at 5 p.m.
“Scott Fraser and I have been working hard with the Alberni Clayoquot Health Network on finding ways to reduce poverty in the Alberni Valley and we thought this would be a great way for residents to come together over a meal to hear about it and, most importantly, to let us know what they think,” said Johns.
The Alberni Clayoquot Health Network has facilitated a protocol agreement between Johns, Fraser and local and regional governments and First Nations to act collaboratively on reducing poverty in the Alberni Valley, where one in three children live in poverty.
READ: Port Alberni backs Alberni-Clayoquot poverty protocol
“This is about everybody pulling together at all levels regardless of political affiliation or other differences,” said Fraser, who is the provincial Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation. “We have the will and we certainly have the need. Now we need to commit to a plan together and implement it.”
The Poverty Reduction Community Dinner and Engagement Workshop is open to guests of all ages. It will feature a panel discussion with speakers with lived experience and with local and provincial perspectives on poverty reduction. The event will also include an overview of the poverty reduction work being done in the region with an opportunity for learning and sharing.
All those planning to attend are asked to RSVP at: https://goo.gl/U2Up2Z
Those unable to attend can join the province’s poverty reduction tour stop in Port Alberni on Tuesday, Jan. 23. https://engage.gov.bc.ca/bcpovertyreduction/community-meetings/