Here in Cariboo–Prince George, we are feeling the heavy weight of that impact.

Vulnerable individuals—once holding on by a thread—are now living on our streets, suffering under the crushing burden of mental illness, substance abuse, and hopelessness. The system meant to support them has become overwhelmed. What's worse, the crisis is being compounded as vulnerable people are being relocated from urban centres like Vancouver to Prince George, adding pressure to an already strained support infrastructure. 

Let’s be clear: this is not just a social issue—it is a human tragedy.  Behind every tent, every overdose, every lost soul, is a person who once had hope, family, and dreams. And now, too many are lost in the shadows, subjected to social shame, neglect, abuse, and the relentless grip of dangerous drugs. The cost is human. The pain is personal. And the time to act is now. 

I will stand with our communities to tackle this head-on—with compassion, with strength, and with determination.

We need to:

1. We will relentlessly pursue the traffickers—the predators who profit off pain, flooding our streets with poison and preying on the vulnerable. This isn’t about punishing those who are struggling with addiction. This is about bringing the full force of the law down on those who create the crisis.

To the dealers, and peddlers in our Communities, Pay attention:

There will be No more leniency. If you deal deadly drugs in our communities, you will be hunted, caught, and held fully accountable. The consequences will be swift, severe, and unforgettable. Let me make it clear: If you choose to destroy lives, you will pay the price—every single day thereafter. As a community we have had enough, and we will do everything in our power, working closely with RCMP, to weed you out.

2. We must fight to scrap misguided programs that enable addiction by supplying drugs to those who are suffering—without offering a real, structured path to recovery. These policies, often created under the good intentions of “harm reduction,” are proving to be ineffective and even harmful when not paired with mandatory treatment, mental health support, and long-term rehabilitation.

According to a 2023 BC Coroners Service report, the number of deaths linked to toxic drug use continues to rise, even in areas where so-called “safe supply” programs are most active. This suggests that without parallel pathways to recovery, these programs may reduce immediate harms like withdrawal symptoms, but do not reduce the overall rate of addiction or death. The evidence is mounting: handing out drugs without offering a way out is not a solution—it’s a dead end.

We are at a tipping point. We cannot keep handing out substances and hoping for different results. That’s not compassion—that’s complacency. It sends the message that society has given up on recovery, and on the people who need help the most.

As a community, we need to: 
      
- Push for the end of passive drug supply programs that lack accountability and measurable recovery outcomes.
- Advocate for the reallocation of funds toward full-spectrum addiction treatment centres in Cariboo–Prince George. 
- Partner with local Indigenous health organizations, provincial counterparts, and Canadian researchers to develop data-driven, community-based recovery programs that truly work.   Because addiction is a health crisis, not a moral failure. But we can’t treat it by maintaining it—we must treat it by resolving it. And that starts with providing a real path forward, not just another dose.   

3. We need to stop treating addiction and mental illness like unsolvable problems. They are complex, yes—but they are not impossible. Real solutions exist, and it’s time we invested in them right here in Cariboo–Prince George.   

We must fight to establish a comprehensive, recovery-oriented system of care with the following pillars:

- Dedicated Rehabilitation Centres - invest in building and expanding residential rehabilitation centres that offer: Medically supervised detox programs, Long-term treatment plans, Peer support networks, Culturally informed care.  These centres should not be “one-size-fits-all” facilities. They must be safe, trauma-informed, and accessible to people across all towns and communities in our riding—not just centralized in Prince George.
- Skills & Career Training Facilities - The journey doesn’t end at sobriety. True recovery is about rebuilding purpose and pride. 
- Create Skills and Career Recovery Hubs, where people in recovery can: Learn trades, digital skills, and entrepreneurship. 
- Access adult education programs and resume workshops. 
- Be matched with mentorships and apprenticeships with local businesses.
- Receive support in transitioning back to the workforce through wage subsidies or employment incentives. These centres will work in partnership with local industries, First Nations, and educational institutions to ensure people aren’t just recovering—they’re reinventing their lives. 
- Wraparound Mental Health Care - Addiction is often rooted in trauma, pain, and mental illness. You cannot treat one without the other. 
- Develop wraparound mental health services, including:
    o  Access to counselling and psychiatric care in both urban and rural areas. 
    o   Mobile mental health units to reach underserved communities. 
    o   On-site mental health staffembedded in rehab centres and shelters. 
    o  Partnerships with community-based and Indigenous-led organizations to deliver care that’s culturally appropriate and compassionate.   

This isn’t just about treating symptoms—it’s about healing the whole person.  

As your Member of Parliament, I will fight to fund these solutions, secure federal support, and push for accountability every step of the way. I will ensure that the people of Cariboo–Prince George have access to treatment that heals, opportunities that uplift, and support systems that work.

4. Work with our Government Representatives to unify our strategies, increase funding, and stop the jurisdictional finger-pointing that lets people fall through the cracks.   

But this isn’t something I can do alone. This is a community mission.

When we rise together—when we take pride in cleaning up our streets, supporting our neighbours, and turning despair into dignity—we create a ripple effect that shines far beyond our riding. We can become a model of recovery and resilience for the rest of Canada. We can show what it means to choose people over politics, action over excuses, and hope over helplessness. This is not an easy path. But it is the right one. I am committed—fully, forcefully, and fearlessly—to leading this fight. We must use every tool at our disposal to bring about the change we need. Because when our communities are clean, safe, and thriving, we all rise. 

Let’s end this silent pandemic. Let’s rebuild lives. And let’s do it—together, for Together, we can turn recovery into reality—and give every person a chance to reclaim their future.