Stepping Up for Vulnerable Citizens during COVID-19

New Brunswick Green Party leader David Coon believes the COVID-19 pandemic is presenting the province with an opportunity to take a necessary closer look at how to better care for our most vulnerable citizens. Residents and staff of nursing homes across Canada are proving to be some of the most at risk individuals for contracting COVID-19.

"There needs to be fair wage pay for workers of nursing homes," says Coon. The Green Party leader thinks paying personal support workers fair wages would also allow them to limit their work to one facility, which would create a safer environment for the residents when it comes to contracting illnesses. 

Coon also believes the COVID-19 pandemic should also make New Brunswickers more aware of the need for a year-round ferry to Campobello Island. Campobello is currently the only island in New Brunswick that does not have a 12-month link to the rest of the province. This has created serious problems for islanders during the COVID-19 crisis, since they must rely on a bridge to Lubec, Maine to connect to the rest of province via the Calais, Maine/St. Stephen, New Brunswick border. As international borders tighten, this is creating increased obstacles for islanders trying to navigate access to essential services.

"Campobello Islanders are being treated like second-class citizens," says Coon. "There needs to be a year-round ferry. They're the last link that needs to be connected." 

Coon also believes New Brunswick needs to improve food sustainability in the province, an issue shared by Lori Nikkel, CEO of Canada's largest food rescue organization, Second Harvest. Second Harvest has rescued surplus food from generous businesses across Canada for over 30 years and diverted it from landfills to bring it to the tables of those most in need. Second Harvest is currently expanding its FoodRescue.ca program to reach more people and communities in need across Canada during COVID-19.

"FoodRescue.ca is a conduit for local businesses to provide food to those in need in their community--it's the eHarmony of food donations," says Nikkel. 

Thanks to a generous contribution from the Federal Government, FoodRescue.ca is granting over $4 million in emergency funding to help ensure food makes its way as quickly as possible to Canadians who need it the most during the COVID-19 pandemic.