If you’re not sure if your MP or your MLA is the one who can help you, finding the answer just got easier, as the community office for North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney and North Island MLA Claire Trevena opened last week.
Blaney’s new Campbell River constituency office is at 908 Island Highway, where she is sharing space with Trevena. Blaney, Trevena and their staff members celebrated the office’s grand opening March 31.
“This is a time to acknowledge the office has changed its dynamics thanks to the MP we now have and the MP’s staff who are working closely with us,” Trevena said.
Blaney is excited to be able to share the office with Trevena.
“When I was elected…what we wanted was for constituents to get the help they needed as quickly as they possibly could,” she said. “By sharing an office, when people come in, if it’s something they’re not sure which level of government it is, when it’s something that’s shared, they can come here and get the help that they need and we’re here to support each other. I’m so grateful to Claire and her amazing staff for just adjusting to us and helping us as we learn all the things that we need to learn.”
During the grand opening, Rita Pimlott from the Homalco First Nation, who comes from the Timothy and Pielle families of Klahoose, blessed the office.
“Rachel has done so much for our community before even she was elected to Parliament, so we have so much to thank her for,” she said.
Blaney was pleased to see so many people show up for the grand opening.
“I thought it was a tremendous turnout,” she said. “People really came out and said hi. Some people came today and it was the first time I ever met them, so that was wonderful. They came from different communities besides Campbell River. I’m happy that a lot of people came, really hoping that they know this office is open to provide support and services to people. We may not always be the right place to go but if you come here, we’ll send you to the right place. I’m glad that people are feeling the sense that it’s a warm and friendly place.”
During the grand opening, Blaney met with Campbell River residents, as well as people from the Comox Valley and Victoria. There were former colleagues from the Immigrant Welcome Centre and members of Campbell River city council.
As well, the homeless advocates who are staging a “tent-in” at City Hall stopped by to speak to both Blaney and Trevena. Blaney is glad she can be in the community to be hear everyone’s concerns.
“When I was going through the elections, one of the things I said is I will not always agree with everybody, I will not always be able to fix everything, but I will always do my best to be here and listen,” she said.
Blaney was also thrilled to see friends from her pre-MP days.
“It’s a very humbling thing to be in a role like this and just to be able to hear some of the stories.”
Blaney and Trevena’s office is located at 908 Island Highway. Blaney’s office is open Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and by appointment outside those hours and can be reached by calling 250-287-9388.
Trevena’s office is open Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. and can be reached at 250-287-5100.
