Quinte News spoke with Bay of Quinte Member of Parliament Ryan Williams about the year that was.
Williams says he is so grateful for the incredible community groups, charities, clubs, and organizations that are stepping up during this affordability crisis.
“The United Way and the money they’re raising to do their new centre. Small groups like Pinecrest (Housing) are doing in Prince Edward County to try to get that housing completed. Groups like Kiwanis in Trenton who keep raising money for those in need. The food banks themselves, Gleaners. I know we had Susanne Quinlan just retiring, who’s been a champion. We have Ruth Ingersoll who’s retiring (Community Development Council of Quinte).”
He says the cost of living was the largest issue of 2024 and he says there are things that become offshoots of that, including the homeless epidemic.
“The opioid crisis we’ve had, which to me stood out to be the biggest crisis. First because of what’s happened here, but all over the area, but also with housing. More people who are finding themselves homeless. More tent encampments, more incidents, but that’s also what’s happening federally across this whole country. We have 1,400 tent encampments across Canada.”
He says going into the new year, there will be a federal election at some point.
The cost of living, and trade with the United States are expected to be front and centre according to Williams.
