Local government representatives are working together to try come up with solutions for interprovincial health care challenges.
The region’s MP, MLA, and Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) and the City of Cranbrook are collaborating on issues affecting local residents.
Access to health care between B.C. and Alberta has been a longstanding concern.
Currently Kootenay residents can not travel to Alberta for many procedures and instead have to go to Kelowna or Vancouver.
“It’s something that’s very important to the people in our community. It’s so far to have to go over three mountain passes to get to Kelowna,” said MLA Pete Davis.
“It’s something we’re going to be working with the provincial government to try and see if there are some avenues between B.C. and Alberta that we can open up.”
MP Rob Morrison said the Canadian government could help out.
“Federally, every Canadian is entitled to healthcare and if that’s the case why are we having such an issue with B.C. and Alberta?”
Health care falls under provincial jurisdiction, but funding comes in part from the federal government.
“The federal government gives the money to the province, but now there needs to be some accountability on where that money is going and why are people in our community blocked access to an area like Calgary,” Morrison added.
“It’s so much easier for us to go there than say Kelowna or Vancouver.”
The group is also addressing issues such as derelict vehicles and illegal dumping in rural areas and plans to update the public on its progress.
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