Leaders from across the Kootenay Boundary gathered this past weekend to discuss issues and challenges facing the region.
The City of Trail hosted the Association of Kootenay Boundary Local Government conference, bringing together mayors, councillors and regional district representatives for professional development and regional discussions.
Cranbrook City Councillor Lynnette Wray and Councillor Wayne Stetski attended on behalf of Cranbrook.
Key topics included homelessness, housing, community safety and the state of rural health care — issues Wray said are shared by many communities.
“Key shared issues, definitely included homelessness and community safety. I think the city of Trail and the city of Cranbrook have a lot of things in common, I think because we’re both regional centres and we both have a regional Hospital. So I can see a lot of similarities there,” said Wray.
Wray highlighted the importance of collaboration and regional advocacy, especially as the city works to improve services for unhoused residents and strengthen community safety supports.
“I certainly am thankful and appreciate all the resources that the city of Cranbrook has been able to pursue and receive in order to really improve the services and the structure around unhoused people and all those issues that go along with that,” said Wray.
B.C. Health Minister Josie Osborne and Interior Health president and CEO Sylvia Weir were in attendance. They emphasized their awareness of rural health-care challenges and spoke about renewed relationships with Alberta, specifically Calgary, for hospital care.
Wray also emphasized the importance of strong relationships between provincial and local governments.
“It was great to have minister Osborne there. And of course she’s a former mayor of a small rural community, so I think she has a real appreciation for rural issues and the unique challenges that being in a rural region can present. It’s great to have that kind of positive working relationship with the minister. So we look forward to continuing to make progress and working together,” said Wray.
Wray was elected to the AKBLG board, giving Cranbrook a stronger voice in regional decision-making and advocacy efforts.
“In the past, we have had local representation on the AKBLG board, but it’s been a little while since we’ve had Cranbrook representation. I just felt it was important for Cranbrook to be at the table to participate in the advocacy efforts on behalf of our whole region. As the largest urban centre in the Kootenay boundary region, I think it’s important that we’re at the table and that we can lend our voice and our strength to all those regional efforts,” said Wray.
The AKBLG represents communities across southeastern B.C. and works to address shared issues and push for long-term solutions that support economic, social and environmental well-being in the region.
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