Former Cranbook Mayor, Wayne Stetski seeks NDP nomination for Kootenay-Columbia riding
By Nelson Daily Staff
There’s a third candidate for the new Kootenay-Columbia in the next Federal Election after former Cranbrook Mayor Wayne Stetski announced his intention to run for Member of Parliament.
“Stephen Harper has inflicted serious damage on our country, making it more and more difficult to even recognize the Canada we know and love,” said Stetski.
“Whether it is our reputation on the international stage or our record on protecting the lakes and rivers we love, Stephen Harper’s record is embarrassing for Canadians.”
In August 2013, the Federal Election Boundaries Commission moved parts of the West Kootenay from the Southern Interior riding, represented in the last two parliaments by the NDP, to the Kootenay Columbia riding, a conservative stronghold.
Those election changes see communities of Nelson, Kaslo and Salmo represented within the new Kootenay – Columbia riding.
Members of the Kootenay-Columbia NDP Riding Association are expected to affirm Stetski as the candidate at the nominating convention on Sunday, March 15 in Cranbrook.
Once nominated, Stetski would be on the campaign trail attemped to unseat againstcurrent Conservative MP, David Wilks.
The Green Party candidate is Bill Green while the Liberal Party has not yet selected its candidate.
“I’m not just running against Stephen Harper’s record,” explained Stetski.
“I’m running because I believe that the people of this area deserve to be represented by someone who is willing to stand up and fight for their interests.”
Stetski said that since the last Federal Election in 2011, Wilks has been nearly invisible when addressing constituents concerns saying he “must follow the Stephen Harper and the Conservatives.”
“Democracy is poorly served by silencing a whole a region in this way,” he said.
“If you live in Nelson, Kaslo or Salmo, you’ve had the benefit of an MP in Alex Atamanenko who constantly speaks up for his communities.
“I want to continue that work for the people of this region. I’m going to be that strong voice in Ottawa,” Stetski added.
Stetski is well acquainted with this riding that covers similar ground to his area of responsibility when he held the position of Kootenay Regional Manager for the British Columbia Ministry of Environment where he oversaw offices in Nelson, Cranbrook, Invermere and Revelstoke.
“I have worked on behalf the environment and the public my entire life,” said Stetski.
“It began with my time as a Seasonal Park Naturalist with Parks Canada during my five years in university, continuing through my years with BC’s Ministry of Environment.
“This election, those of us who care about the environment all need to vote together to ensure that we put a stop to the Conservative’s war against the environment.”
While Mayor of Cranbrook, Stetski was Regional District of East Kootenay, Director – Kootenay East Hospital District, Columbia River Treaty Local Government Community, representative of local government on the Ktunaxa First Nation Treaty negotiations and Director – BC Mayor’s Caucus Steering Committee
Stetski and the rest of the Kootenay Columbia membership have scheduled a Manual Training Centre in Cranbrook at 1 p.m. on prior to the nomination meeting, which will officially kick off the campaign.
“I’ll be travelling throughout this area meeting with people across the riding right through until Election Day,” Stetski said.
“I’m looking forward to getting reacquainted with old friends and making a whole bunch of new ones.”
The next Federal Election is scheduled to occur on October 19, 2015.
