NDP candidate Stetski aims to repeat 2015 win in Kootenay-Columbia
By Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
This is the fourth of five profiles of candidates for the Kootenay-Columbia riding.
A familiar face is looking to turn back time on Sept. 20.
Former Kootenay-Columbia MP Wayne Stetski is looking to repeat his 2015 win when he took the riding on the NDP ticket, adding his name to the 2021 list of candidates.
Although he lost in the last federal election in 2019 to now incumbent Rob Morrison, Stetski looks to challenge him for the seat based on a platform that puts employment first.
“In every corner of the country, families are worried about jobs, the health of our loved ones, and the public services that everyone counts on,” he said through his website (https://www.kootenaycolumbiandp.ca/get-involved).
“The past 18 months have shown that Canadians can confront any challenge — when we have to, when we choose to, and when we come together. It’s also shown us that … many of the supports that we rely on just aren’t there when we need them. If we want different results, we need to make different choices.”
Stetski has spent his entire life in public service. A former mayor of Cranbrook and Kootenay regional manager for the B.C. Ministry of Environment, Stetski brought a collaborative approach to city hall.
As a director on the Regional District of East Kootenay board of directors he represented the region on the Columbia River Treaty Local Government Committee and the Ktunaxa Kinbasket Treaty Advisory Committee.
Stetski’s professional life has focused on environmental leadership through a variety of positions, including his role as manager of the East Kootenay Conservation Program following his retirement from the B.C. government.
While working for the ministry, Stetski oversaw the Environmental Stewardship Division for the East and West Kootenays, responsible for Fish and Wildlife, B.C. Parks, and Ecosystems, managing a multi-million dollar budget and a large staff with offices in Cranbrook, Nelson, Revelstoke and Invermere.
He co-chaired the Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program and was the provincial authority member overseeing the management of the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area.
Stetski and his wife Audrey have lived in Cranbrook for over 30 years and he has given back to his community in many positions including chair of the Cranbrook/Kimberley United Way, chair of the College of the Rockies Math and Science Advisory Committee, and as coach/manager with Cranbrook Minor Hockey and Cranbrook Minor Ball.
(Source: The New Democratic Party of Canada)
The 2021 federal election goes Sept. 20.
The candidates currently include a roster of five:
• Rob Morrison – Conservative Party (https://voterobmorrison.ca/about/);
• Wayne Stetski – New Democratic Party (https://www.facebook.com/Stetski/);
• Robin Goldsbury – Liberal Party (https://www.robingoldsbury.ca/);
• Rana Nelson – Green Party (https://www.greenparty.ca/en/riding/2013-59015); and
• Sarah Bennett, People’s Party of Canada (https://kootenayppc.ca/kootenay-columbia-ppc-candidate-sarah-bennett/)
