David Wilks of Conservative Party —TheVoice for Kootenay-Columbia in Ottawa
By Timothy Schafer
On Monday, October 19, Canadians will go to the polls to elect members to the House of Commons in the 42nd General Election.
One of the new ridings in that election is Kootenay/Columbia, where four candidates — Bill Green of the Green Party, Liberal candidate Don Johnston, Wayne Stetski of the NDP and Christina Yahn of the Libertarian Party — are trying to unseat incumbent David Wilks of the ruling Conservative Party.
To help voters in the Kootenay/Columbia riding make their decision, The Nelson Daily reporter Tim Schafer has interviewed the candidates to ask them their thoughts on the upcoming election.
Today, Schafer speaks with incumbent David Wilks of the Conservative Party.
David Wilks was born and raised in Lethbridge Alberta.
He moved to B.C. in 1981 with his wife Cindy to serve as an RCMP officer. The two have three children and four grand children.
Wilks was stationed in Terrace, New Aiyansh, Golden, Penticton and Sparwood. After retiring from the RCMP in 2000, Wilks purchased Sparwood Bowl and Billiards Inc.
Wilks became the mayor for the District of Sparwood (2005-2011) — serving as councilor from 2002-2005 — and was director for the Regional District of East Kootenay during the same period.
He served as chair of the Regional District of East Kootenay from January, 2010 to June, 2010. He stepped down as chair to run for the Conservative nomination.
As well, Wilks was chair of the Regional Advisory Committee for the Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust (SIDIT) from 2006-2011.
After he was elected member of Parliament for Kootenay Columbia on May 2, 2011 he was part of several Parliamentary committees, including Standing Committee on Justice and the Standing Committee on Health.
His past Parliamentary committees include Aboriginal Affairs Northern Development, Official Languages (2012) and Statutory Regulations (2011-2).
Legislation introduced by Wilks includes Private Member’s Bill C-299, An Act to Amend the Criminal Code – Kidnapping of a Young Person, Royal Assent and passed in law on June 26, 2013.
He introduced Private Member’s Bill 674 on May 7, 2015, Addiction Recovery Week — an act to establish Addiction Recovery Week.
Wilks is chair of the Conservative Law Enforcement Caucus, belongs to the Conservative Mining Caucus, is a member of the All Party Tourism Caucus and the Canada Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Association.
— Source: The Conservative Party of Canada
What do you see as the major issue federally in this election that you can address?
Jobs, transportation and security. Every community wants to ensure it is vibrant with jobs available, transportation that is reliable and its streets safe.
What do you see as some of the major issues locally that can be addressed?
Municipal and regional infrastructure. Roads, sewer and water systems are critical for towns and upgrades are continual. As federal funding becomes available municipalities must be able have access to the funds.
With the West Kootenay region being a small, forgotten factor on the federal stage, how can you get more government grants and jobs flowing into our region?
Since my election in 2011, as federal programs come available I make every effort to ensure that mayors and councils, regional districts, chambers and community groups are made aware of the programs. If they apply for funding, I will follow the application through to ensure we get maximum funding for the riding.
If elected, how do you see one person making a difference if you are not a member of the governing party?
You must be able to work across party lines and compromise. I believe that I am respected by my fellow parliamentarians for my ability to do so.
What prompted you to want to step into the political arena?
I have been serving the public since I joined the RCMP in 1980. After retiring from the RCMP, I entered into municipal and regional government being a councilor and then mayor of Sparwood and also as director and chair of the Regional District of East Kootenay. I was elected as MP for Kootenay-Columbia in 2011. It is an honour to represent and to help individuals, groups and communities.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Married to my wife Cindy. 3 children and 4 grandchildren. Retired from the RCMP (1980 -2000) Business owner (Sparwood Bowl and Billiards). Councillor District of Sparwood (2002-2005). Mayor of Sparwood (2005-2011). Regional District director (2005-2011). Chair of RDEK (2010). Member of Parliament Kootenay-Columbia (2011-2015)
Read Bill Green — Agent of Change in Parliament
