Wayne Stetski NDP — Time for Change in Kootenay-Columbia
By Timothy Schafer
The long, arduous Federal Election campaign has entered the home stretch.
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 Wayne Stetski, Kootenay-Columbia NDP candidate.
Wayne 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 25 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
1. What do you see as the major issue federally in this election that you can address?
One of the greatest issues in this election is the state of our democratic system. Whether this is in reference to the First-Past-the-Post electoral system, the need to abolish the unelected senate, or the attack on our rights and freedoms that resulted from Bill C51, Canada is changing in a way that most Canadians do not agree with.
I’m proud to be representing the NDP. We immediately opposed Bill C51, and did everything we could to stop it before the Conservatives and the Liberals voted to pass it. Tom Mulcair has pledged to repeal C51 when the NDP forms government.
The NDP is committed to abolishing the outdated and unaccountable senate, and we are looking for a mandate from Canadians to do just that.
The NDP is also committed to a fundamental change in the way we elect our representatives. We will bring in proportional representation, meaning that never again will a party with only a small number of votes be able to form a majority government against the wishes of most Canadians.
2. What do you see as some of the major issues locally that can be addressed?
Many local issues will be addressed by electing an NDP government that actually cares about people and communities.
For instance, the NDP understands the value of retaining door-to-door mail delivery in communities. We are also committed to all the principles of universal healthcare, following in the footsteps of Tommy Douglas, and will stop the erosion both in rural communities and big cities that we see in our cherished public healthcare system.
Good government at the federal level results in better lives and more vibrant communities everywhere. Whether it is access to affordable childcare, support for small businesses, or real action on climate change, these are the issues that matter to the people Nelson and the Kootenays. And these are the issues that will be at the top of the priority list for an NDP government.
3. 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?
I am committed to being a strong voice for this region. I have spent the last 25 years working throughout the area, and working on behalf of the area.
The NDP has made commitments to support communities and invest in infrastructure, not just in the last days before calling an election the way David Wilks and the Conservatives did this summer.
And the NDP understands the importance of supporting small business, the greatest job creator in our economy. It’s about making things work for people on the ground, not just about a flurry of announcements days before an election campaign.
4. If elected, how do you see one person making a difference if you are not a member of the governing party?
The system that we have at the federal level asks for each of the 338 ridings to choose someone to speak for them in Ottawa. We only get one choice.
For the last four years, the MP for Kootenay Columbia chose to be a voice for Stephen Harper’s government. He did not speak for his constituents, nor did he listen to a cross-section of voices from across the riding, choosing instead to insulate himself from opposing views.
For Nelson, Kaslo and Salmo, I believe you were well represented by Alex Atamanenko who I am proud to now call a friend. Alex is known to be a great constituency MP, in that he and his staff work hard everyday to be available, attentive and active on behalf of the people who live here.
I am committed to be exactly that kind of MP for the newly drawn riding of Kootenay Columbia after the Oct. 19 election.
5. What prompted you to want to step into the political arena?
I have spent my whole life in public service, either as a public servant or an elected official. Community service and a commitment to improving the situation of the people around me has always been part of my life.
I was approached by a number of people about running federally for the NDP, and when I asked myself why I would want to take on a new role, the answer became very clear: I want my Canada back.
I, along with the majority of Canadians, am not happy with the direction that Stephen Harper has taken our country, and if I can do something to change that, I will do it.
I have never been the kind of person who can watch bad things happen to good people. I have always been the kind of person who takes action to make my community a better place.
I am committed to being a strong voice for Kootenay Columbia in Ottawa. And I am honoured to be part of Tom Mulcair’s team. We are ready for the change that Canadians want and deserve.
Read Bill Green Green Party — Agent of Change in Parliament
Read David Wilks, Conservative Party — The Voice for Kootenay-Columbia in Ottawa
