The Union of BC Municipalities convention has wrapped up and Mayor Wayne Price says Cranbrook is in the same boat as other communities.
Cranbrook council members met with different provincial ministers to showcase critical issues going on in Cranbrook.
They met with Attorney General Niki Sharma, Police Services Director Glen Lewis, Social Development and Poverty Reduction Allison Bond, Mental Health and Addiction Minister Jonathan Dube and Water, Land and Resource Stewardship Minister Nathan Cullen to discuss crime, cost of living, homelessness, mental health treatment and water security in Cranbrook.
“Each of these important meetings reflect a proactive approach by Council to try to address serious issues Cranbrook is facing and gather the necessary provincial support,” said Price.
“On behalf of Council, I want to thank each of these Ministers, Ministries and staff for the time made available for us to meet with them. I am hopeful that these discussions will help positively move things forward.”
Councilor Wes Graham had the opportunity to be part of a session presenting about the cost of homelessness to the municipality.
He says the other municipalities presenting were facing the same problem.
“This story wasn’t much different than in Terrace or in Port Alberni,” Graham said.
“We’re not alone in this and I think the message is getting relayed up the channels.”
While council says talks were positive, they aren’t expecting immediate action as the provincial government is preoccupied with the election.
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