NDP nomination candidates were in Trail on Saturday night to debate the issues ahead of the party’s vote to decide who will represent the NDP in the new federal riding of Columbia – Kootenay – Southern Rockies at the next federal election.
Nelson City Councillor Keith Page and Executive director of the West Kootenay Regional Arts Council Kallie Lins were in the hot seats, discussing issues on house affordability, climate change and health care.
Around 50 people gathered in Trail, with the city the newest addition to the riding, joining Nelson, Creston, Castlegar, Cranbrook and all the way to the BC-Alberta border.
Photo by Kate Brown, Vista Staff.
Kallie Lins
Lins grew up in Castlegar and moved away to pursue her education and career, before returning home to the Kootenays in 2022.
She says building relationship is critical to moving forward progressively- skills she has.
And she is focused on the issues facing the Kootenays, the province and the nation.
“The issues that are concerning the voters in the country is how much work we have to do on climate change, climate change preparedness, and impact mitigation in particular.”
“The impact of the wildfires on large events and so many other pieces of our economy. There’s just so much work to be done to ensure that the supports are in place before they are needed.”
“I think fundamentally we’re facing down the barrel of a climate crisis. In order to carry the work forward into doing something about that, we need to make sure that we’re being brought along with us.”
Keith Page
Page grew up in central Alberta on a working cattle ranch and made the move to Nelson in the Kootenays over 20 years ago.
With an interest in politics, he took a step in municipal local government and is now serving his third term.
He is now ready to take his skills further with a focus on local issues at a federal level.
“I think fundamentally, we’re facing down the barrel of a climate crisis. In order to carry the work forward into doing something about that, we need to make sure that we’re being brought along with us.”
“People that are being left behind as disasters and as we’re rebuilding, are going to fight against the efforts that we’re doing. And honestly, combating climate action on a federal level is about making sure that we’re protecting the value and productivity of future generations.”
NDP members in Columbia – Kootenay – Southern Rockies will cast their votes in the nomination race on February 27.
The next federal election will take place no later than October 20.
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