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WAYNE STETSKI’S ACCOMPLISHMENTS



Wayne Stetski is a life-long environmentalist and a social justice and electoral reform advocate dedicated to helping build a more fair and inclusive Canada with a healthy environment through legislation and policy change.


AS MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT (2015-2019)


Helping Constituents: "Coming up with ways to serve my constituents is what I do!"


Solving problems for constituents and building a better Canada through legislation and policy changes at the Federal level.

  • Advocated for and won Canada Revenue Agency regulations to be changed so that victims of domestic violence no longer had to get a verifying signature from their ex-abusive partner in order to obtain Child Benefits.

  • Advocated for and won Service Canada to change its regulations re: Old Age Security (OAS) from paying a couple, who is separated by necessity (ie: one needs to be in a care home), the lower benefits of the couple paying, the expenses of a single household (couples benefit limit), rather than providing benefits based on the expenses of two separate households (singles benefit limit).

  • Advocated for and won a request to change the legal age of children adopted out of the country to correctly reflect their true age, as identified by dental records.

  • Assisted individuals in navigating the complexities of federal agencies.

  • Assisted and advocated for individuals and groups in the resolution of problems with immigration, family reunification, federal tax, pensions, benefits, employment insurance, etc.

  • Responded to constituents by letter, email, or phone to address their issues and concerns (both local and federal).

  • Advocated for businesses having trouble getting needed foreign workers hired.

  • Helped many constituents who had been denied to get monies legitimately owed to them by Service Canada and OAS.

  • Secured a grant for the Key City Theatre, Cranbrook for renovations and to improve access.

  • Secured emergency passports to leave, and to return to Canada.

  • Provided assistance securing the immigration of eligible persons, helping to reunite families.

  • Built good working relationships with various government ministers and who could help solve problems for people.

  • Held small business forums --all government levels were invited and received reports outlining what they can do to improve practices.

  • Held “Pop-up offices” for in-person meetings with constituents throughout the riding.

  • Wrote letters to Federal Cabinet Ministers:

- to advocate for changes to government practice and policies impacting

constituents and/or the riding as a whole.

- to provide feedback (re: riding) to the government on issues of importance.

  • Attended community events when in the riding, or wrote ‘a few words’ for addressing the public on issues relevant to the event when not available because of Parliamentary sessions.

  • When in the riding, maximized contact with constituents, interest groups, and local governments.

  • Planned public meetings to inform on major federal issues affecting constituents and the riding (renegotiating NAFTA etc).

  • Hosted meetings with local interest groups to answer questions and gather information and ideas on issues of importance to the local community (e.g. affordable housing, communications infrastructure, agriculture).

  • Hosted meetings with Constituent groups to explain legislative changes and answer questions regarding legalization of marijuana, medically assisted dying, etc.

  • Hosted discussion nights with Peter Julian on plastic pollution and the environment.

  • More than 120 Speeches in Parliament to support constituents and Canadians include:

  • Statement in the House - Support for Golden rafting industry - April 19, 2016

  • Presents a petition in the House on Electoral reform - 5 Feb 2016

  • Recognizing the work of citizen groups working to bring Syrian refugees to Canada Statement in the House - Feb 22 2016

  • Statement in the House - Governor General's Award Winners -March 10, 2016

  • Question Period - HIV funding cuts in Kootenay Columbia Nov 4 2016

  • Question to PM on RCMP Yellow Stripe Campaign

  • Question on Guaranteed Income Supplement - September 22, 2017

  • Demands the government to negotiate a fair contract for Canada's Border Services Officers. - September 22, 2017; Question on Canada Border Services' Collective Agreement; Border Services Officers rebuttal

  • Speaks about the Fernie tragedy - October 30, 2017

  • Speech on small-scale cannabis farmers in Kootenay Columbia - March 2, 2018

  • Calls for Funding for Rural Internet & Wireless - February 21, 2019

  • Asks for Public Inquiry in SNC Lavalin Matter - March 1, 2019

  • Spoke on M-174, National Suicide Prevention Action Plan - May 2, 2019

  • "I've always said I'd go to the wall for my constituents" on Climbing with Stetski - Interview after the first year in Parliament.

For the Environment:

  • Participated in negotiations that resulted in new status protecting the Jumbo Valley (Qat’muk) as an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area, ending the 25-year campaign by environmental groups to stop the ill-conceived Jumbo Glacier Resort project.

  • Secured $25 million in federal funding for Avalanche Canada.

  • Helped implement the 20 Horsepower regulation for boating on the Columbia River, protecting the World Heritage Columbia Wetlands from the impact of “jet boats.”

  • Participated in the Columbia River Treaty Negotiations and helped support the Secwepemc and Ktunaxa Nations in their long-range project to “Bring the Salmon Home” to the Columbia River.

  • Served as Vice-Chair of the House of Commons Environment Committee which drafted several reports and recommendations on matters of environmental concern.

  • Speeches in Parliament re: environment-related include:

  • Question Period - National Parks funding - Feb 5, 2016

  • Protect Gros Morne National Park - June 3, 2016

  • Statement in the House - Ktunaxa Nation and Keeping Jumbo Wild - December 2, 2016

  • Bill C-18 on Rouge National Urban Park, and on the importance of making effective conservation a true priority across Canada.- February 28, 2017

  • Introduces a Bill to protect Kootenay-Columbia lakes and rivers - November 29, 2017

  • Question on re-establishing a Regional DFO office in Kootenay—Columbia - February 15, 2018

  • Speech: First Nations must be at the table for Columbia River Treaty negotiations - June 7, 2018

  • Speech in Parliament: We Must Work Together on Climate Change - April 16, 2019

  • Speech on Budget 2019 (addresses Climate Change) - May 2, 2019

  • Speech on UN Global Bio-diversity Report - May 7, 2019

A Memorable Story - Children and the Climate Emergency

Wayne's Other Parliamentary Accomplishments:

  • Food Security:

  • Initiating, debating, and improving legislation that impacts Canada. Implemented a Private Members Bill, to declare a Local Food Awareness Day celebrating the importance of local food security. I was passed unanimously by all members of the House of Commons (a rare occurrence).

  • Speeches in Parliament:

  • introduces Bill C-281 on National Local Food Day - June 1, 2016

  • Testifies at Agriculture Committee on C 281 - June 20, 2018

  • Statement in the House supporting his Bill - October 20, 2016

  • Statement in the House - Cranbrook Farmers Market & Bill C-281- April 27, 2018

  • Will the government support National Local Food Day? (Speech) - May 25, 2018

  • Speech in the House on Bill C-231 - National Food Waste Strategy Oct 4, 2016

  • Served as Chair of the NDP Caucus for British Columbia Members of Parliament.

  • Served as co-chair of the Canada-Philippines Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group.

  • Co-founded the All-Party Cycling Caucus for parliamentarians.

  • Welcomes Chumak Way cycling team to Canada


AS MAYOR OF CRANBROOK (2011 - 2014)

  • Worked with local representatives of People First to improve Cranbrook’s infrastructure for people with disabilities.

  • Continued positive personal and professional relationships with the Ktunaxa Nation.

  • Ensured that city employees knew that they were supported and appreciated.

  • Made all citizens feel welcome at City Hall, including environmental groups, multi-cultural groups, and people with disabilities.

  • Volunteered Cranbrook to be one of seven pilot communities in BC to fight poverty, working with the social sector to implement recommendations, and shared the findings with other communities.

  • Initiated a Multi-Cultural Festival that has become an annual highlight for the City.

  • Redeveloped the western entrance to Cranbrook (Elizabeth Lake) to better welcome tourists and provide information.

  • Worked on improving roads, sewer, and water infrastructure through dedicated funding.

  • Attended hundreds of events over 3 years to show citizens and community groups that their Mayor cared about them and their important, usually volunteer, contributions to Cranbrook.

  • Welcomed annual updates to Council from local Federal and Provincial political representatives.

  • Represented mid-sized Communities on the BC Mayors Committee.


VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES

(see Volunteering Enriches Our Communities)


"I volunteer because I like people and I believe in giving back to my community. I enjoy teamwork and getting things done. Helping people is personally satisfying, and volunteering enriches our communities and makes them a better place to live.


I try to live by the saying: I always wondered why somebody doesn’t do something, and then I realized that I was somebody. You are too - we all have something to contribute to where we live!"

  • Chair - United Way of Cranbrook and Kimberley

  • Chair - College of the Rockies, University Studies Math and Science Committee

  • Chair - Key City Theatre, Membership Committee

  • Chair - Interpretation Canada - BC Section

  • Judge - East Kootenay Regional Science Fair

  • Western Magazine Writers Award

  • Leader – Cub Scouts of Canada - Cranbrook

  • Board Member - Cranbrook: Multicultural Society, History Museum

  • Board Member - Symphony of the Kootenays

  • Coach/Manager – Cranbrook: Minor Hockey, Minor Ball

  • Volunteer Partner – Canada – International Conservation Caucus Foundation

  • Member/Volunteer: Rocky Mountain Naturalists, Cranbrook Community Forest Society, Citizens Climate Lobby - East Kootenay, Cranbrook Food Bank

AWARDS/ENDORSEMENTS

  • Climate Emergency Canada, 350 Alliance endorsement "Climate Champion" 2021 Election Campaign

  • One of nine Lead now's Courage to Lead Champions - 2021 Election Campaign

  • Awards Readers’ Choice Award Local Politician – Silver 2013, 2014, 2015 - Reader’s Choice Award for Favourite Politician - Black Press

  • Cranbrook Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Award - for Public Service 2012 - The Governor-General of Canada

  • BC Premier's Award Promoting Innovation and Excellence - for Partnerships 2004 - Government of British Columbia



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