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