👉 Protecting the Similkameen Valley Means Working Together

Protecting the Similkameen Valley means working together — across boundaries, jurisdictions, and levels of government.

Recently, I brought together elected leaders from all levels of government to create space for a focused, solutions-driven discussion on flood mitigation and how we move forward with a cohesive strategy that gets the attention this valley deserves. Leaders from municipalities, regional districts, First Nations, and the federal level came to the table.

It was a productive meeting grounded in a shared priority: protecting people, homes, farms, businesses, and critical infrastructure throughout the Similkameen Valley. Flooding doesn’t stop at municipal or jurisdictional lines — and neither can our response.

We are all connected, and it’s clear that the layers of bureaucracy that slow progress must be stripped away if we are serious about protecting our valley and its residents. Action items were created, responsibilities identified, and there was strong agreement around the table that passing the issue from one level of government to another will not be accepted.

Thank you to everyone who showed up, engaged in good faith, and committed to working together. This is how meaningful progress starts — with collaboration, accountability, and a shared commitment to the people we serve.