West Kelowna pushes province on wildfire funding, health services at UBCM

West Kelowna officials pressed the provincial government for more support on wildfire mitigation, health services and seniors housing during meetings at the Union of B.C. Municipalities conference this week.

Mayor Gord Milsom and council met with provincial ministers and senior staff in Vancouver from Sept. 14 to 18 to discuss several issues affecting the growing community.

The city asked Forests Minister Ravi Parmar for increased funding for FireSmart and fuel mitigation work, while meetings with mental-health officials focused on improving access to mental-health and addictions services on the Westside.

City officials also raised concerns about a shortage of affordable and subsidized seniors housing and access to health care during a meeting with Seniors Advocate Dan Leavitt.