Rule's Platform - Inter-governmental Cooperation

Kelowna does not exist in a vacuum, nor should City Council operate in a vacuum! I believe that City Council should represent its citizens through cooperation with other levels of government, both horizontally and vertically.

Horizontal Inter-governmental Cooperation: City Council and the School Board must operate in partnership over location of schools and use of school buildings for the community. City Council must work with the municipal councils of Vernon, Penticton, Lake Country, Summerland and Peachland on a valley-wide air and water quality strategy as well as a transportation strategy. I support the initiatives of the Okanagan Clusters in this regard, and would like to see even more real decision-making power allocated to these valley-wide coalitions.

Vertical Inter-governmental Cooperation: City Council members need to become experts in the gaps and assets in the community for services that are funded by provincial and federal governments in order to properly lobby for funding of these services in our community. This includes highways, education, and social services including core-need housing, detox and prevention services, mental health services, income assistance and shelter allowance.