Freeland visits Castlegar

Photo: Contributed

Chrystia Freeland, left, at a Castlegar Boston Pizza Wednesday with local Liberal candidate Connie Denesiuk

Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs was in Castlegar Wednesday with South Okanagan-West Kootenay Liberal candidate Connie Denesiuk to meet with party members and work on the renewal Columbia River Treaty.

Chrystia Freeland met with Columbia Basin First Nations Leaders and BC Provincial Minister Katrine Conroy at Selkirk College, followed by a visit to a local hydro dam.

“It was a fantastic opportunity to discuss the importance of the successful Columbia River Treaty to the people of the West Kootenay region,” said Denesiuk about her time with Minister Freeland.  “I also emphasized the tremendous value of the Columbia Basin Trust, which supports numerous projects and initiatives that benefit the region.”

Freeland attended Denesiuk’s meet-and-greet event at a Castlegar Boston Pizza. According to a news release from the local Liberal riding association, Freeland espoused party unity as it gears up for the 2019 election. She also took questions from residents on West Kootenay issues.

The next round of negotiations for the 55-year-old Columbia River Treaty take place in Washington D.C. on June 19 and 20.