Local leaders from across the Southern Interior are descending on Kamloops for this year’s annual SILGA session.

Around 200 officials and representatives from 37 municipalities and regional districts throughout the Southern Interior will be in Kamloops until Friday to take part in the Southern Interior Local Government Association’s annual general meeting.

Kamloops Councillor Bill Sarai — 2nd vice-President of SILGA — says there will be 46 different resolutions debated, suggesting many fall within the same themes.

“A key theme in the Interior is the fire mitigation, floods, fires and heat domes and wildfires. Also the toxic drug crisis. The four-pillar approach,” said Sarai.  “Resolving the toxic drug crisis. Resolving it means putting more emphasis and resources and staffing toward prevention, treatment and enforcement, to go along with the harm reduction piece.”

This year’s sessions will also include virtual presentations from 5 government ministers, including Municipal Affairs Minister Anne Kang, Forests Minister Bruce Ralston,  Mental Health and Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside,  Water, Land and Resource Stewardship Minister Nathan Cullen and Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Climate Readiness, Bowinn Ma.

While these presentations will take place virtually, as the ministers remain in Victoria during this session of the Legislature, Sarai says there is an expectation local leaders may get a chance to put questions to the provincial officials.

“They usually give us time for a Q&A. I think there may be opportunity, depending on the timeline,” said Sarai.  “I would welcome it. I think it would be a good part on them to give our delegates a few minute to ask the hard questions.”

This year’s event is also expected to include some form of announcement coming from the Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Development, Roly Russell.