Residents of RDCK Area E will head to the polls on October 17, 2026, to elect their Area E Director for the next term. Advance voting begins October 7.
To help residents make an informed decision, the Balfour & District Business & Historical Association (BDBHA) invited community members to submit questions for the candidates following the cancellation of the planned All Candidates Meeting.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to submit questions. The submissions were reviewed and consolidated into six questions reflecting the topics and concerns raised by Area E residents.
Both candidates were provided with the same questions, the same response deadline of October 6, and a maximum of 150 words per response.
The candidates’ written responses are provided below, organized by question to allow residents to easily compare their positions on issues affecting Area E.
All responses are published as submitted, with only basic formatting adjustments for consistency. The BDBHA has not edited or altered the content of the candidates’ answers.
The BDBHA is a non-partisan, community-based organization that supports businesses, community connections and local initiatives in the Balfour area. Our goal through this process is to provide residents with an opportunity to hear directly from the candidates and better understand their priorities for Area E.
We encourage all eligible residents to review the responses and participate in the upcoming election.
Candidate Responses
1. EXPERIENCE & UNDERSTANDING OF THE RDCK
What experience, skills and community involvement would you bring to the role of Area E Director? How has your experience prepared you to work within the RDCK’s board and committee structure and represent the diverse communities within Area E?
Erin Fitchett
Even before putting my name forward, I have made a point of listening and learning. I have attended meetings, spoken with community groups and residents, currently serving on four RDCK committees and sat in on a RDCK Board meeting to better understand how the Regional District works and the issues currently being discussed.
The role of an Area Director is to represent the residents and respond to the issues that matter most to the community. The RDCK is responsible for delivering regional and local services, and an Area Director’s role is to bring the concerns and priorities of residents to the Board table and make decisions with those community interests in mind.
I live in Balfour, so naturally I have had considerable exposure to issues and conversations in Balfour and neighbouring communities including Harrop, Procter, Queens Bay and Longbeach. It has therefore been particularly important to me to spend time learning more about the priorities of residents in Blewett, Mountain Station and Bealby Point as well.
Area E is made up of distinct communities, and their needs will not always be identical. I dont believe an Area Director should arrive at the table assuming they already have all the answers.
My approach is straightforward:
Listen. Learn. Communicate. Make informed decisions. Advocate for Area E.
Landon Veregin
Having managed a marketing department with multi-million-dollar budgets and led a team of 28 employees, I bring proven executive governance, fiscal accountability, and strategic team leadership to the RDCK. My community involvement includes serving on the board of the West Kootenay Watershed Collaborative and being a founding board member of the Everest Legacy Fund. I am very familiar with Robert’s Rules of Order and the way boards function. These experiences taught me that good governance relies on consensus-building, clear communication, and financial discipline—skills directly applicable to the RDCK’s board and committee structure. Representing Area E requires balancing the unique identities of our distinct communities, from Balfour and Harrop Proctor to Blewett and Cottonwood. My background prepares me to advocate effectively at the regional table, build collaborative partnerships across municipal and electoral area directors, and ensure Area E receives accountable, efficient services while maintaining fiscal responsibility and ensuring democratic processes.
2. COMMUNICATION, ENGAGEMENT & REPRESENTATION
How would you keep Area E residents informed about RDCK decisions, services and projects, and provide opportunities for residents throughout the area to raise concerns and provide input? How would you approach situations involving potential or perceived conflicts of interest while ensuring you represent Area E as a whole?
Erin Fitchett
My commitment is to communicate openly, listen carefully and remain accessible to the people I represent. I will continue supporting the weekly Area E & F Community E-Newsletter as an important way of sharing local information. I have made a point of listening and learning by attending community committee meetings, sat with community groups to learn about what they are doing in our area and listened to residents via email, phone calls or having coffee with them in person.
I believe transparency helps residents understand how decisions are made, how public money is being spent and how those decisions may affect their communities. If elected, I want Area E residents to know what is happening at the RDCK table, what issues are being discussed and why decisions are being made. Accountability also means answering questions, explaining decisions and listening when residents have concerns or different perspectives.
If any conflict of interest presents itself at the Board table, any decision where I or an immediate family member could have a direct or indirect financial benefit, I would declare a conflict of interest and leave the meeting for that item.
Landon Veregin
Transparent communication and active listening are essential for effective local representation. I will establish quarterly public forums rotating across the different corners of Area E. These mini town halls will allow me to update residents on RDCK activities, give local community groups a platform to share their initiatives directly, and provide space for open Q&A and community concerns. I am committed to the democratic process and will review the current newsletter’s costs and poll the public on its perceived value.
With perceived conflicts of interest, integrity and transparency must come first. I do not have any. Full stop. This completely removes any requirement for me to recuse myself from a decision. A Director’s recusal eliminates our community’s voice at the table leaving important decisions up to fate. My commitment is to serve all Area E residents impartially, ensuring every community feels heard, respected, and fairly represented in regional decisions.
3. TAXATION & RDCK DECISION-MAKING
What approach would you take to taxation and spending for services affecting Area E? Please also describe your approach to public consultation and the use of processes such as the Alternative Approval Process when decisions may have financial implications for residents.
Erin Fitchett
My background in business, experience serving on non-profit boards and RDCK committees, and recent participation in RDCK meetings has helped me develop a better understanding of the Regional District’s complex budgeting and financing processes.
If elected, I will carefully review budgets, services and spending decisions, with attention to keeping taxation as reasonable as possible while maintaining the services our communities rely on.
I will not support the use of the Alternative Approval Process for decision making in Area E. If an issue is important enough to require direct voter direction, then that will go to referendum.
Landon Veregin
As a taxpayer I expect value, transparency, and prudence. My approach to RDCK taxation and spending centres on rigorous budget scrutiny, prioritising core infrastructure and essential services while curbing unnecessary overhead.
Meaningful public consultation must happen early and often. Not as an afterthought. While the Alternative Approval Process is a legitimate legal tool, it should be used sparingly and with complete transparency. Residents deserve clear, plain-language explanations of proposed debts, service costs, and long-term tax impacts well before any decision is finalised. When significant financial commitments or tax increases are at stake, I support providing full clarity and opportunities for direct public input, ensuring the community’s voice directly guides RDCK spending.
4. LAND USE, DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
How would you approach land-use and zoning decisions in Area E while balancing development and economic activity with environmental and quality-of-life considerations such as noise, air and water quality, water availability and impacts on neighbouring residents and businesses? How would environmental and climate considerations factor into your decision-making?
Erin Fitchett
My experience serving on the RDCK Area E Advisory Planning and Heritage Commission has given me valuable insight into these issues. I believe Area E needs a thoughtful and comprehensive approach to future land-use planning. Area E is currently divided in terms of land use planning, with most Area E communities covered by an Official Community Plan while Blewett is not. An OCP includes Development Applications for land use development.
Before considering additional land use regulation like zoning for individual portions of Area E, I believe we should first review our existing Official Community Plan which is 13 years old and due for review. Through that OCP review process, we will absolutely need to have community conversation about the future of the area.
Any significant changes to land use regulations such as zoning should go directly to residents for a public vote. I believe clear direction from residents is needed, even when it is not legally required.
Climate resilience affects many areas of local government, including wildfire preparedness, flooding, infrastructure and emergency management. I support the RDCK’s approach of examining costs, benefits and measurable outcomes when considering future initiatives. As these funding arrangements change, I believe climate resilience and emergency preparedness need to remain part of the discussion.
Watershed stewardship and sustainable sources of potable domestic water are particularly important in our rural communities. Many of the decisions affecting watersheds ultimately rest with the Province, but an Area Director can advocate for local concerns and make sure Area E voices are heard.
Landon Veregin
Area E’s natural environment and vibrant rural lifestyle are our greatest assets. Balancing economic development with environmental stewardship requires a practical, community engaged approach to land-use planning.
I will advocate for smart growth that respects local character, supports small businesses, and protects critical resources like water availability, air quality, and shoreline health. Land-use decisions must prioritise thorough environmental assessments and protect neighbouring properties from noise and environmental disruption. Having served with the West Kootenay Watershed Collaborative, I deeply value watershed protection and climate resilience.
Environmental factors, wildfire mitigation, and water security will be core criteria in every development and zoning decision I evaluate. My role in decisions on zoning will be one of community engagement and emphasising the democratic process. In matters of development, no one person or business’ concerns should be above others. Proper bottom-up community decision making is where I believe the best results originate.
5. FIRE & EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
What priorities would you bring to fire protection, emergency preparedness and emergency management in Area E, and how would you advocate for the needs of the area’s communities?
Erin Fitchett
Wildfires, floods, extreme heat and other emergencies are realities rural communities need to be prepared for. The RDCK has an effective emergency response department and team.
I would like to see more neighbourhood level emergency planning throughout Area E. I will work with community organizations and RDCK staff to help residents understand and make use of the emergency preparedness programs that already exist and encourage neighbourhoods to become better prepared before an emergency occurs.
Landon Veregin
Emergency preparedness and fire protection are paramount in our rural region. In Area E East especially we are limited in our access and exit routes. My priority as Area E Director will be ensuring our local volunteer fire departments have the resources, equipment, training, and operational support necessary to keep our communities safe.
I will champion expanding FireSmart programs across all Area E neighbourhoods, improving community egress routes, and strengthening local emergency communication networks.
Additionally, I will actively advocate with provincial agencies and the RDCK to secure funding for wildfire mitigation and emergency infrastructure, ensuring our rural communities are resilient, prepared, and fully supported when emergencies arise. The recent earthquakes highlighted questions of our preparedness and understanding of handling unexpected natural emergencies.
With our climate changing, new challenges of natural disasters’ frequency and magnitude must be discussed and plans must be forged. I intend to address that.
6. INLAND FERRIES & TRANSPORTATION
Inland ferries are an important transportation link for many Area E residents and businesses. What role do you believe the Area E Director should play in advocating for reliable ferry service and addressing transportation concerns affecting communities in the area?
Erin Fitchett
The lengthy Western Pacific Marine and BC General Employees Union labour dispute demonstrated how disruptive uncertainty about ferry service can be for ferry dependent communities. During the dispute, the Labour Relations Board established essential service requirements for the Harrop Ferry which were insufficient and thankfully that ruling was stayed.
The disruption to the Kootenay Lake Ferry for five months caused harm to communities on both sides of the ferry. I will continue working with local community organizations and advocating to the Province on the importance of reliable ferry access.
Residents who depend on the Harrop ferry should have not have their only means of transportation interrupted.
Landon Veregin
Inland ferries are non-negotiable lifelines for Area E. The severe disruption during the 2024–2025 labor dispute demonstrated that our communities can never again be left stranded or denied access to essential transportation services.
As Director, I will be a relentless advocate. I have already engaged directly with the Harrop Proctor Ferry Committee Society and reached out to all provincial MLA candidates across party lines—including sitting down with incumbent MLA Brittny Anderson—to ensure Area E’s ferry reliability is a top provincial priority.
While ferries fall under provincial jurisdiction, an Area Director must build direct, effective lines of communication with the MLA, cabinet ministers, and ferry operators. Party-neutral and dedicated solely to our residents, I will leverage these relationships to prevent service interruptions, ensure transparent communication, and advocate for safe road corridors and improved transit across Area E.