AKBLG Mission Statement
To assist our members in providing effective, responsible and accountable local government through engagement, education and advocacy.
The Association of Kootenay and Boundary Local Governments (AKBLG) is the local government association that represents the municipalities and electoral areas of the south-eastern portion of the province of British Columbia. The area includes the Regional Districts of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB), Central Kootenay (RDCK), East Kootenay (RDEK) and the Town of Golden and the Village of Valemount.
The AKBLG was established in November of 1933. It is one of five area associations within the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM). As a non-profit, non-partisan association, the AKBLG is a coalition of cities, municipalities, regional districts, townships and villages in South Eastern British Columbia.
The Board of Directors is comprised of nine (9) local government leaders elected from within the membership. A president, vice-president and six directors-at-large are elected bi-annually. The past-president also sits on the Board of Directors. The Executive Director oversees the operations of the Association.
The purpose of the Association is to identify and illuminate issues that impact on the economy, environment, and the social well being of people living in south-eastern BC. Focusing on issues from a regional, rather than a local perspective, the Board works through various channels to advocate for effect long-term solutions. Committees are struck to address the immediate concerns of the membership for the development of an action plan.
The AKBLG conducts research and circulates information on identified concerns. Workshops and information sessions are developed for the membership when required. Resolutions are formulated and presented to the UBCM for further discussion and endorsement. Advocacy on region wide issues are taken directly to provincial and federal governments.
Information & Statistics
The AKBLG encompasses three regional districts entirely, and a part of a fourth and fifth that includes 23 electoral areas and 27 municipalities. We are bordered by the Rockies to the east, the Okanagan to the West and the U.S. to the South. Our municipalities range in population from the smallest in the province (Village of Silverton pop. 195) and the smallest city in Canada (Greenwood pop. 665), all the way up to the largest in our area, Cranbrook (20,047). Our region is very rural – Cranbrook and Nelson are the only two AKBLG communities with more than 11,000 people.