Members of Summerland’s municipal council will meet with provincial ministers and staff next week to discuss issues affecting the community.

The meetings will take place at the annual Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Whistler, Sept. 10 to 14.

Mayors, councillors and regional district representatives from around the province will attend the annual convention.

“It is an excellent opportunity to lobby officials to deal with concerns the municipality is facing,” said Mayor Peter Waterman.

This year, Summerland council members want to discuss issues including flooding, affordable housing, infrastructure and agriculture technology.

A joint meeting has been arranged with the Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and the Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resources Operations and Rural Development.

This meeting will be to discuss issues around creek access problems Summerland has faced during the flooding of Aeneas Creek the last two springs.

Council members will also meet with the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure to discuss the lakeshore pathway.

“Council would like to discuss funding and timelines as this is an important aspect of cycling tourism and commuter transit,” Waterman said.

A meeting has also been planned with the Minister of Agriculture to discuss a proposed regional ag-tech innovation centre for Summerland.

This idea for the centre came out of the Mayor’s Task Force on the Economy.

Council will also meet with the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Affordable Housing to discuss infrastructure funding and the ag-tech innovation centre.