A new organization has been created in Pembina Valley with the addition of the Pembina Valley MultiFaith Council (PVMFC).

The idea formed through conversations between a local business owner and member of the Pembina Valley Islamic Association, Zahid Zehri and Peter Cantelon, Executive Director of the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre. Zehri wanted to create a group, with members of different cultures and beliefs, that would meet regularly and talk about their faith to foster greater understanding of each other's beliefs.

Cantelon says creating a multi-faith council was prudent with the ever-increasing number of unique and diverse cultures in the area.

"Our region is growing significantly, Winkler now has people from 82 different countries. With different cultures comes different thinking, different ways of believing, even within the Christian faith."

Peter approached the Manitoba MultiFaith Council in Winnipeg to help get things started. The group was excited to help, as they had their eyes on creating a group in the Pembina Valley for a while now.

The PVMFC currently has seven members, Peter Cantelon, Boota Singh Ubhi, Kelvin Dyck, Zahid Zehri,  Vassan Aruljothi, Mandeep Saini, and Ted Peters.

Currently there has only been introductions, however, a board meeting has been planned to be held in early December, Cantelon says this first meeting will be to figure out how they want the council to be run.

"One of the first things we want to implement on the council, just for ourselves as a board, is when we meet and have a bit of a reflection from one of the council members about their faith."

Cantelon explains they want to have a greater understanding of each other's beliefs and be a model for what they want to do for the rest of the region.

Though their first meeting will be solely for the board, Cantelon says people are welcome to come and listen.

More information on the PVMFC can be found on their Facebook page.