Roly Russell, incumbent
(BC NDP)
Born and raised in rural Grand Forks and father of two, Russell is campaigning on his record of serving his riding since 2020, specifically, coordinating disaster recovery during the historic floods in Grand Forks in 2018. Provincially, he worked on disaster recovery brought by the atmospheric rivers of 2021.
Other provincial issues are lowering the cost of living for families, better food security and supports for agriculture and building an economy that serves the whole or rural BC.
1. With climate change getting worse and making natural disasters like droughts, flooding and wildfires both more common and more dangerous, how do you plan to build resiliency in our communities and tackle climate change?
Climate change is real and science matters (I should not have to clarify that in an election like this, but I do). Disasters, and the need to shift BC from a response-centered model to a risk-reduction system, focused on preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery, was the trigger that prompted me to step up to serve as MLA in 2020. We rebuilt the legislative system entirely in the last few years, to represent this more holistic approach and reduce risk to our communities and the people of BC. We also recognized that we needed community-led recovery and preparedness models to be supported better by BC, so we did that. Similarly, we changed the system to facilitate better engagement and sharing between neighbouring local or indigenous governments, because I know we’re stronger together.
We have committed, in our BC NDP platform, to putting more land use and watershed planning into the hands of local communities so we can build resilience from the community first. We are investing in programs for farmers for extreme weather, we will put a cap on harmful emissions from the oil and gas sector, and have committed to a made-in BC strategy to protect ecological integrity and biodiversity. We are expanding investment in clean technologies from lumber mills to hydrogen, and providing opportunities for youth to take action through expansion of the Youth Climate Corps. Tackling climate change is, by necessity, an all-of-government approach and a shared responsibility, so we’re doing that.
Since the BCNDP formed government, we have reduced our net greenhouse gas emissions by 5% and simultaneously delivered the highest average GDP growth among Canada’s large provinces: it’s clear to me that we cannot afford to ignore climate change, and the opportunities to make communities more resilient are both good for our environment and good for our economy.
2. If elected and faced with an issue where your personal beliefs differ from your party or electorate, how will you reconcile those differences when it comes to a vote?
Part of the publicly-invisible work of an MLA is done around the caucus table, advocating for the things that matter in our own communities, and for the voices that we represent. The opportunity and obligation to advocate directly to cabinet members well in advance of having Bills to vote on, or debate to be made, is a big part of the legislative side of the job. Similarly, the work of all-party committees is not about partisan division, it’s about collaboration. It’s been apparent to me, as I have developed relationships ‘across the aisle’ and I learn from members that are effective at representing their communities (whether BC NDP, BC Greens, or BC Liberals, I saw no efforts at such from the two Conservative members), that those that are most effective are those that are able to build good relationships in that place. Sowing division and hate sets the stage instead for entrenching those irreconcilable differences. So I am convinced that much of that risk of disagreement can be minimized by being genuine and authentic in the work of the Legislature. And part of that important work is to quietly (or not, if necessary!) bring the Party to a place that works for our communities, not vice versa.
Once elected, we are there to advocate for and advance the values and needs of our constituents and the province – so the dialogue between the electorate and their MLA should be able to get to alignment.
3. How do you plan to address shortages in medical professionals that have contributed to closures of local emergency rooms, lab services and long wait times to get a doctor?
We have a bold and comprehensive approach to tackle the healthcare staffing crisis by focusing on four key areas: retention, redesigning the system, recruitment, and training. Since 2017, the province has invested over $1 billion and welcomed more than 38,000 new healthcare workers. This strategy has rapidly expanded training seats, streamlined processes for internationally educated nurses, and launched programs to attract new talent. Rustad, on the other hand, is proposing to cut the healthcare budget and move to an American-style model; that doesn’t respect our professionals, nor our patients.
Locally, I have fought hard to get the help we need. As of 2024, we now have the entire riding captured by targeted rural retention incentives to attract and keep health professionals in our communities. We delivered the alternative payment system that doctors at the SOGH ER requested, and we are in progress with the same for Boundary Hospital. We are now moving forward with creative plans to build housing on hospital property in Oliver, to support visiting professionals who can’t otherwise find a place to stay. We are expanding primary care (team-based care) networks across the riding, and investing in community paramedicine to provide more pathways for high quality care and to try to keep people out of the hospital to begin with.
From increasing nursing seats and creating new career pathways to redesigning team-based care models and strengthening rural healthcare services, BC is setting the stage for a more resilient healthcare system that puts people first. We are expanding the scope of work of pharmacists, and are working more with nurse practitioners to help ensure we’re using our skilled workforce most effectively. By retaining experienced staff with incentives, recruiting aggressively, and implementing innovative training programs, I am confident we can help stabilize the system and support our amazing healthcare workers, ensuring British Columbians get the care they need, when they need it.
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Donegal Wilson
(BC Conservative Party)
The newest candidate to throw their hat into the ring, Wilson was born in Summerland and grew up in Otter Valley on a cattle ranch near Tulameen, Wilson. She now lives in Keremeos.
Wilson’s career has been in administration, working with several small businesses and non-profit organizations, becoming the Executive Director of the BC Snowmobile Federation.
Her platform’s key issues are supporting economic development, enhancing healthcare services, and better small businesses support. Specifically, she is seeking at-home and practical solutions to issues in the riding, like improving infrastructure and sustainable tourism, as well as overall community well-being.
In her campaign biography, Wilson is described as having a “deep commitment to her community and extensive experience in business management and non-profit leadership, Donegal aims to bring effective representation to the region.”
Sean Taylor (Independent)
Taylor is a retired Canadian Armed Forces veteran, with 20 years of service. He is a longtime British Columbia emergency services worker and community activist.
“I’ve spent my life serving my country and my community,” says Taylor, “and my ongoing political involvement has been the natural evolution of that.”
This is Taylor’s third attempt at election, both federal and provincial. Previously, attempted a federal run with the People’s Party of Canada (PPC) and with the BC Conservatives.
His biography states his platform includes exposing and fighting corruption in provincial politics as well as tearing down the broken political infrastructure, as it no longer serves public interest and rebuilding it to serve the people.
“I believe that the life I have lived demonstrates a commitment to serve my fellow Canadians at all costs,” he stated. “If elected, I will continue to advocate for the residents of Boundary-Similkameen to the best of my ability. We didn’t get here overnight, and we’re not going to fix this overnight. I’m not here to save the day; I’m here to start the work that needs to be done. Have you lost faith in our current political system? So have I. With your support, we can shake things up.”
More people like him have been getting politically involved over the past five years, his biography stated, because of frustration over the current system, adding the province is moving towards a more independent political system. As well, government agencies have been using fear as a tool to force people to comply to
“What do you see when you look at politicians in BC? Are they standing up for their constituents, putting their careers on the line while speaking uncomfortable truths?” His biography states. “What are you looking for in an elected representative? A fair-weather advocate, or a warrior?”
Advance voting
In Grand Forks and Christina Lake, advance voting will be available Oct. 10 – 13 and Oct. 15 – 16, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., at the Grand Forks Seniors Centre.
In Midway and Greenwood, advance voting will be at the MacArthur Centre Oct. 10 – 13 and Oct. 15 – 16, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
In Rock Creek, advance voting will be at the Boundary and Rock Creek Fair Pavillion Oct. 10 – 13 and Oct. 15 – 16, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Advance voting will be closed Monday, Oct. 14 for Thanksgiving.
Final Voting Day is Oct. 19 at all the listed locations from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., as well as Boundary Central Secondary School for Midway and Greenwood and Christina Lake Community Centre for Christina Lake.
All eligible voters can also vote by mail. A vote-by-mail package online at votebymail.elections.bc.ca, by phone at 1-800-661-8683, or in person at any district electoral office. The completed package must be received by Elections BC before 8 p.m. (Pacific time) on Final Voting Day.
