Unsure who to vote for? Want to know more about your local candidates? Black Press Media has you covered with profiles of all the Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola candidates.
Dan Albas – Conservative
Dan Albas is the Conservative Party candidate and the incumbent for Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola. He has been the MP for the riding since 2011, and now he is seeking to represent the riding again.
Before his career in politics, Albas was the owner of Kick City Martial Arts. He says he is a firm believer in accountability and is well known for maintaining a 24/7 answering service. He says he is also known to frequently return calls on evenings and weekends.
If elected, Albas promises to be an active MP in the community and in Ottawa. He writes a weekly column to provide constituents with regular updates of his activities. He says he is recognized as one of Canada’s most active MPs on social media.
Joan Phillip – NDP
Joan Phillip is the NDP candidate for Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola and a well known community member in the riding. Originally from the Tsleil Waututh Nation, she now lives and works within the Syilx Nation. This is Phillip’s second run at a federal seat – she ran for the NDP in Central-Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola in the 2019 election.
Phillip is an active member of the Penticton Indian Band and the Okanagan Nation Alliance. She previously served three terms as a council member for the Penticton Indian Band and is now employed as their land manager. She says her experience has allowed her to understand the challenges faced by working people in the province and the riding.
If elected, Phillip promises to make life better for people across the country. She will work with NDP leader Jagmeet Singh and the party to fight for real recovery from COVID-19, make medical care more affordable, work towards reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and take action on climate change.
Kathryn McDonald – People’s Party of Canada
Kathryn McDonald is the People’s Party of Canada (PPC) candidate for Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola. She is a paralegal who’s worked in the industry for over 12 years and has a keen sense of justice. McDonald also supports truth, transparency and equality of opportunity, according to the PPC website.
As a young candidate, McDonald hopes to represent younger party members if elected. McDonald has participated in anti-vaccination mandate rallies, the most recent one at Kerry Park in Kelowna on Sunday, Aug. 29.
If elected, McDonald will support the PPC’s plan to restrict the definition of hate speech in the Criminal Code and repeal legislation curtailing free speech on the internet. She will also support a repeal of the Multiculturalism Act and support programs that will integrate immigrants into Canadian society.
Brennan Wauters – Green Party
Brennan Wauters is the Green Party’s candidate for Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola. He is an energy literacy advocate and previously ran for the Green Party in Burnaby.
Sarah Eves – Liberal Party
Sarah Eves is the Liberal Party candidate for Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola. She is an elementary school teacher of Inclusive Education in Logan Lake and lives in Merritt with her family. She is also her school’s representative as the LGBTQ2S+ and diversity lead.
Eves says this year’s election is a critical moment in Canada’s history where voters can determine what kind of country they choose to live in. She says she will always stand with LGBTQ2S+, Indigenous and marginalized communities in their fight for human rights. She promises to work towards an inclusive future for all Canadians.
If elected, Eves will support the National Housing Strategy and look into sustaining the Canada Child Benefit and Universal Child Care program. She also promises to work with the Liberal Party to help Canadians recover from the COVID-19 pandemic
Editor’s note: This story was updated on Sept. 16 with video profiles of each candidate. PPC candidate Kathryn McDonald did not respond to Black Press Media’s video interview request.
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