In this Sun Peaks, B.C. election guide you’ll find all the information you need on the candidates, parties and how to vote.
The next provincial election is on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. Candidates will be finalized on Sept. 28 and advanced voting begins on Oct. 10.
This election guide will be updated with more links, stories and information as it becomes available, leading up to Oct. 19.
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The new Kamloops-North Thompson voting district
Before you vote, find out which candidates are running in your area by identifying the district you fall within.
The electoral area boundaries changed this year, as per recommendations made by the BC Electoral Boundaries Commission. Boundaries are periodically reassessed to account for population changes.
What does this mean for you? You may not be in the same riding you were in last year. You can double-check which electoral district you’re in by inputting your address into this Elections BC tool online.
The new Kamloops – North Thompson electoral district covers the neighbourhoods of Valleyview, Juniper Ridge, Barnhartvale, Dallas, Batchelor Heights, Westsyde, Rayleigh, a portion of Sahali and Tkʼemlúps te Secwépemc reserves, including the community of Sun Rivers. It also includes the communities of Barriere, Clearwater, Sun Peaks, Chu Cua and Simpcw.
Who are the candidates?
Kamloops – North Thompson
Running with the Conservative Party of BC, Ward Stamer is from Barriere and has identified commitments to healthcare access, affordable housing, economic stability and promoting resource industries including forestry, mining, agriculture and tourism.
Maddi Genn, originally from Salmon Arm, is now a Kamloops resident running with the NDP Party. As a labour unionist, she prioritizes safe and healthy working conditions as a key action item, as well as building housing, strengthening healthcare and helping people with everyday costs.
Tristan Cavers lives and works on a certified organic farm in Chase (Secwepemculecw) and has served on the boards of the Chase Chamber of Commerce, Kamloops Regional Farmers Market, Skmana Ski and Snowshoe Club and Chase and Area Family Services. Caver will be running with the BC Green Party.
Where can I find more information about the parties?
What is Sun Peaks asking candidates
SPIN released the preliminary round up of what you want to know from candidates, and have received answers from all three candidates.
Where can I learn more about my local candidates?
SPIN is working to get answers to your B.C. election questions from local candidates and will post them here as soon as they are available. You can also attend these local forums:
Saturday, Sept. 28, 8:30 a.m: Kamloops Farmers’ Market and Thompson Rivers University political science hosted an all-candidates forum at the Saturday farmer’s market between 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in 200 block St. Paul Street & Stuart Wood Schoolyard. For candidates in both Kamloops Centre and Kamloops-North Thompson electoral districts.
Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 5 p.m: CFJC, Castanet Kamloops, Radio NL, Kamloops and District Chamber of Commerce and local business associations hosted an online all-candidates forum. You can watch this forum back at CFJC Today.
Wednesday, Oct. 2 at 6 p.m: Transition Kamloops and the BC Chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society are hosting an all-candidates forum on the environment for Kamloops Centre and Kamloops–North Thompson at the Alumni Clock Tower Theatre at Thompson Rivers University.
What’s going on with BC United and the Conservative Party of BC?
At the end of August, BC United (formerly BC Liberal Party) leader Kevin Falcon announced he was suspending the party’s campaign and withdrawing candidate nominations. He encouraged people to support the Conservative Party of BC instead to avoid a split vote and prevent a BC New Democratic Party government. Some former BC United candidates, like incumbent Peter Milobar, are now running on the Conservative ticket.
However, you might still see candidates from the BC United party on your ballot. The party is still running a select number of candidates in the election to ensure the party is still registered should its membership wish to rebuild it in the future, CBC News reports.
How do I vote?
- If you are at least 18 years old, a Canadian citizen and a resident of British Columbia since April 18, 2024, you are eligible to vote. You don’t need a photo ID to vote but you do need to prove your identity and address.
- You can vote by mail if you request a vote by mail package by 4 p.m. Oct. 19. but Elections BC must receive your vote by mail package no earlier than Sept. 21 and no later than 8 p.m. on Oct. 19.
- Voting day is on Oct. 19, 2024. Advanced voting will be from Oct. 10 to 13 and Oct. 15 to 16, 2024 at various locations. Advance voting polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. More information on how to vote can be found on Elections BC’s website.
- Voters are entitled to four consecutive hours free from work to vote during advance polls or on election day. This doesn’t mean you’ll receive four hours off work, but that voters must have a four-hour period free from work during voting hours. Voting hours are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Where do I vote?
Preliminary voting places for the 2024 provincial election are available online. You can find a list of advance voting places and election day voting places on the Elections BC website. On Oct.19, eligible local voters can vote at Sun Peaks Centre, 3200 Village Way, Sun Peaks.
Advanced voting locations (open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) in the Kamloops-North Thompson riding are as follows:
- Barriere Lions Hall, 4350 Borthwick Ave., Barriere (open Oct. 11, Oct. 12, Oct. 15 and Oct. 16)
- Chase Community Hall, 547 Shuswap Ave., Chase (open Oct. 11, Oct. 12, Oct. 15 and Oct. 16)
- Dutch Lake Community Centre, 209 Dutch Lake Rd., Clearwater (open Oct. 11, Oct. 12, Oct. 15 and Oct. 16)
- Hal Rogers Activity Centre, 2024 Summit Dr., Kamloops (open Oct. 10, Oct. 11, and Oct. 12)
- Moccasin Square Gardens, 357 Chief Alex Thomas Way, Kamloops (open Oct. 10, Oct. 11, Oct. 12, Oct. 13, Oct. 15 and Oct. 16)
- Orchards Walk Community Centre, 3281 Valleyview Dr., Kamloops (open Oct. 13, Oct. 15 and Oct. 16)
Resources for fact-checking:
The Elections BC website has resources for voters, including links to tools for fact-checking information, how to spot fraudulent websites and social media accounts and how to counter disinformation. Find those resources here.
The website also addresses false information about elections and the electoral process in the province.
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