Image Credit: Elections BC
May 14, 2013 - 3:41 PM
Today people across the province will decide whether or not the B.C. Liberals get another four years of leadership. In Kelowna the traditionally Liberal-leaning voter demographic will be tested, as will the NDP's campaign for change.
Polls opened at 8 a.m. this morning and will close at 8 p.m. tonight. Visit Elections BC to find our where you can vote.
And if you missed key debates, issues and personalities in your riding, there's still time to do your research:
The B.C. Liberal Party
All three of Kelowna's electoral ridings are currently held by Liberal MLAs: Ben Stewart, Norm Letnick and Steve Thomson, otherwise known as "Team Okanagan." Over the past four years these MLAs have used a pro-business strategy to bring big-budget projects to the city. Securing funding from the provincial government in Victoria they helped launch a new $430 million cardiac surgical unit at Kelowna General Hospital, widening Highway 97 to six lanes from Edwards road to Highway 33, upgrading the Sexsmith intersection at Highway 97 and $100 million in expansions for UBC Okanagan.
The New Democratic Party
Kelowna's NDP candidates stand firmly behind Adrian Dix's campaign for change, one revolutionized from the NDP of the 1990's. If elected, Mike Nuyens, Tish Lakes and Carole Gordon would bring a BuyGrowFeed program to Okanagan orchardists struggling to turn a profit. They want to see less dumping of Washington produce in B.C. by offering financial assistance to local growers. The program would also require hospital institutions source at least five per cent of their food from local farmers. Each of the candidates are prioritzing affordable healthcare, subsidized low-income housing and trades programs geared to make young workers more succesful.
The B.C. Conservatives
Over the past few week Kelowna's Conservatives have promised to put the interests of local residents before party politics. Mike McLoughlin, Graeme James and Brian Guillou have campaigned on some unique proposals: eliminating B.C.'s Carbon Tax and allowing supermarkets and convenience shops to sell liquor. McLoughlin also says Kelowna needs more family physicians and would like to see universities encourage medical students to stay in the Okanagan.
Green Party and Independent candidates are also in the running for some of Kelowna's ridings.
Find your riding below for all candidates in the running:
Kelowna - Mission
Steve Thomson, Liberal
Tish Lakes, NDP
Mike McLoughlin, Conservative
Dayleen Van Ryswyk, Independent
Kelowna - Lake Country
Norm Letnick, Liberal
Mike Nuyens, NDP
Graeme James, Conservative
Gary Adams, Green Party
Westside - Kelowna
Ben Stewart, Liberal
Carole Gordon, NDP
Brian Guillou, Conservative
Kelowna-Mission candidates (Left to right): Tish Lakes, Mike McLoughlin, Dayleen Van Ryswyk and Steve Thomson.
(JULIE WHITTET / iNFOnews.ca)
Steve Thomson (left) and Norm Letnick (right)are the Liberal incumbents for Kelowna-Lake Country and Kelowna-Mission ridings.
(JULIE WHITTET / iNFOnews.ca)
Former orchardist Mike Nuyens is the NDP candidate for Kelowna-Lake Country
(JULIE WHITTET / iNFOnews.ca)
To contact the reporter for this story, email Julie Whittet at jwhittet@infotelnews.ca or call (250)718-0428.
News from © iNFOnews, 2013