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October 01, 2020 - 5:30 PM
The B.C. Greens have announced official candidates in the Okanagan and Shuswap region for the upcoming election.
Amanda Poon, an Interior Health analyst, has been named the Green candidate for Kelowna Mission, John Janmaat, a UBCO environmental and resource economics professor is running in Kelowna-Lake Country and Peter Truch, an urban planner, is the candidate in Kelowna West, the B.C. Green Party announced today in a press release.
Janmaat, who is also the chair of the Kelowna Agricultural Advisory Committee, wants to bring evidence-based decision-making back into government decisions, according to the press release.
“I’m running for the B.C. Greens, as the candidate for Kelowna-Lake Country, because I believe in the party's focus and commitment to building a just and sustainable society, backed by evidence-based policy,” said Janmaat on Thursday. “Growing up on my family’s farm, my parents set a strong example for me by caring for the land we farmed and giving back to our community. I have long believed that it is my duty to similarly give back to my community and care for our natural environments.”
He is one of the executives for the Okanagan chapter of the Alpine Club of Canada, and ran the Boston Marathon in 2019, finishing in the top 10 per cent for his age group.
Poon, who works for Interior Health, is committed to growth that ensures our community and its surrounding environment remains healthy, safe, and resilient into the future.
She volunteers with various organizations in Kelowna, including the Welcome Inn Shelter and the Coldest Night of the Year event, and is currently president of the Kelowna Downtown-Knox Mountain Neighbourhood Association, according to the press release.
Poon is a community builder, working on issues related to public and mental health, agriculture, and food security. Her father’s struggle with substance use after suffering a family tragedy taught her first-hand about the generational effects of trauma. Her lived experience has inspired her dedication to helping children and people struggling with mental health and substance use conditions, according to the press release.
Peter Truch, a senior mobility engineer and urban planner is running as the candidate for Kelowna-West Kelowna, in order to advocate for effective investment in Kelowna, West Kelowna, and the surrounding communities, he said in the press release.
“The Kelowna-West Kelowna riding is the only Okanagan riding to span both sides of the bridge. I’m running as a BC Green candidate to fix congestion on Highway 97 in West Kelowna and throughout central Kelowna. Long lines of gridlocked traffic hurts the environment and puts strain on community members’ valuable time,” he said in the press release.
In the south, Ted Schumaker has been nominated for Penticton.
Shuswap candidate Owen Madden was announced today.
Keli Westgate, who previously ran as a Green candidate in the 2017 B.C. election is the candidate for the Vernon-Monashee riding.
In the Thompson Nicola, Thomas Martin is also running for the Kamloops-North Thompson region and has a history with forestry and the natural resource sector. Dan Hines, an international leadership consultant and workshop facilitator, previously ran as a Green candidate for the Kamloop-North Thompson and now is running for the Kamloops-South Thompson riding. Jonah Timms is running for the Fraser Nicola riding.
"I am excited by the prospect of working with this talented slate of candidates,” said Sonia Furstenau, leader of the B.C. Greens, in a press release. “B.C. needs more MLAs who will put people ahead of politics.”
More information can be found on B.C. candidates by visiting the Green Party's website.
For more information about the B.C. election coverage, search here.
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