New Contender in Kamloops-North Thompson

Voters in Kamloops-North Thompson will see a seasoned campaigner on the ballot as John Kidder seeks to represent the BC Green Party in the upcoming provincial election. The party recently circulated Kidder’s nomination form to members via email to collect the required signatures for Elections BC confirmation.

Kidder, who resides in Ashcroft, brings a long history of political involvement to the race. Though he has never held public office, he has previously campaigned in several provincial and federal elections under the Green banner, and also ran as a federal Liberal candidate in 2011. He is married to Elizabeth May, the leader of the federal Green Party.

The Provincial Race Takes Shape

Once his candidacy is formally confirmed by election authorities, Kidder will enter a competitive field. He is set to challenge BC Conservative incumbent Ward Stamer in the riding.

The ballot will also feature Kory Clark, a 24-year-old health-care worker running for the BC NDP, according to reports.

Interim Leader Proposes Cooperation Amid Overlapping Candidates

OneBC interim leader Dallas Brodie has expressed readiness to negotiate an election arrangement with the B.C. Conservatives, despite her former party putting forward a rival candidate in her Vancouver-Quilchena riding. Former Canadian Taxpayers Federation provincial director Carson Binda was announced on Sept. 29 as the Conservative candidate facing Brodie, who currently serves as the riding’s incumbent legislator.

Brodie questioned the Conservatives’ decision to compete against her, noting that OneBC had previously signaled goodwill by deciding not to field candidates in select ridings containing “true” Conservatives. Although earlier discussions occurred with B.C. Conservative interim leader Lorne Doerkson, OneBC has since revealed plans for candidates in two of those contested districts. Among them is Kelowna-Centre, a seat won by NDP margin of just 40 votes last election by Kristina Loewen. Brodie argued that her party represents the authentic conservative choice there and suggested Conservatives risk losing the seat to the NDP.

Tensions and History Between Conservative Factions

Offering to pull OneBC’s unannounced Kelowna-Centre candidate if the Conservatives enter discussions, Brodie criticized the opposing party’s reluctance to negotiate. She stated that her party has taken concrete steps toward making deals while accused the Conservatives of ignoring her party. Brodie remarked that the Conservatives “created me” in many ways, referencing her expulsion from the party caucus last year by then-leader John Rustad after she mocked residential school survivor testimony.

Addressing the prospect of electoral collaboration, Doerkson acknowledged that dialogue had occurred between the parties, though no formal agreement was reached. He affirmed that the party intends to bring conservative values to British Columbians following the election. OneBC originally formed as a breakaway Conservative faction in 2025, though it lacked official recognized party status in the legislature when the election campaign commenced.

Green Party Kick-Starts Campaign with Major Childcare Commitments

The BC Green Party has launched its provincial election campaign with a pledge to re-establish the expansion of $10 per day childcare, which had been paused since February. Party leader Emily Lowan announced a long-term strategy targeting universal free childcare across the province by 2031. To streamline access, the party plans to build durable centres and implement a centralized registration system to eliminate individual facility waitlists.

Investments in Early Childhood Educators

Under the Greens’ proposal, early childhood educators would receive paid practicums alongside a structured wage grid reaching $35 to $45 per hour by 2028. The initiative also aims to grant educators access to pension plans and extended health benefits. Lowan noted that roughly 40 cents of every dollar invested in childcare is returned in tax revenue as parents re-enter the workforce in various sectors across British Columbia.

Carolyn Howe Announced for Victoria-Swan Lake

During a Sept. 28 event at Browning Park in Saanich, the party formally introduced Carolyn Howe as its candidate for Victoria-Swan Lake. Howe, a teacher who has served as president of the Greater Victoria Teachers’ Association for nearly three years, spoke on local economic pressures and public services. She highlighted that B.C. currently faces the most expensive and complex childcare system in the country. Lowan herself will contest the Saanich North and the Islands riding in the upcoming provincial election on Oct. 24.