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.

NDP Leader Responds to Federal Pipeline Announcement

NDP Leader Avi Lewis has challenged Prime Minister Carney following the federal decision to label a West Coast oil pipeline as a project of national interest under the Building Canada Act.

This move marks the inaugural assignment of the designation since the Major Projects Office was launched a year ago.

Criticism Over Public Risk and Industry Profits

Lewis argued that backing the development with public funds undercuts essential safeguards while forcing taxpayers to take on financial exposure.

“The Liberal government is rushing through an oil pipeline to the West Coast as a project of ‘national interest’, the first project to receive this designation since the Major Projects Office opened its doors a year ago,” Lewis stated.

He expressed concern that pushing the initiative forward amid climate breakdown—while setting aside environmental protections, meaningful Indigenous consultation, and workers’ right to strike—fails to meet the national interest.

“It is an offence to Canadian science, public health, collective safety, and common sense. And it is a gift to an oil industry already on track to make $100 billion in wartime profits this year alone,” Lewis said, warning that “This project leaves Canadians bearing all the risks of a bad investment without any of the rewards.”

Legal and Environmental Concerns Highlighted

Lewis emphasized that the oil sector has shown reluctance to finance the venture directly, while Indigenous nations have voiced opposition and environmental risks remain high, including threats to endangered Southern Resident orcas.

“This is a pipeline to the courts, and it’s not worth the risk,” Lewis said.

He added that projects serving the nation should lower everyday costs, produce good jobs, and safeguard communities, pointing to renewable energy, modern public transit, and non-market housing builds as better alternatives.