Unsure who to vote for? Want to know more about your local candidates? Black Press Media has asked candidates to provide a short biography as well as answer key questions to help readers understand more about who is running from Peachland to Coldstream in this upcoming B.C. election. Be sure to check back for updates and videos.
I'm running to be your MLA for West Kelowna-Peachland! This riding has always been my home and I'm committed to serving the people and this region. I grew up on the Westside, married my high school sweetheart Leah, and together we91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™ve raised our two incredible children here. Leah and I are proud of our children, we91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™re proud of our community, and were proud to call this place home!
With a lifelong commitment to centre-right values, I91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™ve spent the past 6 years as a West Kelowna City Councillor and RDCO Director, earning your trust in the last two elections. As a Journeyman Carpenter, entrepreneur, and full-time professional in the construction industry, I bring a practical, balanced perspective and a strong grasp of local issues. As an Independent MLA, I91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™m free to represent you without party pressures, prioritizing true accountability and your interests in government. This is our chance to restore balance in the legislature and overcome the divisive politics that have affected BC and our communities for too long.
What qualifications do you think an MLA should have?
An MLA should have a strong, long-standing reputation within their community. They must be upstanding, fair, trustworthy, and full of integrity, wisdom, and respect. Real-life experience as a trusted leader is crucial, and ideally, they should understand what it means to be an elected official. It91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s important that your MLA knows the riding they serve, feels the heartbeat of the community, and has the relationships to connect the dots and build bridges. This ensures they can deliver real results for both the riding and all of British Columbia.
What qualifications do you have to represent your riding?
Over the past six years, I have had the privilege of serving as both a West Kelowna City Councillor and a Director with the RDCO, earning top votes in the last two elections. I am recognized as a trusted leader with a strong record of integrity and a deep commitment to the people and communities I serve. As a lifelong resident of the Westside, I have spent decades building meaningful relationships across the riding and region.
In 2014, I ran for Mayor of West Kelowna with a vision for a connected, prosperous, and sustainable community. Running against a long-time incumbent, I secured 41% of the vote. Although my campaign and messaging received overwhelmingly positive feedback, one key critique was the need for more experience. I agree with that sentiment, and I believe experience is even more crucial when choosing someone to represent you as an MLA. I'm proud of all the campaigns (this is number four), my team and I have run, and I91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™ve since seen many of my ideas brought forward and adopted at the council table.
My decade of involvement in local governance includes:
- Member of the Second Corridor/Crossing Study 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ“ Provincial Committee
- Inaugural President of the West Kelowna Shelter Society
- Vice Chair of the West Kelowna Economic Development Committee
- City Councillor in West Kelowna (2018 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ“ present)
- Director with the RDCO (2018 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ“ 2024)
What political issues will drive voters to the polls this election?
Healthcare, housing, excessive taxation and the Carbon Tax, public safety and crime, the economy, natural resources, wildlife management, short-term rentals and property rights, government overspending and waste, and, most importantly, affordability (or the lack of it!).
What unique issues are affecting your riding?
In West Kelowna-Peachland, securing a second power line is essential to ensure the safety and resilience of our communities. Our riding suffers from inadequate infrastructure and requires substantial investment in our road networks. This includes improvements to Highway 97 interchanges, overpasses, and intersections, upgrades to the Westbank Town Centre couplet, and major enhancements to Westside Road91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ”one of the most dangerous roads in Canada.
The North Westside is undergoing a governance study and deserves more attention and support, as it is often overlooked within our riding.
Additionally, we face a critical shortage of seniors and low-income housing. Many communities of similar size offer hundreds, if not thousands, more affordable housing units than what is currently available in West Kelowna-Peachland.
Finally, greater investment in our RCMP members is vital. While West Kelowna continues to hire officers municipally, the province has not increased its contribution to rural policing. This leaves locally funded officers stretched thin, resulting in reactive rather than proactive policing.
