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. 

Loyal Wooldridge is a values-driven leader dedicated to fostering community, entrepreneurship, and social equity. Elected to Kelowna City Council in 2018, Loyal is an advocate for inclusive strategies that positively address social challenges such as homelessness, mental health, addictions, and housing. As a current member and former Chair of the Regional District of Central Okanagan and Okanagan, he has a track record of effectively addressing emerging issues. A skilled communicator and negotiator, he prioritises people's needs while maintaining financial responsibility and economic resilience.

Loyal believes in the power of volunteering. As the founder of Loyal Hair at the age of 21, he built his organization on the foundation that giving back is essential for collective prosperity and success. Today, his involvement and support for numerous non-profit organizations serves to shed light on important local initiatives. Loyal Wooldridge has, and will continue to, work tirelessly to build a brighter future for the Okanagan region and beyond.

What qualifications do you think an MLA should have?

As the only Kelowna Centre candidate with government experience, I bring a strong, firsthand understanding of Kelowna91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s challenges91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ”and more importantly, the solutions91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ”because the issues we face are complex and not solved with quick fixes.

Kelowna Centre91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s MLA needs experience tackling the Okanagan91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s greatest challenges and delivering real solutions for complex issues like housing, public safety, infrastructure, and health care.

As a small business owner for my entire adult life, leading teams, overcoming obstacles and delivering results, I91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™ve developed the ability to listen, understand, and work pragmatically toward solutions that benefit the majority.

In joining the public sector, I took that same problem-solving mindset to serve the people of Kelowna. I91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™ve invested the time to deeply understand our community from the ground up, and I91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™ve worked collaboratively with the provincial government to secure investments in our highest priorities. As the former Chair of the Regional District of Central Okanagan, I was part of a team of people who helped this region get through its most challenging wildfire season in 20 years91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ”working swiftly across local, provincial, and federal lines to deliver what our community needed in real time.

Public service isn91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™t easy91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ”it demands grit, courage, and tough decision-making in the face of adversity. It91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s about choosing what91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s right for our community, even when it91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s not the most comfortable or popular path. I believe that leadership is about ensuring that we always look out for the long-term interests of Kelowna, and I91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™m ready to continue doing just that.

What qualifications do you have to represent your riding?

With my background in business and two terms on Kelowna City Council, I91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™m ready to get to work from day one. I have a proven track record of relentless dedication to understanding Kelowna91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s greatest challenges and delivering real solutions for complex issues like housing, public safety, infrastructure, and health care. It91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s easy to point out problems and focus on how difficult life is for many people right now, but real leadership demands more91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ”it requires the courage to make tough decisions and take bold action to move our community forward.

A true leader doesn91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™t react; they listen, adapt, and act. I believe in the power of informed decision-making, guided by diverse perspectives and a deep understanding of the people we serve. Kelowna deserves a representative who not only recognizes the complexity of the challenges we face but is committed to tangible, impactful progress.

I91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™m ready to advocate fiercely for the solutions that will improve lives across Kelowna Centre91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ”from building affordable housing to ensuring a strong healthcare system and investing in critical infrastructure. Now more than ever, we need leadership that91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s ready to meet this moment with clarity, compassion, and the determination to deliver results.

 What political issues will drive voters to the polls this election?

Life is hard right now and we all feel it. There91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s urgent work to be done on the issues that matter most. People of Kelowna Centre are saying they want an MLA who will tackle safety, addiction, and housing head-on.

These challenges are complex, and there are no quick fixes. After decades of underfunding and cutbacks from previous governments, the systems that support our community are fragile91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ”but we are making progress. Rental prices are beginning to come down, David Eby91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s violent offenders initiative are being holding repeat offenders accountable reducing the local Crime Severity Index,  hundreds of doctors and nurses are entering our health care system, and a renewed focus on addiction services is helping those in crisis with mandatory care, particularly those who pose a danger to themselves and others. The road ahead is long, but progress is on the horizon.

The BC NDP has a plan to deliver over 300,000 units of housing and continues to invest into crucial infrastructure to manage growth. There is more work to do. We need a government with a bold plan that doesn91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™t play into people91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s fear or cynicism, but instead makes the courageous decisions to propel Kelowna forward. People deserve an MLA that is going to get to work and advocate on behalf of Kelowna.

 What unique issues are affecting your riding?

The new Kelowna Centre riding is the city's fastest-growing urban core and suburban neighborhoods. With this rapid growth come big-city challenges that require an actual plan. Everyone should feel safe in our community, have access to housing, public health care and the infrastructure to make life easier: like rapid transit and child care.

We are witnessing the heartbreaking impacts of poverty, housing instability, and the tragic consequences of synthetic drug use, which have profoundly affected behavior and safety in our streets - it means taking brave action in new ways informed by experts. While these issues are continent-wide, we need a local MLA who understands the uniqueness of Kelowna and has been doing the work necessary to tackle them head-on.

When we prioritize people, the economy follows. Right now, small businesses are struggling under the weight of inflation and workforce shortages. Traditionally, Kelowna has relied on tourism and service as the core business. We91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™ve seen how we need to diversify our economic development to become resilient. By fostering a renewed economic vision centered on good-paying jobs in emerging industries we can support small businesses all year long and work to reduce the risk of slow tourist seasons. There is a strategic advantage of YLW International Airport, that has potential to unlock global investment and lead in innovation through emerging startups. This is the bright future of Kelowna we can build91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ”with vision.