Photo: Brendan Kergin

Coun. Sadie Hunter.

The BC NDP has unveiled their candidate for Kamloops-North Thompson: Kamloops Coun. Sadie Hunter.

The municipal politician will be running against incumbent BC Liberal MLA Peter Milobar (who himself was a city councillor and mayor prior to running for provincial office). The Green Party has not revealed a candidate yet, and no other parties have come forward yet.

"If the pandemic has taught us one thing it’s that government should be there to lift people up and fill in where they need help," Hunter said in her opening remarks at a morning press conference in McDonald Park. "I’ve been really impressed with the leadership shown by John Horgan and the BC NDP government."

Hunter points to her education (she holds a master in environmental science, with a focus in policy and planning, as well as two bachelors) as why she would make a good MLA. She says her lived experience is something else she'll bring to the table.

"I was a single parent and a student for a long time; I understand the need firsthand for access to affordable housing, affordable daycare and affordable education. I depended on all of these to be able to lift my family up and provide new opportunities," she says, adding she also understands the need for quality health care.

"As someone with a disability and a child with a chronic condition, I spent years navigating these systems and advocating for my own health and the health of my family," she continues.

Hunter was first elected to city council on Oct. 20, 2018; she was introduced this morning by Coun. Dale Bass, who was also elected to council at the same time. More recently, she was won a seat at the UBCM, as a director-at-large. 

Barb Nederpel ran in 2017 for the party. Liberal Peter Milobar won the seat; he’s running as incumbent this year.

— Definitely not just a raccoon at a keyboard (@BKergin) September 28, 2020

She'll take a leave of absence from the civic horseshoe, while the provincial election is underway. 

Hunter admits tossing her hat in the ring was a decision she made in the last week or two.

"I have always stated that my interest is to provide support through my education and experience to the residents of Kamloops, and to the area and bring my best to the table. Until I was asked, it wasn’t on my radar."

When pressed about what she thought of Premier John Horgan calling an election a year early, Hunter says she understands the concerns some people may have. 

"I think what anyone who follows politics will see is partisan campaigning for the next year, regardless, and the pandemic is going to be with us for a long time. For me, it’s really important, especially at the municipal level, to have some stability and know what’s going to be coming at us for the next four years. Having the election now will provide that because there’s some sense of surety," she explains.

British Columbians will head to the polls on Oct. 24.