The field of candidates for the Kamloops-Thompson-Nicola riding is slowly taking shape, with two more names now in the running.
Iain Currie was named as the Liberal Party of Canada candidate on March 28, while on March 31 the NDP named Miguel Godau as their candidate in the riding. They join incumbent Frank Caputo, the Conservative Party candidate, and Chris Enns, running for the People’s Party of Canada.
Currie has twice run federally in the former riding of Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo, both times for the Green Party. He resigned his membership of the Green Party in March and has now joined the Liberals. A former prosecutor, Currie was a colleague of Caputo’s when both men worked in the Kamloops Crown counsel office.
Currie, who was not originally planning to run in this election, has said that the Liberals and the Greens have some shared political values, and that environmental issues are important to the Liberal Party.
Godau, who currently lives in Castlegar, was raised in Ashcroft and has lived in Logan Lake, and has strong ties to the Kamloops-Nicola region.
A leader in the Department of Child and Youth Mental Health, Godau has been a community leader throughout his career, serving on boards in the arts, sports, and recreation. He has also been a union activist with the BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU).
The Green Party is the only major party to not yet announce a candidate in Kamloops-Thompson-Nicola. The close of nominations for candidates is April 7, and a complete list of confirmed candidates will be available as of April 9.
The new riding of Kamloops-Thompson-Nicola was added following recommendations from the Federal Electoral Boundaries committee, which heard submissions in 2022 and made their decision in early 2023. The riding extends from Lytton to south of 100 Mile on the west and from Merritt to north of Blue River on the east, and includes much of the City of Kamloops.
General voting day is on Monday, April 28. Voters will also have opportunities to cast their ballots on advance voting days at locations throughout the riding, and voting by mail is also allowed. Details about where and when to vote, in advance or on the day, will be on your voter registration card, which will be arriving in the mail soon. For more information go to www.elections.ca.
