(File photo/Vernon Matters)

By Liam Verster

Forums scheduled

Elections Canada confirms candidates for Election 2021

Sep 1, 2021 | 12:20 PM

The candidates running in the 2021 federal election have been confirmed by Elections Canada.

The North Okanagan – Shuswap riding will see the two-term incumbent Conservative Mel Arnold take on Kyle Delfing with the People’s Party of Canada, Liberal representative Shelly Desautels, Andrea Gunner with the Green Party, and NDP candidate Ron Johnston.

In the Kelowna – Lake Country riding, incumbent Conservative Tracy Gray will be up against Cade Desjarleis with the NDP, Liberal Tim Krupa, Brian Rogers with the People’s Party of Canada, and Green Party representative Imre Szeman.

The Central Okanagan – Similkameen – Nicola incumbent, Conservative Dan Albas, will share the ballot with Liberal candidate Sarah Eves, People’s Party of Canada representative Kathryn McDonald, Joan Phillip with the NDP, and Brennan Wauters with the Green Party.

The public will have some chances to see and hear from their candidates in all-party forums leading up to the election.

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The Sustainable Environment Network Society will hold a virtual forum on Thursday, September 2, where candidates for the North Okanagan – Shuswap riding will face questions pertaining to the environment.

Four of the five candidates are expected to attend, with organizers saying Shelley Desautels of the Liberals will not be there as she has another committment for that evening.

READ MORE: Green group to hold election forum

The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce will also host a virtual all-candidates forum on Wednesday, September 8, to learn more about the platforms of the candidates from the North Okanagan – Shuswap riding to answer questions from local residents and business owners.

To register to watch the forum, click here.

READ MORE: UPDATE: Five person race in North Okanagan – Shuswap, forum on Sept.8

Meanwhile, the Chambers of Commerce for Kelowna and Lake Country plan to co-host an all-candidates forum to have their candidates address issues relevant to the region, as well as answer questions from chamber members on Tuesday, September 14.

READ MORE: Virtual all-candidates forum planned for Kelowna – Lake Country riding

The confirmed list of candidates was released by Elections Canada on Wednesday, September 1. Click here for more information on the candidates and how to vote.

Canadians will go to the polls on Monday, Sept. 20.