Binny Boparai joins race for BC United candidate for new Kelowna riding

A farmer, entrepreneur and mom has announced she's in the running for the BC United Party candidacy in the new riding of Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream.

Binny Boparai is the fifth person to express interest in the former BC Liberal Party nomination in the riding. Mohini Singh, Bal Grewal, Amanda Shatzko and Adam Wilson have already said they are running.

Boparai is engineer-trained, a farmer, entrepreneur and mother who said she decided to run because she thinks there's a need for young people to get involved in politics. Boparai and her husband Avi Gill co-founded Farming Karma Fruit Co. which produces fruit soda.

"We need people who have diverse backgrounds and experience to contribute to the political landscape," she told iNFOnews.ca.

"I went to school for engineering. I am a farmer. I am an entrepreneur. I am a founder of Farming Karma Fruit Co. I am actively engaged in the non-profit sector, and I am raising a young family, here in this riding. I think I offer a very diverse perspective on what the good things are in this community and what the challenges an average family is facing, and I want to take my voice and advocate for people just like myself in this community.”

She says BC United's plan is what the province needs right now.

"Affordability is a crisis, housing is a crisis, we’re seeing crime uptake, and I think we need a change,” she said.

It's her first time running to be an elected official, and although she doesn't see her lack of political experience to be a challenge.

“At the end of the day I’m running because I am passionate about public service. I am excited to work for the people and I just want to be a voice for my community and advocate for them and work really really hard to get the results needed for our community.”

The next provincial election will take place on or before Oct. 19, 2024.

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