Osoyoos school trustee candidate loses court battle against school district

PENTICTON – A Kelowna judge has denied an application from a losing candidate in a Okanagan Similkameen school board byelection last year to have the results overturned.

Judge Peter Rogers has denied Penny Duperron’s application to have the results of the Nov. 5, 2016 byelection for Osoyoos trustee ruled invalid in Kelowna court today, Jan. 5.

Judge Rogers said although he did find an irregularity in the election process, he did not find the error big enough to declare the election invalid, according to a media release from Duperron.

Duperron says she still considers the decision a victory because her intent was to have the process reviewed by an impartial third party “even though the school district lawyers threw up roadblocks and technicalities to try and stop it from being heard.”

She says the Rogers ruled a second advance poll would not have produced a different result.

Duperron also noted the judge did not award costs to the school board because it would be unfair because the petition was filed in good faith.

While somewhat disappointed, Duperron is not entirely surprised by the results, adding she plans to run for school board in 2018.

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