Summerland Mayor Toni Boot to run for B.C. NDP in Penticton

The NDP have selected a candidate to run in the Penticton riding in the next provincial election.

The B.C. NDP announced this afternoon, Sept. 16, Summerland Mayor Toni Boot has been acclaimed as the candidate for Penticton.

The riding is currently held by Liberal MLA Dan Ashton. He was first to the legislature in 2013 and re-elected in 2017. He is currently the Agri-Tourism critic.

Boot is a former small business owner and a supporter of agriculture and sustainability, according to a B.C. NDP media release.

"The people living in the Penticton area deserve a strong leader who can work closely with government to help them and their families face the challenges in their lives — challenges that have only been increased by the pandemic,” Boot said in the release. “Our region needs a recovery that focuses on affordability and builds back a better economy — one that helps us protect our environment."

Boot grew up in Summerland where she launched a successful agri-business, taught agriculture at Okanagan College and created Grasslands Nursery.

She is currently serving her second term on the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen board of directors and is a respected advocate for anti-racism and climate action.

“Toni Boot is an experienced leader who has shown she will stand up for others and face challenges head on,” Premier John Horgan said in the release.

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