DOUBLE ELECTION 2026: Where to meet candidates in Okanagan, Kamloops

There are a number of events going on in Kamloops and the Okanagan with the double election going on and it might be hard to keep track of who’s who and what’s what.

Since candidates are still being announced in the provincial election there aren’t many all-candidate forums yet, but here are the upcoming events so voters can hear the candidates ideas.

Vernon

The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce is hosting its municipal election forum at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, with all candidates invited including the three mayoral candidates including incumbent mayor Victor Cumming, former mayor Wayne Lippert and councillor Kari Gares are set to take the stage

So far, a provincial candidate forum hasn’t been announced for Vernon-Lumby riding.

Kelowna

The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce has two forums scheduled, one for each election.

There’s a mayoral candidate forum Wednesday, Oct. 7, and then a forum for all of the candidates in Kelowna Centre, Kelowna-Mission and Kelowna-Lake Country Coldstream on Oct. 20. The forums are free to attend but you need to pre-register because of a limited capacity.

Kelowna mayoral candidates Tom Dyas and Ron Cannan were supposed to have a debate organized by UBC Okanagan, but both campaigns said they couldn’t find a date that works for both candidates.

Dyas’ campaign said he is amenable to alternative dates.

“If you want to be Mayor of this city, you need to be willing to stand on stage and take questions from residents,” Dyas’ team said in an emailed statement. “Tom is ready to debate Ron Cannan at UBCO…. we said we would make any other date work, but were told Ron could not find one.”

Cannan is attending an event on the university campus, Thursday, Oct. 8, organized by the UBCO Students Association.

The final Castanet forum is set for Thursday, Oct. 1 with the last few council candidates taking the stage at Revelry.

West Kelowna

The mayor’s race in West Kelowna has been settled since Stephen Johnston was unopposed, but candidates for council have a forum on Wednesday, Oct. 7, organized by the Greater Westside Board of Trade.

Typically the business group also holds a provincial election all-candidate forum for the West Kelowna-Peachland riding, but it has yet to be announced.

Penticton

There’s an environment and sustainability themed forum for municipal candidates at the Penticton Okanagan College campus from 7 to 9 p.m., Monday, Oct. 5.

There’s only one official provincial candidate nominated in the riding of Penticton-Summerland as of Sept. 29, so there isn’t much point for a forum yet.

Kamloops

Kamloops incumbent mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson recently turned up to an election forum, but he didn’t go inside.

There are a few events left where voters can meet municipal election candidates. The Kamloops Candidate Trade Show, hosted by BCG Kamloops, goes from 5 to 7 p.m. at the John Tod Centre located at 150 Wood Street.

There will be a meet and greet at the Kamloops Farmer’s Market from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the 200 block of St. Paul Street, Saturday, Oct. 3.

An all-trustee candidate forum organized by the District Parent Advisory Council is scheduled for 6 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 6, at the Henry Grube Education Centre at 245 Kitchener Crescent.

Election days

Municipal election day is Saturday, Oct. 17 and BC election day is Saturday, Oct. 24.

Did we miss an election forum, debate or other opportunity to been the candidates in either election? Please add the details to the comment section below, or send an email to news@infonews.ca.