Canada’s federal elections are coming up Monday, April 28 with advanced voting opening Friday, April 18. New to Kamloops? First time voting in Canada? Been here for generations and just want help keeping track of the candidates? We’ve got you covered in this Kamloops federal election guide.
This guide will be updated with additional voting information, news of debates and other related stories.
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What are Kamloops’ ridings?
Riding refers to the subdivision of counties, in this federal election it means the electoral district. Back in 2023, the federal boundaries changed due to an increase in the population of British Columbia. This time around there is an addition of one new member of parliament making it 43 members for the province. The riding boundaries changed splitting Kamloops in two. Residents will either vote for Kamloops-Thompson-Nicola or Kamloops-Shuswap-Central Rockies.
The updated boundary goes all the way down Highway 5A and splits downtown in Sixth Avenue between east and west. Residents east of Sixth Avenue will be in Kamloops-Shuswap-Central Rockies riding and residents west of Sixth Avenue will be in Kamloops-Thompson-Nicola riding.
Other communities like Clearwater, Barriere, Cache Creek, Merritt, Lytton and Ashcroft are also part of Kamloops-Thompson-Nicola riding. While communities like Salmon Arm, Armstrong, Revelstoke and Golden are part of Kamloops-Shuswap-Central Rockies riding.
These geographical areas will be represented by a member of parliament in the house of commons.
Who are the candidates for Kamloops-Thompson-Nicola riding?
Frank Caputo, Conservative Party of Canada (CPC): Caputo is the current member of parliament for Kamloops-Thompson-Nicola riding and part of CPC. Caputo is running again for the same seat. Website, Facebook.
Iain Currie, Liberal Party of Canada (LPC): Currie is a Kamloops lawyer, a former Crown prosecutor who currently works as a criminal defense attorney. Currie has previously run in two federal elections for the Green Party however for 2025 he is the candidate for LPC. Website, Facebook.
Miguel Godau, New Democratic Party (NDP): Godau works for the Department of Child and Youth Mental Health and was born and raised in Ashcroft. Godau was appointed as the candidate for NDP in a press release. NDP Kamloops Thompson Nicola Facebook.
Jenna Lindley, Green Party of Canada (GPC): Lindley is the candidate for the GPC according to the website of the Green Party. The Wren has reached out to the party for more details but they have not been received yet.
Chris Enns, People’s Party of Canada (PPC): Enns was raised on a B.C. poultry farm, moved away to Australia and returned to Canada in 2021. Enns currently operates a marketing and research consulting firm and is running with PPC. Website, Facebook.
Who are the candidates for Kamloops-Shuswap-Central Rockies riding?
Mel Arnold, Conservative Party of Canada (CPC): Arnold is a current member of parliament for the CPC and seeks to have that position again. Website, Facebook.
Ken Robertson, Liberal Party of Canada (LPC): Robertson is Secwépemc from the Neskonlith Indian Band. He is the founder of Four Directions Autism and has worked with individuals with autism spectrum disorder. In the 2021 he ran in the federal election, now he is the candidate for LPC in 2025. Website, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter).
Phaedra Idzan, New Democratic Party (NDP): Idzan was born and raised in the Shuswap and has occupied positions in the BC Ministry of Justice and Yukon Government’s Ministry of Justice. Idzan is running for the NDP. Website, Facebook.
Owen Madden, Green Party of Canada (GPC): Madden is a co-owner of Nature Delivered, a farming and food supply business and farm owner. Madden is the candidate for the GPC. GPC Website, Secondary Website, Facebook.
John Michael Henry, People’s Party of Canada (PPC): Born and raised in Revelstoke, Henry has worked as a certified tradesman and has run his own mechanical contracting business. Henry is the candidate for PPC in this federal election. Website, X (formerly Twitter).
Responsibilities of a member of Parliament
A member of Parliament (MP) has to work in their constituency and the House of Commons. Constituency refers to the geographical area that the MP was elected to represent in the House of Commons.
Normally, MPs are in Ottawa from Monday to Friday when Parliament is sitting and return to their constituency on weekends. When Parliament stands adjourned the MPs spend more time in their constituencies to focus on local matters.
MPs are elected to represent the needs and concerns of their constituents. Constituents can ask for help on various matters to their MP. In the upcoming federal elections Canadians will elect one MP in each constituency so they are represented in the House of Commons. The MPs can work on their behalf to create new laws and policies.
The total number of MPs is based on population and the number of MPs has grown in the House of Commons as the country grows too. Each MP approximately represents 110,000 Canadians.
Federal politics for Kamloops can include immigration, climate change, housing, federal funding, conservation, farming and others.
Where to vote?
At the moment of publication of this article the polling locations have not been announced, however if you are curious about the closest location to your home you can check the Elections Canada website.
Are you registered to vote?
If you have filled out your taxes and are already registered in the National Register of Electors you are eligible to vote. If you are registered you should get a voter information card in the mail with the information of where and when you can vote. The voter information card will be sent to the address you had in the most recent tax return.
If you want to check if you are registered or want to sign up for mail-in voting you can do so through the Online Voter Registration Service.
The local Elections Canada office for Kamloops-Thompson-Nicola is located at Lansdowne Village Shopping Centre 450 Lansdowne St., Suite 110. If you want to look up information exclusive to where you live you can access the voter information service online.
Advanced voting opens on Friday, April 18 and will run until Monday, April 21. Official voting day is Monday, April 28.
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