Samantha Troy of Rossland has been nominated the B.C. Green Party candidate for the Kootenay West riding.
Troy says she believes the B.C. Green platform is a smart and substantiated vision which would sustain the economic, environmental and social needs of the region. She entered the race to give people the option of voting green - in the 2013 provincial election there was no green candidate in the Kootenay West riding.
“Electing B.C. Green Party representatives will give all British Columbians the chance to have progressive and accountable public service voices who are willing to challenge the status quo of our traditional governing parties,” said Troy in a Tuesday news release. “I will be dedicated to exerting positive pressure upon our provincial government to implement ‘best practices’ choices which will benefit the social, economic and environmental wellbeing of all British Columbians into our future.”
Troy has lived in Rossland since 1996. In addition to working as a silviculture specialist for 25 years, she has been employed in operations and dispatch at Red Mountain Resort since 2006.
She cut her political teeth during the 2015 federal election when she stepped in last minute as the Green Party candidate for the South-Okanagan West Kootenay.
Outside of work, some of Troy’s interests include her family, being active outdoors, reading, and keeping up with current
affairs, especially those concerned with environmental issues and international trade agreements.
Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green Party, welcomed Troy’s nomination.
“I am thrilled that Sam is running with the B.C. Greens in Kootenay West,” said Weaver. “She believes in the importance of working across party lines to find solutions to the most pressing problems British Columbians face. With her experience in forestry, the Steelworkers Union and tourism, she knows that sustainable enterprise is the future of this province. She is deeply connected to her community and would be a powerful voice for Kootenay West in the B.C. Legislature.”
Troy is the second candidate in the Kootenay West riding for the May 9 provincial election.
The other is MLA incumbent Katrine Conroy of the NDP.
Key dates include Writ Day on April 11, which is the day the election is expected to be officially called. The nomination period for candidates officially ends one week later, on April 18 at 1 p.m.
Elections BC is working behind-the-scenes before General Voting Day on May 9, with district electoral offices opening in the next two weeks.
Don Vinish, District Electoral Officer for Kootenay West, confirmed that the Trail office will be located at 900 Spokane Street, and hiring will begin April 12.
Those interested in a position are encouraged to review the electoral district maps (elections.bc.ca/maps) to determine which district they would like to work in. Applicants may apply for work in more than one electoral district, however submitting an application does not guarantee employment.
Voting officers and voting clerks will earn $250 on May 9, though the day is long -14 hours or more. Duties begin with set-up of the voting place at 7 a.m. and conclude with completion of ballot count at approximately 9:30 p.m. In between start and finish, election workers must be prepared to sit or stand for long periods.
Rules do apply for Elections BC work: election officials must be at least 15 years old and legally entitled to work in B.C.; a training session is mandatory and must be completed before working as an election official even if the individual has worked the position before.
Office contact information will be published on the Elections BC website April 10, or applicants may call Elections BC at 1-800-661-8683 to find out the nearest location of the district electoral office.
Locally, advance voting will take place at the Royal Canadian Legions in Trail, Castlegar, and Nakusp. Those dates are on April 29 and April 30 from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., and Wednesday May 3 to Saturday May 6 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. General Voting Day is Tuesday, May 9, from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. Pacific time.