INTERIOR BC – The BC NDP has announced Tina Lee as its candidate in Penticton-Summerland, Mike Wisla in Kamloops Centre and Kory Clark in Kamloops-North Thompson.

Lee has worked as a human rights advocate around the world and in public service in Penticton. She has served as an executive with the City of Penticton, worked in communications and engagement with the Ministry of Forests, and worked in outreach for MP Richard Cannings.

“People in Penticton-Summerland deserve a representative that will stand up for affordable housing, mental health supports and strong public services,” said Lee. “We need to make sure seniors can age with dignity, families can find a home they can afford, and people can get the care and support they need when they need it. I’m proud to stand with the BC NDP because I believe in standing up for working people and building a B.C. where everyone has a fair chance to get ahead.”

“Tina Lee has an amazing work ethic, which is key to being a successful MLA,” said Amelia Boultbee, the current MLA for Penticton-Summerland. “She has deep roots in this community and I have no doubt she will be an amazing MLA.”

Wisla is a longtime teacher and serves as a Senior Labour Relations Officer – Occupational Health and Safety with the Health Sciences Association. His work has included education, labour relations and workplace health and safety.

“I’ve lived through the cuts to education under previous governments, and I saw firsthand what happens when we don’t invest in our public services,” said Wisla. “In healthcare, we need to continue to recruit and retain more workers, make hospitals safer, and give people struggling with homelessness and addiction access to the care they need. I’m running to protect our public services and keep investing in the people who make them work.”

Clark grew up in Cache Creek and has called Kamloops home for many years. He has spent the past seven years working in healthcare, including as a community support worker with USW Local 1-417.

“After seven years in healthcare, I’ve seen how much people depend on a strong public healthcare system,” said Clark. “The NDP has also made real progress on housing, but the Conservatives would roll back those changes and make it harder and more expensive to find a home. I’m running to protect that progress, strengthen healthcare, and make life more affordable for people in Kamloops-North Thompson.”

“Tina, Mike and Kory are committed to fighting for the people of B.C.,” said David Eby, BC NDP Leader. “Our team is focused on lowering costs, strengthening health care and building an economy that is less reliant on the United States.”

Donald Trump did not just start a trade war with Canada; he also launched the war in Iran that caused global oil prices to spike. Eby said the BC NDP’s recently announced gas-price plan to suspend a portion of the provincial gas tax and crack down on corporate price gouging, would save up to 30 cents a litre for drivers.
“These steps will lower gas costs for drivers and stop oil and gas companies from taking advantage of people. The Conservatives would cozy up to Trump, cut health care and hike costs on working people. They would also double ICBC rates, making life more expensive for drivers,” said Eby.

The BC NDP has reduced ICBC rates by $500 and frozen them for seven years. The Conservatives have said they would reverse those savings and make drivers pay more.

BIOS:

Tina Lee (headshot here)
Tina Lee has spent her career advocating for fairness and government that responds to the needs of everyday people, working as a human rights advocate around the world and in public service in Penticton. She has served as an executive with the City of Penticton, worked in communications and engagement with the Ministry of Forests and previously worked in outreach for MP Richard Cannings. Tina is a mother of two, President of Canadian Parents for French, a former Okanagan College Board of Governors member and an active volunteer with local organizations.

Mike Wisla (headshot here)
Mike Wisla is a longtime teacher and currently serves as a Senior Labour Relations Officer – Occupational Health and Safety with the Health Sciences Association, bringing years of experience in education, labour relations and workplace health and safety. Earlier in his career, he worked in coal mining, pulp milling, tree planting and wildfire response, and spent eight years as a paramedic. Mike has also served 17 years as a Sea Cadet officer, coached volleyball for many years, and is a proud father of three and grandfather of one.

Kory Clark (headshot here)
Kory Clark grew up in Cache Creek and has called Kamloops home for many years. He has spent the past seven years working in healthcare, including as a community support worker with USW Local 1-417, inspired by his mother’s work with hospital employees. A member of the Michel Band, Kory is active in his community, volunteering with Interior Health and Bonaparte First Nation, and is committed to making a difference for people across Kamloops-North Thompson.