Surrounded by his family and local supporters, Roly Russell officially accepted the nomination as the BC NDP candidate for Boundary-Similkameen for the provincial election this fall.

Born and raised in rural Grand Forks, Roly is a father of two who is passionate about lowering costs for families, strengthening agriculture and food security, and building an economy that works for everyone in rural BC. As a local leader, he worked tirelessly to help people in need and coordinate disaster recovery during the devastating floods in Grand Forks in 2018. He stepped up again to help communities with disaster recovery following the atmospheric rivers in 2021. He has served as a tireless advocate for rural communities across BC, working across ministries to help deliver solutions that work for rural people.

“People in our communities have been through a lot - from the pandemic, to global inflation and climate-related disasters. That’s why it’s more important than ever that we have a leader who’s on our side, rather than paving the way for powerful interests that take advantage of people again,” said Russell. “With John Rustad, everyday families pay the price with higher costs and an economy that favours those at the top. With David Eby, we have someone in our corner - easing the pressure of everyday costs and making sure we have good-paying jobs in our community. We can’t afford not to invest in our people and communities.”

Since forming government in July 2017, the BC NDP has taken action on crucial issues that matter to the people of Boundary-Similkameen, including:

• Putting people ahead of speculators and investors by bringing in tough new restrictions on short-term rentals and a speculation tax, plus building hundreds of new homes people can afford in Boundary-Similkameen;
• Getting you better care sooner with stronger emergency care in Oliver, plus hiring thousands more doctors, nurses and other health care workers across the province;
• Helping people with costs by eliminating MSP Premiums, reducing ICBC rates by $500 a year, boosting the BC Family Benefit by $445, and cutting childcare fees in half; and
• Taking action to create 75,000 good-paying jobs in the last year, making sure BC leads Canada in clean economic growth, with the highest wages in the country.

“For a long time, Roly Russell has been tireless in his advocacy for what matters to people in Boundary-Similkameen,” said Premier David Eby. “With Roly as part of our BC NDP team, we will keep taking real action to make sure you and your family can build a good life here.”

Roly Russell will join David Eby and 91 other exceptional BC NDP candidates in this fall’s provincial election, all committed to real action to help people build a good life here in BC.