The nomination period for the upcoming election closed at 4 p.m. Sept. 11.

“To help electors get to know the candidates running for office, we have posted short biographies. They are linked off our Elections page and we encourage residents to visit the page to learn more about those running for office along with other election-related information and key dates,” said Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Chief Election Officer, Tina Hlushak.

In addition to running the RDEK Local General Election for Electoral Area Director, the RDEK is running the elections for the following:

• School District No. 5 – Trustee Electoral Area 4 (RDEK Electoral Area B); and,
• School District No. 6 – Trustee Electoral Area 4 (RDEK Electoral Area F and Village of Canal Flats) and Trustee Electoral Area 5 (RDEK Electoral Area G and Village of Radium Hot Springs)

Although the candidates have been declared, the official Declaration of Election by Voting or Acclamation will take place September 21.

“The period between the close of nomination and the Declaration of Election and Acclamation is in place to allow for a number of statutory processes, including challenges and candidate withdrawals. This ensures the final election outcome is confirmed accurately and transparently,” explained Hlushak.

On September 21, 2026, the RDEK will formally declare either:

• an election by voting, if there is more than one candidate; or
• candidates elected by acclamation, where there is only one candidate.

The Local General Election and General School Election will be held October 17.

Advance voting will take place October 7 and 13.

Full details, including the links to the candidate bios can be found on engage.rdek.bc.ca/elections.

1, Tina Hlushak, Chief Election Officer for the Regional District of East Kootenay, do hereby declare, pursuant to section 97 of the Local Government Act, the following persons as candidates in the 2026 General Local Election:

Candidates for the office of Electoral Area A Director:

McDonald, Thomas – Koocanusa West.

Candidates for the office of Electoral Area B Director:

Damstrom, Krista – Jaffray.

Candidates for the office of Electoral Area C Director:

Walsh, Samantha – Cranbrook.

Candidates for the office of Electoral Area E Director:

Berg, Nowell – Wasa,

Flegel, Penny – Wasa.

Candidates for the office of Electoral Area F Director:

Clovechok, Susan – Fairmont Hot Springs

Randall, Quentin – Windermere

Candidates for the office of Electoral Area G Director:

Schnider, Roberta – Edgewater

Given under my hand at Cranbrook, British Columbia, this 11th day of September 2026.

RDEK

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