• How We Evaluated Responses
• Election Report Card Results
• Climate action records of 2022–2026 Council members
• Who completed Individual Surveys?
• Why did we choose to put out a list?

 

Elections matter and voters deserve to know where the candidates stand. In addition to evaluating the voting records of incumbents who are running again, Transition Kamloops asked the 35 local candidates for Mayor and Councillor to answer a 12-question survey with a focus on sustainability, community, and climate action. We got 21 surveys back, and we appreciate the time these candidates took to make their views known and to help voters understand their platform from a different angle. 

This report card is a starting point. A survey cannot capture everything a candidate believes or everything they might do if elected. We encourage voters to listen to the many candidate interviews and forums, ask questions, and take opportunities to meet candidates to round out their own views about who should get their vote.

We would like to thank The Kamloops Food Policy Council for providing question number six on food security (interpretation of answers is ours alone). We are grateful for the work that you do! 

We also tip our hats to other organizations in the community who are doing great work covering the election. The Wren has wonderful pieces that dive into topics like homelessness and mental health, affordability, AI infrastructure, and public transportation. We encourage you to check out their reporting!

Our survey questions focused on 12 areas relating to Transition Kamloops’ mandate, including: Climate Change Mitigation, Active Transportation, Transit/ Carshare, Environmental Stewardship/Protection, Biodiversity, Food Security, Housing and Sustainable Development, Land Use, Governance, Reconciliation, Emergency Preparedness / Extreme Weather Events, and Livability and Community Health.

We scored each candidate’s 12 survey responses from 0-2, for a maximum of 24 points. Our guiding question was: Does this idea advance equity, sustainability and the public good, particularly for people and communities most affected by the decision? For incumbents, we also reviewed their 2022-2026 Council voting records related to Transition Kamloops’ priorities, adding up to another 24 points–for a total of 48, IF they also did the survey (Bill Sarai and Reid Hamer-Jackson did not). To compare everyone fairly, we then converted final scores to percentages. 

The percentages fell into three natural groups, which gives readers a starting point for considering how closely each candidate aligns with Transition Kamloops’ values and priorities. 

🔴 0% – 49% – Vote with caution… A candidate who may be unlikely to support existing or proposed policies relating to the environment, climate change, and vulnerable groups. They may not understand the issue or have a position. 

🟡 50% – 75% – Solid maybes! Understands the 12 topics and has a position, but may not commit to action. Support for programs may be conditional. 

🟢 76% – 100% – Strong contenders! A community champion who centres equity and sustainability in their perspectives and decision making, and has/or will make it a priority. 

And without further ado, the results! Drum roll, please….

Candidates are listed in order of final ranking from highest to lowest in each category.

Green 🟢 

• Greg Unger
• Lindsay McDonald
• Jesse Ritcey
• Nancy Bepple
• Christopher Mitra

Yellow 🟡

• Stephen Karpuk
• Bonnie Cleland
• Randy Sunderman
• Kathrine Blair-Wunderlich
• Dale Bass
• Nelly Dever — Mayor
• Katie Neustaeter
• Ivory Winston — Mayor
• Kelly Hall

Red 🔴

• Mike O’Reilly — Mayor
• Dave Baker
• Kadin Rainville
• Dennis Giesbrecht
• Margot Middleton
• Bryce Eberle
• Bill Sarai
• Reid Hamer-Jackson — Mayor
• Steve Bucher

The best tool we have to judge an elected official’s position is to reflect on their decision history. This is why we compiled important sustainability-related decisions made by the current Council. These included votes from regular Council and Committee of the Whole meetings on the following topics: accelerating cycling infrastructure; the Lansdowne multi-use path; Bike Valet funding; carshare; Climate Action Levy and Community Climate Action Plan funding; neighbourhood 30 km/h limits; physical traffic-calming measures; a city-wide Traffic Calming Policy; the Flood Hazard Development Permit Area; a 26°C cooling standard for existing rental housing; FireSmart and fuel-mitigation funding; joint climate adaptation with Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc; Agricultural Land Reserve decisions, Kenna Village land-use decisions, City and federal policy on AI data centres, the BC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program, and stronger renter protections.

The public voting record is linked here for reference. 

Note: The following lists are done alphabetically by first name*

Mayoral Candidates

Councillor Candidates

You can also view all of the survey responses together in our spreadsheet linked here. 

 

It’s hard enough for most people to navigate elections and parse through the onslaught of campaign noise. It’s difficult for us too – and we like to think we have our finger at least partially on the pulse!

We wanted to make it easier for all folks to narrow down the long list of candidates based on shared values, goals, and a positive vision for our city. We acknowledge that a survey is a snapshot and that these responses may not represent a candidate’s comprehensive view or beliefs.

As an organization committed to the complex, intersectional issue of climate action, we know that bold, immediate work is needed to meaningfully make a difference, and how this shows up in local government decisions matters a lot: both symbolically and tangibly. 

We asked these important survey questions because at the end of the day, a Council of nine people will be making tough decisions that will impact this city and our lives for many years to come. We hope that you will think about how the candidates have represented themselves here, in other forums, and in how they have voted (for incumbents) to decide for yourself who is best suited to lead this community. 

This isn’t a perfect science and we encourage you to consider this list as a starting point. Please do your own research (check out the upcoming forums) and most importantly, please vote.

 

Sincerely, 

Nancy and the Transition Kamloops team