Issues for Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen
Where do candidates stand on environment and climate?
This election is critical, and who we elect will shape the future of our community for decades to come. We engaged with candidates, and asked them to complete a questionnaire to find out where they stand on climate and environmental policies we care about.
What about other issues?
Local groups have organized candidate forums in some of the RDOS Areas. Information about these forums should be available through local media.
Policy commitments for Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen
Summary of candidates' policy commitments, grouped by category. Click on each candidate's name to learn more and read their responses to the questionnaire.
| Candidate | Total | Buildings | Ecosystems | Land Use | Transport | Watersheds | Zero Waste |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Director | |||||||
| Rob Bilyk | 16/16 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| James Bradford | 16/16 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| George D Bush | 0/16 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Jason Earl | 16/16 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adrienne Fedrigo | 16/16 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cheryl Halla | 11/16 | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | ✓ | ~ |
| Clayton Hillman | 14/16 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | ✓ | ~ |
| Kandis Lipsett | 15/16 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mark Mattes | 0/16 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Anita Molaro | 16/16 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mark Pendergraft | 0/16 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Tim Roberts | 0/16 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| John Rousseau | 9/16 | ✓ | ~ | ✓ | ~ | ~ | ~ |
| Sandy Schroeder | 9/16 | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | ✓ | ~ |
| Henry Sielmann | 15/16 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Shelby Smith | 0/16 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
Candidates for Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen
Click on each candidate's profile to learn more and read their responses to the questionnaire.
Director
Rob Bilyk
Director 16/16 Climate Policies
Rob Bilyk is a Naramata resident, husband, father, volunteer firefighter and First Responder. He brings 20 years of leadership experience and offers practical, transparent leadership that protects Area E's character and strengthens the community.
Jamie moved to the Okanagan 3 years ago after spending over a decade working in the hospitality industry in Ontario, and completing a post-graduate program at George Brown College. He works as a Brand Ambassador in the wine industry
Jason Earl
Director 16/16 Climate Policies
I’ve been happily married to my wife, Alyson, for 17 years. We moved to the Okanagan in 2008, and in Faulder since 2017. We enjoy being outdoors with our dogs, Rose & Bird. The Bald Range Wildfire took our home, but will rebuild in the place we love.
I am currently the Area "E" Director for the RDOS, committed to strong rural communities, local autonomy, and sustainable economic growth. I champion asset-based development, business resilience, agriculture, and tourism to help the region thrive.
Cheryl Halla
Director 11/16 Climate Policies
Moved to the area in 1980, and worked for the Kaleden Irrigation District for 38 years. My experience with not only Kaleden ID, but two other Improvement Districts as a Certified Public Administrator has enabled me to understand community needs.
Clayton Hillman
Director 14/16 Climate Policies
My name is Clayton Hillman and I'm running for the RDOS Electoral Area "B" Directorship. I am the co-owner and the General Manager of T.L.Timber Ltd., our family based business that has proudly served the community since 1997.
Kandis Lipsett
Director 15/16 Climate Policies
As a scientist, emergency professional, entrepreneur, mother and my experiences, I have developed a deep understanding of the importance of our natural resources, infrastructure and the impacts we have as humans on the earth.
Anita Molaro
Director 16/16 Climate Policies
this box has a glitch and won't accept more than 30+ words so I put my Short Bio in the last box provided.
Builder, industrial designer master joiner. Survived the bald range fire and look forward to helping my neighbours rebuild.
Sandy Schroeder
Director 9/16 Climate Policies
A resident of Osprey Lake since 2016, Sandy is a hardworking mother of 2, homeschooling, homesteading and supporting her community where she can. Believing in helping others and living her core values of honesty, integrity and hard work.
Henry Sielmann
Director 15/16 Climate Policies
I grew up on our family farm. Tractors were eventually replaced by lab equipment and calculators at the university. My professional career saw me manage various technology projects around the globe. Campaign motto: Protecting our lifestyle.
How to vote
On October 17, 2026, Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen voters will elect a Director for their Electoral Area (A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H, or I).
Are you registered to vote?
Update your voter information such as your residential or mailing address with Elections BC: elections.bc.ca/register
Voting Locations are listed below. Find out more about how to vote here: General Local Elections | RDOS Regional Connections
Voting tip
When you vote, only vote for the candidates you want elected. If that is one mayor and five councillors, only put down those names. For council, the top candidates with the most votes are elected, so if you vote for someone that you don't really want elected, that may bump your preferred candidates off the list.
Voting opportunities
| Date | Type | Location | Start time | End time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, October 7, 2026 | Advanced Voting Day | AREA "A": Sonora Community Centre, 8505 68th Avenue, Osoyoos | 8:00am | 8:00pm |
| Wednesday, October 7, 2026 | Advanced Voting Day | AREA "B": Victory Hall, 427 7th Avenue, Keremeos | 8:00am | 8:00pm |
| Wednesday, October 7, 2026 | Advanced Voting Day | AREA "E": RDOS-Skaha Lake Road Office, 3547 Skaha Lake Road, Penticton | 8:00am | 8:00pm |
| Wednesday, October 7, 2026 | Advanced Voting Day | AREA "F": RDOS-Skaha Lake Road Office, 3547 Skaha Lake Road, Penticton | 8:00am | 8:00pm |
| Wednesday, October 7, 2026 | Advanced Voting Day | AREA "H": Princeton & District Community Skills Centre, 206 Vermilion Forks Avenue, Princeton | 8:00am | 8:00pm |
| Wednesday, October 7, 2026 | Advanced Voting Day | AREA "I": RDOS-Skaha Lake Road Office, 3547 Skaha Lake Road, Penticton | 8:00am | 8:00pm |
| Saturday, October 17, 2026 | General Voting Day | AREA "A": Sonora Community Centre, 8505 68th Avenue, Osoyoos | 8:00am | 8:00pm |
| Saturday, October 17, 2026 | General Voting Day | AREA "B": Victory Hall, 427 7th Avenue, Keremeos | 8:00am | 8:00pm |
| Saturday, October 17, 2026 | General Voting Day | AREA "E": Naramata Elementary School, 3660 8th Street, Naramata | 8:00am | 8:00pm |
| Saturday, October 17, 2026 | General Voting Day | AREA "F": West Bench Elementary, 1604 West Bench Drive, Penticton; AND Summerland Arena Banquet Room, 8820 Jubilee Road East, Summerland | 8:00am | 8:00pm |
| Saturday, October 17, 2026 | General Voting Day | AREA "H": Princeton & District Community Skills Centre, 206 Vermilion Forks Avenue, Princeton | 8:00am | 8:00pm |
| Saturday, October 17, 2026 | General Voting Day | AREA "I": Kaleden Elementary School, 152 Linden Avenue, Kaleden | 8:00am | 8:00pm |