Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen

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 BuildingsEcosystemsLand UseTransportWatershedsZero 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 – – – – – –
✓ Consistent support
~ Neutral or mixed response
× Consistent opposition
– No response

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.

RDOS Area E Full profile →
JB James Bradford Director 16/16 Climate Policies

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

Area A Full profile →
George D Bush Director DID NOT RESPOND
Area B Full profile →
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.

Area F Full profile →
AF Adrienne Fedrigo Director 16/16 Climate Policies

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.

Electoral Area "E" Full profile →
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.

Area I Full profile →
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.

Area B Full profile →
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.

Area D-Skaha Estates, Lakeshore Highlands, Heritage Hills Full profile →
Mark Mattes Director DID NOT RESPOND
Area C Full profile →
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.

RDOS Area E Full profile →
Mark Pendergraft Director DID NOT RESPOND
Area A Full profile →
Tim Roberts Director DID NOT RESPOND
Area G Full profile →
JR John Rousseau Director 9/16 Climate Policies

Builder, industrial designer master joiner. Survived the bald range fire and look forward to helping my neighbours rebuild.

Area F (Faulder) Full profile →
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.

Area H Full profile →
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.

Area I Full profile →
Shelby Smith Director DID NOT RESPOND
Area H Full profile →

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

DateTypeLocationStart timeEnd 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

Compiled & presented by

Authorized by First Things First Okanagan, registered sponsor under LECFA, info@firstthingsfirstokanagan.com

Vote4Tomorrow is an independent voter guide to evaluate where local candidates stand on climate and environmental policies that will affect our future.

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