File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By James Peters

Provincial Politics

Kamloops councillor Sarai to pursue NDP nomination in Kamloops Centre

Mar 6, 2024 | 9:00 AM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops councillor Bill Sarai says he is seeking the NDP nomination in the provincial riding of Kamloops Centre ahead of the fall election.

Sarai, who is in his second term on council, spoke to CFJC Today to confirm his intentions Wednesday morning (March 6).

“The motivating factor is just seeing what our city has not accomplished in the last 20 years,” said Sarai. “The Build Kamloops (project) is really an eye-opener of the lack of amenities — or even any type of federal or provincial funding to come our way. It seems like we don’t exist past Hope. Nobody exists past Hope, no matter what government has been in power.”

Provincial riding boundaries are changing for the October 19 vote. Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Peter Milobar previously announced he will run for his B.C. United party in Kamloops Centre.

Sarai says he has partnered with Kamloops lawyer Dan Carroll to organize his campaign. He anticipates there will be a nomination contest for the NDP in Kamloops Centre.

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“I think it’s going to be an exciting time for that party where before they were looking for warm bodies and now there are warm bodies lined up,” he noted.

Sarai was first elected to Kamloops council in 2018. He was re-elected in 2022, receiving the second-most votes behind first-time candidate Katie Neustaeter.

The retired postal carrier says he was a union member for 31 years and his family has long supported the NDP.

“At this time, with the NDP in its second term — and I think they’ll be a strong candidate for a third term — I think I have the voice to go [to Victoria] and say, ‘If you want us to be the Tournament Capital of Canada and be the third-fastest growing city in Canada, then we need the provincial help to keep growing and be that city that caters to doctors, nurses, professionals, everyday people and seniors,'” he said.

Sarai says he will take whatever leave from council is necessary to run provincially, should he win the nomination.

Then-councillor Sadie Hunter received the NDP nomination in Kamloops-North Thompson ahead of the 2020 provincial election. She took a leave of absence from council during the writ period, returning after coming in second to Milobar.