Fraser-Nicola pits incumbent Conservative against former chief running for the Greens

Oct 21, 2026 | 4:45 PM

KAMLOOPS — Fraser-Nicola is a vast riding covering the communities of Merritt, Hope, Lillooet, Logan Lake, Lytton, Ashcroft and Cache Creek. Since the riding’s inception in 2009, three parties have won the seat, starting with the NDP and Harry Lali, followed by the Liberals’ Jackie Tegart and, most recently, the Conservatives with Tony Luck. This Saturday, Luck will be looking to retain his seat versus the NDP and Green Party.

More than 50 per cent of the votes went to former Merritt city councillor Luck in 2024, as the Conservative was elected to his first term in Victoria.

“Most of the people are concerned about jobs and the cost of living and things like that,” Luck told CFJC News. “One of the things we are going to be doing to try to help with the cost of living, we are moving the personal tax exception up to $32,000, so I think that is huge, long overdue. I’ve complained about how low it is for decades.”

On Saturday, Luck will face the NDP’s Jason Leboe, who was not made available for comment, and the former chief of Kanaka Bar, Patrick Michell for the Greens.

Question of the Week

How satisfied are you with the results of the election for Kamloops mayor and council?

Oct 19, 2026

1000 Ways to Heal

1000 WAYS TO HEAL: What are you carrying?

Oct 19, 2026

Looped In

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: October 19, 2026

Oct 19, 2026

“Lets try to identify what British Columbians need and make sure we are safe by producing potable water, good healthy food that is affordable, homes that are resistant, resilient to heat, drought, fire. Energy systems that aren’t all dependent on one,” said Michell.

Michell believing there is a better way to move forward as a province, saying the Greens provide that option on the ballot to send a message to Victoria.

“No, get angry, get up, vote,” added Michell. “We have been having some terrible voter turnout across all the ridings. The Greens are running 73 candidates. Go in there. If you are pissed off, vote Green. If you believe in your future, vote Green.”

On top of healthcare challenges in the district, Luck has been hearing concerns around affordability, and the dying resource sector in places like Merritt.

“We did have five or six mills here in this town at one point and now we are down to none,” said Luck. “Aspen Planers has its doors closed now, and it doesn’t look like right now there is any hope to open in their future. Unless we get government (help), and Lorne (Doerkson) has committed that we have 45 million cubic feet annual allowable cut moving forward. We have got to get permits issued a lot quicker than we have.”

Voters head to the polls on Saturday.

by Michael Reeve

Click here to report an error or typo in this article

Fraser-Nicola pits incumbent Conservative against former chief running for the Greens

Our Community