CANADA VOTES 2025

Canadian Federal Election Date: April 28

Vernon – Lake Country – Monashee

Learn about Candidates’ stances on issues significant to our community during the federal election.

The questions have been prepared by the Family Resource Centre, Vernon and District Immigrant and Community Services Society, School District 22 Vernon, NexusBC Community Resource Centre, Turning Points Collaborative, and the Canadian Mental Health Association Vernon & District.

The candidates’ unedited responses to the following questions are linked below.

The Questions Asked of our candidates:

1. Where do you stand on permanently funding the 9-8-8 suicide crisis helpline and the creation of mobile crisis intervention teams?
2. How would you respond to the anxiety Canada’s current relationship with the U.S. has created, particularly in resource communities like Vernon and Lumby?
3. How will Canada’s economy be able to grow with cutbacks to immigration?
4. What policies are you proposing to increase the inventory of affordable housing units and address the housing crisis across Canada?
5. How will you advocate for a full spectrum of addiction services, including harm reduction and long-term recovery housing, and ensure they are accessible in both urban and rural communities?
6. How will you increase childcare spaces, especially for ages 0-3?
7. Last school year, the Federal Government contributed $1.2 million to the education of on-reserve students at School District 22 (Vernon). However, SD22 spent an estimated $2 million – $800,000 more than the Federal funding received – to ensure on-reserve Okanagan Indian Band students received the same supports as other students. What will your party do to ensure the education of on-reserve students is equitably funded?
8. Studies indicate that 2SLGBTQ+ youth are at less risk of suicide when they have acceptance from adults and peers. How would you support the mental health and wellness of 2SLGBTQ+ youth?
9. What measures would you take to prevent the spread of invasive mussels in Okanagan lakes?
10. As the population of seniors continues to increase, do you support initiatives that allow low-income seniors to live independently in their homes, such as funding housekeeping and maintenance?

Candidate Responses

We approached all candidates in the riding of Vernon-Lake Country-Monashee. By deadline, we had received responses from the following:

Click the links to view

    NDP – Leah Main

   Liberal – Anna Warwick Sears 

   Green Party – Blair Visscher