This story has been updated to reflect the fact Helena Konanz was “appointed” as the BC wing of the Conservative Party of Canada opted not to hold a nomination race for the riding of Similkameen-South Okanagan-West Kootenay. – Ed.
By Don Urquhart, Times Chronicle
Will the proverbial “third time’s a charm” work in Helena Konanz’s favour as she makes another run at federal politics?
Konanz was appointed as candidate for the Conservative Party of Canada for the Similkameen-South Okanagan-West Kootenay riding in the upcoming federal election on April 28, after the party decided not to have a nomination race.
Aside from Konanz, four individuals – Gary Johal, Dan Ashton, Chris Pequin and Kevin Klipperstein – had expressed interest in participating in the local nomination race with some having already begun advertising.
Speaking to the Times Chronicle, Dan Ashton said he “became aware” of the other interested individuals after he had indicated his interest in joining the nomination race. He added that once he heard that Konanz had been appointed, he immediately called her with congratulations and offered his help for the campaign.”
Ashton noted that none of the candidates underwent the vetting process, contrary to some media reports, as vetting only occurs once the nomination process begins, something that did not happen because Konanz was “appointed”.
The Times Chronicle has been unable to reach the local riding association on this issue.
This will be Konanz’s third try at winning the riding after two previous defeats to the NDP’s Richard Cannings in 2019 and 2021.
Cannings announced his retirement last fall, saying he would not run for re-election.
Konanz will be vying with Linda Sankey representing the New Democratic Party (NDP), Carol Dyck of the Green Party of Canada, and Barry Dewar of the People’s Party of Canada. The Liberal Party of Canada has not announced a candidate for this riding.
Konanz is currently serving as a Penticton city councillor, elected in 2022 for a term running through 2026. All current councillors, including Konanz, had in January that they would finish their remaining 20 months of their term after being queried by Pentiction Mayor Julius Bloomfield.
Penticton residents will go to the polls in a by election – which in 2021 cost an estimated $120,000 – on April 5 to vote for a candidate to replace MLA Amelia Boultbee on city council after she won a seat in the recent provincial election.
