School District No. 73 prepares for 2026 trustee elections

The Kamloops-Thompson School District (SD73) is preparing for its 2026 school trustee elections, which will coincide with the general local election on October 17, 2026.

Nomination packages for candidates are being accepted between September 1 and September 11, 2026. One trustee will be elected to represent Electoral Area 3, covering Barriere and Little Fort within the Thompson-Nicola Regional District. To qualify, candidates must be Canadian citizens, at least 18 years old, and residents of British Columbia for at least six months prior to filing.

The field of candidates is beginning to form. Incumbents such as Kathleen Karpuk, Diane Jules, and Jo Kang are seeking re-election. Other potential candidates and returning contenders include Shelley Sim, Lee Onslow, Troylana Manson, Shahriar Behmaneshand, Jimmy Johal, James Blenkhorn, and Bonnie McBride.