KELOWNA, B.C. — September 17, 2026 — B.C.’s tree fruit and wine grape sectors are putting agriculture on the agenda
in this fall’s local elections through a series of all-candidate forums and a candidate questionnaire.
Get Ag on the Agenda will focus on a simple question: how will candidates support farmers and agriculture over the
next four years? Three in-person candidate forums are planned across the Okanagan.
- Kelowna — September 25, 6–8 p.m., East Kelowna Hall
- Vernon — September 28, 6–8 p.m., Lakers Club House
- Third forum — details to be announced
The forums will focus on agriculture and the areas where local government decisions matter to farmers, including water,
land use, emergency preparedness, and the agricultural-urban interface.
“Local government decisions have a very real impact on the viability and prosperity of farms in their communities,” said
Adrian Arts, Executive Director of the BC Fruit Growers’ Association. “We want a real conversation between growers
and candidates ahead of the local election so voters can understand who is prepared to support agriculture, and how, if
elected.”
In addition to the forums, three questions will be sent to all mayor, council and electoral area director candidates across
B.C.’s tree fruit growing regions:
1) What is one specific action or issue you would champion in your first year to better support agriculture?
2) How do you plan to engage with farmers on key priorities impacting the agricultural community?
3) What should local governments do to help agriculture prepare for drought, wildfire and other climate-related
challenges?
Responses will be limited to 50 words per question and published as submitted on the BCFGA website beginning
September 24. Candidates who do not respond by the October 1 deadline will be identified as “No Response Received.”
The goal is to give growers, residents and media a simple place to see where local candidates stand on agriculture in
their own words. Forum information, candidate responses and recordings will be available at BCFGA.com.
The tree fruit and wine grape sectors are encouraging local media to attend the forums, share the candidate responses
and help Get Ag on the Agenda in this year’s local government elections.