Okanagan MLA not seeking second term

Renee Merrifield’s name will not be on the ballot for this fall’s provincial election.

The MLA for Kelowna Mission has announced she won’t seek a second term for the BC United Party, saying she feels she can best the community by returning to the private sector.

“My goals remain the same coming out of politics as going in,” Merrifield said in the legislature Thursday. “[The goals] were to ensure that everyone has access to safe, affordable housing, to provide robust mental health supports and to innovate in health care.”

Merrifield, who was elected in 2020, plans to return to her development company, Troika.

BC United leader Kevin Falcon said Merrifield is going back to Troika because inflationary pressures have caused issues.

BC United will have to nominate a new candidate for the riding, with the election just five months away (Oct. 19).