Unsure who to vote for? Want to know more about your local candidates? Black Press Media has asked candidates to provide a short biography as well as answer key questions to help readers understand more about who is running in their ridings in the upcoming federal election. Be sure to check back for updates and videos.
Harpreet Badohal - New Democratic Party Party - Okanagan Lake West-South 麻豆精选
Bio
Harpreet Badohal, a registered health and safety professional, brings a deep commitment to public service and social justice.
With a strong academic background, including an M.Sc. in Occupational and Environmental Hygiene from UBC鈥檚 Faculty of Medicine, Harpreet has spent years working to improve workplace safety and advocate for fair, accessible services.
Inspired by his Sikh faith and the principle of Sewa (selfless service), Harpreet is dedicated to listening, learning, and collaborating with the community to build a sustainable economic future where essential services are available to all without delay.
His lived experience as a dedicated family man, an immigrant, and a passionate community advocate makes him a strong and empathetic voice for the people of Okanagan Lake West-South 麻豆精选.
Questions
1. What will you do to address the rise in non-violent and property crime? In some communities, donation boxes at charity shops have been robbed and in other areas, thefts, shoplifting and related incidents have been seen.
1. Property crime, including theft and shoplifting, is a growing concern in many communities. As your MP, I will advocate for federal funding to support crime prevention programs, community safety initiatives, and social services that address the root causes of crime, such as addiction, mental health challenges, and homelessness.
I will work with provincial and municipal leaders, law enforcement, and community organizations to implement evidence-based strategies that reduce crime and improve public safety. This includes increasing support for harm reduction, affordable housing, and employment programs that help prevent individuals from resorting to crime.
2. Considering numerous expressions of hate in this riding in recent years 鈥� at least six incident in Summerland alone since 2020 鈥� and considering online bullying and harassment, what changes would you propose to address hate speech and harassment, physically and online?
2. Hate speech, harassment, and online bullying have no place in our communities. The repeated incidents in Summerland highlight the urgent need for action.
I support legislation that effectively combats online harm while protecting freedom of expression. The NDP has pushed for stronger safeguards in the Online Harms Act to ensure it is both enforceable and fair. I will advocate for continued engagement with experts, law enforcement, and affected communities to develop clear, practical solutions that prevent hate speech and harassment鈥攂oth online and in person.
3. The Okanagan Valley has an aging population, In West 麻豆精选, 21.4 per cent of the population is 65 and older. In Summerland, that number rises to 31.9 per cent and in Peachland, those 65 and older make up 38.5 per cent of the population. What will you do to ensure there is enough housing and long-term care services to meet the needs of this segment of the population? If this is not an issue you would advocate for, why not?
3. The Okanagan has a large and growing senior population, and we must ensure they have access to affordable housing and quality long-term care.
As MP, I will fight for increased federal investment in non-profit and co-op housing for seniors, as well as stronger tenant protections to prevent evictions due to rising rents or renovictions. I will also push for rental assistance programs to support seniors on fixed incomes.
For long-term care, I will work to expand publicly funded home care services and push for more public and non-profit long-term care homes. Private, for-profit care facilities have too often cut corners at the expense of seniors鈥� well-being鈥擨 will fight to ensure every senior receives dignified, high-quality care.
4. If elected, how would you advocate for Okanagan farmers who are being impacted by both sides of the trade war? Famers are having difficulty accessing affordable inputs that are largely produced in the USA, like fertilizer, and are fearful that they will be unable to sell products south of the border at a profitable price.
4. Okanagan farmers are being squeezed by rising input costs, supply chain disruptions, and trade uncertainty. I will fight for federal support programs to offset the increasing costs of essential farm inputs like fertilizer and work to diversify supply chains to reduce dependence on U.S. imports.
I will advocate for bulk-buying programs or tax relief measures to help farmers access essential supplies at fair prices. Strengthening Canada鈥檚 supply management system will also help stabilize prices and protect farmers from market volatility. In addition, I will support local food networks and farm-to-table initiatives to increase demand for Okanagan-grown products within Canada.
5. If elected and your party doesn鈥檛 form as government, how will you best represent your riding?
5. Being an effective MP is about more than just being in government鈥攊t鈥檚 about standing up for our community every day. If elected, I will be a strong, independent voice for the Okanagan, ensuring our concerns are heard in Ottawa.
I will push for the issues that matter most to our region, including affordable housing, healthcare access, support for farmers, and climate action. I will work across party lines to advance policies that benefit our community, regardless of which party introduces them.
Most importantly, I will maintain a strong presence in the riding鈥攎eeting regularly with residents, businesses, and community groups to ensure their voices are represented in Parliament. My job is to serve the people of the Okanagan, and I will always put our community first.
