VIDEO: Change in provincial electoral map leads to political maneuvering

The provincial electoral boundaries will include a new Kelowna riding in the next election, and with MLA Norm Letnick not seeking re-election, that makes room for at least two brand-new MLAs.

Kelowna City Councillor Mohini Singh is seeking Letnick's job under the BC United banner in a riding that now reaches further north as Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream.

Councillor Loyal Wooldridge is expected to seek the BC United nomination for the new Kelowna Centre riding, and so far no notable challengers have emerged.

Wooldridge does not confirm that and describes it as "rumours."

On the other hand, Singh is in for a battle against Adam Wilson.

Even at 28 years of age, Wilson is experienced in the 'behind the scenes' part of politics.

But he shrugs off the label of 'political operative'.

"I would say I'm more of a community organizer," said Wilson.

"If you actually want to step up there and make that change, you have to get involved at a political level."

He was on Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas's campaign team, helping Dyas to win decisively over incumbent Colin Basran.

He also worked with MP Tracy Gray, who won a federal Conservative nomination over Renee Merrifield.

At McGill University he headed the Conservative Students' Association, and he currently works for a national non-profit pharmacy association.

Wilson said his youth is an asset.

"Kevin Falcon's been very clear that he wants a younger, more diverse set of candidates," he said.

"As someone who's 28, I'm younger obviously, I come from a diverse background and I'm excited to help carry that through to the next election."

Mohini Singh is a well-known figure in Kelowna. She was a TV news reporter before getting into politics and she's been a member of Kelowna City Council since 2011.

She believes this geographically large riding needs someone who knows it well.

"It's diverse, it's large, it needs someone with a strong voice. It needs someone with experience."

Singh's first public announcement of her plans was made at Kelowna's Sikh temple in Rutland, and that could be a factor.

"No it doesn't guarantee me anything," she said. "I have to work for every vote."

Singh has been an active supporter of the federal Liberals.

That's out of step with the typically conservative leanings of the BC United Party (formerly the BC Liberals).

"Having talked to the leader of the party, it's a big tent and it's called the BC 'United' Party," she said."It's bringing people together."

Yet another seat could be available for aspiring provincial politicians in the region.

Ben Stewart remains undecided on whether or not he will seek re-election in Westside Kelowna, which in 2024 becomes West Kelowna-Peachland.

It's quite likely the process could force by-elections as local politicians seek a seat in the provincial legislature.