Okanagan water advocate seeking NDP nomination in local riding

A long-time leader with the Okanagan Basin Water Board is looking to wade into the waters of provincial politics.

Anna Warwick Sears has announced she is seeking the nomination for the B.C. NDP in the new Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream provincial riding.

“I’m eager to take on this new challenge,” Warwick Sears said.

She said the riding needs a strong, clear voice in Victoria, and said she was motivated to run by the horrific fires and smoke last year.

“We need to take serious action to protect our homes and water supplies from extreme weather and climate change. I’m also really motivated by the shortage of affordable housing, the need to improve our infrastructure, and the challenges with our healthcare system. These issues are all related. Time is short, and I appreciate the real action being taken by David Eby’s NDP,” Warwick Sears stated.

She added she would be an active voice for the Interior and ensure the issues area residents face are brought to the attention of the province if elected.

Warwick Sears has been a member of the Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) since 2006, and has been the organization’s executive director since 2007.

Two local mayors are showing support for Warwick Sears.

“As Chair of the Okanagan Basin Water Board, I have been consistently impressed with Anna’s thoughtful approach and leadership. We need strong, experienced people like her in Victoria,” Blair Ireland, Chair of the OBWB, and Mayor of Lake Country, said.

“In the 15 years that I have known Anna professionally, she has demonstrated true competence, along with good humour, in leading OBWB to provide systematic water management guidance to the Okanagan Basin and our provincial government. Her abilities and energy are recognized regionally, nationally and internationally across all party lines. She would be an excellent asset to our legislature,” Vernon Mayor Victor Cumming Mayor added.

Along with serving the OBWB, Warwick Sears, who holds a PhD in Population Biology from the University of California-Davis, is a member of the International Osoyoos Lake Board of Control, under the International Joint Commission, which oversees US/Canada water issues.

“Over the past 18 years, I have had the pleasure of working with Anna on numerous complex regional water issues,” Bob Hraslo, Chair of the Water Supply Association of B.C., said.

“She has excellent communications and leadership skills and with her high public service ethic, Anna would make an excellent MLA for our region.”

It’s believed Warwick Sears is the first person to seek the NDP nomination in the new riding.

The next provincial election is scheduled for October 19, 2024.