07/31/2026
Meet Brian Andrews - Kamloops City Council Candidate, in Five Questions
Q1. WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR OFFICE, AND HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN KAMLOOPS?
I have lived in Kamloops for eight years. While that may not be as long as some candidates, I chose to make this city my home because it was the first place where my partner Lara and I could both find good, stable, sustainable work.
This is a big part of why I am running for Kamloops City Council. Friends and community members have made it clear that life has changed significantly, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. Job opportunities, quality of life, and sustainable incomes are not what they were when we first moved here.
Still, I know Kamloops is a great city with real potential, and I want others to have the same basic opportunities now, four years from now, and beyond. That is why I believe workers, who make up the majority of Kamloops voters, need a stronger voice at City Hall.
Council decisions affect everyday life in ways that can be easy to miss for those who have never had to stretch a paycheque. I want to be someone at the table who understands the lives of the people who build, run, and keep Kamloops moving.
Q2. WHAT PERSONAL, PROFESSIONAL, VOLUNTEER, OR ELECTED EXPERIENCE DO YOU BRING TO THE ROLE?
I am a Red Seal Electrician and have been in the electrical trade for 20 years. I have also been a letter carrier for Canada Post, an electrician on movie sets, and have worked numerous minimum-wage jobs, living paycheque to paycheque.
I currently work as a Union Representative with IBEW Local 993. I volunteer with the Kamloops and District Labour Council and am in the elected position of Second Vice President with them. I was also elected to the IBEW 993 Executive Board, where I represent workers in the Kamloops area.
These roles have given me years of experience negotiating for working people and working with groups that bring different priorities and perspectives to the table. I also have formal training and practical experience running structured meetings under recognized rules of order, so I can participate effectively in council processes from day one.
Q3. WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE PRIORITIES IF ELECTED?
A: Growth, infrastructure, and neighbourhood change.
This covers how the city plans for new development. Development is key to any successful city, but planning needs to improve so projects succeed. Success is not just a completed build. It means development does not disrupt the lives of current residents or businesses. It means financial stress does not land on taxpayers. It means being proactive rather than reactive, particularly with maintaining our important, sometimes historic infrastructure. We live surrounded by sensitive ecosystems that offer recreational opportunities to residents and attract visitors. We need to do better at balancing housing needs with protecting the grasslands and wildlife areas around us.
Ultimately, growth, infrastructure, and neighbourhood change mean creating a place people can afford to live in, stay in, and contribute to.
B: Affordability and social supports.
This is one conversation, not two. Too many people are asking the same questions: Can they afford to stay here? Can they build a future here? If something goes wrong, will the city have their back? Kamloops residents need stable supports at every stage of life, whether they are facing the unexpected or planning - like starting a family or retiring. People need assurance they will have what they need to feel healthy and safe.
C: Governance, transparency, and service delivery at City Hall.
This means open decision-making and clear communication with residents. Too many big decisions happen behind closed doors, often as reactions rather than plans. Residents deserve to be part of these matters from day one. Public money should create public value. That means transparency about plans, next steps, and the true cost of things. Most importantly, it means listening to residents and taking their input seriously. No decision will make everyone happy, but every person deserves the chance to be heard, seen, and to understand how and why a decision was made.
Q4. WHAT MAKES YOU DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHER CANDIDATES?
My work as a Union Representative has given me the skills to negotiate, communicate clearly, and bring people together, even when they hold different perspectives. Sitting at the same table is not enough; progress happens when people can listen, speak honestly, and ask the right questions without anger or misunderstanding taking over. I see that as one of my strengths, and I intend to be a councillor who works constructively with everyone at the table.
Business owners are well represented on City Council, but the people who work for them are not. Like most Kamloops residents, I am a worker, not a business owner. Both perspectives matter, and council needs a better balance between them. I am ready to be a voice for workers - the people who keep this city running and vibrant.
Q5. WHAT MESSAGE OR QUOTE WOULD YOU LIKE VOTERS TO HEAR?
“This city did not become established overnight. People worked hard to build something great, and I see Kamloops as a city worth fighting for. The people who build it, run it, care for it, and keep it moving deserve to have someone at the council table who can bring their perspectives and experiences forward. I am ready to be the working voice - for a working city.”
Brian Andrews
Kamloops City Council Candidate 2026
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