A full-time student at Okanagan College is the B.C. Green Party candidate for the Penticton riding.
“My vision for the Okanagan is to develop jobs in other markets than the service industry,” said Connie Sahlmark. “We live in the land of peaches and beaches but there are challenges retaining members of the workforce. Benefits of engaging the emerging clean energy and tech sectors as the backbone of our economy not only provides well-paying jobs but will lower the cost of living.”
The Green Party announced her nomination on Tuesday. Sahlmark is in her third year of studies taking the Sustainable Construction Management Technologies program, which focuses on green building, renewable energy and resource conservation. She has sat on the Okanagan College Education Council for three consecutive years.
A resident in the Penticton area for 13 years, Sahlmark has had experience in many sectors of the economy from service to trades. Even with a full schedule she still finds time to give back through volunteering in past Ironman and Granfondo events, participated in the Cycle for a Cure for Children’s Cancer campaign and Bike to Work Week events.
Last year she participated in two protests against commercialization of local public parks and volunteered with the Save Skaha Park Society. Sahlmark also participated in the Engage Penticton kitchen table conversations held by the City of Penticton.
Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green Party, welcomed Sahlmark’s nomination.
“I am thrilled to welcome Connie to the B.C. Greens team,” said Weaver. “As a long-time resident of Penticton, she understands the unique opportunities and challenges facing the region. Her passion for responsible environmental stewardship and social justice well-equip her to represent the people of Pentiction in the B.C. Legislature. I look forward to working with her as the B.C. Greens put forth a positive vision for an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable future for this province.”
Related: Candidates gearing up for campaign
There are now three candidates running in the Penticton riding including incumbent Liberal MLA Dan Ashton, BCNDP nominee Tarik Sayeed and Sahlmark.