Five 2026 BC Election candidates are competing to represent Fernie in the Kootenay-Rockies riding when British Columbians head to the polls on Saturday, October 24.
Five candidates are running: Norma Blissett (BC NDP), Pete Davis (BC Conservatives), Keenan Dennehy (BC Greens), Paul Heywood (CentreBC) and AJ Wolfe (OneBC).
We’re introducing the candidates, their backgrounds and their stated political priorities to help voters learn more about the people seeking to represent us in Victoria.
The following candidate profiles are presented alphabetically by surname and based on information supplied by the candidates or published through their official campaigns.
Norma Blissett — BC NDP
Norma Blissett has served on Cranbrook City Council for the past 12 years and has been a director on the Regional District of East Kootenay for the past four years. She has also sat on the Kootenay East Regional Hospital District Board.
A former high school teacher and forester, Norma is a longtime Cranbrook resident and proud parent of three adult children and grandparent of three grandchildren, all of whom live in the area. Outside of public service, Norma is an avid curler and downhill skier.
The BC NDP is campaigning on a plan to create more jobs, strengthen healthcare and protect people from rising costs.
“People in Cranbrook and the Elk Valley deserve access to quality healthcare close to home. The Conservatives have said healthcare and education would have to take the brunt of their spending cuts, and that would put the care families rely on at risk. We can’t afford their cuts, costs or chaos. I’m proud to stand with the BC NDP to keep investing in British Columbia and make sure people in our region can get the services they need when they need it.”
Contact: norma.blissett@bcndp.ca
Website: Norma Blissett — BC NDP
Pete Davis — BC Conservative Party
Pete Davis is the incumbent MLA for Kootenay-Rockies, having been elected to the British Columbia Legislature in October 2024. Born in Revelstoke and raised in Cranbrook, he has spent much of his life in the Kootenay region.
Davis has a professional background in business, developing relationships with people working in logging, forestry, mining, automotive and heavy equipment industries. He and his wife Heather have been married since 2002 and have four children. Outside politics, he enjoys motorcycling, boating and camping.
Davis is campaigning on the BC Conservative Party’s commitments to economic growth, improved healthcare, housing affordability and support for British Columbia’s resource industries.
His campaign identifies expanding access to healthcare and reducing wait times, strengthening forestry and mining, improving public safety, supporting seniors and reducing barriers to housing construction among its priorities.
Davis supports policies intended to encourage private investment, protect resource-sector employment and reduce regulatory obstacles facing businesses.
Contact: pete.davis@conservativebc.ca
Website: Pete Davis — BC Conservatives
Keenan Dennehy — BC Green Party
Keenan Dennehy is a tradesperson, wilderness guide and environmental advocate with experience in rural communities and resource-based industries.
He studied heavy mechanical trades at Selkirk College and established a homestead in the Kootenays. His professional experience includes maintaining equipment in remote industrial camps and wilderness guiding in polar regions and along British Columbia’s coast.
Dennehy founded 4theloveofbc.ca, an advocacy initiative focused on forestry reform, environmental stewardship and local economies. He has also completed training through Vancouver Island University in Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area planning.
Dennehy is campaigning for diversified rural economies, responsible resource management, environmental protection and collaboration with First Nations.
He advocates for forestry reform and greater recognition of the role resource workers and tradespeople play in British Columbia’s economy.
His campaign emphasizes balancing economic activity with ecosystem health and involving local communities and Indigenous Nations in land-use decisions.
The BC Green Party’s provincial platform also emphasizes affordability, healthcare, economic fairness and environmental protection.
Contact: teamdennehy@bcgreens.ca
Website: Keenan Dennehy — BC Greens
Paul Heywood — CentreBC
Paul Heywood has more than 27 years of experience in public service and community leadership across Western Canada.
He studied political science with a minor in pre-law at the University of Victoria. His career includes senior positions with the City of Cranbrook as Director of Recreation and Culture, Manager of Bylaw Investigations and Manager of Building Services.
Heywood also served as Director of the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre in Medicine Hat. His professional experience includes managing municipal budgets, overseeing major development activity and leading teams of more than 80 employees.
He has been involved in Rotary for decades and has supported fundraising initiatives for nonprofit organizations.
Heywood is campaigning on CentreBC’s approach to fiscally responsible, socially progressive government, emphasizing cooperation and effective public services.
He supports policies intended to improve affordability, public safety, economic development and government accountability.
Heywood believes strong public services depend on a healthy private-sector economy and responsible management of public resources. His campaign emphasizes practical policy development, cooperation across political differences and measurable results in government.
Website: Paul Heywood — CentreBC
AJ Wolfe — OneBC
AJ Wolfe was born and raised in Fernie, with family roots extending back several generations. He now lives in Jaffray with his wife and three children.
Wolfe has more than 25 years of construction experience, primarily in the Kootenays. He has worked on residential, commercial, industrial and civil projects as a tradesperson, superintendent and project manager.
His professional experience includes project estimating, procurement, budgeting and construction management. Wolfe and his family are also involved in community volunteering.
Wolfe is campaigning on OneBC’s conservative principles, emphasizing individual responsibility, responsible public spending, constitutional rights and government accountability.
He supports practical approaches to problem-solving, financial oversight and government leaders who follow through on their commitments.
His campaign emphasizes respecting the rights of citizens, following established rules and ensuring elected representatives remain accountable to the people they serve.
Website: AJ Wolfe — OneBC
Where and When to Vote in Fernie
The 2026 BC Provincial Election takes place on Saturday, October 24, 2026. Fernie residents have advance voting and election day voting opportunities.
Advance Voting
Location: Fernie Seniors Drop-In Centre
Address: 562 3rd Avenue, Fernie
Dates: October 19, 20 and 21, 2026
Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily (Mountain Time)
Election Day
Location: Isabella Dicken Elementary School
Address: 1301 2nd Avenue, Fernie
Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026
Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Mountain Time)
Voter Information
To vote in the provincial election, you must be a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old on October 24, 2026, and have been a resident of British Columbia since April 23, 2026.
Voters must provide acceptable identification. Eligible residents who are not already registered can register at a voting place.
For complete voting information, additional voting locations and identification requirements, visit Elections BC.
Note: The provincial election on October 24 is separate from Fernie’s municipal election on October 17. Both elections require separate ballots.
