The BC NDP have found their candidate for the Kamloops-South Thompson ahead of the October 24 election.

Anna Thomas – the President of the BC Native Women’s Association – will carry the party flag after she was acclaimed as the candidate, saying she was approached to run about three weeks ago.

“I really had to think about it. I’m absolutely all about being an advocate but this is a whole another level for me. I took the time I needed to think about it and make sure that this is a commitment that I am fully a 110 per cent about,” Thomas told NL News.

“NDP President Craig Keating called me and I liked what he had to say to me and that was a bit of a motivator I needed. That happened on Saturday, Sunday I called him back and told him yes, and then literally I started paperwork on Monday and got the congrats I think it was Tuesday night.”

Born in Sto:lo Territory and raised in Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc, Thomas will be running against the Liberal incumbent Todd Stone and the BC Green Party’s Dan Hines.

“What’s missing right now is that genuine connection to all of the community members within the South Thompson riding and I am that person to make that connection. I have always worked grassroots – listening and connecting with the people that I represent,” she said.

“I have had a bit of experience. I was also the second vice president of the Native Women’s Association of Canada. I have had experience dealing with the Federal Government literally flying to Ottawa and having those important meetings, advocating for Indigenous women and girls across the country.”

Election day is Oct. 24, and the deadline for candidates to register with Elections BC is 1 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 2.