Retired teacher Kathryn Askew named BC NDP candidate for Cariboo-Chilcotin
Kathryn Askew of Canim Lake, a retired teacher with 32 years in the classroom, will run for the BC NDP in Cariboo-Chilcotin against interim Conservative leader Lorne Doerkson.
Reported. A news outlet found this. voche.me names the outlet and links its report. Read the original report on wltribune.com.
Kathryn Askew of Canim Lake has been named the BC NDP candidate for Cariboo-Chilcotin, the Williams Lake Tribune reported on October 1, 2026. Askew will face the riding's current MLA, BC Conservative interim leader Lorne Doerkson, in the October 24 provincial election.
Askew is a retired teacher who spent 32 years in the classroom, according to the Tribune. During that career she served in leadership roles with the BC Teachers' Federation, including as local president and bargaining chair. She also received a national award for innovative teaching, the news release said.
"I saw the damage caused by cuts to schools and public services under the previous government, and I know there is more work to do," Askew said in the BC NDP news release, as reported by the Tribune.
Community record
Outside of teaching, Askew has a community service history in the Cariboo region. The Tribune reports she volunteers with the Hawkins Lake Volunteer Fire Department, the Forest Grove Legion, and the Canim Lake Community Club, all in or near Canim Lake where she lives.
BC NDP leader David Eby announced Askew as part of a broader slate of candidates on October 1. Eby said the candidates know their communities and the challenges people face.
The riding
Doerkson has represented Cariboo-Chilcotin since 2017 and took on the interim party leadership role this year. He is also the Conservative candidate for Cariboo-Chilcotin in this race, as reported by the Tribune and confirmed at /bc/provincial-2026/candidates/lorne-doerkson.
Nominations for the provincial election close October 3, 2026 at 1 p.m. Pacific time. Elections BC will publish the complete candidate list for the riding after that deadline.
What voters in Cariboo-Chilcotin can do
Voters in Cariboo-Chilcotin can read about Lorne Doerkson at /bc/provincial-2026/candidates/lorne-doerkson. Advance voting runs October 16 to 21. The full candidate list for Cariboo-Chilcotin will be confirmed at elections.bc.ca once nominations close on October 3 at 1 p.m. PT.
Questions this story answers
Who is Kathryn Askew?
Kathryn Askew is the BC NDP candidate for Cariboo-Chilcotin in the October 24, 2026 provincial election. She lives in Canim Lake. She spent 32 years as a teacher and held leadership roles with the BC Teachers' Federation, including as local president and bargaining chair. She also received a national award for innovative teaching, according to the Williams Lake Tribune. She volunteers with the Hawkins Lake Volunteer Fire Department, the Forest Grove Legion, and the Canim Lake Community Club.
Who is Kathryn Askew running against in Cariboo-Chilcotin?
Kathryn Askew will face Lorne Doerkson, the riding's current MLA and the interim leader of the BC Conservative Party. Doerkson holds the provincial leadership after the party called a snap election following a confidence vote in the legislature. You can read more about Doerkson at /bc/provincial-2026/candidates/lorne-doerkson. Nominations close October 3, 2026 at 1 p.m. Pacific time, so additional candidates may still register before then.
What are Kathryn Askew's stated priorities?
Askew said in the October 1 BC NDP news release, reported by the Williams Lake Tribune, that she is focused on students, working families, and strong public services. She said she saw damage from cuts to schools and public services under previous governments and wants to address ongoing issues. She did not release a detailed costed platform at the time of the announcement.
What is Kathryn Askew's background in education?
Askew taught for 32 years, according to the Williams Lake Tribune. During that career she held leadership positions with the BC Teachers' Federation, serving as local president and bargaining chair. She also received a national award for innovative teaching. These details come from the BC NDP's October 1 news release as reported by the Tribune.
What district is Cariboo-Chilcotin?
Cariboo-Chilcotin is a provincial riding in the central interior of British Columbia. It is currently represented by Lorne Doerkson, who has held the seat since 2017. Doerkson is also the interim leader of the BC Conservative Party. You can see more at /bc/provincial-2026/candidates/lorne-doerkson.
When is voting day for the Cariboo-Chilcotin riding?
Voting day for the Cariboo-Chilcotin riding and all 93 provincial districts is October 24, 2026. Advance voting runs October 16 to 21. Nominations close October 3, 2026 at 1 p.m. Pacific time. Elections BC publishes the complete candidate list for each riding once nominations close.
How do I find out who is running in Cariboo-Chilcotin?
You can see the candidates for Cariboo-Chilcotin, including Lorne Doerkson, at /bc/provincial-2026/candidates/lorne-doerkson. The full candidate list across all 93 ridings will be confirmed once nominations close on October 3, 2026 at 1 p.m. Pacific time. Elections BC at elections.bc.ca lists every registered candidate after that deadline.
Where can I follow BC provincial election news?
You can follow the latest BC election news at /bc/provincial-2026/news. That page is updated as new candidates are announced and as campaign news breaks across all 93 districts. Voting day is October 24, 2026, with advance voting running October 16 to 21.
Sources
The pages this story draws on. Open one to check a claim yourself.
Found an error? Tell the editors with the corrections form. A correction is noted on the story it changes. Read our standards.
Topics
More from voche.me
Adila Shaukat confirmed as BC NDP candidate in Chilliwack North
