Election newsReported

BC Greens name Patrick Michell as candidate in Fraser-Nicola

The BC Green Party announced Patrick Michell, a retired First Nations chief, as its candidate in the Fraser-Nicola riding for the October 24 election.

By voche.me editorsPublished Thursday, October 1, 2026 at 2:08 pm PT2 min read · 2 sources

Reported. A news outlet found this. voche.me names the outlet and links its report. Read the original report on surreynowleader.com.

Patrick Michell, BC Green Party candidate for Fraser-Nicola — Surrey Now-Leader

The BC Green Party named Patrick Michell, a retired chief of the Kanaka Bar Indian Band, as its candidate in the Fraser-Nicola riding on September 30, according to the Surrey Now-Leader. Michell will run against incumbent MLA Tony Luck and BC NDP candidate Jason Leboe in the October 24 vote.

Michell has lived in the Fraser Canyon his entire life. He earned a law degree from the University of British Columbia in 1993 and practiced law in Lytton from 1997 to 2005, the Surrey Now-Leader reports. Before that, he worked on Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy agreements and as a lands officer with Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada.

His work in renewable energy included the Kwoiek Hydro project. The Surrey Now-Leader reports that he later served as community liaison and lands and economic development officer for Kanaka Bar. He was elected chief of the Kanaka Bar Indian Band in 2015 and served until 2022.

During his time as chief, the party says he held appointments to the BC Climate Solutions Council, the BC Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy, the Fraser Basin Council, the BC Indigenous Advisory Council on Agriculture, and the BC Real Estate Foundation. These are the party's own account of his record.

Michell and his family were evacuated during the 2021 Lytton wildfires, the Surrey Now-Leader reports. He then served as rebuild director for Lytton First Nations from 2023 to 2025, helping the community recover.

"Michell believes the future of the Fraser-Nicola region depends on combining Indigenous knowledge, modern science and technology, strong local leadership and long-term investment in community safety," the BC Greens stated. "Patrick is running to bring decades of experience in law, governance, renewable energy and climate resilience to the people of Fraser-Nicola."

Nominations for the October 24 election close on October 3 at 1 p.m. Pacific time. For more on the Fraser-Nicola race and other ridings, visit /bc/provincial-2026/races/mla/fraser-nicola. Information about the BC Green Party is on this site.

Questions this story answers

Who is Patrick Michell?

Patrick Michell is a retired chief of the Kanaka Bar Indian Band in the Fraser Canyon. According to the Surrey Now-Leader, he has lived in the Fraser Canyon his entire life. He graduated from Douglas College in 1989 and completed a law degree at the University of British Columbia in 1993. He practiced law in Lytton from 1997 to 2005.

Which party is Patrick Michell running for?

Patrick Michell is running as the BC Green Party candidate in the Fraser-Nicola riding for the October 24, 2026 provincial election. The BC Greens announced his candidacy on September 30, 2026, according to the Surrey Now-Leader. He will face incumbent MLA Tony Luck and BC NDP candidate Jason Leboe.

What is the Fraser-Nicola riding?

Fraser-Nicola is a provincial electoral district in British Columbia. In the 2024 election, the riding was won by the incumbent MLA Tony Luck. Patrick Michell will face Luck and NDP candidate Jason Leboe in the October 24, 2026 vote, according to the Surrey Now-Leader.

What is Patrick Michell's work background?

According to the BC Greens as reported by the Surrey Now-Leader, Michell worked on Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy agreements and later as a lands officer with Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. He was involved in renewable energy projects, including the Kwoiek Hydro project, and served as community liaison and lands and economic development officer for Kanaka Bar before being elected chief from 2015 to 2022.

What boards did Patrick Michell serve on?

The Surrey Now-Leader reports that while serving as chief of Kanaka Bar, Michell held appointments to the BC Climate Solutions Council, the BC Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy, the Fraser Basin Council, the BC Indigenous Advisory Council on Agriculture, and the BC Real Estate Foundation. These appointments are the party's own account of his record.

How is Patrick Michell connected to the 2021 Lytton wildfires?

According to the Surrey Now-Leader, Michell and his family were evacuated during the 2021 Lytton wildfires. From 2023 to 2025, he served as rebuild director for Lytton First Nations, working to rebuild the community.

What is the BC Green Party's position in this riding?

Michell is the BC Greens candidate in Fraser-Nicola, opposing incumbent MLA Tony Luck and NDP candidate Jason Leboe, according to the Surrey Now-Leader report on the September 30 announcement. The party's own statement says Michell will bring experience in law, governance, renewable energy, and climate resilience to the riding.

When and where do people in Fraser-Nicola vote?

Voting day in the BC provincial election is October 24, 2026. Advance voting runs from October 16 to 21. For voting locations in the Fraser-Nicola riding, visit the Elections BC website or check /bc/provincial-2026/races/mla/fraser-nicola on this site.