The BC NDP have named Francyne Joe as their election candidate in Fraser-Nicola.

A native of the Nicola Valley, the party says Joe is an advocate for human rights and a dedicated community builder.

“With 20 years of frontline experience, and with a track record of advocacy across Canada, Francyne has fought for economic development, job creation, justice, health and wellness, and was one of the leading voices in the fight against violence towards Indigenous women,” a party biography said.

“Now, she has returned home, where she currently works in emergency management, to take action to make her community stronger.”

Prior to running for MLA, Joe served as the president of the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) between 2016 and 2019, partnerships manager for the National Association of Friendship Centres, and currently works as the human resources team leader at First Nations’ Emergency Services Society of BC (FNESS).

“Indigenous people have spent centuries fighting for our rights. With the BC NDP, we took a big step forward with the passage of the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. But John Rustad has promised to rip those rights up,” Joe said in a statement.

“From housing to healthcare to jobs, the BC NDP has taken action for everyone in Fraser-Nicola. John Rustad would move us backward. We can’t afford the risk.”

Joe will be running against incumbent BC United MLA Jackie Tegart, the Green Party’s Jonah Timms, and Tony Luck of the BC Conservatives.

The next provincial election is scheduled for Oct. 19, 2024.