Cariboo Regional District Appoints Coralee Oakes as Director for Electoral Area A

Williams Lake, B.C. -  At a special Board meeting on December 19, 2025, the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) voted to appoint Coralee Oakes as Director for CRD Electoral Area A. This appointment was necessary under the BC Local Government Act Section 201. Alternate Director Charlotte Kurta is unable to continue in this role that she has held since the fall, following the passing of long-time Director Mary Sjostrom.

Coralee Oakes who is a lifelong resident of the Cariboo will hold this position until the upcoming ByElection is held in February. Her family moved to the Cariboo in 1933 with other family members moving to area a in the 1940’s. She served on Quesnel City Council for 6 years and later served as the MLA for Cariboo North for 11 years (4 of those years as a Cabinet Minister).

She had the privilege of working closely with Area A elected representatives Ted Armstrong and later Mary Sjostrom on numerous projects over the years. “Mary was a dear friend and mentor. She taught me how to be a strong constituent-based leader. I feel a strong sense of sorrow stepping briefly into this position but want to honour Mary by supporting the many projects she was working on for the residents she represented,” said Director Coralee Oakes.

General Voting for the By-Election will take place on February 21st, 2026. The nomination period opens Tuesday, January 6, 2026, and closes on January 16, 2026.

 Visit www.cariboord.ca for further information. Individuals interested in running for office can review the Nomination Package, which includes eligibility requirements, key dates, and instructions for submitting nomination papers. The Cariboo Regional District remains committed to strong leadership and continued service to the community during this period of transition.

Media Contact:

Murray Daly, Chief Administrative Officer

250-392-3351 or 1-800-665-1636

mdaly@cariboord.ca