The BC Conservatives have nominated tech entrepreneur Samarth Chandola as their candidate in North Vancouver-Seymour.
The 35-year-old decided to enter politics after founding multiple startups including First Fund, which he has used to launch other businesses. In 2014, he was named one of BC Business’s Top 30 under 30.
Under a B.C. Conservative government, Chandola said he hopes to shift the province from the economic stagnation it has experienced over the past decade, by getting the economy “back on track,” making B.C. a more attractive place for outside investment, and allowing more investment in private businesses and innovation to flow more freely.
With cost of living through the roof and business investment drying up, Chandola said he is witnessing first-hand just how difficult it can be for people attempting to build their own startups.
“I’m looking at all this and thinking, this is not the science of a healthy economy. This is a ticking time bomb that’s just waiting to explode, and something needs to be done about this at the policy level,” said Chandola. “So, I had two options. I could either hope that somebody with the right skill set could come in and look to fix this, or I could be the change that I want to see in the world.”
At the local level, Chandola said his highest priorities are the North Shore’s incessant traffic woes and its mushrooming drug situation, he said.
“I’m raising my family here on the North Shore and so there is a care for everything, from the pool that my daughter goes to the trails that my dog walks on. It’s the place I have chosen to call home,” he said.
Outside of business, Chandola has offered his expertise in coaching for everyone from university students to prisoners looking to rehabilitate an reintegrate into society.
Other philanthropic endeavours include the founding of a senior assistance organization during the pandemic, and the fundraising of over $3 million for initiatives led by non-profit organizations, including Athletics for Kids, KidSafe Project Society, Variety B.C., Children’s Wish Foundation, and Covenant House.
Also nominated in North Vancouver-Seymour are NDP incumbent Susie Chant, and BC United challenger James Mitchell. The BC Green Party has not yet named a candidate.
Mina Kerr-Lazenby is the North Shore News’ Indigenous and civic affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
