Father, we thank you for the strength that you have given to MLA Roly Russell, strength of character, integrity and the ability to understand the complexities that he faces in his every day life. We ask that you would further strengthen him and that he would clearly see the issues that stand before him as he makes decisions that will affect the people of this province. May you ensure that even in his busy schedule he and his family will find times of refreshing together. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Roly Russell was elected MLA for Boundary-Similkameen in the 2020 provincial general election. Roly serves as the Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Development. Before running for provincial office, Roly served as an elected leader with the Kootenay-Boundary Regional District and the Association of Kootenay Boundary Local Governments, chaired the local credit union board, and was a member of the executive of the Union of BC Municipalities. When Grand Forks was hit hard by flooding in 2018, Roly helped lead the response in the community by coordinating with emergency operations and between different levels of government to secure needed assistance. Roly has a PhD in ecology. His science focused on biodiversity and sustainability, including decision-making under factors of uncertainty such as climate change. He has developed local food strategies, co-founded an agricultural society, sat on the board of the Certified Organic Association of BC, and operated his own organic farm. Roly was born and raised in rural Grand Forks, where he now lives with his wife Christine, and their children Juno and Gabriel.