VIDEO: NDP candidate challenges his own party over short-term rental rules

The NDP candidate in Kelowna Centre is challenging a certain party's policies.

There's nothing new there, but in this case, the party he's going after is his own.

The issue is the NDP government's legislation limiting short-term rentals.

"I wouldn't say it's criticizing," said Wooldridge.

"What I would say is, it's reflecting a local sentiment for a made-in-Kelowna solution."

Wooldridge acknowledges that short-term rentals have impacted the rental market, but believes the NDP tamp-down on STR's goes too far.

"Kelowna is also unique. It's a resort community."

So Wooldridge is asking, publicly, for exemptions in the legislation.

"To allow those buildings that have been historically operating for quite some time."

He is seeking the exemptions not just to accommodate tourists, but also students and people visiting for medical reasons.

Wooldridge points out that Kelowna City Council has taken the restrictions further with its own ban on short-term rentals in houses in most Kelowna neighbourhoods.

"So it only makes logical sense that we can see an exemption for our tourism commercial areas that have been historically zoned that way."

Specifically, Wooldridge is talking about the Sunset Drive area and the Truswell Cook area where the Aqua project is currently under construction.

And he said he's comfortable questioning the party line on this topic.

In fact he mentioned it to higher ups in the party before putting out a news release on the topic.

"Of course, brought that forward to the party and didn't get any pushback," said Wooldridge.

"What I really appreciate about Premier David Eby is he really values candidates who are bringing that local voice to government," he said.

Provincial politics often demand that individual MLA's tow the party line on key issues.

He still has an election to win and already, Wooldridge finds himself testing those norms.

My first job is serving the people of Kelowna," he said.

Voters go to the polls for the provincial election Oct. 19.