Election 2013 round-up: Kelowna ridings | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Kelowna News

Election 2013 round-up: Kelowna ridings

Image Credit: Elections BC

Today people across the province will decide whether or not the B.C. Liberals get another four years of leadership. In Kelowna the traditionally Liberal-leaning voter demographic will be tested, as will the NDP's campaign for change.

Polls opened at 8 a.m. this morning and will close at 8 p.m. tonight. Visit Elections BC to find our where you can vote.

And if you missed key debates, issues and personalities in your riding, there's still time to do your research:

The B.C. Liberal Party

All three of Kelowna's electoral ridings are currently held by Liberal MLAs: Ben Stewart, Norm Letnick and Steve Thomson, otherwise known as "Team Okanagan." Over the past four years these MLAs have used a pro-business strategy to bring big-budget projects to the city. Securing funding from the provincial government in Victoria they helped launch a new $430 million cardiac surgical unit at Kelowna General Hospital, widening Highway 97 to six lanes from Edwards road to Highway 33, upgrading the Sexsmith intersection at Highway 97 and $100 million in expansions for UBC Okanagan.

The New Democratic Party

Kelowna's NDP candidates stand firmly behind Adrian Dix's campaign for change, one revolutionized from the NDP of the 1990's. If elected, Mike Nuyens, Tish Lakes and Carole Gordon would bring a BuyGrowFeed program to Okanagan orchardists struggling to turn a profit. They want to see less dumping of Washington produce in B.C. by offering financial assistance to local growers. The program would also require hospital institutions source at least five per cent of their food from local farmers. Each of the candidates are prioritzing affordable healthcare, subsidized low-income housing and trades programs geared to make young workers more succesful.

The B.C. Conservatives

Over the past few week Kelowna's Conservatives have promised to put the interests of local residents before party politics. Mike McLoughlin, Graeme James and Brian Guillou have campaigned on some unique proposals: eliminating B.C.'s Carbon Tax and allowing supermarkets and convenience shops to sell liquor.  McLoughlin also says Kelowna needs more family physicians and would like to see universities encourage medical students to stay in the Okanagan.

Green Party and Independent candidates are also in the running for some of Kelowna's ridings.

Find your riding below for all candidates in the running:

Kelowna - Mission

Steve Thomson, Liberal

Tish Lakes, NDP

Mike McLoughlin, Conservative

Dayleen Van Ryswyk, Independent

Kelowna - Lake Country

Norm Letnick, Liberal

Mike Nuyens, NDP

Graeme James, Conservative

Gary Adams, Green Party

Westside - Kelowna

Ben Stewart, Liberal

Carole Gordon, NDP

Brian Guillou, Conservative

Kelowna-Mission candidates (Left to right): Tish Lakes, Mike McLoughlin, Dayleen Van Ryswyk and Steve Thomson.
Kelowna-Mission candidates (Left to right): Tish Lakes, Mike McLoughlin, Dayleen Van Ryswyk and Steve Thomson.

Steve Thomson (left) and Norm Letnick (right)are the Liberal incumbents for Kelowna-Lake Country and Kelowna-Mission ridings.
Steve Thomson (left) and Norm Letnick (right)are the Liberal incumbents for Kelowna-Lake Country and Kelowna-Mission ridings.

Former orchardist Mike Nuyens is the NDP candidate for Kelowna-Lake Country
Former orchardist Mike Nuyens is the NDP candidate for Kelowna-Lake Country

To contact the reporter for this story, email Julie Whittet at jwhittet@infotelnews.ca or call (250)718-0428.

News from © iNFOnews, 2013
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