Michael Grenier is running for the Conservative Party nomination in the riding of Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Michael Grenier

A second candidate has officially launched their bid for the Conservative Party nomination in the Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo riding.

Michael Grenier, developer and founder of resort community Tobiano, has publicly joined the race to replace MP Cathy McLeod.

He follows Tourism Kamloops CEO Bev DeSantis, who announced her intention to run for the nomination earlier this month.

In an interview with iNFOnews, Grenier noted several achievements including his work to promote Kamloops area golfing outside the region, his membership with the B.C. Agricultural Council, and his work with the local Conservative electoral district association.

"I think it's critically important we get somebody with a background from this area, somebody that's actually done something," Grenier said. "I'm a proven performer. Everything I've done is on the record and people can say that guy's been there done that and I think that's really important when we're sending a representative three time zones away and representing us in Ottawa."

The Tobiano and Sun Peaks resident says if he were to replace McLeod, he would focus greatly on enhancing "critical" rural internet connectivity.

"We don't have it... the vastness of this riding, imagine trying to conduct yourself during a time of COVID, for your family, and you don't have high speed internet. How do you connect with the world."

He also intends to address improving relationships with Indigenous communities and attracting airlines to Kamloops airport.

"We have a Liberal government that is unresponsive. It seems disorganized and they even seem superficial," he said. "When the next election comes, a Conservative government will get our economy on track and focus on issues that are important for our constituency."

Grenier ran unsuccessfully for the B.C. Liberal provincial nomination for Kamloops-North Thompson about four years ago, losing to current MLA Peter Milobar.

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