Jean Chretien stopped by Stephen Fuhr's campaign headquarters on Friday, Sept. 27, 2019.

(KATHY MICHAELS / iNFOnews.ca)

KELOWNA - Former Prime Minister Jean Chretien said he never thought he’d see a Liberal MP in Kelowna, referencing the Okanagan’s propensity for voting conservative.

But a lot has changed.

“Forty years ago, it was a village when I came here the first time,” Chretien said today, Sept. 27, during a quick stop at MP Stephen Fuhr’s campaign headquarters.

“Look at it now. You have your very expensive MP and look at all the money you’ve taken here."

Throughout his re-election campaign Fuhr has been touting the fact that he was able to get $160 million invested in the Central Okanagan since he was elected, and Chretien said, jokingly, he wouldn’t mind some of that money going to his hometown riding, adding that Fuhr is a "good guy."

Whether money or Liberal celebrities stopping by his campaign office will help Fuhr at the polls, however, is anyone’s guess.

When asked if the Liberals could keep B.C. this election — something political pundits say will forecast Fuhr's fate — Chretien chose not to prognosticate, opting instead to offer campaign advice.

“To win B.C., keep talking like Liberals; moderate, open, tolerant and ascribing to the values of being a Canadian, diversity and unity,” he said.

And as for scandals, blackface or otherwise, Chretien didn’t seem to take them too seriously.

“Blackface — it’s over. Next,” he said.

When asked about failing trust in Liberals, Chretien indicated it should be taken in stride.

“There are always problems in an administration,” he said.

“You look at the result and the progress of the nation. That’s what matters. When you have 35 million people and thousands of bureaucrats … you see mistakes and correct it.”

Chretien said that when it comes right down to it, it’s too early to make predictions.

“People tend to decide in the last two weeks,” he said.

Chretien, who is in Kelowna as part of a speaking tour, said he has been to the area many times to visit the Fitzpatrick family. He's often joked, if he ever had to go into exile, Kelowna would be where he'd end up.

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