Frank Caputo, the day after winning the MP seat for Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo. (Image Credit: CFJC Today / Kent Simmonds))

By Dylana Kneeshaw

ELECTION RECAP

Caputo sets sights on Ottawa as dust settles from 2021 federal election

Sep 21, 2021 | 5:11 PM

KAMLOOPS — Here in the BC interior, there is some deja vu after last night’s federal election.

Conservative Party Candidate Frank Caputo will become the next Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo MP. Some minor shifts occurred between the Green Party, the People’s Party of Canada and the Liberals, but last night’s Conservative win is largely a repeat of riding results for the past 20 years.

Speaking to CFJC the day after the 2021 federal election, Caputo says he’s still running on a few hours of sleep, coffee and adrenaline.

“I looked at the polls and the number of polls that were closing and thought that I would have to pinch myself and realize wow, this is really happening.”

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The signs are coming down, the campaign office is being packed up, and the new MP elect is now putting his mind toward what he’ll be doing in Ottawa.

“My job is going to be to hold the Liberal government to account, while also representing the citizens of Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo to the best of my ability.”

A strong showing for the Conservatives in the Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo riding wasn’t a shock to those who study politics for a living. Thompson Rivers University Associate Professor of Politics Robert Hanlon was watching last night’s results locally and across the country.

“I think people of Kamloops spoke pretty clearly — they were pretty happy with the Conservative party and the Conservative party platform. You know, it’s a strong mandate for the Conservatives here historically — and that continues.”

PPC pulled into fourth place within the riding and Hanlon notes a lot of their support grew out of opposition to the idea of mandatory vaccines and public health restrictions during the pandemic.

“Time will tell. If they are a serious party, though, they’re going to have to evolve, because most likely in two years the pandemic won’t be something like a rallying point that the PPC can organize on.”

Meantime, the Greens placed fifth in the Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo — dropping from their fourth place spot in the 2019 election. Hanlon says those previously Green votes moving to other parties had a lot to do with federal Green Party ups and downs.

“I think the Greens — I don’t see them down and out forever but they’re certainly going to need to reassess where they stand and recommunicate what their campaign policies are and platform.”

Looking ahead, its expected all parties will be reflecting on their strategies, and Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo will be sending Caputo to represent the area and take part in the House of Commons.

“I’m not sure exactly when I’ll be sworn in — likely sometime in early October I anticipate, and that’s when the real work really begins.”