File Photo (Image Credit: BC Legislature)

By Michael Reeve

BC ELECTION 2024

Kamloops surrounded by Tory blue with Conservative wins in Fraser-Nicola, Cariboo-Chilcotin

Oct 21, 2024 | 6:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — The vast majority of the Interior of British Columbia elected Conservative candidates Saturday (Oct. 19), with one notable exception. Early-campaign Kamloops Centre candidate Dennis Giesbrecht was defeated by the NDP candidate in Vernon-Lumby after moving aside to allow Peter Milobar to run in Kamloops.

The Cariboo-Chilcotin riding now stretches all the way to Tobiano and Cherry Creek, and after Saturday’s election, will be represented by Conservative MLA Lorne Doerkson as he won re-election for his new party.

“I think there is no question that there was a massive amount of change in the province,” Doerkson told CFJC News. “Going forward, that is going to keep everybody on their toes in that legislature, I think you are going to see some very close counts and I think it’s going to be a challenge either way, for whoever forms government.”

Like many areas of the province, health care was priority one for Doerkson — and similarly for Tony Luck in Fraser-Nicola, who frequently sees the Nicola Valley Hospital’s emergency room closed in Merritt due to staffing challenges.

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“Not knowing what government is going to look like, that is going to be a huge priority with us — health care has to be a huge priority with us. Never mind jobs and the crime issues but health care has to be. We heard that loud and clear on the campaign trail,” said MLA-elect Luck.

Image Credit: Conservative Party of BC

Luck, a former city councillor in Merritt, will be a rookie MLA and while his leader has alluded to quickly bringing down a minority government, Luck addressed hoping to see the parties work together — at least in the short term — to avoid sending resident back to the polls.

“Quite frankly, David Eby lost this election. There are a lot of questions on that side of the floor, as well, that need to be answered, so I don’t think they will be overly anxious to do that,” said Luck. “And I know John (Rustad) is just itching to get at it, but I think if that cooler heads prevail, we will just slow down a little bit and see what we can do here moving forward.”

There was some thought before the election about a new centre-of-the-road party being established if the Tories stumbled. However with the Conservatives surging, that possibility lessens.

“I wouldn’t rule anything out (about a new party emerging), but I’m staying put right where I am. I think we have a great leader and great support right through this province,” said Doerkson. “If something else happens, all well and good. I suppose there are probably going to be a few people who think that can happen.”