Kamloops Conservative incumbents flag affordability, health care ahead of provincial voting

In neighbouring Kamloops-North Thompson, Ward Stamer says his conversations have often started with frustration. The brought-forward concerns highlight several degrees of hardship in residents’ daily lives.

“Whether it’s affordability, job security, lack of health care, seniors care, disorder on the streets… I mean, just pick one of the five and that’s what’s basically top of mind,” says Stamer.

Milobar is also fielding questions about projects closer to home, saying voters want to know where several local priorities stand.

“When you get into the more localized issues, it’s really around the Red Bridge replacement. What are we doing with school capital or not? What’s going on with health care in terms of a [catheterization] lab for the hospital or the PET/CT scanner being added in for the cancer centre?” adds Milobar.

For Stamer, the forest industry would be an early priority if re-elected. He says a Conservative government would work to get more fibre to the mills.

“That’s important,” suggests Stamer. “We obviously have to make sure when we form government, we’re able to make sure the fibre flows to those mills (to) keep them going and look at reopening the ones that have shut down, and be able to have stability within the region and within the province.”

Of course, delivering on those priorities first means winning over the numbers.

Milobar says previous results offer no guarantee this time around.

“I don’t take anything for granted and we will run, and ultimately, we’re confident the voters of Kamloops Centre want to see a change in Victoria and are happy with the work I’ve been doing in representing them to this point.”

Stamer says he will continue reaching out to his riding in the remaining days. Despite the compressed campaign, he says people are paying attention.

“Just actually the level of engagement. I mean people, even though it’s such a short timeline for the snap election and being, you know, at the same time as the municipal elections, there’s a lot of people who are engaged. There’s a lot of people who are getting information.”

With the campaign entering its final week, both candidates are working to reach more voters before they head to the polls, hoping those conversations translate into renewed support on October 24.

by Jeremy Russo

Kamloops Conservative incumbents flag affordability, health care ahead of provincial voting

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