(District of Barriere).

By Aaron Schulze

Federal Election

Barriere Mayor becomes fourth candidate for CPC Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo nomination

Mar 8, 2021 | 5:27 PM

BARRIERE, B.C. — The Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) has a plethora of options for nominees in the Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo riding.

Ward Stamer, mayor of the District of Barriere, became the fourth candidate for the CPC’s nomination in the riding, joining Tourism Kamloops CEO Bev DeSantis, developer Michael Grenier, and Crown prosecutor Frank Caputo.

A crowded field for the nomination has developed since current CPC MP Cathy McLeod announced she wouldn’t seek re-election.

“Now more than ever, it’s important to have a representative in government who is experienced, well-connected in the region and has the best interests of all our residents in Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo,” Stamer said.

Stamer has lived in the Barriere area around 50 years where he and his father worked in a logging operation. He was elected mayor in 2018, has served for the Lions Club for 30 years, and currently sits on the B.C. Safety Council.

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After he and his father sold their logging operation in 2015, Stamer was approached about potentially running for the B.C. Liberal nomination for Kamloops-North Thompson ahead of the 2017 provincial election.

“I didn’t really know what I was going to do or how I was going to do it,” he said. “I just didn’t have my heart in it. Since then, I had an opportunity to become the mayor of Barriere. I was successful and I’ve enjoyed it immensely. I’ve always wanted to be able to take the next step up in the riding and this is the opportune time for me to do that.”

While competition is stiff for the CPC nomination, Stamer believes his experience as a councillor and mayor, and having ties to municipalities throughout the riding, gives him a leg up on the other candidates.

“Whether it’s access to grants, infrastructure or different opportunities for the region, but just being able to know what’s going on in those areas,” he said. “With the business contacts I have through the logging company, organizations and forestry in general, I think it’s a win-win.”

If successful, Stamer said he’d like to help create more transparency in government, focus on economic growth and innovation throughout the region, build relationships with local First Nations and assist the tourism sector.

For now, Stamer will continue his mayoral duties. If he were to become the CPC Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo nominee, the District of Barriere would need a by-election. However’s he said the district would be in good hands with the council until the 2022 municipal elections.