Ward Stamer is running to be selected as the Conservative Nominee in the Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo.
Stamer is currently the Mayor of the District of Barriere, a position he was elected to in 2018, having previously served as a councilor since the district’s incorporation in 2010.
To get his message out to area Conservatives, Stamer held a Candidate Public Meeting at the Lion’s Hall on the evening of Wednesday, July 28, to introduce himself and what he stands for. The meeting was also live streamed via Facebook.
The audience was limited to 50 attendees as per BC Health regulations with all of the chairs accounted for.
Members of the audience were encouraged to ask questions of the candidate, and they did just that. An hour was quickly filled with active discussion and information sharing. Those watching the live stream were also able to make comments, which they took advantage of.
Stamer opened the meeting by thanking all of the people working on the fire lines to help the communities they are protecting, saying, “They are doing their very best, and they deserve our heartfelt thanks.”
He said the issues on the table right now across Canada are health care, affordability, the cost of living, climate change, the economy, COVID-19 recovery, government deficits, seniors and Indigenous relationships.
“This riding has a big, big issue with housing and it is the same all across Canada as well,” said the candidate.
“It’s getting harder and harder for people to be able to find affordable housing, whether they are buying or renting, it’s really difficult, especially in the urban areas, and we are noticing it now in our areas.”
Stamer said there are ways available that can make those homes affordable for people through lower interest rates, 30-year bonds, and a number of other avenues.
“There are opportunities for us to get out there and do it. We’ve just got to hurry up and do it.
“We need to be looking at post-secondary education, we know that we need more skills training; and that also includes inter-provincial trade barriers. We have to increase our ability to have trade ticketing in one part of the country that we can have approval in another part of the country. So as people move around this country we don’t have to have them burdened by having to redo their tickets or different tests. We need a standardized system so we can have people move a lot more freely around the country.”
Regarding the economy Stamer said, “Now that we are starting to look at COVID in the rear view mirror we want to start looking at how we are going to get ourselves out of the mess that we are in. Back in 2013 - 2015 our Conservative majority government was able to pay back $150 billion dollars against our national debt. Unfortunately, Mr. Trudeau came along, and from 2016 until now he’s been able to double our debt in just under five years from $1.6 billion dollars to $1.2 trillion dollars. Yes, some of it is COVID related, but it sure isn’t all of it.
“That’s something that all of us are concerned about, we see interest rates go up due to our national debt. How are we supposed to get out of that debt? The Conservative party has proved it can be done in the past and I am sure we can do it again.”
He noted the importance of investment in infrastructure, such as the Trans Mountain pipeline to all of the communities in the North Thompson Valley, and that the pipeline is an important legacy which will generate jobs for years to come, along with other forms of investments in infrastructure that the Conservatives will be looking at.
“We have to look at increasing our electricity other than on the grid. Do we look at hydro electric or solar energy? Possibly we are going to be looking at natural gas.
“There are lots of opportunities for natural gas. Lone Butte is the closest possibility for natural gas, if we can encourage Fortis to embrace that opportunity it will bring other opportunities with it.”
Stamer spoke about carbon tax and carbon credits, commenting one of the ways that footprint can be reduced is to use alternative fuels such as ethanol, bio fuels and natural gas.
“By encouraging those alternatives we will not only reduce our carbon footprint but we will be reducing those greenhouse gases as well.”
He noted that health care is also a huge factor.
“We need to be able to do our very best for our communities. Get specialists and care closer to home instead of having to go all the way to Vancouver to get those services.”
Touching on Indigenous issues Stamer said, “I think it is important that we recognize Indigenous peoples need infrastructure just as much as we do. We still have reserves that have inadequate water supply and inadequate sewer.
“They have the same needs that we have. I think we should be able to work with them as well and develop a plan so that as we get better – they get better as well.”
Almost a full hour of questions and answers followed. You can find a recording of the live streamed meeting by going to the Facebook page: Ward Stamer’s Campaign.
Stamer wrapped up by saying, “Through my work experience and community involvement, I have a strong understanding of the region and positive working relationships with many residents – ranchers, loggers, business owners, First Nations and government representatives. Through my local government involvement I have experience planning, budgeting, and delivering services to our communities in the Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo riding.
“We need a majority Conservative government to get this right. Now more than ever it is important to have a representative in government who is experienced, connected with the region, and has the best interests first and foremost for all the residents of the Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo.”
Members of the Conservative Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo riding will be voting online starting Aug. 6 - 9, 2021, to choose who will be representing them in the next Federal election.
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