Tracy Gray is the Conservative Party candidate in Kelowna/Tracy Gray campaign

By Vernon Matters Staff

big name support

Kelowna Conservative Tracy Gray endorsed by former premier Gordon Campbell

Apr 23, 2025 | 1:15 PM

Former British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell has thrown his support behind Tracy Gray, the Conservative Party candidate for the federal election in Kelowna.

In a statement issued by the Gray campaign Wednesday, Campbell – who was premier from 2001 to 2011- said there is a clear choice in the upcoming April 28 election, criticizing the Liberal plan for its impact on the resource sector and continued borrowing and spending.

“We can’t afford a fourth Liberal term of decline. It’s time for a new Conservative government with fresh new ideas that will put Canada first,” Campbell said, in part.

“After three terms of Liberal failure, everything costs more. Seniors are choosing between heating and eating, and young people have given up on the dream of home ownership,” he said. “We need a positive economy that reignites opportunity. Tracy is your best representative in a new Conservative government that will put Canada back on the path to growth, opportunity, and security.”

Campbell spearheaded major infrastructure projects like the Canada Line and Sea-to-Sky Highway, the new W.R. Bennett bridge, and helped elevate BC on the world stage by securing and delivering the successful 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

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Liberal reaction

In reaction to the endorsement, Liberal candidate in the Kelowna riding Stephen Fuhr, said he respects Campbell’s years of public service. But he noted while the former premier strongly supports Pierre Poilievre and the Conservative Party’s national platform, “…he offers no specific praise for Tracy Gray’s record in Kelowna after six years as our Member of Parliament.”

“That is telling,” Fuhr said. “Voters in this riding deserve more than slogans and flyers in their mailbox.”

Stephen Fuhr is the Liberal candidate in Kelowna/ Stephen Fuhr campaign

NDP reaction

NDP candidate Trevor McAleese said the endorsement should be taken as a warning of the damage that a Conservative government will do.

“The endorsement of a premier who oversaw massive privatization of healthcare and who undermined collective bargaining in this province only helps to remind the people of Kelowna what they get when they elect Conservative politicians,” McAleese said.

Trevor McAleese is the NDP candidate in Kelowna/Trevor McAleese campaign