Get the Top, Local stories delivered to your inbox! Click here to join the daily Vernon Matters newsletter.
MP Scott Anderson at the SAHA Defence and Aerospace Conference (Image Credit: Scott Anderson's Office)
By Liam Verster
international security discussions

Local MP attending Defence and Aerospace Conference in Turkey

May 7, 2026 | 12:56 PM

The Member of Parliament for Vernon-Lake Country-Monashee has gone overseas to engage with allies and learn of rapidly evolving defence technologies and global threats.

Scott Anderson, who is also an Army veteran and member of the House of Commons Standing Committee on National Defence, was tasked with going to Istanbul, Turkey, to take part in the 2026 SAHA Defence and Aerospace Conference.

“I’m honoured to be chosen to represent the Conservative Party of Canada at this year’s defence conference,” Anderson said in a release.

“It’s encouraging that Canada is represented by veterans.”

Anderson holds a First Class Honours degree in Strategic Studies and has five years of graduate-level academic work focused on defence and security policy. He planned to bring his expertise to the conference and into discussions surrounding NATO readiness, procurement, emerging military technologies, and international security cooperation.

Cycling from Okanagan to Van Isle
Police asking for help locating missing man
11m ago
Stage 2 Restrictions
Water restrictions enhanced for Greater Vernon due to storage concerns
58m ago
international security discussions
Local MP attending Defence and Aerospace Conference in Turkey
1h ago

The conference that runs from May 5 to 9 aims to bring together military officials, defence industry leaders, and international delegations from around the world to discuss aerospace, naval, land, cyber, and unmanned defence systems.

Anderson’s news release noted that conflict and instability continue to shape the international landscape, and the local MP believes Canada should not be complacent when it comes to defence readiness, procurement and support for its allies.

by Liam Verster
View Comments

Other Matters

Cycling from Okanagan to Van Isle
Police asking for help locating missing man
Vernon North Okanagan RCMP have called on the public to help find a missing man.Mounties reported 70-year-old Guy Rutledge was last seen May 2.He was supposedly travelling to Vancouver Island through Kelowna on a bicycle, but had not been heard from since leaving Vernon.Rutledge is described as being 5'9, 160 lbs, with...
11m ago
Read More
Stage 2 Restrictions
Water restrictions enhanced for Greater Vernon due to storage concerns
Stage 2 Water Restrictions were issued for Greater Vernon properties Thursday.The restrictions were increased May 7 due to concerns about the water available for use heading through the spring and into the summer."These measures are necessary due to low snowpack levels, which have reduced the available stored wate...
58m ago
Read More
international security discussions
Local MP attending Defence and Aerospace Conference in Turkey
The Member of Parliament for Vernon-Lake Country-Monashee has gone overseas to engage with allies and learn of rapidly evolving defence technologies and global threats.Scott Anderson, who is also an Army veteran and member of the House of Commons Standing Committee on National Defence, was tasked with going to Istanbul...
1h ago
Read More
99.9/L
Enderby gas station dropped its price temporarily in a "customer appreciation" sale
Commuters in the North Okanagan lined up for a rare chance to fuel up for half price Wednesday afternoon.Social media lit up May 7 as the Quilakwa Canco station off Highway 97 started selling regular gasoline at 99.9 cents per litre for a few hours in the afternoon."It was just a fun customer appreciation [kind of...
2h ago
Read More
Traffic Headache
Northbound lane on Spiers Road set to close for two months
Kelowna drivers are being advised of upcoming traffic changes on Spiers Road as construction begins on the K.L.O. Road Bridge Replacement project.Starting Monday, May 11, the northbound lane on Spiers Road between K.L.O. Road and Parsons Road will be closed for approximately two months. Northbound commuters will be det...
3h ago
Read More
Ban on Category 3, 2 Open Burning
Vernon, Coldstream implementing fire bans Thursday
The City of Vernon and District of Coldstream are putting a ban on open burning.Effective at noon Thursday, May 7, Category 2 and Category 3 open burning will not be permitted within the boundaries of the two municipalities.Category 3 open burning consists of burning piles of material exceeding two metres in height or ...
3h ago
Read More
Tinder Dry
Fire danger rating rises to 'High' in RDCO parks as dry conditions persist
The Regional District of Central Okanagan is urging caution in its parks as dry conditions and rising temperatures push wildfire risk higher across the region.The fire danger rating in regional and community parks has been raised to 'High', or level 4, prompting reminders for visitors to follow all fire prevention rule...
4h ago
Read More
improvements completed
Kelowna's City Park waterfront pathway set to reopen after major upgrades
Kelowna's City Park waterfront is set to welcome residents and visitors back to a key stretch of its shoreline pathway following months of upgrades aimed at improving access, safety and environmental protection.The City will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday, May 15 at 1 p.m. to mark the official reopening of the p...
4h ago
Read More
Water Supply Monitoring
Reservoirs being monitored as snowpacks, precipitation levels remain low
The Regional District of North Okanagan said it's keeping a close eye on local reservoirs amid concerns about dry conditions heading into summer.In a report released May 6, the RDNO said spring runoff and seasonal rainfall have helped boost water storage levels, but below-average snowpack and ongoing dry weather remain...
22h ago
Read More

What Matters

Cycling from Okanagan to Van Isle
Police asking for help locating missing man
11m ago
Stage 2 Restrictions
Water restrictions enhanced for Greater Vernon due to storage concerns
58m ago
international security discussions
Local MP attending Defence and Aerospace Conference in Turkey
1h ago
Ban on Category 3, 2 Open Burning
Vernon, Coldstream implementing fire bans Thursday
3h ago
Water Supply Monitoring
Reservoirs being monitored as snowpacks, precipitation levels remain low
22h ago