In 2009: Liberal Bill Barisoff won his fourth straight election, defeating NDP candidate Cameron Phillips by over 3000 votes, 44-31%.
History & Geography: A descendent of the old Similkameen riding, Penticton was made the centre of its own riding in 1991. In that year the riding went to the NDP in a three-way race, but otherwise has gone to the Liberals. The riding’s current boundaries include Peachland, Summerland, and Chute Lake to the north. Historically, the city centre of Penticton has been a swing area, while Summerland, Peachland, and the Penticton suburbs have supported the Liberals.
Basic Stats:
Population: 55490 (37th)
Size: 1903 km (28th)
Density: 29.2 people/km (58th)
Candidates
Liberals-Dan Ashton: The Mayor of Penticton, Ashton is currently serving his second term after three straight terms on council. Ashton is also the chair of the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen. He has said that if elected, he would pay for the cost of a byelection to ensure the city wouldn’t lose money. Growing up, he worked in his family’s retail business, Ashton’s Ladies Wear.
NDP-Richard Cannings: A biologist, Cannings is a birder and author who has lived in the southern Okanagan for decades. He works for Bird Studies Canada; specializing in bird counting, and has produced radio pieces on natural history for CBC. He also writes natural history books, and plays fiddle in a Scottish country dance band.
Conservatives-Sean Upshaw: A realtor, Upshaw is a member of the RE/MAX Hall of Fame. He has done work for a variety of religious organizations in both Canada and Australia.
BC First-Doug Maxwell: A former small business owner, Maxwell ran an auto mechanic company before retiring.
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