The big issues in the Kamloops-North Thompson riding for the B.C. election include the Ajax mine proposal, concerns over funding at Royal Inland Hospital, and the rural doctor shortage.
In 2013: BC Liberal Terry Lake won re-election easily, 52 per cent to 39 per cent.
In 2009: Terry Lake took this open riding, defeating NDP candidate Doug Brown by 510 votes, 47 per cent to 45 per cent.
History & Geography: Created in 1991 when the Kamloops riding split in two, this riding comprises of Kamloops north of the Thompson River, and a variety of small towns between Kamloops and Blue River along Highway 5. The NDP won the riding in 1991 with just 39 per cent of the vote, and the Liberals have held it ever since. The NDP’s strength in the urban centre of Kamloops generally keep the party competitive in the riding, but the Liberals do very well in the city outskirts and Sun Peaks. Long considered a proverbial “bellwether” riding, one that is always won by the party that wins the general election.
Candidates
Liberals – Peter Milobar: A “star candidate” to replace Terry Lake, Milobar is the sitting three-term Kamloops mayor. He also owns and operates a private liquor store in Kamloops.
NDP – Barbara Nederpel: Vice president of the Hospital Employees’ Union and president of the Kamloops and District Labour Council. A licensed practical nurse, Nederpel works in the respiratory clinic at Royal Inland Hospital.
Greens – Dan Hines: A priest with the Anglican Church, Hines is a founding member of the RareBirds Housing Co-operative: an innovative sustainable community project.
Communist Party of BC – Peter Paul Kerek: There is still a Marxist-Leninist party in B.C. They are running six candidates in 2017.
2017 Stats: Kamloops-North Thompson
Population (2014): 54,014 (59th)
Population Deviation from Average: 1.7 per cent.
Area: 21,642 sq km (13th)
Pop Density: 2.5 (73rd)
Average Age: 44 years (27th)
English as Second Language: 8.98 per cent (78th)
Top 3 Second Languages:
Panjabi (Punjabi) – 1.58 per cent
German – 1.36 per cent
Italian – 1.05 per cent
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