In 2009: Liberal Terry Lake took this open riding, defeating NDP candidate Doug Brown by 510 votes, 47-45%.
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 49% 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.
Basic Stats:
Population: 52545 (54th)
Size: 21224 km (13th)
Density: 2.5 people/km (72nd)
Odds and Ends: Just 420 people moved to this riding from outside Canada between 2000 and 2005, the fourth lowest number in the province.
Candidates
Liberals-Terry Lake: The Minister of Environment, Lake was new to provincial politics when he was elected in 2009. He was Mayor of Kamloops from 2005-2008, and a councillor before that. A veterinarian by trade, Lake led the Sled Dog Task Force before being named to cabinet.
NDP-Kathy Kendall: A legal aid lawyer running her own practice, Kendall previously worked for the Legal Service Society representing low income clients. According to her website, she has also volunteered in Ethiopia for The Artists for Charity home for HIV positive children, and in Laos for the Canadian Bar Association.
Conservatives-Ed Klop: A small businessman, Klop lives in the Sorrento area. He was raised on a dairy farm, and ran for the Alberta Wildrose Party and the Alberta Alliance in provincial elections last decade—but he was unsuccessful in both races.
Independent-John Ford: A financial markets professional, Ford has lived in Kamloops for four years.
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