Kelowna—Lake Country

Kelowna—Lake Country stretches along the eastern shore of Okanagan Lake in British Columbia's southern interior, encompassing most of the city of Kelowna and the District of Lake Country to the north. The riding sits within the heart of Canada's premier wine-producing region, where a warm, semi-arid climate supports vineyards, orchards, and a booming tourism industry.

Candidates

Tracy Gray (Conservative) — A Kelowna city councillor from 2014 to 2018, Gray spent much of her career in the British Columbia liquor industry and was named an RBC Canadian Woman Entrepreneur of the Year in 2006. She sought the Conservative nomination citing concern over the federal government's proposed small business tax changes.

Stephen Fuhr (Liberal) — The incumbent MP since 2015, Fuhr was a retired Royal Canadian Air Force major who flew CF-18 Hornets over a 20-year military career that included postings as a pilot instructor, standards officer, and NORAD and NATO evaluation officer. Born in Edmonton and raised in Kamloops, he settled in Kelowna after leaving the military. During his term in Parliament, he chaired the House of Commons Standing Committee on National Defence.

Justin Kulik (NDP) — At 18 years old, Kulik was tied as the youngest federal candidate in the country. A coordinator for Fair Vote Canada, he had been active in the BC Youth Parliament and focused his campaign on food waste reduction and sustainable energy.

Travis Ashley (Green Party) — A landscaper, chef, and student, Ashley was a first-time candidate who centred his campaign on ecological integrity, fiscal responsibility, and social justice in the Okanagan.

Minor candidates included John Barr (People's Party), Daniel Joseph (Independent), and Silverado Socrates (Independent).

About the Riding

The Okanagan Valley's agricultural landscape defines the riding. Lake Country, at the northern end of the valley's wine appellation, is known for cool-climate white varietals, while dozens of wineries operate within a short drive of Kelowna's city centre. The wine industry and fruit orchards—producing cherries, peaches, and apples—anchor the agricultural economy. Kelowna has evolved into the largest city in the BC interior, with UBC Okanagan, which opened its current campus in 2005, bringing academic investment and a large student population. Kelowna General Hospital serves as the regional health centre for the southern interior. The riding's demographics skew older than the provincial average, reflecting the Okanagan's long popularity as a retirement destination. Housing affordability had become a growing concern, with real estate prices climbing sharply in the years before 2019, driven partly by interprovincial migration. Outdoor recreation—including skiing at Big White, boating on Okanagan Lake, and extensive cycling networks—contributes to the area's appeal and its tourism economy.