Kelowna--Lake Country

Kelowna--Lake Country is a federal electoral district in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia's southern interior, named for the city of Kelowna and the District of Lake Country, which lies approximately 25 kilometres to its north. The riding was originally created in 1996 as the Kelowna electoral district and renamed Kelowna--Lake Country in 2003. Situated along the eastern shore of Okanagan Lake, the riding encompasses one of British Columbia's fastest-growing urban centres, with a combined riding population of approximately 130,000 people. The Okanagan Valley's hot, dry summers and mild winters have made it one of Canada's premier wine-producing regions and a magnet for retirees and tourism.

Candidates

Tracy Gray (Conservative) is a businesswoman and politician who was first elected in 2019, becoming the first woman to serve as Member of Parliament for the riding. In 2006, she was named RBC Canadian Woman Entrepreneur of the Year, and in 2008, the Women's Enterprise Centre recognized her as one of 100 "New Pioneers" in British Columbia entrepreneurship. She was appointed to the Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Minister for Interprovincial Trade in 2019 and later served as Shadow Minister for Export Promotion and International Trade.

Tim Krupa (Liberal) is a Kelowna native whose family has lived in the area since 1996. He completed the French Immersion program at Kelowna Secondary School and graduated as valedictorian from UBC Okanagan, where he also served on the university's Board of Governors. He holds an MBA and a Master of Public Policy with distinction from Oxford University and has worked at CPP Investments and previously as an investor at Bridgewater and as a policy advisor in the Prime Minister's Office.

Cade Desjarlais (NDP) was a 19-year-old political science student at UBC Okanagan when he ran in this election. Despite his youth, he brought experience in student governance as a member of the Student Union board of directors and community involvement through the Youth Action Advisory Council at the Foundry and the Canadian Mental Health Association.

Brian Rogers (PPC) is a journeyman electrician who has lived in the Kelowna area since the early 1970s. He worked at Western Star Trucks for 25 years, rising to the position of shop steward, and completed his post-secondary education locally.

About the Riding

The Okanagan Valley's agricultural landscape defines the riding's character. Lake Country, the northernmost sub-region in the Okanagan Valley's wine appellation, is known for cool-climate white varietals like Pinot Gris and Riesling. Gray Monk Estate Winery, established in 1972 in Lake Country, pioneered Pinot Gris in British Columbia and helped launch the province's modern wine industry. With more than 40 wineries within a short drive of Kelowna's city centre, viticulture and wine tourism have become central pillars of the regional economy, alongside orchards producing cherries, peaches, apples, and other tree fruits.

Kelowna itself has evolved from a quiet Okanagan town into the largest city in the BC interior, with a diversified economy spanning technology, health care, education, and tourism. UBC Okanagan, which opened its current campus in 2005, has brought a significant influx of students and academic investment to the area. Kelowna General Hospital serves as the regional health centre for the entire southern interior.

The riding's demographics skew older than the provincial average, reflecting the Okanagan's long-standing popularity as a retirement destination. The warm climate, recreational opportunities -- including skiing at Big White and Silver Star, boating on Okanagan Lake, and extensive cycling and hiking networks -- and relatively lower cost of living compared to the Lower Mainland have sustained steady population growth. Housing affordability, however, has emerged as a growing concern, with real estate prices rising sharply in the years preceding the 2021 election, driven in part by interprovincial migration from Alberta and other provinces.