KELOWNA, BC – Gavin Dew, Conservative Party of BC candidate for Kelowna-Mission, released the following statement:

“After nine years of failing to deliver for Kelowna, David Eby is on a desperate 11th-hour tour trying to salvage his job. While Conservatives have been fighting in the legislature for Kelowna for years, Eby called a cynical, self-serving election because he saw an opportunity for himself.

“Now, with four days left before British Columbians vote, Eby will say anything to cling to power, making promises with money he doesn’t have. Nobody believes him anymore. The NDP never delivered on Kelowna’s priorities, even when those priorities were front and centre.

“David Eby threw Loyal Wooldridge under the bus on short-term rentals during the last election, then dragged his heels on letting us implement a made-in-Kelowna solution as vacancy rates hit 6.9%. They dragged their heels for years on mandatory care at Okanagan Correctional Centre, and as recently as October 1, Loyal Wooldridge was pushing for that care to go to Kamloops instead of Oliver.

“They left 33,000 square feet of space at Kelowna General Hospital sitting unfinished for a decade as patients lay in more than 50 hallway beds, and let a toxic and unstable culture fester in Interior Health that drove doctors and healthcare professionals away.

“They wouldn’t commit funding for infrastructure needed to unlock jobs on the East Lands at YLW, and then this morning Eby claimed the NDP made a $25M commitment after announcing only $20M last week. Finally, we pushed them for years on Rutland Middle School, and they took no action. Though maybe they’ll announce that tomorrow, as they desperately try to cling to power.

“For nine years, the NDP made promises to Kelowna, broke them, and now are desperately trying to make up for their inaction. On October 24, voters have an opportunity to elect a government that will actually deliver for Kelowna.”

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Media Contact:
Alex Shiff, Director of Media Relations
media@conservativebc.ca