Unsure who to vote for? Want to know more about your local candidates? Black Press Media has asked candidates to provide a short biography as well as answer key questions to help readers understand more about who is running in their riding in the upcoming federal election.
Barry Dewar - People's Party of Canada - Similkameen-South Okanagan-West Kootenay
Bio:
I purchased my home in Osoyoos in 1983. I was a banker, a financial consultant land developer and hockey team owner. I had some summer relief work with Sterile Insect Release and the Town landfill. I worked part-time for Canadian Superstore in Penticton until the writ was called.
Questions:
1. The Similkameen South Okanagan West Kootenay riding contains over 111,000 people, with the single largest concentration in the city of Penticton at over 37,000, followed by Castlegar at over 8,000. The remaining population is spread across the rural and regional districts. If elected, how do you plan to represent both your rural and your urban constituents?
I have lived in rural and urban environments. As a banker and consultant I got to know a lot about farming and having lived for a time in Kamloops I know urban settings as well. My experience in all areas of business is an asset.
2. If elected, how would you advocate for Okanagan farmers who are being impacted by both sides of the trade war?
The trade war seems to be a distraction for what our true problems are, which is affordability. We live in this area because it is truly God's country. As a banker and consultant, I saw firsthand how farm credit and others treat our farmers. I have worked across the desk with farmers against the farm debt review board and understand the devastation that bureaucratic decisions can ruin good hard working people. In the bank, I was the manager of the local bank 50 years ago when bureaucrats did little if anything to help the farmers. It is not just the trade war but inter-provincial regulations that devastate the opportunity for people to make a living and support their families
3. Emergency room closures and long waits to get a family doctor are particularly notable for rural residents. How would you plan to attract and retain doctors in communities that are lacking them to ensure your constituents have the healthcare they need?
There is a new system being piloted in the Victoria area where the doctor and staff are employees of the town and the paperwork and administration is done by town employees. They have a similar system in South Africa. Our doctors and nurses are being burned out, which, when coupled with the nurses and doctors the bureaucrats fired over COVID has created a vacuum. Bring those nurses and doctors back. In addition, our schools of medicine graduate so few students is that because the College of Physicians are incapable of teaching, or do they deliberately keep the graduates low to keep demand high?
4. What do you feel is the most important issue in your riding, and how would you address it?
People feel the tariffs from the US is their number one concern. My party is the only one who does not propose counter tariffs. If you continually poke the bear you generally get bit. We need a spirit of cooperation with governments of all countries to ensure our people do not suffer. The current parties only want to fight! Now they are encouraging buy Canadian, that should have always been the case but with Provinces and Federal governments' regulations that can be almost impossible.
5. If elected and your party doesn’t form the government, how will you best represent your riding?
I think representing our riding is listening to the people we know firsthand. Vote for me to get a voice of reason who will work for you.
Responses have been edited for clarity, length and accountability.
