Ben Stewart was elected MLA for Westside-Kelowna in 2009 and 2013.
He was re-elected in a by-election in 2018 in the riding of Kelowna West. Ben is currently the Official Opposition trade critic for the ministry of jobs, economic development and competitiveness.
Ben previously served as minister of agriculture, minister of community and rural development (municipal affairs) and minister of citizens91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™ services.
In October 2013, he was appointed British Columbia91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s Special Representative in Asia to act as the province91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s official on-the-ground representative to further strengthen B.C.91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s government-to-government relationships in China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia.
He also has extensive experience serving the community as a board and advisory member with UBCO, Okanagan College and Kelowna General Hospital Foundation. He also served on the regional district91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s advisory planning commission and Westside governance committee.
The Stewart family has farmed continuously in Kelowna since 1908.
Having grown up in Kelowna, Ben has farmed vineyards and a diverse mixture of orchards and tree fruits with his family for over 40 years and is regarded as a pioneer of today91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s premium wine industry.
In 1989, he founded and built Quails91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™ Gate into one of Canada91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s leading estate wineries.
Later, under his leadership as chair of VQA Canada, the organization successfully resolved a significant number of National and International Trademark and Trade issues.
Ben lives in West Kelowna and has three children and five grandchildren.
What is the most important issue in your riding?
Restore Confidence and Rebuild BC
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ Current economic recovery lacks strategy and certainty.
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ NDP91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s 26 new and increased taxes make business in BC highly uncompetitive
Tackle crime and addictions
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ New complex health care treatment for mental health and addictions
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ Increased funding for policing
What have you done to benefit your community in the past?
Improved Health Care
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ Medical School at UBCO 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ“ 32 new doctors every year
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢Southern Interior Heart and Surgical Centre at KGH
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ KGH expansion of Centennial Wing
Improved Education
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ Okanagan College expansion and rebuild of trades and health faculties 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ“ increased student population over 50 per cent to 10,000+
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ UBCO Medical School and Engineering Management School establishment
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ Student services building, library expansion and housing expansion
Improved Infrastructure
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ CORD Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ Rapid Transit 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ“ UBCO to West Kelowna
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ Westside Road ongoing widening and safety improvements
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ Highway 97 safety improvements 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ“ lighting, barriers, advanced left-turn lights, Westside Road overpass completion
Economic Development and Trade
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ Innovation Tech Centre 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ“ City of Kelowna and Province of BC partnership
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ Agriculture 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ“ increased trade on value-added tree fruits
Supportive Housing
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ Willowbridge Mental Health Supportive Housing
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ NOW Canada Women91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s Transition Housing
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ Pleasantvale Affordable Senior91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s Housing
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ Cardington Apartments Transition Housing
What will you do to represent your community in Victoria?
Restore Confidence
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ Elimination of PST for 1 year followed by a reduction to three per cent in year 2
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ Speculation Tax elimination
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ Return B.C. to a competitive tax and regulatory regime
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ Reduce red tape and streamline regulation
Tackle Crime and Addiction
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ Investment in mental health and addiction treatment
ICBC
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ Bring in competition and offer choice for British Columbians
Environment Leadership
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ Re-establish BC as a global climate leader
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ Utilize evidence-based research for decision making
READ MORE: B.C. VOTES 2020: Advance voting begins today in West Kelowna
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