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There’s no denying, the past year has been busy in the world of local news.
In 2015, Kelowna experienced a change in local government, another scary fire season, and the inclusion of all members of our community.
As we look ahead to the New Year, KelownaNow is counting down the top six ‘Newsmakers of the Year,’ as chosen by our journalists.
Following a 12-year Conservative reign and nearly a decade of leadership under former Member of Parliament Ron Cannan, Kelowna-Lake Country’s blue streak came to a sudden and abrupt end, shocking staunch Conservatives and changing the face of our community.
On October 19th, 2015, Canada witnessed the “red wave” in action, as preliminary results started to pour in from Atlantic Canada with an overwhelming Liberal start.
When the votes started to trickle in here in Kelowna-Lake Country, it looked like the incumbent MP would get another stab at politics here in the Okanagan.
However, as red continued to sweep through Canada, it became apparent that our City would no longer be clad in blue.
Towards the end of Election Night 2015, a defeated and somber Cannan addressed a rather melancholic and teary-eyed crowd, stating that his inevitable fate will be met with new opportunities to spend more time with family and friends here in the community he loves most.
“There’s so many good things that have happened and I know that there’s more that’s going to happen, and I want to be part of that, however the community calls me to be,” said Cannan.
Moving into the MP hot seat was Liberal candidate Stephen Fuhr, who beat out Cannan by 4,102 votes. Clearly still beloved, Ron Cannan garnered a total of 25,512 votes (39.8 per cent), behind Fuhr but ahead of NDP candidate Norah Bowman.
Cannan began his political career in 2005, when he was asked to join the Conservative Party of Canada.
As a proud father and granddad, the former Conservative leader said that when it comes to the environment, the economy, education, and social programs, it’s important to find balance.
“One of the best things about representing the communities in Kelowna-Lake Country is helping people work through government regulations and bureaucracies. You can’t always get the outcome people want, but you can at least get them an answer and an explanation,” said Cannan on his Facebook page.
It was certainly a tight race between red and blue here in Kelowna, but for now all eyes are on Fuhr.
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