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 citizensÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™ services.
In October 2013, he was appointed British ColumbiaÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s Special Representative in Asia to act as the provinceÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s official on-the-ground representative to further strengthen B.C.Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™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 districtÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™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 todayÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s premium wine industry.
In 1989, he founded and built QuailsÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™ Gate into one of CanadaÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™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
Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ Current economic recovery lacks strategy and certainty.
Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ NDPÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s 26 new and increased taxes make business in BC highly uncompetitive
Tackle crime and addictions
Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ New complex health care treatment for mental health and addictions
Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ Increased funding for policing
What have you done to benefit your community in the past?
Improved Health Care
Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ Medical School at UBCO Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥“ 32 new doctors every year
Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢Southern Interior Heart and Surgical Centre at KGH
Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ KGH expansion of Centennial Wing
Improved Education
Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ Okanagan College expansion and rebuild of trades and health faculties Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥“ increased student population over 50 per cent to 10,000+
Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ UBCO Medical School and Engineering Management School establishment
Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ Student services building, library expansion and housing expansion
Improved Infrastructure
Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant
Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ CORD Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion
Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ Rapid Transit Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥“ UBCO to West Kelowna
Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ Westside Road ongoing widening and safety improvements
Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ Highway 97 safety improvements Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥“ lighting, barriers, advanced left-turn lights, Westside Road overpass completion
Economic Development and Trade
Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ Innovation Tech Centre Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥“ City of Kelowna and Province of BC partnership
Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ Agriculture Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥“ increased trade on value-added tree fruits
Supportive Housing
Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ Willowbridge Mental Health Supportive Housing
Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ NOW Canada WomenÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s Transition Housing
Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ Pleasantvale Affordable SeniorÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s Housing
Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ Cardington Apartments Transition Housing
What will you do to represent your community in Victoria?
Restore Confidence
Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ Elimination of PST for 1 year followed by a reduction to three per cent in year 2
Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ Speculation Tax elimination
Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ Return B.C. to a competitive tax and regulatory regime
Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ Reduce red tape and streamline regulation
Tackle Crime and Addiction
Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ Investment in mental health and addiction treatment
ICBC
Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ Bring in competition and offer choice for British Columbians
Environment Leadership
Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ Re-establish BC as a global climate leader
Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ Utilize evidence-based research for decision making
READ MORE: B.C. VOTES 2020: Advance voting begins today in West Kelowna
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