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 from Peachland to Coldstream in this upcoming B.C. election. Be sure to check back for updates and videos. 

Gavin Dew is a business leader, entrepreneur, and executive with extensive experience in governance and public policy. He is driven by a passion to renew and rebuild BC鈥檚 economic potential.

Gavin鈥檚 career spans two decades at the intersection of business, public policy, and tech. He has played a key role in building public understanding and support for complex policies and projects across Canada, including affordable housing, energy infrastructure, and tech clusters. Most recently, he served as Chief Strategy Officer for a $5 billion agricultural innovation and food security project. His academic background includes a BA from UBC and an MBA from Oxford. 

Gavin serves on the board of the Business Council of British Columbia and has previously served in governance roles with UBC and Kwantlen Polytechnic University. He volunteers as an advisor to Arthritis Canada and chairs the board of the Veterans Transition Network, a national mental health charity. 

What qualifications do you think an MLA should have?

An effective MLA needs to have a substantial understanding of both public policy and the private sector economy, a track record of getting things done, and a passion for helping people and families. They need to be a team player with a collaborative approach to solving problems and unlocking opportunities both locally and across the province. And they need to be ready to be part of a new government, with new ideas to get BC back on track.

What qualifications do you have to represent your riding?

My career in private sector business has given me a deep understanding of how government and the economy fit together and how that affects people and families. That includes leadership roles steering major projects responsible for billions in capital investment and thousands of jobs. I鈥檝e seen first hand the crisis of indecision that blocks our economy from flourishing. 

I鈥檝e worked closely with industry associations, chambers of commerce, and other business organizations around BC. I have also been an entrepreneur, and I know the challenges of building a small business in BC today. Most recently, I helped my wife Erin open Play Area - Kelowna鈥檚 newest indoor playground. 

Having volunteered in politics for years at both a grassroots and leadership level, I have a wide and deep political knowledge and network around the province. As part of a Conservative government, that will allow me to actually deliver results for the people of Kelowna - not just talk about it. That鈥檚 crucial: after years of NDP neglect, it鈥檚 time we start getting things done here.

What political issues will drive voters to the polls this election?

This election comes down to a simple choice: common sense change with the Conservatives, or more chaos and decline under David Eby鈥檚 radical NDP. 

Our economy is in trouble. We鈥檝e seen practically zero private sector job growth over the last 5 years, while the size of government has grown by a third and there鈥檚 a $8B deficit. We all want good government services, but we need to get the economy back on track to pay for them. 

The cost of living is squeezing people and families. Under the NDP, British Columbians have been stuck on an endless treadmill of rising costs and punishing taxes - with more than 30 tax hikes in the last 7 years. 

Our healthcare system is in crisis, and it is failing British Columbians. Conservatives have proposed an in-depth 鈥減atients first鈥� approach to healthcare reform and investment, which includes better supporting our healthcare workers.

The NDP鈥檚 approach to drugs and addiction isn鈥檛 working, and neighbourhoods are paying the price. Conservatives believe in a compassionate solutions-based approach that prioritizes real treatment and recovery to help people overcome addiction, while ensuring the safety and well-being of our communities.

We can do better. It鈥檚 time for change. 

What unique issues are affecting your riding?

We鈥檝e knocked on thousands of doors in Kelowna - Mission.

With Kelowna General Hospital located in the riding, both patients and hospital workers are demanding better. For example, it鈥檚 completely unacceptable that a group of doctors recently had to blow the whistle about service interruptions in pediatric emergency care. Both clinical specialists and family doctors have told me about difficulties getting established in Kelowna - and that means it鈥檚 harder for people and families to get the care they need.

Our tourism sector is hurting badly - it鈥檚 down 50% year over year. That means less jobs, especially for young people. And it is adding to the headwinds facing BC鈥檚 $3.75B wine industry, where as many as 70 wineries are up for sale. The NDP took a sledgehammer to short term rentals where a scalpel was needed, and that has made things worse for tourism without having a significant measurable effect on housing affordability. We鈥檒l fix that, working with the City of Kelowna. 

Wildfires come up often. Canada produced 23% of global wildfire emissions last year. We need a full court press on both prevention and suppression to keep our community safe and address the massive environmental impact.