Ward Stamer

{{Infobox officeholder

| party = BC Conservatives

| honorific_suffix = MLA

| office = Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia for Kamloops-North Thompson

| termstart = October 19, 2024

| predecessor = Peter Milobar

| office2 = Mayor of Barriere, British Columbia

| term_start2 = 2018

| term_end2 = 2024

}}

Ward Stamer is a Canadian politician who was elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in the 2024 British Columbia general election.{{Cite web |last=Perry |first=Nicole |date=2024-10-31 |title=Final results on the 2024 BC Election are in |url=https://sunpeaksnews.com/final-results-on-the-2024-bc-election-are-in/ |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=Sun Peaks Independent News |language=en-CA}} He represents the electoral district of Kamloops-North Thompson as a member of the Conservative Party of British Columbia.{{Cite web |title=Ward Stamer at Conservative Party of BC |url=https://www.conservativebc.ca/ward |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=Conservative Party of BC |language=en}} He was also the former mayor of Barriere, British Columbia.

Early life and career

Stamer has lived in Barriere most of his life with his wife Carleen, 2 children, and 3 granddaughters. Before entering politics, he has had extensive experience working in the forestry sector as a logging contractor for almost 40 years before selling his business in 2015. He enjoys water and snow skiing and riding his motorcycle in his spare time.{{Cite web |date=October 5, 2024 |author=Michael Potestio |title=Kamloops-North Thompson Conservative candidate Stamer says election is most important in his lifetime |url=https://www.castanetkamloops.net/news/Kamloops/510224/Kamloops-North-Thompson-Conservative-candidate-Stamer-says-election-is-most-important-in-his-lifetime |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=Castanet Kamloops |language=en}}

He has also been dedicated to public service serving as Chairman to the Barriere Improvement District, overseeing essential services including solid waste management, streetlights, water, and fire services. He has also been a Lions Club member for over three decades, embodying the motto "We Serve".

Political career

= District of Barriere =

Stamer was elected to Barriere town council after incorporation in 2007 before successfully running for mayor in 2018, and acclaimed as mayor for another term in 2022.{{Cite web |date=October 19, 2024 |title=Barriere mayor Stamer elected to represent Kamloops-North Thompson |url=https://cfjctoday.com/2024/10/19/barriere-mayor-stamer-elected-to-represent-kamloops-north-thompson/ |access-date=2024-10-20 |website=CFJC Today Kamloops}}{{Cite web |title=BC election 2024 results: Kamloops-North Thompson {{!}} Globalnews.ca |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/10779005/bc-election-2024-results-kamloops-north-thompson/ |access-date=2024-10-20 |website=Global News}} He received the most votes as a councillor in municipal elections in 2011 and 2014, and tied for the most votes in 2008.{{Cite web |last=Davies |first=Colton |title=Barriere mayor Ward Stamer seeking federal Conservative nomination in Kamloops area |url=https://www.radionl.com/2021/03/08/barriere-mayor-ward-stamer-seeking-federal-conservative-nomination-in-kamloops-area/ |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=Radio NL - Kamloops News |language=en}} The first time he ran for mayor, Stamer won with 71.47% of the votes defeating his opponent, Mike Fennell.{{Cite web |title=B.C. municipal election 2018: Barriere results - BC {{!}} Globalnews.ca |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/4160783/barriere-bc-municipal-election-2018/ |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=Global News |language=en-US}} As mayor, he also sat on the Thompson-Nicola Regional District Board. He resigned as mayor after winning his seat in the provincial election.{{cite web |last1=Buck |first1=Hettie |date=22 October 2024 |title=MLA-elect Stamer officially resigns as mayor of Barriere |url=https://www.clearwatertimes.com/news/mla-elect-stamer-officially-resigns-as-mayor-of-barriere-7602290 |access-date=31 October 2024 |website=Clearwater Times |publisher=Black Press Media}}

In 2021, Stamer sought the federal Conservative nomination for Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo, but lost to current MP, Frank Caputo.{{Cite web |last=Kaisar |first=Victor |title=BC Conservative Party candidates outline vision for Kamloops-area, campaign platform |url=https://www.radionl.com/2024/03/15/115914/ |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=Radio NL - Kamloops News |language=en}}

= 2024 provincial election =

Stamer has been a longtime Social Credit Party supporter, but decided to jump on board with the Conservative Party of BC after becoming "disillusioned" by the BC Liberals' policies and governance. In March 2024, Stamer was nominated as the Conservative Party of BC's candidate for Kamloops-North Thompson.{{Cite web |date=March 15, 2024 |author=Angelo Isidorou |title=Barrière Mayor Ward Stamer and Dennis Giesbrecht Nominated in Kamloops Ridings |url=https://www.conservativebc.ca/kamloops_ridings |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=Conservative Party of BC |language=en}} He went on to win a seat in the Legislative Assembly of BC with 59.7% of the vote.

Stamer currently serves on the official opposition's shadow cabinet as the Critic for Forests. He has since called on the BC NDP to denounce lethal tree spiking in Fairy Creek to protect forestry workers,{{Cite web |date=January 30, 2025 |author=Ward Stamer |title=Conservatives call on Attorney General to denounce lethal tree spiking in Fairy Creek |url=https://www.conservativebc.ca/tree_spiking |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=Conservative Party of BC |language=en}} and to address critical issues facing the forestry sector such as delays in permitting.{{Cite web |date=January 15, 2025 |author=Ward Stamer |title=Conservative Party of BC Demands Immediate Action on Forestry Crisis: Delays in Permitting Hurting Jobs and Communities |url=https://www.conservativebc.ca/immediate_action_forestry_crisis |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=Conservative Party of BC |language=en}} His policy priorities include healthcare access, affordable housing, economic stability, and revitalizing the local economy by promoting resource industries.

Electoral record

{{2024 British Columbia general election/Kamloops-North Thompson}}