There is officially a race for which Conservatives will represent the region in Ottawa if an election proceeds next year.
Teresa Durning is in the running for the Vernon-Lake Country-Monashee Conservative Party of Canada nomination.
Her announcement comes one week after Scott Anderson put his name forward.
Durning believes it is time to end the current costly coalition government that is mismanaging Canada
“It is time to return to common sense for the common people by stopping unnecessary taxes and giving constituents the freedom to make their own choices,” said Durning, who is a current city councillor and incumbent Conservative MP Mel Arnold’s constituency assistant.
She sits on multiple boards through council including; the Arts Council of North Okanagan, Vernon Winter Carnival, Seniors Action Society, O’Keefe Ranch and the City of Vernon Tourism Commission. She is also an alternate liaison for the Regional District of North Okanagan Greater Vernon Advisory Committee and others.
She has been nominated for multiple community leadership awards including Top 20 over 40, Woman of the Year and Community Leader of the Year and she is well-known for her passion and commitment to success.
Prior to her current positions, Durning ran a company for nearly 12 years providing visitor services to tourism-related businesses in Vernon and the surrounding area.
“She has proven that she is committed to the communities she serves by being available, advocating for and listening to the voices of all constituents in the North Okanagan consistently for many years,” her press release reads.
If an election is called before April 22, 2024, there will be no change to the existing electoral boundaries and MP Arnold will run again to represent the current federal electoral district of North Okanagan - Shuswap.
If an election is called after April 22, Arnold will run to represent the new federal electoral district of Kamloops-Shuswap-Central Rockies, and new nominees and candidates will run to represent the new federal electoral district of Vernon-Lake County-Monashee.
The new riding of Vernon-Lake Country-Monashee will come into being when an election is called. It is expected to take place Oct. 20, 2025.
Conservative Party of Canada nomination voting has yet to be determined for the new riding area. Only Conservative Party members will be eligible to cast a vote.
READ MORE: Anderson seeks Vernon-Lake Country-Monashee Conservative nomination