Radium lawyer and businessman Dale Shudra has become the fourth candidate to announce he is seeking the Conservative Party nomination for Kootenay Columbia.
The candidates want a chance to take on incumbent Wayne Stetski, the NDP member who succeeded popular Conservative Member of Parliament Jim Abbott in 2015.
Shudra sought the riding nomination in 2011 but withdrew following the death of a close family member.
“I did not plan to run again but feel compelled and excited to enter the contest this time around. These are difficult times and good, competent people need to step up and lead. While being an effective Member of Parliament has its challenges, it presents unique opportunities to significantly benefit our communities and country,” he said in making his announcement.
Shudra was in Creston on Monday and Tuesday this week as he travels through the huge Kootenay Columbia riding that extends from Revelstoke and Golden through to the Nelson, Kaslo and Salmo region. His wife has an uncle here, and he said he looks forward to getting to know more about the Creston Valley and issues that concern residents.
Describing himself as a compassionate community leader who coached minor sports for many seasons, Shudra served three times as a Rotary president and sits on various boards and advisory committees. His political activities include serving on both federal and provincial riding association boards. Last year, he was president of his local riding association where the candidate was successfully elected MLA. This has convinced him that the Conservatives can win back Kootenay Columbia with similar hard work, a team effort, and a good candidate.
“I plan to be that capable Conservative candidate,” he says “who gets elected and makes a needed difference”.
With his extensive business/entrepreneurial and legal experience in diverse areas including natural resources, real estate, finance and manufacturing, Shudra believes that his background, knowledge, analytical skills and strong work ethic will translate into a much-needed political presence for Kootenay Columbia.
Among his concerns, he said, are “that despite social issues getting most of the press, citizens want governments that are fiscally responsible while pursuing social agendas”. He fears where Canada is heading economically. “Missteps have led us down a troubling path and we need to regain our status as a preferred country to do business with and invest in. Some of the current governments are spending more effort apologizing for our resource industries rather than promoting and supporting their responsible development. We will continue to pay an economic price if this is not corrected.”
For further information: Dale Shudra, (250) 347-7743, dshudra@gmail.com, www.daleshudra.com.