Ward Stamer

Ward Stamer is a Canadian politician who has served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia (MLA) representing the electoral district of Kamloops-North Thompson since 2024. He is a member of the Conservative Party. Prior to provincial politics, he served as mayor of Barriere from 2018 to 2024.

Early life and career Stamer has lived in Barriere most of his life with his wife Carleen, 2 children, and 3 granddaughters.

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. He received the most votes as a councillor in municipal elections in 2011 and 2014, and tied for the most votes in 2008. The first time he ran for mayor, Stamer won with 71.47% of the votes defeating his opponent, Mike Fennell. As mayor, he also sat on the Thompson-Nicola Regional District Board.

In 2021, Stamer sought the federal Conservative nomination for Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo, but lost to current MP, Frank Caputo.

2024 provincial election Stamer had 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. 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, and to address critical issues facing the forestry sector such as delays in permitting. His policy priorities include healthcare access, affordable housing, economic stability, and revitalizing the local economy by promoting resource industries.

Electoral record